76 | Planning for Postpartum During Pregnancy + the Book "You're Not Broken, You're Postpartum" with Katherine Stephens from the Made for Birth Podcast
BREASTFEEDING WITH CONFIDENCE | Pregnancy Tips, Postpartum Wellness, Milk Supply, Tongue Tie, Latch PainShow Notes
You’re Not Broken, You’re Postpartum: Redefining “Normal” in Early Motherhood What if the problem isn’t you… it’s the expectations you were handed about postpartum? In this powerful episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, Jaimie sits down with mom of six, birth worker, podcaster, and author Katherine Stephens to talk about her new book: You Are Not Broken, You Are Postpartum. If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I not handling this better?” or “Everyone else seems to be coping… what’s wrong with me?” — this conversation is for you. Katherine pulls back the curtain on what postpartum really feels like, from identity shifts to postpartum depression, from feeling isolated to realizing you were never meant to do this without a village.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why you feel “broken” postpartum (and why you’re not)How hormonal changes, birth trauma, lack of support, and sleep deprivation all collide and make you think you’re failing.
The identity crisis of new motherhoodWhy you don’t “bounce back” to your old self — and how to start embracing the woman you’re becoming.
The myth and reality of “it takes a village”What a true village used to look like, why so many moms don’t have one now, and practical ways to build support even if your family is far away.
Asking for help without feeling like a failureSimple, practical ideas (like Catherine’s “power-up” exercise with your partner) to share the mental and physical load in postpartum.
Postpartum depression vs. normal postpartum strugglesWhy feeling emotional does not automatically mean you’re broken — and when to seek extra support.
RESOURCES FREE GUIDE: 5 Breastfeeding Mistakes to Avoid Made for Birth Podcast with Katherine Get your copy of "You're not broken, You're Postpartum" For Doulas seeking advanced lactation education & expert curated breastfeeding support frameworks, check out Breastfeeding Beyond the Birth Plan Here: https://www.littlebearlactation.com/birthworkers/lactation-education-for-doulas
More from BREASTFEEDING WITH CONFIDENCE | Pregnancy Tips, Postpartum Wellness, Milk Supply, Tongue Tie, Latch Pain
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If you’re pregnant and planning to breastfeed, you’ve probably already decided you’ll only use formula if it’s medically necessary. But here’s the hard truth: most moms are never taught how to determine what “medically necessary” actually means in the first 48 hours after birth. Nearly 80% of American moms start breastfeeding, yet many babies receive formula in the hospital due to concerns about weight loss, blood sugar, jaundice, or latch issues. The problem? Normal newborn physiology is often presented as urgent. And when you’re exhausted and vulnerable, “just to be safe” supplementation can feel like the only option. In this episode, we break down: