The Baby Manual

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes OB-GYN and integrative medicine physician and co-founder of Mone Wellness, Dr. Kate Hom, to The Baby Manual for an encouraging conversation about postpartum recovery and what it really means to “get back to normal” after having a baby. Dr. Hom explains why the traditional six-week postpartum visit is an important medical checkpoint but does not mean that a mother’s body has completely recovered. Together, they discuss the significant hormonal and physical changes after delivery, pelvic floor recovery, nutrition, birth trauma, mental health, and the importance of having a strong support system throughout the postpartum period.
Dr. Hom and Dr. Keim also explore the pressure of “bounce back” culture and why recovery can take much longer than six weeks. They talk about pelvic floor therapy after pregnancy, including for mothers who deliver by C-section, as well as baby blues, postpartum depression and anxiety, birth plans, doulas, epidurals, Pitocin, and some of the realities of labor and delivery. Dr. Hom shares her integrative approach to postpartum wellness, including attention to nutrition, blood sugar regulation, nervous system support, gentle progressive movement, and mental health care. She also introduces Mon Wellness, an app she helped create to give postpartum mothers access to education, expert guidance, community features, wellness tracking, and other tools for navigating recovery.
Key Moments
00:00 Welcome to Season 6 and meet Dr. Kate Hom
02:42 Why six weeks doesn’t mean postpartum recovery is complete
06:19 Hormonal changes, “bounce back” culture, and finding a new normal
09:14 Nutrition, nutrient repletion, and supporting postpartum recovery
10:43 Pelvic floor therapy, urinary leakage, and recovery after pregnancy
14:09 Understanding birth trauma and recognizing possible symptoms
17:31 Doulas, advocacy, and creating a supportive birth team
22:09 Birth plans, epidurals, Pitocin, and flexibility during labor
29:13 Understanding labor progression and preparing for delivery
34:23 Baby blues, postpartum depression, and postpartum anxiety
38:49 Therapy, medication, and professional mental health support
40:33 Mone Wellness and integrative postpartum support

About Dr. Katherine Hom, MD, FACOG:
Dr. Katherine Hom is a board-certified OB/GYN with a medical degree from UC Irvine, residency at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and certification in Women's Functional and Integrative Medicine. She is the co-founder of Mone Wellness. She strives to be the bridge in women's health, intersecting a holistic approach with modern, evidence-informed medicine. As an integrative OB/GYN, she empowers women to make the best healthcare decisions for themselves by offering integrative interventions such as lifestyle, nutritional, mind-body, and botanical, as well as pharmaceutical and surgical options. She enjoys collaborating with a multidisciplinary team so women can feel the most supported, especially in transitional times like postpartum.
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Resources discussed in this episode:
Mone Wellness
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS)
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Contact Dr. Carole Keim MD
Linktree linktr.ee/drkeim
Tiktok @dr.keim
Instagram DoctorAtYourDoor
Website CaroleKeim.com

Contact Dr. Kate Hom
Website: MoneWellness.com
Dr. Katherine Hom on LinkedIn

Vitamins and supplements for:
Breastfeeding moms - https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQyNDM=
Back to School - https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQxNTg=
Immune support - https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0yNjgyMTY=



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Amazon
Shop Dr. Keim’s must-have baby and toddler items: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolekeim.
FullScript Vitamins and Supplements
Breastfeeding Moms: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQyNDM=
Back to School: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQxNTg=
Immune Support: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0yNjgyMTY=
Use this link to get 10% off and free shipping for orders over $50: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop
HIRO Diapers
Use code DRCAROLEKEIM for a discount at checkout: https://hirodiapers.com/drcarolekeim
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Carole Keim explores the many ways families can build their childcare village right at home, from mother’s helpers and babysitters to professional nannies and au pairs. She begins with practical guidance for welcoming anyone into your home to care for your baby, including communicating family rules and boundaries, reviewing safe sleep practices, preparing for emergencies, and considering health precautions. Dr. Keim also explains why infant CPR and first aid training can be so valuable for parents and caregivers, especially as babies begin eating solid foods and becoming more mobile.
Dr. Keim then welcomes Carson Wagner, founder of Lifetime of Love Nannies, to explain how professional nanny care can be customized around a family’s schedule and needs. Carson discusses consistent and backup care, sick-child care, newborn overnight support, care for children with additional medical needs, and the ways nannies, family assistants, and household managers can take child-related and household tasks off parents’ plates. Later, former au pair and local childcare consultant Marion Marcotte joins Dr. Keim to explain how the au pair program works, including work-hour limits, living arrangements, childcare responsibilities, screening, and the matching process. Marion also shares why communication, family dynamics, cultural exchange, and realistic expectations are so important when choosing an au pair who will live with and become part of a family’s day-to-day life.
Key Moments
00:00 Mother’s helpers, babysitters, and finding an extra set of hands
02:29 Setting family boundaries, safe sleep expectations, and household rules
03:42 Health considerations when caregivers and family visit your baby
07:23 Infant CPR, first aid, and preparing caregivers for emergencies
10:44 Meet Carson Wagner and learn how professional nanny care works
14:20 Creating consistent care for families with regular or changing schedules
15:57 How nannies, family assistants, and household managers can help
21:25 Newborn overnight care and support for children with additional needs
27:05 What is an au pair? Understanding live-in childcare and responsibilities
29:16 Deciding whether an au pair is a good fit for your family
31:22 Screening, driving, background checks, and au pair program requirements
35:13 Finding the right match through communication, expectations, and personality
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About Carson Wagner:
Carson previously worked in childcare and with special needs children, where she noticed a huge demand for childcare that accepts ALL children, no matter where they come from or what their capabilities are. She started Lifetime of Love Nannies to give families quality, consistent care they can trust through her team of highly trained nannies. She would like to implement the prior knowledge she gained through her background in behavioral therapy and take the term "nanny" to a whole other level. All of the Lifetime of Love Nannies have different backgrounds and qualifications to meet your family's needs and give your kiddos the best care.
Website: LifetimeOfLoveNannies.com
Email: carson@lifetimeoflovenannies.com
Carson Wagner on LinkedIn

About Marion Marcotte:
Marion Marcotte is a former au pair and local childcare consultant who helps families navigate the au pair experience. Drawing on her own experience as an au pair and her work supporting host families, Marion offers insight into the matching process, childcare responsibilities, family expectations, and the importance of communication and cultural exchange. She helps families understand what to consider when deciding whether live-in au pair care is the right fit for their household.
Website: CulturalCare.world
Instagram: MarionMarcotte.lcc
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Resources discussed in this episode:
Infant CPR and First Aid Training - Canada / USA
Poison Control poison.org
__
Contact Dr. Carole Keim MD
Linktree linktr.ee/drkeim
Tiktok @dr.keim
Instagram DoctorAtYourDoor
Website CaroleKeim.com

Vitamins and supplements for:
Breastfeeding moms - https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQyNDM=
Back to School - https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQxNTg=
Immune support - https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0yNjgyMTY=

---
Amazon
Shop Dr. Keim’s must-have baby and toddler items: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolekeim.
FullScript Vitamins and Supplements
Breastfeeding Moms: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQyNDM=
Back to School: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQxNTg=
Immune Support: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0yNjgyMTY=
Use this link to get 10% off and free shipping for orders over $50: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop
HIRO Diapers
Use code DRCAROLEKEIM for a discount at checkout: https://hirodiapers.com/drcarolekeim
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes Jen Lumanlan, host of the Your Parenting Mojo podcast and author of Parenting Beyond Power, to The Baby Manual for a thoughtful conversation about respectful parenting and why parents can begin building a connected relationship with their child from the newborn period. Jen shares how her own parenting journey led her to study child development and education, and explains how RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), an approach often associated with respectful parenting, helped her begin seeing babies as active participants in everyday caregiving rather than simply recipients of care.

Together, Dr. Keim and Jen explore the difference between respectful or gentle parenting and permissive parenting, why both children’s and parents’ needs matter, and how everyday moments like diaper changes, feeding, crying, play, and bedtime can become opportunities for connection. They also discuss co-regulation, boundaries, natural consequences, scaffolding, parental triggers, and the importance of recognizing the needs underneath a child’s behavior. For expecting and new parents, this episode offers an encouraging framework for understanding their baby’s needs, recognizing their own needs, and building connection through everyday interactions from the very beginning.

Key Moments

00:00 Welcome and why parenting begins in the newborn period

03:01 Gentle parenting vs. permissive parenting

05:04 Seeing your baby as a whole person

07:41 Turning everyday caregiving into connection

09:49 Why babies don’t need to be happy or entertained all the time

10:51 Baby crying and understanding parents’ emotional triggers

13:23 Looking beneath challenging behavior to find the underlying need

16:10 Babies are always changing: sleep, soothing, and development

18:16 Why parenting was never meant to happen without a village

21:46 Understanding needs, natural consequences, boundaries, and limits

24:14 Preparing your parenting partnership before baby arrives

27:23 Co-regulation and how babies “borrow” a parent’s calm

30:27 Letting go of pressure around toys and child development

34:28 Scaffolding skills and knowing when your child needs extra help

About Jen Lumanlan:

Jen Lumanlan brings a unique combination of deep research expertise and genuine understanding of what parents face every day.

With undergraduate degrees from UC Berkeley, a Master's from Yale, and later Master's degrees in both Psychology (Child Development) and Education, Jen doesn't just read the research - she understands how to translate it into approaches that actually work in real families.

Jen has reviewed more than 10,000 academic papers on parenting and child development for 250+ episodes of the Your Parenting Mojo podcast, and has interviewed the Who's Who in related fields.

Jen also knows that research alone isn't enough. That's why she's also a CoActive Coach and is trained in the Gottman Method. This means she listens in ways that help you discover what works for your unique family rather than imposing one-size-fits-all solutions.

Jen's background in corporate environmental strategy - as well as her late-diagnosed Autism - helps her to see patterns and connections that others often miss. She helps families to see patterns of behavior that indicate underlying needs, so you can navigate parenting challenges while staying true to your values.

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Resources from Jen Lumanlan:

Free quizzes: https://go.yourparentingmojo.com/tl/311

Why you're so angry with your child's age-appropriate behavior (and what to do about it) self-paced masterclass: https://go.yourparentingmojo.com/tl/310

The Baby Manual listeners can get a $10 discount on the masterclass by entering coupon code: BabyManual



Taming Your Triggers workshop: https://go.yourparentingmojo.com/t?orid=27634&opid=16

Parenting Beyond Power by Jen Lumanlan MS MEd

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Contact Dr. Carole Keim MD

Linktree linktr.ee/drkeim

Tiktok @dr.keim

Instagram DoctorAtYourDoor

Website CaroleKeim.com



Contact Jen Lumanlan

Website: YourParentingMojo.com

Instagram: YourParentingMojo

Linktree: YourParentingMojo.com/linktree

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Amazon
Shop Dr. Keim’s must-have baby and toddler items: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolekeim.
FullScript Vitamins and Supplements
Breastfeeding Moms: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQyNDM=
Back to School: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQxNTg=
Immune Support: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0yNjgyMTY=
Use this link to get 10% off and free shipping for orders over $50: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop
HIRO Diapers
Use code DRCAROLEKEIM for a discount at checkout: https://hirodiapers.com/drcarolekeim
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Carole Keim welcomes internationally certified baby sleep consultant and founder of the Yawn Baby Sleep platform, Camille Jaramis, for an insightful conversation about baby sleep in the first two years of life. Together, they explore how newborn sleep differs from infant sleep, what really happens during the four-month sleep regression, and why developmental changes, like the Wonder Weeks, can temporarily disrupt even the best sleeper. Camille explains the difference between self-soothing and self-settling, and why flexibility and age-appropriate expectations are so important for both babies and parents.

Camille and Dr. Keim also explore the cultural pressures many families face around sleep schedules, maternity leave, and “sleep training,” offering reassurance that there is no one perfect way to help a baby sleep. Camille shares practical guidance on sleep environments, including light exposure, white versus pink noise, and safe sleep basics, along with insights into how her AI-powered sleep support tool, Yawn, helps parents personalize sleep plans based on their baby’s unique temperament and developmental stage. Most importantly, Dr. Keim and Camille remind parents to give themselves grace, because healthy sleep is a journey, and every family’s path looks a little different.

Key Moments

00:00 Meet Camille Jaramis and her journey into baby sleep consulting

04:20 Surviving the hospital phase and newborn sleep realities

09:18 Understanding the Wonder Weeks and developmental leaps

14:25 The four-month sleep regression explained

16:01 Sleep environment basics: noise, darkness, and red light

18:27 Overtired cycles and nap transitions (3 to 2 naps, 2 to 1 nap)

23:34 Introducing Yawn: AI-powered personalized sleep support

27:05 Wake windows explained and how they change with age

33:56 Sharing the mental load between parents

38:19 A final reminder to give yourself grace

About Camille Jaramis:

Camille Jaramis is an internationally certified baby sleep consultant and the founder of Ask Yawn, an AI-powered parenting support platform designed to provide personalized, research-informed sleep guidance. After building and leading a large global community focused on baby sleep, Camille recognized how overwhelming and conflicting parenting advice can be for families navigating the early years.

Drawing on her background in human-centered technology and her experience supporting hundreds of thousands of parents, Camille created Ask Yawn to deliver tailored, practical support that adapts to each child’s unique needs. Her work focuses on helping parents feel confident, informed, and supported as they navigate baby and toddler sleep.

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Resources discussed in this episode:

The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon

The Baby Manual is also available on Amazon

__

Contact Dr. Carole Keim MD

Linktree linktr.ee/drkeim

Tiktok @dr.keim

Instagram DoctorAtYourDoor

Website CaroleKeim.com

 

Contact Camille Jaramis

Website: AskYawn.com

Podcast: Yawn - The Baby Sleep Training Podcast

LinkedIn: Camille-Jaramis

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Amazon
Shop Dr. Keim’s must-have baby and toddler items: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolekeim.
FullScript Vitamins and Supplements
Breastfeeding Moms: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQyNDM=
Back to School: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQxNTg=
Immune Support: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0yNjgyMTY=
Use this link to get 10% off and free shipping for orders over $50: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop
HIRO Diapers
Use code DRCAROLEKEIM for a discount at checkout: https://hirodiapers.com/drcarolekeim
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Carole Keim continues the It Takes a Village season with an encouraging solo episode focused on one of the biggest questions new parents ask: How do I build a village when I don’t already have one? Whether you're far from family, new to your community, or simply feeling overwhelmed, Dr. Keim shares practical ideas for creating a strong support network during pregnancy, the newborn period, and beyond. She explores how modern parenting has changed, why raising a child is truly a team effort, and how every family can build a village that fits their unique circumstances.

Dr. Keim discusses the different pressures often experienced by birthing and non-birthing parents, practical ways partners can support one another, and why asking for, and accepting, help is one of the healthiest things new parents can do. She shares realistic strategies for meeting parents' basic needs, including meal trains, meal preparation, sleep, household responsibilities, and protecting mental health during the postpartum period. Dr. Keim also offers practical ideas for finding community through friends, neighborhood groups, religious organizations, local parent groups, and trusted online resources, while reminding parents that genuine, in-person connection is an important part of building the village every family deserves.

Key Moments

00:00 Why every family needs a village in today's world

01:24 How modern parenting has changed—and why parents feel stretched so thin

02:48 Understanding the different pressures on birthing and non-birthing parents

05:18 Helping partners feel supported, capable, and connected

08:54 Resources that help parents feel informed and empowered before baby arrives

11:06 Postpartum mental health affects both parents

16:16 Meeting moms' basic needs with food, water, and practical support

22:24 Meal trains, meal prep, and making nutrition easier for new families

27:31 Sleep strategies and realistic expectations during the newborn period

32:12 Accepting help, lowering expectations, and building your village through community

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Resources discussed in this episode:

The Baby Manual is available on Amazon

The Holistic Mamas Handbook is available on Amazon

Meal kit services:

Sunbasket

Purple Carrot

Daily Harvest

HelloFresh

Blue Apron

Hungryroot



Grocery delivery options:

Instacart



Restaurant delivery services:

DoorDash

Uber Eats



Household Support

TaskRabbit



Shop Dr. Keim’s must-have baby and toddler items: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolekeim

__

Contact Dr. Carole Keim MD

Linktree linktr.ee/drkeim

Tiktok @dr.keim

Instagram DoctorAtYourDoor

Website CaroleKeim.com

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Amazon
Shop Dr. Keim’s must-have baby and toddler items: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drcarolekeim.
FullScript Vitamins and Supplements
Breastfeeding Moms: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQyNDM=
Back to School: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0zNDQxNTg=
Immune Support: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop/collections/Q29sbGVjdGlvbi0yNjgyMTY=
Use this link to get 10% off and free shipping for orders over $50: https://us.fullscript.com/s/doctoratyourdoor/shop
HIRO Diapers
Use code DRCAROLEKEIM for a discount at checkout: https://hirodiapers.com/drcarolekeim
As an Amazon Associate, and HIRO Diapers and FullScript affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.