Newbies: New Moms, New Babies

Host Kaile Garcia interviews Aly Wood, a former tech professional, stay-at-home mom, military spouse, and future CFP, about financial tips for new mothers navigating postpartum, maternity leave, and potential shifts to one income.

Aly shares her surprise pregnancy, breech baby, and positive scheduled C-section experience, then discusses the emotional and practical adjustments of leaving a high-earning job, including money guilt and planning for military pay uncertainty.

She recommends tracking spending with a budgeting app (they use Monarch Money), building baby expenses into monthly/annual budgets, and using registries informed by other parents’ must-haves to avoid unnecessary purchases. Cost-saving strategies include investing in “grow-with-me” items, saving gradually for big purchases, buying secondhand when safe, and shopping sales.

They emphasize budgeting as “favors for future you,” aligning spending with family goals, and starting financial conversations as a team.

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If you were passionate about working out before pregnancy, continued with moderate exercise during, and now want to reclaim your shape after having a baby, this episode is for you.

We dive into a discussion about postpartum strength training with wellness and postpartum strength coach Kailey McPherson

Hosted by Kaile Garcia, this episode offers invaluable insights for new moms eager to get back into their fitness routines.

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Host Kaile Garcia interviews Karthik Gangiredla, a Seattle-based dad and founder of birchstore.com, about what newborn gear parents truly need and how to avoid being overwhelmed by unnecessary products.

Karthik says newborn needs fall into four categories: sleep, feeding, transportation, and diapering with essentials like a safe bassinet or crib setup (firm, flat, bare), bottles or breastfeeding supplies as needed, an infant car seat, and diapers/wipes plus a changing surface and diaper bin.

He advises buying minimally at first, then adjusting based on baby temperament or medical needs (e.g., contact napping, startle reflex, reflux, preemies, sensitive skin) and following safe sleep and swaddling guidelines.

He explains Birch as a curated store and toolkit with a universal smart registry, checklists, trackers, research library, and a Trust Score using safety and review signals, offering free US shipping and generous returns.

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Host Kaile Garcia welcomes Dr. Ricki Pollycove, a longtime Bay Area OB/GYN, to discuss what’s normal and not normal in postpartum recovery. They compare healing after vaginal birth and C-section, noting that discomfort varies with the birth experience and that reducing perineal swelling by positioning hips above the heart can lessen pain and speed healing.

Dr. Pollycove explains typical C-section pain triggers (coughing, sneezing, laughing, sometimes urination) and factors that affect recovery, including excess weight gain.

She emphasizes postpartum nutrition and hydration—high protein, lower carbohydrates, and ample fluids—to support mood, energy, and wound healing.

At the 6–8 week visit, common issues include breastfeeding nipple pain, relationship support, isolation, and mood changes linked to low estrogen while nursing; she also recommends evaluating anemia, thyroid function, possible UTI, and considering safe estrogen support when needed.

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Newbies host Kaile Garcia interviews Theresa Hunt, a level three NICU nurse in Northeast Ohio, about what parents can expect during a NICU stay.

Hunt explains NICU levels 1–4, which babies are admitted (including those born before 35 weeks), and how transfers work when higher-level care is needed. She describes typical assignments ranging from “feeder growers” to critical infants needing IV medications and respiratory support, and shares ways nurses prepare parents by setting expectations and involving them in care through touch, diapering, weighing, skin-to-skin, and feeding practice.

The discussion covers breastfeeding in the NICU, pumping, “nuzzling,” lactation support, and measuring intake, along with discharge milestones and corrected/adjusted age. Hunt outlines night-shift routines, visiting policies, and common items families bring, and ends with a story of a 22-week infant who survived without deficits.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free!

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