Surviving Tiny Humans: 10 Minute Triage for Newborns & New Parents

🔗 Free download: 7 Sleep Training Lies guide https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sleep7We’re on Lie #6 of the 7 Sleep Training Lies series — and this one hits differently.The earlier lies were about fear of damage. This one is more personal: what if I lose the moments I actually love? The contact nap. The nurse-to-sleep snuggle. The one quiet part of the day where it’s just the two of you.In this episode I’m breaking down why sleep teaching doesn’t take connection away — it takes obligation away. There’s a big difference between choosing a contact nap because you want it, and holding your baby because there’s simply no other option.I also want to talk about something nobody really addresses: the difference between a baby who stops crying at night because they’ve learned to self-soothe, and a baby who stops crying because they’ve given up. Those are not the same thing — and knowing the difference matters.And at the end, I’m sharing two real moments from my own life where I threw the sleep plan out the window — and exactly what I did to get back on track without starting from scratch.In this episode: ∙ Why sleep teaching adds a skill without taking anything away ∙ Contact naps — when they’re a joy vs. when they’re a trap ∙ The shutdown response vs. genuine self-soothing ∙ Why your bedtime routine is actually your reset button ∙ The two things I did after travel and illness to get back on track fast🔗 Free download: 7 Sleep Training Lies guide

Breastfeeding can be beautiful, frustrating, painful, confusing, time-consuming—or all of the above in the same 24 hours.In this episode, we walk through the basics of breastfeeding in a practical, no-shame way, covering: • what a good latch actually looks like • why a shallow latch is painful and often ineffective • how to know if baby is getting enough milk • when sleepy feeding, short feeds, or weight concerns might matter • what to do if you’re worried about low supply • breastfeeding more often vs pumping vs power pumping • galactagogues, supplements, and when to ask about medication • what to know about mastitis and common troubleshooting • whether breastfeeding really helps with postpartum weight lossThis episode is designed to help you understand the mechanics of breastfeeding without spiralling over every feed, every ounce, or every wet diaper.Free guide here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/low-milk-supply-read-this-before-you-panicKey takeaway:A painful latch is not something you just have to push through.Low supply has solutions worth trying.And breastfeeding does not have to be all intuition and guesswork.We also talk honestly about the reality that breastfeeding and weight loss are not nearly as predictable as people claim—and why your worth has absolutely nothing to do with what your body looks like postpartum.If you want an easy-reference tool for supply concerns, check out the free breastmilk supply guide here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/low-milk-supply-read-this-before-you-panicFollow the show so you don’t miss the next triage!Supplements: - leafy greens, oats, barley, and nuts - Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle - potentially beer (some non alcoholic options include Guiness 0.0, Erdinger Alkoholfrei and Bravus Oatmeal Dark)

Postpartum recovery is messy.And before we talk about anything else, let’s normalize something important:adult diapers are elite-level postpartum gear.In this episode of Surviving Tiny Humans: 10-Minute Triage for Postpartum and Newborn Care, Dr. Kailey Buller—ER and Labour & Delivery physician, mom of two, and author of Surviving Tiny Humans—walks you through what actually matters in those first weeks after birth.We’re talking about the real basics of recovery:What normal postpartum bleeding looks like—and when to seek careHow long bleeding should last (and when it’s no longer “normal”)Passing clots: what’s expected vs. what’s concerningUrinary leakage: common but not something you have to live withWhen to involve pelvic floor physiotherapyHow to survive your first postpartum bowel movementAnd at the end, Dr. Buller shares her top 3 postpartum recovery hacks—simple, practical changes that make those early weeks significantly easier (including a surprisingly effective bed-sheet trick).Key takeaway:Recovery is not glamorous.It is physical, hormonal, uncomfortable—and completely normal.You are not failing if it feels messy. It is messy.If this episode helped, check out Surviving Tiny Humans. It's jam PACKED with tips from friends and colleagues to help make the first year postpartum just a liiiiittle bit easier. 12 months. 12 topics. Zero judgement. https://a.co/d/0dS2OSOo

Newborn crying can feel endless — and when you’re sleep-deprived, it’s hard to know what’s normal and what might be something more.In this episode of Surviving Tiny Humans, Dr. Kailey Buller breaks down the difference between typical newborn crying (yes, it can be hours a day) and colic, using the classic “rule of threes” — and explains why colic isn’t really a diagnosis so much as a description of how much crying is happening.We’ll walk through the most common reasons babies cry excessively, including:an overstimulated nervous system (and how to use the 7 S’s to soothe)reflux (what to look for, and how to troubleshoot)an immature GI system (and simple ways to help)You’ll also learn one of the most practical, low-risk things to try if your baby is colicky or fussy, like reducing cow’s milk protein (not lactose) in your diet or choosing the right type of hydrolyzed formula.And at the end, Dr. Buller shares one of the only supplements with solid evidence for helping colic .If you’re in the trenches with a baby who won’t settle, this episode will help you feel less helpless and more clear on what’s worth trying next.If you want an even deeper breakdown, Surviving Tiny Humans covers colic and troubleshooting in more detail: https://a.co/d/0hNEhhnHResources mentioned: the 7 S’s, cow’s milk protein vs lactose, and the probiotic Lactobacillus Reuteri -- strain DSM 17938.And don't forget to follow the show so you don’t miss the next triage!

Sex and intimacy after having a baby can feel… different. Your body has changed. Your hormones are shifting (especially if you’re breastfeeding). You’re exhausted. Your nervous system is stuck in care-mode. And somehow you’re supposed to just “get back to normal” at six weeks? Nope.In this episode, we talk about what’s actually happening postpartum that affects desire and comfort, why there’s no timeline you’re meant to follow, and how pressure—whether it comes from a partner, society, or yourself—often makes everything worse.We’ll also reframe what intimacy can look like right now (hint: it does not have to mean sex), how to tell when you might be ready to try physical intimacy again, and why pain is information—not something you should push through.Plus: a direct note for partners—because one of the biggest libido killers after baby isn’t hormones… it’s mental load. Support isn’t “extra.” It’s the foundation.If intimacy feels awkward, off your radar, or just not worth the effort right now—this episode is your permission slip to slow down.Bottom line: Intimacy after baby should be guided by pleasure, not pressure. There is no deadline.Free resources for postpartum recovery and reconnecting are linked here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sexIf this helped, follow the show so you don’t miss the next triage.

Should you—or should you not—co-sleep with your baby?Most parents have heard the warnings: don’t do it, it’s dangerous, never even consider it. But real life doesn’t always match the ideal—and avoiding the conversation entirely can actually make things riskier.In this episode of Surviving Tiny Humans: 10-Minute Triage for Your Baby, Body, and Mind, Dr. Kailey Buller—physician, mom of two, and author of Surviving Tiny Humans—breaks down what really matters when it comes to co-sleeping, without shame or scare tactics.We cover:How common co-sleeping actually is (even when no one admits it)Why “accidental” sleep on couches or chairs can be higher risk than planned co-sleepingWhat safe sleep truly means—and how co-sleeping fits into the bigger picturePractical harm-reduction steps if co-sleeping is happeningHow to make safer choices in imperfect, exhausted, real-world situationsThis episode isn’t about telling you what you should do—it’s about helping you make informed decisions and avoid riskier setups when reality hits at 3 a.m.Key takeaway:Ideal sleep is great when it’s possible.But when it’s not, the safest available option matters more than guilt or shame.Because safe sleep isn’t one rigid rule—it’s thoughtful triage.If this helped, follow the show so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on setting up realistic sleep environments and navigating early-parent exhaustion!

Few parenting beliefs are as emotionally loaded as this one:You should never let your baby cry.For many parents, this single idea creates exhaustion, anxiety, and deep guilt—along with the fear that one wrong decision could cause permanent harm. In this episode of Surviving Tiny Humans: 10-Minute Triage for Your Baby, Body, and Mind, Dr. Kailey Buller—physician, mom of two, and author of Surviving Tiny Humans—slows this myth down and triages it properly.We unpack where this belief comes from, what the evidence actually says, and—most importantly—how to tell the difference between responsive waiting and neglect (because they are not the same).In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why crying is communication—not automatically harm • The difference between protest, frustration, and true distress • What research says about crying, cortisol, attachment, and brain development • Why responding doesn’t always mean intervening immediately • How pausing—when done safely—can actually help babies learn sleep skills • Why your own nervous system, tolerance, and values matter tooWe also talk honestly about the emotional side of this: listening to your baby cry can feel unbearable, even when something is safe. And no parenting approach should force you to choose between guilt and exhaustion.Key takeaway:Crying alone is not necessarily harmful.But fear, shame, and chronic exhaustion absolutely are.If this episode helped, download the free “7 Sleep Training Lies” guide for a simple, reassuring breakdown of this myth and the others. You can find it here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/sleep7And follow the show so you don’t miss the next triage -- where we switch gears for a minute to talk about that age old question: is breastmilk superior to formula?

When your baby seems off, it’s hard to know whether you’re dealing with a true emergency… or something that feels scary but can safely wait. This episode is about helping you make that call with clarity and confidence.In this 10-minute triage, Dr. Kailey Buller—physician, mom of two, and author of Surviving Tiny Humans—walks you through the same simple framework used by paramedics and emergency departments every day: The Primary Survey, or Emergency ABCs.You’ll learn:How to recognize dangerous breathing vs normal baby noisesWhat “circulation” means at home (hydration and colour)When behaviour changes really matter—and when to trust your gutWhy inconsolable crying is always a valid reason to seek careThe key fever situations that should never be ignoredMost importantly, you’ll leave with a grounding checklist to ask yourself in stressful moments:Are they breathing normally, having wet diapers, and alert and consolable?If yes—you likely have time to think.If no—you go to the ER.If you would like my free, no-thinking-required ABC flowchart you can download it here: https://www.vitalswithdrbuller.com/infant-er-flowchartBecause being cautious isn’t overreacting—and you’re never wasting anyone’s time by keeping your baby safe.Subscribe so you don’t miss the next triage.