The New Mamas Podcast

In this episode, Lina gives a 3 month postpartum update. Just Chatting episodes are meant to emulate a your mom bestie leaving you a long voice note. In this episode Lina talks about:

• How her maternity leave is ending and her thoughts on going back to work
• Transparency on the costs of childcare and what she can realistically afford
• Public versus private school
• How she's managing as a mom of two, specifically around the nights when she has to solo parent 
• Baby-wearing and brands she loves

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Katherine is a creative homemaker and mom of four. While she doesn't identify as a "trad wife", she believes that by other people's standards she would be considered one. Lina and Katherine have a thoughtful discussion how the criticism of trad wives can be demeaning towards SAHMs and domestic labor. They also have a candid discussion about feminism, racism, and the complexity of raising children in today's society.

Connect with Katie on Instagram: @katherinelouisedegroot

Subscribe to her Substack: @katherinelouisedegroot

Visit her website: https://katherinedegroot.com/

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Have to breastfeed on American Airlines? Think again. When first-time mom Ashley Copperstone was flying out of Grand Rapics, MI she didn't think twice when she was breastfeeding her daughter at the gate. It's something a lot of us moms do, especially trying to soothe a cranky baby. A crew member from American Airlines felt the need to publicly approach and shame Ashley and tell her to cover up for breastfeeding her 15-month old daughter. When Ashley complained to American Airlines for the interaction, their response was less than acceptable. Shame on you, American Airlines! 

Connect with Ashley @joyfulhopevirtualservices

As of August 2021, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have laws that allow breastfeeding in public or private settings. Additionally, 31 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws.

Learn more about Breastfeeding State Laws here. 

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"Life is not happening to you but FOR you." A lot of us lose ourselves in motherhood. In Lina's conversation with former Superior Court Judge Shelyna Brown, they discuss how you can come back to yourself and how to find that purpose and passion again.

Connect with Shelyna: @svbconsultingpreside

Check out Shelyna's book, Preside: Biblical Principles for Personal Growth and Taking Command of Your Life—A Judge’s Verdict

In Preside, you will learn how to:

• Discover your authority as a steward over your life
• Master the stewardship mindset
• Banish unproductive thought patterns and limiting beliefs
• Understand your jurisdiction so you know when to exercise your authority and when to wait on the Lord
• Experience the abundance God has ordained for your life

Watch Shelyna's TEDx Talk here.

Shelyna Brown: Visionary Leader and Advocate for Justice 

Spanning two decades, Shelyna Brown's career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice and community empowerment. Her journey from a passionate public defender to a respected Superior Court Judge in Santa Clara County is a narrative of determination and impact.

Armed with a Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University and a degree from the University of California, Davis, Shelyna has been pivotal in reshaping the legal narrative. Her influence extends beyond the courtroom, notably as a co-founder of the Equality and Social Justice Committee and an advisor at San Jose State University. Here, she mentors the next generation of leaders, championing progressive change.

Renowned as a charismatic TEDx speaker, Shelyna's eloquence on leadership and justice has resonated on both national and international platforms. With the upcoming release of 'Preside,' Shelyna is set to ignite a new spark of inspiration. This book is a call to action, encouraging readers to take the helm of their lives with purpose and passion. Shelyna’s story, emblematic of resilience and visionary leadership, makes her a true role model in every sense.

As we introduce 'Preside' to the world, we are not just sharing a book; we are sharing Shelyna Brown's legacy – one that inspires each of us to embrace empowerment, pursue justice, and lead with conviction.

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Happy Valentine's Day! In this special episode, Lina shares what she LOVES most about motherhood and marriage and also shares what YOU said you love too! If you want to contribute to the listener feedback episodes, give Lina a follow on Instagram (@linaforrestal) and keep an eye on her Stories where she polls her audience. 

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Host Lina Forrestal and her friend and fellow podcaster Engrid Latina sit down for a thought-provoking chit chat about jealousy and comparison in motherhood. 

Engrid Latina is a personal trainer and strength coach (CSCS) based out of Ohio. She has trained clients both in-person and online for nearly a decade. Engrid's personal history with an eating disorder has helped develop a training model that invites a deep appreciation and respect of the body.

Engrid curated a 6-Week Postpartum Training Program designed to help postpartum moms regain strength, energy, and confidence.

Connect with Engrid on Instagram: @livengproof

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Read Lina's Blog: www.linaforrestal.com
Support the Show: Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newmamaspodcast)

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
Follow the @newmamaspodcast on Instagram
Read Lina's Blog: www.linaforrestal.com
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In this episode, Lina mentions a few more things about her postpartum experience so far that she forgot to mention in the last recap episode. She also breaks down the Kyte Baby controversy with her friend Alyssa Bolanos. 

Check out Nourish to Heal organic and healthy meal delivery in Central, New Jersey: https://nourishtoheal.com/

Connect with Katie of Life in Bloom Wellness: https://www.instagram.com/lifeinbloomwellness/

Check out Katie's "Postpartum Mindset Workshop": https://www.lifeinbloomwellness.co/workshops

Connect with Alyssa Bolanos: https://www.instagram.com/casabolanos/ 

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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In this episode, Lina talks about how her postpartum experience is going so far: how her mental health has been and how she's been juggling newborn life with a toddler in tow. 

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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23-year-old Brittani got pregnant unexpectedly with her daughter. While she is the best thing Brittani could ever ask for, new motherhood was a difficult adjustment. She worked in an OBGYN when she got pregnant and loved her job, but due to lack of childcare had to quit and become a stay-at-home-mom. 

In this episode, Brittani also shares her positive birth experience!

Connect with Brittani: https://www.instagram.com/brittyy__c/ 

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Support the Show: Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newmamaspodcast)

In this episode, Lina and twin mom Engrid Latina talk about getting moving again after having a baby (or two)! As a mom of twin toddlers, she understands the challenges and changes that come with postpartum recovery and curated a 6-Week Postpartum Training Program designed to help postpartum moms regain strength, energy, and confidence.

Join her January group starting January 8th! Use code NEWMAMA at checkout for an additional 15% off by 1/7/24

Engrid Latina is a personal trainer and strength coach (CSCS) based out of Ohio. She has trained clients both in-person and online for nearly a decade. Engrid's personal history with an eating disorder has helped develop a training model that invites a deep appreciation and respect of the body.

Connect with Engrid on Instagram: @livengproof

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Read Lina's Blog: www.linaforrestal.com
Support the Show: Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newmamaspodcast)

In this SPECIAL episode, Lina Forrestal tells her positive birth story with her doula, Jenna Toulantis. Jenna helps recount the story from her perspective, adding in professional explanations for why certain things did and didn't happen. Lina's mom also pops in on the episode, discussing how things have changed in 34 years when it comes to pregnancy complications. 

Lina's favorite part of the episode is an audio recording of birth and hearing Evelyn's first cry.

Lina mentions how she listened to the book "HypnoBirthing, the breakthrough natural approach to safer, easier, more comfortable birthing" She highly recommends this book to anyone who's pregnant.

Check out the birth photos on Lina's blog: https://www.linaforrestal.com/blog/evelyns-birth-story

Jenna Toulantis is a certified doula, photographer, and community builder in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  Connect with Jenna on Instagram: @jmtnjphotography

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After Julissa delivered her first baby in the hospital, she decided she wanted a more natural experience and sought to have a home birth. After working with a team of professionals, she designed a home birth and safely welcomed her second child into the world. 

Connect with Julissa on Instagram: @julissa.edwards_counseling

Julissa Edwards is a licensed psychotherapist, retired adjunct psychology professor, positivity expert, and mindset coach. With a passion for positive psychology and holistic healing, Julissa takes a holistic approach to counseling and coaching, incorporating various techniques to help individuals achieve their goals. She firmly believes that the power of the mind is one of the best skills you can hone in on to achieve any accomplishment in life and overcome hardships. Drawing upon her years of experience as a therapist and teacher, Julissa guides clients to strengthen their resiliency and develop a positive mindset that can transform their perception of the world. Her goal is not only to help clients heal, but to also empower them to create better tomorrows for themselves.

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Support the Show: Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newmamaspodcast)

My daughter, Evelyn, was born last week on November 27th! I recorded this episode with my postpartum doula, Katie, back in October. I'm super excited for her to start with our family next week! 

Katie is a mom of four and a postpartum doula who is passionate about health and wellness.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What is a postpartum doula?
• What is a postpartum doula's most important job?
• What has Katie learned from her own motherhood experience that she takes into doula care.
• How far in advance should someone book a postpartum doula?
• How much does it cost to hire a postpartum doula? 
• How long does “postpartum” last? How long can a family hire a postpartum doula for?
• How does she talk to moms who she recognizes might have some postpartum anxiety or even postpartum depression symptoms?
• Where she notices families need the most help 
• How much a postpartum doula costs
  
  

More about Katie: Katie has been a student of yoga for 20 years and became a trained 200RYT in 2012 in Vinyasa flow.  As a yoga instructor, Katie is able to bring her knowledge of the body and mind to help clients find balance in their transitions into motherhood and beyond. Katie is also passionate about Chinese medicine, meditation, the law of attraction, astrology, and babywearing.

Life in Bloom Wellness
Instagram: @lifeinbloomwellness

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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In this special Holiday themed episode, host Lina Forrestal is joined by Mariela de Santiago of Mama Wears Athleisure Podcast and they share tips and tricks for minimizing Holiday overwhelm from a first-time mom perspective.

Link to Christmas Ornaments Organizer: https://amzn.to/3SXQr70

Gift Ideas Mentioned in this Episode:

• Bombas Socks https://refer.bombas.com/x/42W15n (Get 25% off your first purchase by using this link)
• Kinetic Sand
• OurPlace Pans and Pots
• Magnetic building blocks
• Green Toys
• Car detailing gift card (for husbands)
• Carhartt flannels (for husbands)

Connect with Mariela: @mamawearsathleisure

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Read Lina's Blog: www.linaforrestal.com
Support the Show: Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newmamaspodcast)

Hello friends! I'm excited to share this bonus solo-episode with you all. The truth is I miss uploading twice a week, it was so fun to be able to talk to you more often about the things I care about and the things going through my mind! I hope to do more of these while on maternity leave-- which ps. I'm not going anywhere! I will still have weekly episodes (if not twice a week). 

Some of the things I chat about in this episode:

• How I'm feeling at 37 weeks
• Endless doctors appointments (NSTs, ultrasounds, etc.) because I'm "high-risk"
• How some of my friendships changed after I became a mom
• Becoming an adult and setting boundaries around who I want in my life (and who I don't)
• My relationship with my doula (@jmtnjphotography)
• Feelings around applying for free pre-school and Archie changing schools
• How the Holiday season used to make me feel sad because of my childhood
• Why I'm excited for Christmas now

Related Episodes: 

• Just Chatting: 30 Week Pregnancy Update - Gestational Diabetes, Hiring a Doulatog and PostPartum Doula, & Thoughts About My 2nd Birth
  
  
• Just Chatting: I had to put my 12-year-old dog down

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Read Lina's Blog: www.linaforrestal.com
Support the Show: Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newmamaspodcast)

With the holidays just around the corner, Lina sits down with the Consumer Reports Baby Safety team to discuss which baby products parents should avoid purchasing for their little ones or as gifts for others. 

Articles mentioned in this episode:

• 5 Dangerous Children’s Products Parents Should Avoid
• Are There Still Heavy Metals in Baby Food?
• Baby Bottles With No Detected BPA, Lead, or Phthalates

Other links mentioned:

• https://www.saferproducts.gov/

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Support the Show: Buy Me a Coffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newmamaspodcast)

In this episode, host Lina Forrestal participates in a LIVE COACHING SESSION with Parenting Coach, Stephanie Agnew of Parents Place which is part of Jewish Family and Children Services. Lina is concerned about adding a newborn to their already solid family of 3 and seeks practical advice and tips for a smooth transition. 

Timestamps:
00:00 - 07:55 - Introduction to Parents Place and Stephanie Agnew
08:25 - 52:15 - Live Coaching Session with Lina and Stephanie

• What is Parent Coaching? Parent Coaching is a collaborative process between an experienced parent coach and you. Coaches provide a safe space for you to explore your concerns, identify strengths, and develop effective parenting strategies tailored to your family’s dynamics.
• What does a Parent Coach do? A parent coach provides clear, immediate strategies to address whatever you are grappling with. We take the time to get to know your family history, dynamics, and values, then create a roadmap just for you.
• Schedule a FREE 20-minute phone consultation to find out if parent coaching is right for you: https://ccy.jfcs.org/schedule-consultation/ 

Relevant Episodes:

• Just Chatting: My Husband and I Get Vulnerable Talking Marriage, Another Baby, and Answering Listener Questions
  
  
• My Husband and I Reflect on a Year of Parenthood
  
  

Stephanie Barry Agnew, B.A., Assistant Director, Parents Place - Stephanie has an extensive background in Early Childhood Education with over 20 years of teaching experience in Palo Alto area schools.  She was trained at Bing Nursery School while getting her degree at Stanford and has taught all preschool age groups from Toddlers to Young Fives.  She owned her own small preschool in Palo Alto for 5 years and worked as a parent educator at The Children’s Health Council where she was also the director of the Parent Education Program. Stephanie has been teaching and consulting for Parents Place since 2002.  Stephanie’s specialties include young child behavior management, social skills development, Kindergarten readiness, school choices, preschool/childcare consultation and preschool teacher training and support.  She teaches parenting classes, gives one session talks, leads teacher training workshops, observes children at home and at school, and offers individual parents information and support about a wide array of parenting issues.  She has two adult daughters and four young grandchildren.  For an individual consultation please contact Stephanie at StephanieA@jfcs.org or 650-688-3046.

Connect with Center for Children and Youth on Instagram: @centerforchildrenandyouth

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[RATED EXPLICIT] This episode has some explicit language! If you have little ones around it might be a good idea to pop in headphones or listen to it at another time :)

In this episode, Lina and Amanda Gurman of Honest as a Mother Podcast enjoy a cathartic episode together where they share their biggest mom rants. They tackle everything from marriage to in-laws and everything in-between. They react to mom rants that their listeners submitted as well!

Check out Amanda's book:  Honest as a Mother - Book 2: Personal Essays That Will Make You Feel Like You're Not Alone in Motherhood

Connect with Amanda on Instagram: @amanda.gurman 

Connect with Lina on @linaforrestal on Instagram
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Aimee is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and mommy to 3 boys. She is the owner of Oceans Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry with her husband and practices in Westfield, New Jersey. Listen to our first episode with Aimee: Teething, Pacifiers, & Early Oral Health Habits with Pediatric Dentist Dr. Aimee Leibowitz

Helpful Notes from this Episode:

• How many times should a toddler brush their teeth a day? Twice is ideal, however if were being more real mama realistic it might be once — but make sure you make that ONE time NIGHTTIME bc after a full day of eating breakfast lunch dinner snacks etc you def don’t want them going to bed with dirty teeth, saliva isn’t slowing as much when we sleep, and that food/plaque will just sit overnight on the enamel causing decay. Morning brush would be great but I know in my house mornings are a hot mess most of the time so something as simple as putting the age appropriate amount of toothpaste on the brush and giving it to your kiddo and letting them do their thing is A-OK and way better than skipping it all together
• Toothpaste with fluoride or without fluoride? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends an age appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts. It's been proven with extremely good high quality studies that fluoride prevents cavities. If you are looking for a fluoride alternative brands like Risewell or Boka are HYDROXYAPETITE toothpastes that act in a similar and more natural way to fluoride to strengthen teeth. 
• What kinds of foods support teeth health? Low carb foods i.e. your crunchy leafy veggies, cheese, nuts, meats, water, now let's be real mama realistic again for hot sec - is this a typical diet for most toddlers — no however encouraging them and exposing them to these foods from the get go will help establish healthy habits, rather than the chicken finger and mac cheese diet. Other great choices fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, popcorn. For sweets: dark chocolate and ice cream are a way better option than fruit snacks, candy or cookies.
• What is the least worst Halloween candy? Chocolates are a keep as they wash away off our teeth faster, gummies and sours etc. are a trash as they stick and cling to the teeth long after you’ve finished eating them.
• How do we talk to our toddlers about candy? I love to use the term “sugar bugs” to talk about cavities. For Halloween: I tell parents let your kids go crazy that night, eat what they want and after that GET RID OF IT. FREQUENCY is way worse than QUANTITY. Meaning if you having pieces of candy every single day over months its more like to cause cavities than if you had a whole lot all at once right on Halloween. 

Connect with Aimee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanswestfield/ 

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