Infant sleep has become such an important and much talked about topic for parents currently, and it can be hard to navigate all of the information that exists surrounding norms. Cayla Solomon of @officialsleepingbeauties , mother of three, and certified sleep and parent coach, joins to debunk some very common infant sleep myths and explain exactly how they’ve come to exist in the first place. Cayla describes the pressures the sleep training industry has placed upon parents and how understanding biological norms and needs defies a lot of what new parents are being told is necessary. The moms share their own “myth-defying”experiences and the benefits of cosleeping, as Cayla candidly shares her expertise to support the notion that supporting our children, even when it comes to sleep, could never be wrong.

On this week’s episode, Michelle Kenney, counselor, educator, and mother of two, joins Amanda to discuss how important connection-based parenting is through toddlerhood and beyond. Michelle talks about how parenting norms have shifted as this generation of parents tries to raise children with more emotional intention, and how consequences don’t necessarily yield teachable moments. Amanda shares why she’s chosen the path of least resistance as she raises her daughter, and how she hopes responsive parenting positively impacts her in the future. This is an episode you won’t want to miss if you’re in the thick of managing power struggles with your little one and wanting to learn how to navigate them with grace.

After having an expert join to share her breastfeeding knowledge in the previous episode, this week Amanda and Adriana open up about their own personal breastfeeding journeys. From navigating the early days with a newborn, to breastfeeding toddlers, the moms talk about everything from their greatest challenges, best and worst advice, common myths, and how to manage feeling overwhelmed by it all. Adriana shares how combo-feeding benefited her journey, and Amanda reflects on what's encouraged her to continue breastfeeding the past 3+ years. Tune in for an open and honest conversation to hear all about the ups and downs of the breastfeeding experience! Register for the FREE Raised Good Summit Here: https://coffee_and_cosleeping--raisedgood.thrivecart.com/raised-good-online-summit-2022/ Looking for additional resources on breastfeeding? Check out: https://www.llli.org/ https://themilkmeg.com/

Preparation for both the beginning and end of a breastfeeding journey can greatly affect a mom’s overall experience with her child in that respect. Morgan Jackson, nurse, IBCLC, and founder of Prepared Beginnings Lactation, joins for this episode to address a number of frequently asked questions and concerns about breastfeeding, including - the immediate postpartum period, breastfeeding must haves and must “knows”, and the difference between common weaning methods. Morgan reminds us that the length of time a parent chooses to breastfeed is far less important than how we honor that journey, and that since mom guilt and shame unfortunately exists regardless of these choices, to be secure and proud of what we provide our babies.  . Time Stamp: Gentle Weaning: 25:40 - end of episode . Links mentioned in today's episode:  https://www.instagram.com/preparedbeginningslactation/ https://www.preparedbeginnings.com/ https://www.preparedbeginnings.com/weaningacademy . . Today's episode is sponsored by:  OhHeyMama Hair - https://ohheymamahair.com/

“It takes a village to raise a child.” We’ve all heard the saying. This week, Amanda and Adriana talk about their thoughts on this exact sentiment, what their villages look like, and how to maximize opportunities for connection in our experiences throughout motherhood. Redefining a village can mean seeking ways to build our support systems, but can also mean learning to let go of what no longer serves us. They discuss how in our all-encompassing roles as moms, vulnerability can be the key to opening the door to true friendship - and whether your cup needs filling in an emotional or physical sense, motherhood was truly never meant to be done alone. Looking to add to your own village? Join our Facebook group for an opportunity to connect with like-minded moms from all over the world. We're here for you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/219963263634342/?ref=share_group_link

Let's talk food! As our babies grow, food introduction and mealtimes can sometimes be a point of stress and confusion. In today's episode, Pediatric Dietician, Amber Rodenas, joins to talk about how we can start to create healthy habits for our little ones from the outset. Amanda and Adriana ask questions about some of the most talked about topics, including food exposure, intuitive eating, positive mealtime environments, and the great “purées vs. baby led weaning” debate. Amber supports families at all stages in creating healthy and attainable goals for positive food experiences with their children. Whether you’re struggling with introducing a new food to your infant for the first time, or can’t seem to get through a meal without screen time with your toddler - this is an episode you won’t want to miss! . Links mentioned in today’s episode: https://instagram.com/kids.nutrition.dietitian?igshid=NDBlY2NjN2I= https://seedsandsproutsnutrition.com/ . Today's episode is sponsored by: OhHeyMama Hair: https://ohheymamahair.com/ Use code: COSLEEPING10

Mom Shaming and judgment - we’ve all been on the receiving end of of it, (and can sometimes admittedly be guilty of it ourselves!) In this candid episode, Amanda and Adriana talk about both recent and ongoing examples of how they’ve been “mom-shamed” for a parenting decision, their best tips for letting go of the negativity, and how connection and compassion drive their interactions with other mothers. This is a topic we can all, (fortunately or unfortunately), relate to, and opening the conversation gives parents the space to better understand each other - despite differences in the choices we make.

Conversations about postpartum preparation rarely include changes in relationship dynamics, but this can be one of the most important things to discuss before baby’s arrival. As new parents, we’re thrown into a variety of situations which we only could have imagined, and can find ourselves overwhelmed by all of the adjustments that parenthood requires. It’s only normal that our relationships shift as a result of this. In today’s episode with Zara Ashad, Registered Psychotherapist, certified perinatal mental health therapist, and relationship expert specializing in postpartum couple’s therapy, we discuss the effect of these major transitions and how to approach parenting disagreements with our partner. Zara walks us through the major reasons why relationship strains are so common in early postpartum, and how therapy can be a powerful tool in navigating them.

This week, the Coffee and Cosleeping mamas are joined by fellow podcaster and mom friend, Carlie Nolan of @carlhermommy . Carlie shares how her passion for making genuine connections within the realm of motherhood sparked her desire to create a virtual space for that exact purpose. She talks about the importance of emotional availability, reciprocation, and honesty - and how being open about our journeys can lead to the most fruitful friendships. All three moms also talk about their experiences with bonding in virtual communities, quality versus quantity, and how parenthood can shift the dynamics of a friendship. Tune in for a warm and helpful chat between true friends!

This episode focuses on a critical period for both mom and baby, and all of the changes that we experience during this time: the fourth trimester. Amanda and Adriana touch upon the importance of having a trusted support system, boundaries regarding postpartum visits, and what they wished they had known before entering those early days of motherhood. They also discuss feelings about returning to work and why it’s okay, (and common!) for parenthood to look differently than expected.