About this episode

Sarah Kleiner and Nikko Kennedy discuss the impact of sleep and nutrition on motherhood, focusing on anemia and polyphasic sleep strategies.

Sarah hosts Nikko Kennedy on the Evolving Wellness podcast to discuss motherhood, preconception, and sleep, emphasizing how optimizing light and darkness can support polyphasic sleep and help mothers function despite frequent night wakings. Nikko argues modern expectations of consolidated 8-hour sleep and nighttime screen use worsen fatigue, while extended time in dim darkness (often 10–14 hours postpartum) can improve resilience, weight loss, and overall endocrine and metabolic health. They connect sleep to anemia, noting over 90% of new red blood cells come from recycled iron, with inflammation-regulated hepcidin limiting iron use regardless of supplementation; they highlight the roles of mitochondria, liver, spleen, and bone marrow and the need for nighttime darkness. They also touch on community/social cues, dad’s health and placental outcomes, pregnancy blood volume expansion, and mixed experiences with desiccated organ supplements. — Connect with Nikko: https://substack.com/@nikkokennedy?r=5eztl9&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page https://www.instagram.com/brighterdays.darkernights/ YOUR COMPLETE SUMMER SUN GUIDE - Free Webinar…

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Kleiner

Guest: Nikko Kennedy

Topics covered

• anemia
• circadian rhythms
• polyphasic sleep
• motherhood
• nutrition
• health

Keywords

• anemia
• circadian rhythms
• polyphasic sleep
• motherhood
• nutrition
• nighttime darkness
• fatigue
• health

Sponsors

VivaRays, Troscriptions

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