“Motherhood didn’t break me—society’s expectations did.”



In this raw and revealing episode, Kate and Jordan crack open the myth of the “bounce back” and share two completely different postpartum journeys—one rooted in overwhelm, the other in empowerment. From surviving postpartum depression and navigating a traumatic miscarriage, to thriving in a peaceful, supported fourth trimester, this conversation exposes the cultural lies that sabotage mothers and offers a radically honest alternative. You’ll hear game-changing insights on breastfeeding, mental health, nervous system healing, and why preparing for postpartum is just as vital as preparing for birth. Whether you're a new mom, trying to conceive, or still processing your last experience, this episode will leave you feeling seen—and powerfully equipped.

You’ll Learn:

• How poor postpartum preparation can sabotage recovery—and what to do instead
• Why the first six weeks after birth are critical for hormonal and emotional regulation
• How nervous system health impacts postpartum depression risk
• What most lactation consultants don’t tell you about successful long-term breastfeeding
• Why “bounce back” culture harms new moms more than it helps
• How to use the 5-5-5 method to optimize postpartum healing
• What cluster feeding actually means—and how it builds milk supply
• How societal messaging shapes negative birth and postpartum expectations
• Why oversupply isn’t a flex—and what healthy breastfeeding actually looks like
• How to trust maternal instinct over outdated pediatric growth charts and fear-based advice

Timestamps:

[00:00 ] Introduction

[01:03 ] The emotional crash of being alone with a newborn

[02:35 ] What no one tells you about postpartum recovery

[03:42 ] Choosing to pump after failed latch support

[04:18 ] Mental health struggles and the nervous system connection

[05:16 ] How fear-based narratives shape birth and postpartum

[06:48 ] How mindset and manifestation impact your experience

[08:00 ] Why postpartum can be beautiful with the right support

[09:02 ] The 5-5-5 method for healing after birth

[10:11 ] The truth about “bouncing back”

[11:32 ] What makes week three postpartum so emotionally intense

[12:52 ] Why trying to be your old self makes things harder

[13:30 ] Motherhood as a complete identity shift

[14:35 ] The reality of lifelong motherhood

[16:46 ] How your partner can make or break your mental health

[17:19 ] Why moms never forget how they were treated postpartum

[18:45 ] How the US medical system sets moms up to fail

[20:00 ] Why skin-to-skin and scent matter more than you think

[21:15 ] Formula marketing vs. how breastfeeding really works

[22:22 ] Getting through the first 6 weeks of milk regulation

[24:27 ] Why pacifiers can interfere with breastfeeding

[25:00 ] You are the original pacifier

[26:00 ] Skipping soap, lotion, and early bathing

[27:03 ] Why trusting your instinct beats growth charts

[28:49 ] When formula can support breastfeeding

[30:03 ] What most moms really need to hear in the hard moments

[31:03 ] How to find breastfeeding support that actually helps

[32:18 ] Pumping vs. breastfeeding: real tradeoffs

[33:28 ] Oversupply myths and social media pressure

[34:39 ] How breastfeeding helps set boundaries and excuses

[36:40 ] Choosing natural miscarriage over medical management

[39:33 ] The guilt spiral after miscarriage

[41:20 ] Post-miscarriage care and emotional reset

[42:42 ] The obsessive mindset when trying to conceive again

[44:01 ] Why trying to conceive feels like living in limbo

[45:20 ] What to remember when pregnancy takes time

Resources Mentioned:

The First Forty Days by Heng Ou | Book or Audiobook

Babies (Documentary) | Netflix

La Leche League International | Website

Follow us on Instagram:

Kate @thatcrunchymomkate

Jordan @themoderncrunchymum

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