Midnight Mama

Helping Moms "Latch On" to feeding supports and education with Latchline Founder, Abigail Miles.

Breastfeeding is a lot of things, and underdiscussed and underprepared for are some of them.  Moms leave the hospital with their baby, diapers, and handouts, but retain little information about feeding their babies.  Instead of encouraging moms to "put the baby to the breast", let's normalize getting education around nursing and baby feeding practices.  Tune into this week's episode where I chat with Abigail Miles, RN, IBCLC, Founder of Latchline, and talk about the impact of nursing/pumping on maternal mental health, and how Latchline is helping moms within the comfort of their homes.
With over a decade of experience supporting families, I’ve seen firsthand the joys and challenges of breastfeeding. It's one of the most personal and impactful experiences a parent can have. But it’s not always easy, and too often, families are left feeling overwhelmed or unsupported. My mission is simple: to empower you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence you need to reach your breastfeeding goals—no matter where you are in your journey.
Resources: www.mylatchline.com
IG & FB: @latchline
 

Milk Matching in the Modern Age: Inside Share the Drop’s Mission with CEO/Founder Kelly Cox

When I talk to you about prepping for postpartum, it goes deeper than your physical and mental health.  It should include all aspects of your baby's life, especially a feeding plan.  You know my motto is that it's better to have a plan and never use it than to need one and not have it, and that goes for feeding too.  In this weeks episode I sit down with Share The Drop Founder, Kelly Cox, and learn about her mission to match moms with milk and resources all across the country.  You can imagine that we had a lot in common, so tune in for an insightful and educational chat.
 
Kelly Cox, RPYT, LCSW, Birth Doula, 500 E-RYT
Cox is a registered prenatal yoga teacher, birth doula, licensed clinical social worker, and creator of Share the Drop.  Cox has worked with families throughout their childbearing years for 17+ years and now focuses on helping families without access to breast milk find donated milk in their communities. As a breast cancer survivor, Cox focuses on how those who are unable to produce breast milk can access it for their infants.
 
 

Playing Fair isn't just for the kids anymore. Exploring the connection between the mental load and maternal mental health with Lucinda Gibbons.

Have you ever felt like you carry all of the responsibilities of parenting and your household?  Have you ever wondered how this happened and if this is just how it's "supposed to be?"  Then you are in the right place.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Lucinda Gibbons, founder of Lake House Collective, who specializes in men's mental health, as well as perinatal mental health for all family members. We explored why this is the current situation for American moms and how to break through this.  We explore the Fair Play Method and what moms are responsible for vs what we are conditioned to believe.  You do NOT want to miss this.
Lucinda Gibbons, MMFT (she/her) holds a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and advanced training in Perinatal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International. She is the founder of Lake House Collective, where she specializes in men’s mental health, perinatal mental health for all family members, LGBTQ+ youth and parents, and cultivating inclusive and high-performing workplaces. She is the lead trainer for The Fair Play Method, where she trains practitioners and professionals from around the world to bring The Fair Play Method to individuals, couples, and teams of all kinds. 
 
Lucinda’s warm, matter-of-fact approach creates an inclusive and collaborative learning environment that encourages active participation and personal growth. Her expertise lies in rebalancing the domestic workload among partners, making space for men to learn how to identify and communicate their inner world to those they care about, as well as in parenting, communication skills, and guiding clients through making values-aligned choices in their lives. 
 
Lucinda lives just north of Boston, MA, and offers virtual sessions worldwide and in-person work at her office in South Hamilton, MA. 

Introducing the Stages of Postpartum: Understanding where you are, to get where you want to be

We measure our growth and progress in the postpartum period by months rather than spaces.  In this episode, I share a new concept I developed called the Postpartum Stages, and explore what each stage looks like, what to expect from yourself, and how long these should last (reference guides).  I use this with my 1:1 clients to help give them a framework to navigate rather than an arbitrary deadline of 6 months, 9 months, or 12 months pp.  The stages help you accurately measure your progress based on outcomes, not deadlines.  I will walk you through the 4 stages that cover two years postpartum and lay the foundation for you to build upon.
 
If you enjoy this episode and are interested in working together on navigating these stages, please email me @ nkumi@thewholemom.com

The Mother Wound Decoded: Generational Patterns in Parenthood with Dr. Moya O'Leary

I had the distinct honor to sit down with Dr. Moya O'Leary, a psychologist and LPC, to open a large can of worms related to the "Mother wound" and generational influences.  We had a candid conversation about our pasts, and Dr O'Leary simplified the ideation of the mother wound, how our bodies keep score, and how we can still choose to mother the way we intend.
 
Dr. Moya O'Leary is a psychologist and licensed professional counselor, currently licensed in Connecticut, Florida, and Pennsylvania. She’s a proud mother of two, Wyatt and Olive, and a loving bonus mom to Carolyn. Moya blends relational-attachment theory with cognitive behavioral strategies in her work, supporting clients through nuanced emotional challenges with compassion and clarity. She is currently pursuing certification in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, deepening her exploration of consciousness and healing to help clients access deeper self-understanding. She aptly named her practice Healing Clover Counseling as a nod to her Irish roots and the four leaves of the clover, representing the four stages of life she has dedicated her career to: trying to conceive, pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. Moya is grateful to have connected with Nicole on the Midnight Mama podcast and is open to any other professionals interested in collaborating. 
Where to find Dr. O'Leary:
Healing Clover Counseling
IG: @Healing_Clover_Counseling

Grief Education for Birth Workers: Why It’s Non-Negotiable. With Ashely Inclima

I had the honor today to sit down with Tides of Life Doula and Perinatal Bereavement Services, CEO, Ashley Inclima, for an in-depth discussion about the importance of perinatal grief and loss education for birth workers.  
Ashley Inclima is a birth and bereavement doula, certified grief educator, and founder of Tides of Life Doula & Perinatal Bereavement Services LLC. Her passion for this work began after the loss of her son Adrian, whose fatal diagnosis in 2011 led to a termination for medical reasons. She later experienced a 5-week pregnancy loss, which further highlighted how often families navigating loss are met with a lack of resources, support, and compassionate care.
Drawing from her journey, specialized training, and over a decade of professional experience in OB/GYN settings, Ashley supports families through loss, pregnancy after loss, and early postpartum. She also provides education for doulas and birth professionals on offering trauma-informed, compassionate care, and recently launched a self-paced version of her Tides of Life: Perinatal Loss Training to increase accessibility. 
Ashley facilitates Tides of Life: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Circle, an online community with a monthly gathering for grieving families. Her mission is to ensure no one walks through loss alone and to help birth workers feel prepared to hold space for healing.
Some additional resources from Ashley:
YouTube Video:
 Online Support Community: 
 

Coming up for air after 6 months of survival mode

In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of a recent traumatic experience involving my son and how it forced me to stop, feel, and breathe again.
I talk about what it’s like to go underwater emotionally, the guilt and grief that followed, and the clarity that only challenges can bring. More importantly, I reflect on what this experience taught me about motherhood, mental health, and the importance of choosing yourself, even when everything around you feels heavy.
This is a conversation about honoring the hard moments, taking a breath, and deciding how to move forward, more softly, slowly, and intentionally.
Connect with me if you need support

At the intersection of Postpartum and Perimenopause with "Hot or Just Me?" Founder, Carin Luna-Ostaseski

If it's not one thing it's another, and I am referring to the hurdles and life event's of mothers and women.  Today I had the privilege of sitting down with Hot or Just Me founder, Carin Luna-Ostaseski to talk about the intersection of postpartum and perimenopause, and how we don't have to simply accept this stage in life.  We openly explore the most common symptoms of perimenopause, the frequency and duration of this timeframe, and what you can do to educate yourself on perimenopause and make yourself more comfortable.  You will NOT want to miss this discussion or getting to know Carin.
About our Guest: Carin Luna-Ostaseski is the founder of Hot or Just Me?, a comprehensive online shop and go-to resource for managing perimenopause and menopause. The site offers a wide range of trusted products, expert advice, a gift shop and bookstore, and a supportive community, ensuring women have everything needed to navigate this transformative stage and feel empowered. Luna-Ostaseski's journey with perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, anxiety, insomnia, and night sweats inspired her mission to find a solution.
A serial entrepreneur, Luna-Ostaseski is the first American woman and Hispanic person to create a Scotch whisky (SIA Scotch Whisky). The award-winning blend, launched through a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, has left a significant mark in the industry. She also founded the Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch, which has provided over $350,000 in grants to underserved entrepreneurs, making a tangible difference in their lives. She continues championing the next generation of entrepreneurs in her ongoing commitment to helping people thrive.
 
As mentioned in the episode, you can follow this link and use MidnightMom for 10% off any products after visiting her site and taking their quiz.
 
Additional links mentioned
Finding a trusted and trained provider here @Menopause.org
The New Menopause Dr. Mary Claire Haver

CORRECTED:"Motherhood: An Ever-Evolving Journey"

In this episode, we explore the multifaceted and continuously changing nature of motherhood. Far from being a static role, motherhood evolves with time, personal growth, and shifting dynamics within the family. From the early days of infancy, through the toddler years, adolescence, and into adulthood, the journey of being a mother is marked by constant adaptation, learning, and transformation. We discuss how motherhood isn't defined by a single set of rules, but rather, is shaped by an individual’s experiences, cultural influences, and personal values and that is why we don't have a rule book.  Tune in as I share my perspective for this current season of motherhood and it's hosts of challenges, and offer some tips and tricks on how to set yourself up for success in each season, after you define it.
I encourage you to stay connected so head over to The Whole Mom and sign up for our newsletter, especially to get a sneak peak at the free course I'm working on.

Recognizing and Recovering from Burnout; Motherhood edition.

What happens when you get burned out at your job?  Most people can recognize this and then take action, such as taking a vacation or a sick day, which can help you step away and get recentered. What happens when moms get burned out and can't plan a holiday away from their family, or call in sick?  The 2024 moms have more responsibilities than ever, contributing to overstimulation and burnout in more than one area of their lives.  These experiences impact how we show up for ourselves, our children, and our careers, and get mislabeled resulting in a few layers of mom guilt.  In this episode, I explore the signs and symptoms of burnout, and how to leverage supports in your life and exercise creativity to prevent and recover from burnout.  Even single moms, or moms with minimal support can put systems in place to support their mental health.  There is something for everyone in this episode.  As always, I would love to hear from you so feel free to share the episode or write a review.  If you need support and you aren't sure where to turn, I invite you to book a call with me here and talk about what that support would look like and let me show you how some of our services can be helpful for you.