In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen sits down again with Katie from Sleepy Starts to answer real listener questions about preparing for newborn sleep.
If you haven’t listened to the full episode released right before this one—Baby Sleep Safety Guidelines—add it to your queue next. That episode lays the foundation for everything you’ll hear today, especially around what's normal for baby sleep and why babies like to be held while sleeping.
Today, we dive into some common concerns expecting moms have about newborn sleep:
1. Should I do an eat play sleep routine with my baby?
Katie shares why this popular routine is rooted in sleep-training culture, how it often pulls parents out of tune with their baby’s true needs, and why feeding and sleep are biologically linked—especially for breastfeeding dyads. Ceridwen adds a lactation lens, explaining how feeding on demand supports milk supply and strengthens motherbaby connection.
2. Will contact napping create "bad habits" for when I go back to work?
We discuss what contact napping really is, why it’s normal for babies to want to sleep on a caregiver, and how to prepare for future childcare without sacrificing the closeness that supports regulation, bonding, and safe sleep. Katie breaks down “matchmaking childcare,” secondary attachment figures, and how temperament (orchid vs. dandelion babies) influences transitions. You’ll also learn why babies often nap totally differently with other caregivers - and why that’s not a sign you did anything wrong.
3. How do I prepare for newborn sleep when I'm already bedsharing with a toddler?
Katie walks through practical, safe options for families welcoming a new baby while supporting a bedsharing toddler—whether that means adjusting sleep positions, adding a separate toddler sleep surface, or gently shifting a toddler into their own space with attachment-preserving transitions. We cover the cuddle-curl cosleeping position, safe separation between toddlers and newborns, temperament considerations, and the crucial role of support people during this major shift.
If you’re pregnant or preparing for postpartum and wondering how to navigate newborn sleep in a way that protects bonding, supports breastfeeding, and honors both your baby’s needs and your own - this episode is for you.
Find Katie's resources at sleepystarts.com or on Instagram @sleepystarts.
About today’s guest: Katie Fridge is a certified Baby-Led Sleep & Well-Being Specialist and mom who helps families find rest without sacrificing connection. Through her business, Sleepy Starts, she supports parents in understanding normal infant sleep, promoting healthy brain development, and addressing root causes to sleep challenges. Katie’s attachment-focused approach empowers families to create safe, responsive sleep environments while strengthening the parent-child bond and fostering confidence in the early years.
Katie's links
The Connected Sleep Foundations Bundle
The Postpartum Prep Podcast
Free Guide: Postpartum Prep Pitfalls
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
SHOW NOTES
Thank you for joining us on the Postpartum Prep Podcast. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a pregnant friend, and be sure to leave a review!
Newborn sleep can feel confusing, overwhelming, and honestly… nothing like what most parents expect. In this episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen is joined by Katie Fridge from Sleepy Starts to break down the realities of newborn sleep and the latest evidence-based baby sleep safety guidelines - so you can make intentional, informed choices that support your baby’s wellbeing and your own nervous system.
Together, we explore what’s biologically normal for newborn sleep, why babies wake so often, and how feeding, attachment, and nighttime safety fit together in the early weeks and months. This conversation offers a compassionate, nuanced look at sleep safety recommendations, including crib use, roomsharing, and bedsharing - without fear tactics or judgment.
In this episode, we cover:
What to expect from normal newborn sleep patterns
Why babies wake frequently (and why that’s protective)
Up-to-date baby sleep safety guidelines
How feeding and sleep work together in the fourth trimester
Current recommendations for cribs, bassinets, and bedsharing safety
The difference between SIDS and SUID
How the sleep surface and environment influence risk
Socio-economic and equity issues surrounding sleep safety
When not to bedshare
Options for roomsharing, contact sleep, bedsharing, and responsive nighttime care
Why keeping your baby close supports their brain and nervous system development
Whether you're pregnant and prepping for those first nights, or already navigating newborn sleep and looking for clarity, this episode offers grounded, evidence-informed information with an emphasis on supporting connection and wellbeing for both mothers and babies.
Our goal is to help you explore your options, understand the guidelines, and make choices that feel intentional, aligned, and supportive for your unique family.
About today’s guest:Katie Fridge is a certified Baby-Led Sleep & Well-Being Specialist and mom who helps families find rest without sacrificing connection. Through her business, Sleepy Starts, she supports parents in understanding normal infant sleep, promoting healthy brain development, and addressing root causes to sleep challenges. Katie’s attachment-focused approach empowers families to create safe, responsive sleep environments while strengthening the parent-child bond and fostering confidence in the early years.
If you’ve been wondering how to safely care for your baby at night - whether you’re interested in roomsharing, contact napping, or curious about what safe bedsharing actually looks like - you’ll walk away from this conversation feeling informed, validated, and empowered.
Tune in for a grounded, judgment-free conversation that brings together science, safety, and the heart of motherbaby connection.
Katie's links
The Connected Sleep Foundations Bundle
The Postpartum Prep Podcast
Free Guide: Postpartum Prep Pitfalls
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
SHOW NOTES
So many pregnant women wonder: What if my family disagrees with how I want to raise my baby?
Maybe you worry they’ll think you’re too crunchy, too gentle, too strict, too intuitive, too informed… or that your choices about sleep, feeding, breastfeeding, babywearing, or connection will be misunderstood or judged.
In this episode, we explore what’s really underneath the fear of family disagreement — and why this anxiety becomes so intense during pregnancy, even before the baby arrives. If you’ve felt pressure to keep the peace, avoid conflict, not disappoint anyone, or not seem “dramatic,” you are not alone. So many expecting mothers carry old patterns of perfectionism, people-pleasing, emotional caretaking, or childhood wounds into their postpartum planning without realizing it.
We talk about how this fear often has less to do with the actual parenting choice and more to do with deeper emotional layers:
– The grief of not having had the kind of parent you want to become– The longing to be seen, understood, and supported– The fear of taking up space or being “too much”– The discomfort of setting limits with people you love– The worry that a different choice means you’re rejecting your own parents– The fear of hurting feelings or disappointing your partner’s family
You’ll hear why these feelings are so normal, how pregnancy makes them louder, and how understanding your emotional safety needs can help you make grounded, intentional decisions for your motherbaby wellbeing.
Inside the episode, we explore:
🌿 Why fears about family disagreement appear before baby arrives
🌿 How childhood roles (the people pleaser, the good girl) shape your confidence as a new mom
🌿 Why loved ones may react defensively to gentle, connection-oriented parenting
🌿 How to navigate differences with your partner without slipping into self-abandonment
🌿 Why your parenting choices can trigger other people’s unresolved experiences
🌿 How to protect your emotional safety while staying compassionate
🌿 What to do when you’re afraid your decisions will disappoint your parents (especially your mother or mother-in-law)
🌿 How to set boundaries without conflict, guilt, or over-explaining
This episode is not about convincing your family to agree with you. It’s about helping you feel steady, confident, and supported as you make choices aligned with your values, intuition, and the needs of your baby.
If you’ve ever thought:
• “What if they judge me?”• “What if I upset someone?”• “What if they think I’m doing it wrong?”• “What if my partner’s parents don’t approve?”• “What if I lose their support?”
…this conversation will help you understand what’s happening emotionally, why it feels so charged, and how to move forward with clarity and calm.
The way you want to raise your baby matters. And you’re allowed to choose connection, gentleness, intuition, and intentional parenting - even if no one else in your family did it that way.
Free Guide: Postpartum Prep Pitfalls
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
If you’re pregnant and already seeing ads for lactation cookies, teas, or “superfoods to boost your milk supply,” this episode is for you.
In this week’s episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast, host Ceridwen Farley, motherbaby wellbeing consultant and lactation counselor, takes a closer look at something called galactagogues—foods, herbs, supplements, or medications that are thought to increase breast milk supply.
But this conversation might not go the way you expect. While galactagogues are often marketed to pregnant moms as an easy way to “boost supply,” Ceridwen shares why they’re actually the last thing she reaches for when supporting a parent with low milk supply. You’ll learn what a full milk supply really means (hint: it’s not a freezer full of milk), why most women can make enough milk, and why normalizing low milk supply can unintentionally cause more breastfeeding struggles—not fewer.
You’ll also learn:
What truly causes low milk supply (and why “just eat a cookie” isn’t the solution)
The difference between primary and secondary low milk supply
Why oversupply isn’t always a good thing
How the supply and demand cycle of milk production actually works
When to seek help from a lactation professional (and why timing matters!)
If you’re preparing for breastfeeding and want to set yourself up for success, this episode will give you a clear, grounded understanding of how milk supply is established—and what actually helps support it after birth.
Because when you understand how your body makes milk, you don’t need to rely on marketing myths. You can trust your body, your baby, and the incredible design of the motherbaby connection.
🎧 Listen now to learn what every pregnant mom deserves to know about milk supply—before the cookies and teas ever enter the chat.
If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review, and share with another mama who needs to hear this message!
Free Guide: Postpartum Prep Pitfalls
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
Wondering what’s normal when it comes to baby sleep? This myth-busting episode helps pregnant and new moms understand what to really expect - from frequent night wakings to contact naps and “sleeping through the night” myths. Learn what’s biologically normal, what’s not, and how to feel more confident about your baby’s sleep.
Share this episode with a mama who needs some reassurance that her baby's sleep is normal!
Free Guide: Postpartum Prep Pitfalls
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
If you’re pregnant and wondering how to prepare for postpartum, this episode is for you!
Learn what a smoother postpartum transition really means — and why preparing for life after birth is one of the most important things you can do before your baby arrives.
You’ll learn what makes the difference between a chaotic and a calm fourth trimester, what realistic postpartum expectations look like, and three key foundations that help new moms feel more supported, rested, and confident after birth.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why postpartum preparation matters (and how it impacts your recovery, mental health, and connection with your baby)
The three foundations of a smoother postpartum transition
How to set realistic expectations for the fourth trimester
Simple ways to prevent common postpartum challenges
How to build your postpartum support system before birth
This episode will help you feel grounded, informed, and emotionally ready to meet the postpartum period with intention.
Free Guide: Postpartum Prep Pitfalls
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
🎧 Listen next:
Ep. 1 – Why Learning About Postpartum Before Birth Matters
Ep. 13 – The Four Types of Postpartum Prep
Ep. 14 – How to Create a Postpartum Plan
Get your free guide to Postpartum Prep Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them) here
In this week’s Q&A episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast, host Caridin walks you through everything you need to know about creating your postpartum prep checklist — including what to include, what items are actually necessary, and how to prepare for recovery as a first-time mom.
Ceridwen breaks down each key area to think about before birth:
🌿 Building your professional and personal support network🍼 Planning for feeding and sleep💆♀️ Organizing self-care, meals, and household help💑 Strengthening your relationship and communication as new parents👶 Preparing for recovery, rest, and realistic expectations after birth
She also shares her honest take on popular postpartum products - from nursing pads and peri bottles to silicone breast pumps and nursing pillows - so you can focus on what truly supports your recovery (and skip the rest).
If you’ve been wondering “What should I include in my postpartum checklist?” or “How do I prepare for postpartum recovery as a first-time mom?”, this episode is your step-by-step guide to starting life after birth with confidence, clarity, and calm.
The Postpartum Prep Podcast is your go-to space for learning how to prepare for a smoother, more supported transition after birth - with practical insights, compassionate guidance, and holistic postpartum care in mind.
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
Get your free guide to Postpartum Prep Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them) here
Preparing for life after birth is about so much more than buying baby gear. In this episode, Ceridwen shares four essential types of postpartum prep - from practical preparation and building your village to setting realistic expectations and doing the mindset work that helps you thrive in early motherhood.
You’ll learn what most checklists miss, why emotional and relational preparation matter just as much as the practical side, and how to start feeling more confident and supported for life after birth.
Whether you’re pregnant for the first time or you're planning your next postpartum experience, this episode will help you prepare intentionally - body, mind, and heart.
Tune in to learn:
Perfect for anyone wondering how to prepare for postpartum with intention and ease.
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
Get your free guide to Postpartum Prep Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them) here
The Postpartum Prep Podcast is your guide to life after birth. If you’re pregnant and wondering what the fourth trimester will really be like, this podcast helps you prepare for recovery, breastfeeding, baby sleep, and the emotional changes of new motherhood. Hosted by postpartum doula, lactation counselor, and infant sleep practitioner Ceridwen Farley from Motherbaby Wellbeing, each episode offers practical tips and compassionate guidance to help you feel confident, supported, and informed as you step into parenthood. Whether you’re a first-time mom or preparing for another baby, you’ll learn how to bond with your newborn, care for your body, and set up a smoother, more supported postpartum experience.
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
Get your free guide to Postpartum Prep Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them) here
In today's episode, we're talking about planning for postpartum visitors and getting help after baby arrives. Learn how to politely say no to visitors, set boundaries with family (including your mom or mother-in-law), and clarify what “help” really looks like. I share practical tips to protect your sleep, emotional wellbeing, and bonding time with your newborn.
If you found this episode helpful, be sure to follow, and please leave a review - it helps other moms find this insight when they need it most!
https://motherbabywellbeing.com/
Get your free guide to Postpartum Prep Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them) here
Preparing for life after birth is just as important as preparing for birth itself — but most new parents don’t realize it until they’re already in the thick of recovery and newborn care. In this episode, I’m sharing the top 3 postpartum prep mistakes I see first-time families make, and what you can do instead to set yourself up for a smoother transition.
You’ll hear why skin-to-skin matters beyond the golden hour, how to make self-care realistic in the early weeks, and why support is non-negotiable for bonding and recovery.
If you found this episode helpful, be sure to follow, and please leave a review - it helps other moms find this insight when they need it most!
Sign up for my email newsletter here 💌
Wondering how to prepare for breastfeeding before your baby arrives?
In this episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen answers three of the most common questions pregnant moms have:
You’ll also hear practical tips on building a support team and knowing when to reach out to a lactation consultant.
Whether you’re a first-time mom or simply want to feel more confident, this episode gives you clear, evidence-based guidance to get your breastfeeding journey off to a great start.
If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review - it helps other moms find these tips when they need them most!
Get your free Intentional Choice Guide here 💌
In this reflective episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen explores the spiritual meaning of postpartum beyond checklists and milestones. She shares her own journey of navigating disconnection, grief, and survival-mode in early motherhood, and how - over time - she came to see postpartum as a “portal” of transformation. Through personal stories and gentle reflections, she describes how the challenges of rebuilding daily life with a baby can hold deep spiritual significance, not in grand rituals, but in everyday acts of presence, trust, and care. This episode invites listeners - whether pregnant or postpartum - to consider how spirituality may be woven into their own experiences of becoming a mother.
If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review - it helps other moms find this insight when they need it most!
Sign up for my email newsletter here 💌
First-time mom? In this bonus episode, I share how to prepare for postpartum recovery, the real essentials worth having, and simple ways to build your support village before baby arrives. Practical, encouraging tips to make your transition smoother.
If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review - it helps other moms find these tips when they need them most!
Download your free Intentional Choice Guide here 💌
You may have heard about informed choice, but what if there’s a deeper way to make decisions that leaves you feeling confident, connected, and aligned with your baby?
In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, I share the difference between informed choice and intentional choice, and why learning to trust your mother’s intuition during pregnancy can be one of the most powerful ways to prepare for motherhood.
You’ll learn:
- Why informed choice is essential (but not the whole picture)
- The 5 steps to making intentional choices
- How to begin tuning into your intuition in pregnancy
✨ Plus, download my free Intentional Choice Guide with reflection prompts to help you start practicing today!
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review - it helps other moms find this encouragement when they need it most!
💌 Download your free Intentional Choice Guide here 💌
Most postpartum prep stops at checklists and to-do’s - but there’s one thing those lists (and even AI like ChatGPT) can’t give you: embodiment. In this episode, I share why tuning into your intuition is the missing piece of postpartum prep, and how strengthening that connection helps you make confident, intentional choices for yourself and your baby.
Looking for personalized support? Book your Postpartum Prep Session now.
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review - it helps other moms find this encouragement when they need it most!
SHOW NOTES
🎁 Download your free Postpartum Prep Guide here
In this episode, Ceridwen explores the power of a mother’s intuition and why it’s so essential in the postpartum journey. With so much outside advice - both helpful and overwhelming - how do you tune into your own instincts and make decisions that feel right for you and your baby? Ceridwen unpacks the balance between intuition and informed choice, offering guidance on how to trust yourself while also gathering the knowledge and support you need.
She also shares real-life examples from her work as a postpartum doula and lactation counselor, showing how self-trust can help new moms feel more confident in their decisions, even in the face of uncertainty.
Looking for personalized support? Visit doulacove.com/consultations to book a 1:1 session with Ceridwen today.
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it helps other moms find this encouragement when they need it most!
🤱 For postpartum support follow @DoulaCove
🎙️ For podcast updates follow @PostpartumPrepPodcast
👉 Learn more at Doula Cove
🎁 Download your free Postpartum Prep Guide here
In this episode, Ceridwen dives into the importance of viewing motherhood through a wider lens to navigate the challenges of parenting, mental health, and societal expectations. She explores how external factors, such as cultural pressures and a lack of social support, impact maternal mental health and parenting advice. By developing critical thinking skills and understanding your core parenting values, Ceridwen encourages you to trust your instincts, assess advice, and seek holistic support. Tune in to learn how seeing the bigger picture can help you feel more grounded, confident, and self-compassionate in your parenting journey.
Looking for personalized support? Visit doulacove.com/consultations to book a 1:1 session with Ceridwen today.
🤱 For postpartum support follow @DoulaCove
🎙️ For podcast updates follow @PostpartumPrepPodcast
👉 Learn more at Doula Cove
🎁 Download your free Postpartum Prep Guide here
In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, Ceridwen discusses how to create a truly holistic postpartum plan that nurtures you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. She explores the importance of planning for your recovery, mental health, and family dynamics, along with practical tips to integrate your baby’s care, your needs, and your support system. Plus, Ceridwen shares four key pillars to building a postpartum plan that adapts to your unique needs. Tune in to learn how to set yourself up for a smoother, more supported postpartum journey.
Download Ceridwen’s free Postpartum Prep Guide and explore her Postpartum Prep Program for more personalized support.
🤱 For postpartum support follow @DoulaCove
🎙️ For podcast updates follow @PostpartumPrepPodcast
👉 Learn more at doulacove.com
🎁 Download your free Postpartum Prep Guide here
Struggling with unsolicited postpartum advice? In this episode, we dive into why generic advice can cause stress and self-doubt for new moms. I’ll share why one-size-fits-all advice doesn’t work and how you can embrace your unique postpartum experience. Learn how a person-centered approach to postpartum support can help you trust your intuition and make informed choices that work for you.
Download my free Postpartum Prep Guide for tools and support to help you prepare for a smoother postpartum transition at doulacove.com/guide.
🤱 For postpartum support follow @DoulaCove
🎙️ For podcast updates follow @PostpartumPrepPodcast
👉 Learn more at doulacove.com