The Mama Coach

The Mama Coach I lead a global team of RNs & NPs committed to caring for women and families. My name is Carrie and I founded The Mama Coach in 2015. Why wouldn't he sleep?
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If you are looking for evidence-informed support with women’s health, pregnancy, newborns, sleep, parenting, and/or potty training please reach out ➡️ We can't wait to help! I have personally been working with moms and babies as a Registered Nurse since 2005 during my time in labour, delivery, and postpartum as well as in private practice. After having my first son in 2008, I was privy to all of t

he challenges that coincide with parenthood. I never expected to have a baby with multiple allergies, colic, and major sleep issues. It took time to gain the skills and confidence to effectively manage my role as a new parent. After getting his allergies under control, the next big challenge was sleep. After months and months of sleepless nights, I found a solution that finally brought rest to my boy. It was life-changing for the whole family! I realized I wasn't the only mom struggling with children and sleep issues and wanted to share my perspectives as a health professional with other families. Your baby is unique as is your parenting style. Our global team of Registered Nurses, Lactation Consultants, and Nurse Practitioners will acknowledge your specific goals and help find solutions for your family. We are committed to providing evidence-informed education, without judgment to help make parenthood easier. Please reach out to the Mama Coach nearest you if you are struggling - we can help! https://themamacoach.com/coaches-landing-page/

Are you an RN or NP looking to join our team? Find out more here: https://themamacoach.com/become-a-mama-coach/

05/30/2026

Early morning wakings can be one of the hardest sleep challenges to solve — and they’re often more complex than people realize.

If your day constantly starts before 6am, there are usually a few patterns worth looking at before assuming your child is simply an “early riser.”

Here are 5 commonly overlooked contributors to early morning wakings:

1️⃣ The first nap is too early or too long
Some babies compensate for lost overnight sleep with a long first nap, which can reinforce the cycle. Often the first nap needs to be based on your desired wake time, not the early waking itself.

2️⃣ Bedtime is too early for your child
A 12-hour night is not realistic for every baby. Many children sleep closer to 10–11 hours overnight, so a 7pm bedtime may naturally lead to a 5am wakeup.

3️⃣ The morning response is reinforcing wake time
This one is tough. But when mornings consistently start at 5am, the body clock can begin expecting that wakeup. Treating early wakes similarly to other overnight wakings can sometimes help shift that rhythm.

4️⃣ Milk is offered immediately after waking
For some babies — especially those who are night weaned — feeding immediately upon waking can unintentionally reinforce earlier and earlier wake times.

5️⃣ Night feeds are happening too close to morning
Many babies will sleep another 3–4 hours after a night feed. A feed between 12–2am can sometimes contribute to a full waking around 4–5am that becomes difficult to resettle from.

And honestly? Early morning wakings are rarely solved with one quick fix.

Sleep needs, feeding patterns, schedules, developmental stages, and sleep associations all matter — which is why individualized support can make such a difference.

Amanda Archibald is a Registered Nurse, IBCLC, and Pediatric Sleep Consultant based in Vancouver, BC, helping families create realistic, personalized sleep plans that work in real life.

Book a consult with her here:
https://amandaarchibald.themamacoach.com/booknow/

Not local? We can connect you with a Mama Coach nurse in your area:
https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/29/2026

Weight gain is important — but it’s not the only thing that matters.

If feeding still feels painful, exhausting, overwhelming, or unsustainable, that deserves attention too.

As an RN and IBCLC, I start with a full feeding assessment and look at what’s actually happening at home so support is tailored to your baby and your family.

Sometimes there’s an underlying issue that’s being missed. Sometimes small adjustments make a huge difference. Either way, you shouldn’t have to keep guessing your way through it.

Christine Fenner is a Registered Nurse and IBCLC based in Texas, supporting families with evidence-informed feeding and lactation care through in-home and virtual support.

Book 15-Minute Free call to get clear on what’s going on and what support may help:
https://christine-fenner.themamacoach.com/discovery-call/

Not local? We can connect you with a nurse in your community:
https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/29/2026

Just kidding.

This kind of response doesn’t defeat me—it fuels me.

Because if perimenopause is still being dismissed as a “TikTok trend,” we’ve clearly got work to do.

If you’re feeling off and being told it’s all in your head—trust yourself.

Your symptoms are real.
And you don’t have to go through it alone.

Kim Hand is a Registered Nurse and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) based in Claresholm, Alberta, helping women understand their hormones and feel like themselves again.

Book an in-person or virtual session to get clear on what’s going on and what can actually help:
👉 https://kim-hand.themamacoach.com/booknow/

Not local? We can connect you with a nurse in your community:
👉 https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/28/2026

Here is what’s normal for newborn weight gain ⬇️

✔️ Babies can lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first week
✔️ We want to see weight starting to increase by around 1 week old
✔️ Typical weight gain is about 20–30g per day
✔️ Most babies are back to birth weight by 2 weeks old

What happens if they aren’t meeting those milestones?
▪️We need to figure out why
▪️Assess feeding and milk transfer
▪️Support milk supply when needed
▪️Make sure baby is getting enough nutrition
▪️Coordinate referrals and ongoing follow-up when appropriate

The Rescue Package is designed for families who need support now. It includes 3 visits and 5 weeks of in-home support, based on current availability.

Want support in place before baby arrives? Nurtured Start gives you early access to support once baby is here, so you can be seen early and often when it matters most.

Stephanie Cote is a Registered Nurse and IBCLC based in Kingston, Ontario, supporting families with personalized, evidence-informed feeding and newborn care support. She provides in-home care in Kingston and virtual support across Ontario.

If you would like to book a discovery call with her to better understand your baby’s feeding or weight gain concerns, click here: https://stephanie-cote.themamacoach.com/discovery-call/

Not local? We can connect you with a Mama Coach in your community:
https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/




You can't sleep train hunger.This is the part most sleep accounts don't talk about, because most sleep accounts aren't r...
05/28/2026

You can't sleep train hunger.

This is the part most sleep accounts don't talk about, because most sleep accounts aren't run by RN's who do feeding assessments.

If you baby is waking every 20 minutes AND feeds feel too long or short, uncomfortable, or uncoordinated these are not two seperate problems.

Some signs that make me think feeding may be the root cause of your sleep problems:
- baby never seems satisfied
- they can only be soothed by feeding
- their weight gain is slow
- feeding is painful for you, or you're left feeling full despite a lengthy feeding

Kira Paynter is a Registered Nurse based in Calgary, Alberta, supporting families with personalized, evidence-based sleep and feeding plans both in-home and virtually.

Book a session with her to get a plan that actually works for your baby:
👉 https://kira-paynter.themamacoach.com/booknow/

Not local? We can connect you with a Mama Coach nurse in your area:
👉 https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/27/2026

Irregular periods are common—but they’re not random.

If your cycle is:
• longer than 35 days
• shorter than 21 days
• inconsistent month to month
• or changing from your usual pattern

…it’s your body signalling that something is shifting.

Tracking your cycle is a powerful first step—whether that’s in your calendar or
using an app like Clue.

But you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Tanya Hines is a Registered Nurse and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) who supports women through perimenopause and menopause with clear, personalized guidance.

Book a free 15-minute call to talk through your symptoms and get clear on your next steps:
👉 https://tanya-hines.themamacoach.com/discovery-call/

Not local? We can connect you with a Mama Coach nurse in your area:
👉 https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/27/2026

If you’re pregnant or have a 0–16 week old baby, this class is for you.

➡️ Next Class: Navigating Newborn Sleep — June 6 (Virtual)

We’ll cover:
⭐️ How newborn sleep actually works
⭐️ How to comfort your baby around sleep
⭐️ Safe sleep options without judgment
⭐️ How to prepare for upcoming sleep transitions
⭐️ Plenty of time for your questions

Newborn sleep can feel confusing fast, especially when everyone online seems to have a different opinion. A clear understanding of what’s normal — and what actually helps — can make those early weeks feel much less overwhelming.

See you there 🙋🏼‍♀️

Kerissa Connolly is a Registered Nurse based in Kelowna, BC, supporting families with realistic, evidence-based newborn and sleep support that fits your baby and your life.

Register here:
https://kerissa-connolly.themamacoach.com/classes/

Not local? We can connect you with a Mama Coach in your community:
https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/26/2026

✨I had the privilege of watching the Stanford SHE Talk on Brain Health, given by the brilliant Dr. Sharon Sha, a memory disorder specialist at Stanford ✨

When asked for her #1 takeaway for brain health, she paused.

At first she thought exercise—because, of course, movement is key.
But then she changed her answer.

👉 GIVE YOURSELF GRACE 👈

She shared that with everything women are trying to do, that’s number one.

We juggle a lot—nutrition, protein, fiber, cardio, strength training, mindfulness, caregiving, and (somehow?!) getting enough sleep.

The pressure can feel relentless.
And the mental load alone… exhausting.

Here’s the truth: health isn’t all or nothing.
No week will be perfect.

Just show up, do your best, and know that each small thing you do matters.
So today, let’s start here: give yourself grace 💛

Kari McNamara is a Registered Nurse, BSN, NBC-HWC, and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner based in Portland area, Oregon, supporting women with personalized, sustainable health and menopause care. She serves clients locally and virtually across the United States.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to “do it all,” you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Book a session with her in person or virtually:
👉 https://kari-mcnamara.themamacoach.com/booknow/

Not local? We can connect you with a nurse in your community:
👉 https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/26/2026

You’ve probably stood in the diaper aisle thinking, “Why are there… so many creams?”

And somehow, even after trying a few, the rash still isn’t gone.

I see this all the time. When your baby’s skin is red and sore, it feels urgent.

You want something that actually works.

Here’s what I teach new parents in the NICU:

Not all diaper creams do the same job. Some help protect the skin from moisture. Others create a true barrier while the skin heals.

If your baby’s bum is red, irritated, or rashy, a barrier cream with a high percentage of zinc is usually what you’re looking for.

Zinc sits on the skin like armour, helping shield it from urine and stool while the skin underneath heals.

And if diaper rashes keep coming back, it’s usually not about finding a “better” brand. It’s about figuring out what the skin actually needs.

Jennifer Bonilla is a Registered Nurse based in Alberta, supporting families with evidence-informed newborn and baby care that works in real life.

If you would like to book an in-person or virtual session with her, click here:
https://jennifer-bonilla.themamacoach.com/booknow/

Not local? We can connect you with a Mama Coach in your community:
https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/25/2026

If you’re constantly sticking your head in the freezer just to feel better…

Imagine this:
No more drenching your clothes
No more that sudden wave of heat taking over your whole body
Walking into a room and remembering why you’re there
Sleeping through the night again
Enjoying time with your partner
Feeling good in your body
Having your energy back
Thinking clearly again

Feeling like yourself again.

Sound like an unachievable dream?

It’s not.

You don’t have to keep pushing through symptoms like this without support.

Roxie West is a Registered Nurse based in Ohio, supporting women through perimenopause and menopause with personalized, evidence-based care.

Book a session to get clear on what’s going on and what options can help you feel better:
👉 https://roxie-west.themamacoach.com/booknow/

Not local? We can connect you with a Mama Coach nurse in your area:
👉 https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

05/25/2026

If you’re feeling a little nervous about what to expect during that first week with your newborn, you’re not alone.

Those early days often look like:
lots of feeding
resting
bonding
and figuring things out together

It’s less about having it all together—and more about taking it one moment at a time.

But feeling prepared going into that first week can make a huge difference.
Understanding what’s normal, what to expect with feeding, and how to respond when things feel uncertain helps you move through those early days with more confidence.

Katie Wade is a Registered Nurse, MSN based in Oregon, supporting families with personalized, evidence-based feeding support that brings clarity to this stage.

If you’re preparing for your baby and want to feel more confident going into those first days, you don’t have to do this alone.

Book a session to get a feeding plan that actually works for you and your baby:
👉 https://katie-wade.themamacoach.com/booknow/

Not local? We can connect you with a Mama Coach nurse in your area:
👉 https://themamacoach.com/find-a-mama-coach/

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Calgary, AB

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