Momcozy Village - Together We Grow

We spend a lot of time planning for our baby's arrival, but often overlook getting ready for breastfeeding. This important stage in your newborn’s life can be challenging, so it helps to prepare before your baby is born.In this episode of Momcozy Village: Together We Grow, Natalie Gouché chats with Dr. Doreen Brass. Doreen, also known as The Mama Coach, is a lactation consultant who helps moms learn about breastfeeding and much more.Doreen often hears moms compare how much milk they pump and expel to what influencers show online. She says it’s like seeing someone’s mansion when you live in a regular house. What you see online is often an idealized version of a tough journey that has ups and downs. Doreen recommends seeking real professional advice early and not basing your expectations on what you see on social media.Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Your baby is learning along with you. If you have more than one child, each baby can be different and bring new challenges, as Doreen points out.Doreen encourages moms to be proud of themselves, no matter how much milk they produce or pump. She believes it’s important to set realistic goals that fit each mom’s unique situation.Episode Highlights01:06 – When should moms start thinking about when preparing for breastfeeding?03:32 – What are ‘realistic’ breastfeeding expectations?06:25 – Breastfeeding myths that aren’t true.10:11 – Mom should given themselves grace.11:16 – How partners can help with breastfeeding.12:35 – Nutrition and breastfeeding.16:53 – Doreen’s final thoughts.About the Guest: Dr. Doreen BrassDoreen is a Registered Nurse, Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, and a mom of two. Throughout her 20+ year career, she has worked in L&D, High Risk Obstetrics, Mom/Baby, GYN, Nursery, and NICU.Her passion is helping guide new families into their most challenging and rewarding role, starting from the womb. She has supported and advocated for informed consent, physiological birth, and shared decision-making. Through her work as a nurse and her own experience as a mother, she has learned that bombarding new families with education during their short hospital stay is not the most effective teaching method. This realization is what led her to start her mama coach journey. Her own motherhood journey included two high-risk pregnancies and several breastfeeding challenges. She would love to take the time to get to know you and the challenges you face, so she can tailor her support to your needs in a judgment-free zone.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramDr. Doreen BrassWebsiteAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Natalie Gouché, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show? Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms. Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus https://koalatots.supercast.com Narrated by Abbe OpherMusic by Sokratis SeirlisInstagram: @koalakids.fm

We’re turning back the clock for Breastfeeding Month with a special episode with Dr. Colette Wiseman, a triple-boarded physician and certified lactation consultant, to unpack the nuanced realities of breastfeeding in today’s world.Breastfeeding is often portrayed as a natural and instinctive part of motherhood, but the reality can be far more complex and emotional. Dr. Wiseman brings her holistic, evidence-based approach to the conversation, offering compassionate guidance on a wide range of topics, from the critical early days of feeding to the transition back to work. She also demystifies common concerns like low supply, nipple pain, and engorgement, sharing clear advice on what’s normal, what’s not, and when to seek help.Dr. Wiseman also addresses the emotional weight many mothers carry when their feeding journey doesn’t go as planned. With warmth and wisdom, she reminds us that love is not measured in ounces, and a fed, loved baby with a supported, mentally healthy mom is always the goal.Episode Highlights01:14 How Dr. Wiseman Got Interested in Breastfeeding02:52 Early Breastfeeding Experiences and Challenges.04:13 Timing and Impact of Milk Coming In.05:58 What Happens Between Birth and Milk Coming In?07:46 What is a ‘Normal’ Supply of Milk?12:05 Navigating Stigma Around Breastfeeding.15:30 Love is Not Measured in Ounces of Milk.18:45 Everyone’s Breastfeeding Journey is Different.22:30 Combo Feeding and Emotional Well-being.25:58 Final Support and Encouragement.About the Guest: Dr. Colette WisemanDr. Colette is a double-boarded physician and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who offers holistic, evidence-based lactation care grounded in over a decade of medical experience. A mother of three who breastfed for more than 50 months, she combines clinical insight with real-world empathy to help families navigate breastfeeding challenges with confidence and compassion.Since 2012, she has supported parents through her private practice, hospital work, and community advocacy. Dr. Colette is also a mentor to fellow healthcare professionals and a moderator for a local Breastfeeding USA support group in Torrance, CA, championing a more breastfeeding-friendly culture across workplaces and communities.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramDr. Colette WisemanWebsiteAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Natalie Gouché, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms. Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus https://koalatots.supercast.com Narrated by Abbe OpherMusic by Sokratis SeirlisInstagram: @koalakids.fm

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses pregnancy after infant loss. Please listen with care and step away if this topic feels too heavy for you at this time. Resources and support links are included below.Pregnancy after losing a baby can feel like “holding your breath for nine long months”—hope and fear coexisting with every heartbeat. How can parents navigate the emotional complexities of pregnancy after loss, rebuild trust in their bodies, and find space for both grief and joy?In this episode of the Momcozy Village: Together We Grow podcast, host Lalaina Rabary continues her conversation with psychotherapist Angelica Quezada, who works with Pregnancy After Loss Support to help families move through grief with compassion, connection, and courage.Drawing from her personal experience of miscarriage and her professional work in perinatal mental health, Angelica shares powerful insights into the emotional, physical, and relational challenges of pregnancy after infant loss. She explains how grief and hope can coexist, and how small, grounding practices—like mindful breathing, sensory awareness, and realistic affirmations—can help parents breathe again and reclaim moments of peace amid anxiety.The conversation explores practical tools for coping with fear, communicating with healthcare providers, and setting healthy boundaries with family and friends. Angelica offers compassionate guidance on how to advocate for your needs during pregnancy, seek therapy or support groups, and create meaningful ways to honor babies who have died while embracing the hope of new life.Episode Highlights00:00 – Introduction and context.00:48 – Angelica’s personal connection to this topic.03:03 – Pregnancy after loss feels like holding your breath.06:05 – Practical tools to help with the anxiety of trying again.08:42 – What setting boundaries looks like in this context.11:16 – How to advocate for yourself in a healthcare setting.13:05 – How can family and partners support on this journey?16:51 – Navigating the timing of trying again.20:01 – How parents can honor a loss while embracing the hope.22:18 – Angelica’s experience of hope after her loss.24:01 – Angelica’s message for parents and partners who are considering pregnancy after loss.About the Guest: Angelica QuezadaAngelica Quezada, LCSW, PMH-C, is a bilingual psychotherapist, coach, and women’s wellness advocate with over a decade of specialized experience in maternal mental health. Drawing from her work in both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, Angelica brings a unique perspective on the systemic gaps in care that impact women during some of life’s most sacred and challenging transitions. Her personal experience with pregnancy loss deepened her commitment to advancing trauma-informed, culturally humble, and compassionate approaches to reproductive and perinatal mental health. As both a therapist and coach, she creates space for healing, growth, and restoration, while her involvement with Pregnancy After Loss reflects her dedication to systemic change—improving provider education, expanding family support, and strengthening healthcare practices for mothers and their babies.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramLalaina RabaryLinkedInAngelica QuezadaInstagram | WebsiteFurther ResourcesPregnancy After Loss SupportFirst CandleCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): SIDS: Parents and CaregiversChildren’s Bereavement Center March of Dimes: Loss & GriefStar Legacy FoundationMISS FoundationRachel's GiftRTZ Hope / Return to ZeroPSI Help Line: 800-944-4773PSI Email: [email protected] (U.S.): Dial 988National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMAAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms. Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus https://koalatots.supercast.com Narrated by Abbe OpherMusic by Sokratis SeirlisInstagram: @koalakids.fm

Motherhood can be overwhelming, with shifting identities, new responsibilities, and the constant pressure to ‘do it all.’ How can moms reclaim their confidence and feel more grounded in the process?In this episode of the Momcozy Village: Together We Grow podcast, host Lalaina Rabary welcomes transformational coach and Motherkind founder Zoe Blaskey. As the host of the chart-topping Motherkind podcast and a leading voice in modern motherhood, Zoe works with moms to build confidence at work, at home, and throughout the journey of parenting. She’s also a best-selling author and coaches executive women through their transition back to work.Zoe shares her personal story of losing and rebuilding confidence during pregnancy and postpartum, the identity shifts that come with matrescence, and how learning to ask for help can transform motherhood. She explains why clarity is the foundation of confidence and offers practical advice for navigating big transitions like returning to work, setting boundaries, and managing the pressure to do it all.The conversation dives into the invisible labor mothers carry, the courage it takes to redefine success, and how making the invisible visible can empower moms to see the value in everything they already do.Episode Highlights01:10 – Zoe’s changing confidence during pregnancy.02:50 – How matrescence impacted her confidence.06:18 – Letting go of who we once were.09:12 – Key things to know when returning to work.12:57 – How moms can ask for more help when transitioning back to work.15:54 – Why you can’t expect to be 100% productive right away.19:24 – Zoe’s advice on setting boundaries at work.25:03 – Advice for moms who feel they’re failing at both work and home.About the Guest: Zoe BlaskeyZoe Blaskey is the founder of Motherkind, is a qualified transformational coach, and is on a mission to help mothers shift from guilt, exhaustion, and comparison to confidence and empowerment. Zoe hosts the critically acclaimed Motherkind podcast, which is one of the UK's top family podcasts with 5 million downloads and was recently named a "top 10 parenting podcast" by Apple. Every week, Zoe interviews world-leading experts such as Dr Becky Kennedy, Glennon Doyle, Dr Gabor Mate, and Dr Rangan Chatterjee. Zoe is a regular media contributor and has been featured in Red, Stylist, The Times, Psychologies, Goop (Zoe coached the Executive Editor), SheerLuxe and the Evening Standard. The Telegraph celebrated the podcast as 'the antidote to the toxic perfectionism of modern motherhood'. She regularly partners with leading brands such as Meta, Calm, Mindful Chef, Dove, Barbie, Phillips, Fortnum and Mason, and Sweaty Betty to share her message of empowerment for mothers. Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramLalaina RabaryLinkedInZoe BlaskeyInstagram | Website | PodcastAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms. Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus https://koalatots.supercast.com Narrated by Abbe OpherMusic by Sokratis SeirlisInstagram: @koalakids.fm

Many dads struggle with the responsibilities of fatherhood, leaving moms to shoulder the burden alone. How can dads break these curses?In this episode of the Momcozy Village: Together We Grow podcast, host Lalaina Rabary welcomes the show’s very first dad guest: Eric Taylor, better known online to hundreds of thousands as dopedad_e. With his viral ‘dusty son’ trend featured on The Sherri Show, Buzzfeed, and Good Morning America, Eric has become a powerful voice around breaking generational curses, loving with intention, and raising kids with purpose.Eric opens up about what “dusty” really means, sharing his own evolution from dusty habits to intentional fatherhood. He reflects on how growing up without a father, living through addiction, and learning from his wife’s example helped him step into the husband and dad he wants to be.The conversation also explores the loneliness men often face in fatherhood, the shifting of friendships and relationships when kids come along, and the courage it takes to ask: ‘Who do I want to be for my partner, my children, and myself?’Episode Highlights00:55 – Why Eric got into social media to share his message.02:19 – What is a ‘dusty’ son?04:50 – Eric’s experiences of his shortcomings as a husband and dad.06:17 – What are generational curses?10:19 – Can you train yourself to be a good father or partner?12:28 – How do dads experience loneliness?16:23 – How does friendship work in dad circles?17:53 – What questions do moms ask Eric?21:01 – Moms need to let dads do their part.23:13 – Men hate to feel stupid.24:12 – Parents need to start saying what they need.24:12 – Eric’s final thoughts.About the Guest: Eric Taylor (dopedad_e)Eric Taylor is a parenting and marriage content creator known as dopedad_e on social media. Eric creates relatable parenting and relationship content for his community of nearly 300k followers, emphasizing breaking generational curses, loving your spouses with power, and raising your children with purpose. He has collaborated with brands like Sour Patch Kids, Play-Doh, Dave’s Killer Bread, and Time 4 Learning. In 2023, his ‘Dusty Son’ viral trend was featured on The Sherri Show, Buzzfeed, and Good Morning America, and his content has been further featured in publications like Parents and Goodful.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramFeatured ProductBest Wishes Baby SwaddleLalaina RabaryLinkedInEric TaylorInstagram | WebsiteAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms. Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus https://koalatots.supercast.com Narrated by Abbe OpherMusic by Sokratis SeirlisInstagram: @koalakids.fm