I’m Nicki Davis, RN, BSN, IBCLC — an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with 20 years supporting breastfeeding families — and today we’re tackling something far too many new moms suffer through silently: postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. Society tells moms to “enjoy every moment.” Meanwhile, inside, they’re overwhelmed, terrified, and ashamed to say they’re not okay. This episode is here to cut through that silence.

I’m joined by Linda Perry, MSN, PMHNP-BC, CNM — a dual-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife. Linda started her career delivering babies and later shifted into perinatal psychiatry when she saw firsthand how deeply mental health shapes recovery, bonding, and breastfeeding.

Together, we break down:

• What postpartum depression and anxiety actually look like (not just what the brochures say)

• What causes postpartum mood changes — hormones, sleep loss, identity shift, trauma, birth interventions, unrealistic expectations, feeding pressure

• The question every mom asks: “Isn’t it safer to avoid medication while breastfeeding?” — and what the research actually says

• Which medications may be compatible with breastfeeding

• What else can help — therapy, lactation support, nervous-system support, sleep strategy, partner direction, and community

• How anxiety/depression can interfere with breastfeeding and why it is NOT a mom’s fault

• When postpartum depression becomes dangerous and what to do immediately

• One message Linda wants every struggling mom to hear before the episode ends — and it’s powerful

We also talk honestly about three supplements Linda uses often — L-theanine, Lion’s Mane, and Lavela  — what the evidence says, where the gaps are, and why no supplement should replace real mental-health care when a mom is suffering.

If you’re listening with a lump in your throat or tears in your eyes because this sounds like you — you are not broken. You deserve support just as much as your baby does.

You don’t need to wait until it becomes unbearable to ask for help.

📌 Postpartum Support International (PSI) — 1-800-944-4773
or text 800-944-4773
Website: PostpartumSupportInternational.org

📌 National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (24/7) — 1-833-TLC-MAMA
(1-833-852-6262)

If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, go to the nearest emergency department or call emergency services immediately. Your safety matters.

🌐 Website — www.SensiblePsychMeds.com
📧 Email — Linda@SensiblePsychMeds.org
📞 Phone — 862-453-9229
🎥 TikTok — @SensiblePsychMeds / Linda Perry Psych NP
📸 Instagram — Sensible Psych Meds | @lindaperrypsychnp

🎙 Podcast — Spill the Milk
🌐 Website — www.babywhisperernicki.com
📸 Instagram — @babywhisperer77
🎥 TikTok — @babywhisperer77
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💛 Patreon — https://www.patreon.com/c/BabyWhisperer
🗓 Schedule a 1:1 lactation consultation:
https://calendly.com/lactationhelp77/lactation-consult-new

Support & Crisis ResourcesConnect with LindaConnect with Nicki (The Babywhisperer)