Motherhood Survival Manual

09/17/2025

Breastfeeding and mood are deeply connected — but not in the simple “breast is best” way many of us are told.

Research shows that while breastfeeding is sometimes linked to lower rates of postpartum depression, the pressure to succeed at it — and the guilt when things don’t go as planned — can actually increase the risk of depression and anxiety.

Here’s the truth:
✨ Your baby needs a healthy, cared-for mom more than they need a certain type of milk.
✨ Feeding challenges and mental health struggles can feed into each other — and that’s not your fault.
✨ Formula is not failure. Choosing what works best for you is success.

Your wellbeing matters most.

Have you felt pressure around feeding choices? Let’s talk about it in the comments ⬇

https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/breastfeeding-and-maternal-mood-exploring-a-complex-bidirectional-relationship/

08/08/2025

“First Pill for Postpartum Depression Shows Varied Real-World Results”

No medication works for everyone. But for those who respond to zuranolone, brand name Zurzuve, the improvement is often swift. The biggest challenge is tolerating the sedation.

Your doctor can help you decide what is the right choice for you. It’s wonderful to have more options.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/health/post-partum-depression-treatment-pill.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

“If you are having thoughts of su***de, call or text 988 to reach a lifeline for help, or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with a perinatal mental health condition like postpartum depression, call the Postpartum Support International Helpline (1-800-944-4773) or go to postpartum.net.”

07/25/2025

I recently joined esteemed perinatal psychiatrist Anna Glezer, M.D. on her podcast to talk about something we don’t discuss enough: how to prepare emotionally and mentally for life after birth.
We covered:

Why postpartum prep is as important as birth prep

What really contributes to postpartum depression (hint: it’s not just hormones)

Tools from my free YouTube video series, the Motherhood Survival Manual

If you support pregnant or postpartum women—or are one—I hope you’ll listen and share.

🎧 Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gRH2XcZCzXXGNtQk7d3KH?si=m-RHB48aTAah4wRqP1ltSg

07/10/2025

For emergency resources from Postpartum Support International:

https://postpartum.net/texas-hill-country-flooding-resources/

07/07/2025

Listen on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dkRYw4gksapEdFnN1P5Ff?si=AFncD8RdQ8-YbEnn55lW6Q&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A37YV5B1gSDMlSKzy7AfCrs

06/23/2025

Task-sharing and telemedicine delivery of psychotherapy to treat perinatal depression: a pragmatic, noninferiority randomized trial

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03482-w.epdf?sharing_token=x3UmXKHA89svfhfXIiTMHtRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MU4OcRATw1ZoZoM9T-XIsNGXlAulhqTsLpPya_TWuGCTUCl3bCVLrL0bPhrDS59M_ws8VfUTHf5skywlRq8OVX96ej0VagiEDbYoZ042GMZCVaH5swSueBg-NJscC4xHA%3D

06/20/2025

Needed: If you have gestational diabetes you might be eligible for taking part in this study on wellness.

https://redcap.healthinstitute.illinois.edu/surveys/?s=JKD9WRE7Y39M3JLR

06/16/2025

I thought that violence against women was being taken seriously by our criminal justice system. Until someone I know was affected, I didn’t realize how wrong I was.

The massive delay in processing DNA testing kits means -

Police can’t make an arrest without DNA evidence. It all hinges on getting these tests processed.

Yet many states have backlogs into the thousands. This is unacceptable.

Talk to your state politicians to find out what they’re doing to change this.

Please repost and forward this to your state politicians.

Join End the Backlog www.endthebacklog.org

If you are a victim s-xual assault contact the R-pe, Abuse and In**st National Network (RAINN) at
(800) 656-4673 www.rainn.org

05/19/2025

05/11/2025

Wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day!!!

05/01/2025

Taking care of you is the most important thing you can do.

This is just as true AFTER your baby is born.

04/28/2025

Stopping medication isn’t always the right answer. Talk to your doctor before stopping or changing medication.

To learn more about medication safety in pregnancy go to www.mothertobaby.org

Mother to Baby has free information pdfs on the safety of hundreds of medications in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Lee Cohen et al. JAMA. 2006;295(5):499-507 (doi:10.1001/jama.295.5.499)
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/295/5/499