Twin Mom Life

Holidays in the Hospital, Advocating for Your Babies in the NICU and Adjusting After the NICU

#23: Join Jess for an inspiring conversation with twin mom Stephanie as she shares her journey through pregnancy, hospital stay at 29 weeks, NICU experience, and twin motherhood. Discover valuable insights on slowing down, self-care, and navigating the challenges of raising twins. EPISODE TAKEAWAYS * Hospital stay starting at 29 weeks due to water breaking * The emotional rollercoaster of a premature twin pregnancy and hospital stay * How to prepare for childbirth, especially when pregnancy is complicated * Practical tips for managing NICU life, including trusting your instincts and advocating for your babies during NICU recovery * Adjusting to home life after the NICU * The importance of slowing down as a twin mom * Reflections on breastfeeding, pumping, and finding balance * Managing night terrors and sleep regression in young children * Heartfelt advice for expecting twin moms: embrace unpredictability and trust your motherly instincts EPISODE SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by Thrive Market -> $20 off your first 3 orders and a free gift! [https://shop.thrivemarket.com/twinmomlife] CONNECT WITH STEPH Instagram @TwinMommaSteph [https://www.instagram.com/twinmommasteph] CONNECT WITH THE HOST, JESS Instagram @TwinMomLifePodcast [https://www.instagram.com/twinmomlifepodcast?igsh=NW1ybHF5dnY0azdh&utm_source=qr] MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE Beach Mountain Prints! Steph and Jess have this twin mama shirt [https://www.etsy.com/listing/4341757632/twin-mom-mother-of-twins-gift-mothers?sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=shop_home&ga_search_query=boots&ref=shop_items_search_11&sts=1&logging_key=184babd42c8300d938ad458ee7847de13d5f1c48%3A4341757632] HIYA Kids Vitamins -> 20% off click here [https://hiyahealth.com/JESSIELEESITTIG] I love their kids bedtime essentials! DISCOUNT CODES Looking for a twin-specific breastfeeding course? Check out ->Twin Mom Guide to Breastfeeding Twins [https://twinmomguide.teachable.com/a/aff_5mgq1v7p/external?affcode=1158227_tbfxbghu] Riverside -> Want to start a podcast? I LOVE Riverside! I can record, edit and upload to streaming sites all in one program! To learn more click here! [https://riverside.sjv.io/6y3Y33] Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolytes -> 20% off your first order! [http://rwrd.io/ref_8O7OP1E?c] I am obsessed with Watermelon Lime flavor! ILIA Beauty-> $20 off your first purchase! [https://prz.io/eBEBr80F2] I absolutely love their Limitless Lash Mascara! Needed -> 20% off your first order! [https://www.talkable.com/x/jALzb9] I drink their Sleep and Relaxation Support almost every night! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Allowing Yourself to Grieve Parts of Twin Motherhood While Finding Joy in Others

#22: In this episode, Katie Koehler, founder of Twin Mama Marketplace and the app My Littles Hub, shares her nonlinear journey to motherhood, traumatic birth and passion for creating resources and community for other twin moms. Katie talks about her innovative tools to support parents of multiples. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) diagnosis after two early miscarriages * Advocating for health screenings: APS, blood clotting, and early testing * Birth stories including External Cephalic Version (ECV), hospital induction, and emergency C-section * Managing the physical and mental toll of twin pregnancies and deliveries * The importance of mental health, trauma counseling, and self-care * Tips for self-care, community support, and shared experiences among twin moms * Navigating diet, toxin awareness, and intentional living for health * The power of moms supporting moms and embracing ambition post-motherhood CONNECT WITH KATIE Instagram @TwinMamaMarketplace [https://www.instagram.com/twinmamamarketplace] Twin Mama Marketplace Etsy Shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TwinMamaMarketplace] "We Came as Two, We Are Twins" Board Book [https://a.co/d/0bkgRjV1] My Littles Hub App [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/my-littles-hub/id6763681685] My Littles Hub Website: https://mylittleshub.com [https://mylittleshub.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylittleshub [https://www.instagram.com/mylittleshub] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mylittleshub [https://www.tiktok.com/@mylittleshub] CONNECT WITH THE HOST, JESS Instagram @TwinMomLifePodcast [https://www.instagram.com/twinmomlifepodcast?igsh=NW1ybHF5dnY0azdh&utm_source=qr] DISCOUNT CODES Looking for a twin-specific breastfeeding course? Check out ->Twin Mom Guide to Breastfeeding Twins [https://twinmomguide.teachable.com/a/aff_5mgq1v7p/external?affcode=1158227_tbfxbghu] Riverside -> Want to start a podcast? I LOVE Riverside! I can record, edit and upload to streaming sites all in one program! To learn more click here! [https://riverside.sjv.io/6y3Y33] HIYA Kids Vitamins -> 20% off click here [https://hiyahealth.com/JESSIELEESITTIG] I love their kids bedtime essentials! Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolytes -> 20% off your first order! [http://rwrd.io/ref_8O7OP1E?c] I am obsessed with Watermelon Lime flavor! ILIA Beauty-> $20 off your first purchase! [https://prz.io/eBEBr80F2] I absolutely love their Limitless Lash Mascara! Needed -> 20% off your first order! [https://www.talkable.com/x/jALzb9] I drink their Sleep and Relaxation Support almost every night!

Strength and Self-Love: Navigating Twins, Divorce and the ADHD Experience As a Working Mom

#21: Join Jess and guest Ellen as she shares her struggles with early twin parenting while navigating divorce, an adult ADHD diagnosis and going back to work as a mom. Ellen shares her insights on managing postpartum rage and the importance of self-care in twin parenting. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Ellen’s twin pregnancy experience, including the decision for hospital birth and unmedicated delivery * Navigating hospital stays postpartum with twins amid overwhelming support and exhaustion * Breastfeeding journeys: nursing one twin and pumping for the other * The intense early stages of twin parenthood * Strategies for managing postpartum sleep deprivation and postpartum rage * How to prioritize self-care as a twin mom and practical ways to fill your cup * The importance of flexibility in routines and letting go of perfectionism * Healing from postpartum struggles and the power of community and shared experiences * The evolving role of self-awareness, adaptability, and reflection in motherhood RESOURCES MENTIONED Instagram @NurturingTwins [https://www.instagram.com/nurturingtwins/] CONNECT WITH THE HOST, JESS Instagram @TwinMomLifePodcast [https://www.instagram.com/twinmomlifepodcast?igsh=NW1ybHF5dnY0azdh&utm_source=qr] DISCOUNT CODES Looking for a twin-specific breastfeeding course? Check out ->Twin Mom Guide to Breastfeeding Twins [https://twinmomguide.teachable.com/a/aff_5mgq1v7p/external?affcode=1158227_tbfxbghu] Moonshine Yoga -> Local to the ATX area? Check out Moonshine Yoga studios in Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Cedar Park! -> $10 credit click here! [https://momence.com/sign-up/member?hostId=31692&ref=77d765f7f6cc855146866d9f8982f79b] Riverside -> Want to start a podcast? I LOVE Riverside! I can record, edit and upload to streaming sites all in one program! To learn more click here! [https://riverside.sjv.io/6y3Y33] HIYA Kids Vitamins -> 20% off click here [https://hiyahealth.com/JESSIELEESITTIG] I love their kids bedtime essentials! Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolytes -> 20% off your first order! [http://rwrd.io/ref_8O7OP1E?c] I am obsessed with Watermelon Lime flavor! ILIA Beauty-> $20 off your first purchase! [https://prz.io/eBEBr80F2] I absolutely love their Limitless Lash Mascara! Needed -> 20% off your first order! [https://www.talkable.com/x/jALzb9] I drink their Sleep and Relaxation Support almost every night! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How To Actually Meet Your Twin Breastfeeding and Pumping Goals with Shelly from Twin Mom Guide

#20: In this episode, Shelly Patularu from Twin Mom Guide shares expert insights on breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle feeding for twins. As a twin mom, registered nurse and IBCLC lactation expert, she shares her practical tips, common pitfalls, and encouragement to empower your twin feeding journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Shelly shares her personal experience with breastfeeding twins and how it inspired her twin-specific support resource * The importance of twin-specific breastfeeding education including individual latch practice * Tips for pumping with twins, including selecting the correct flange sizing * Supporting optimal infant oral health including the evalution of tongue ties * Managing tension to prevent torticollis and plagiocephaly * Resources for twin families, including courses, products, and communities CONNECT WITH SHELLY Instagram @TwinMomGuide [https://www.instagram.com/twinmomguide/] Facebook Twin Mom Guide [https://www.facebook.com/twinmomguide/] Twin Mom Guide Website [https://twinmomguide.com/] Twin Mom Guide to Breastfeeding Twins Course [https://twinmomguide.teachable.com/a/aff_5mgq1v7p/external?affcode=1158227_tbfxbghu] CONNECT WITH THE HOST, JESS Instagram @TwinMomLifePodcast [https://www.instagram.com/twinmomlifepodcast?igsh=NW1ybHF5dnY0azdh&utm_source=qr] DISCOUNT CODES Moonshine Yoga -> Local to the ATX area? Check out Moonshine Yoga studios in Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Cedar Park! -> $10 credit click here! [https://momence.com/sign-up/member?hostId=31692&ref=77d765f7f6cc855146866d9f8982f79b] Riverside -> Want to start a podcast? I LOVE Riverside! I can record, edit and upload to streaming sites all in one program! To learn more click here! [https://riverside.sjv.io/6y3Y33] HIYA Kids Vitamins -> 20% off click here [https://hiyahealth.com/JESSIELEESITTIG] I love their kids bedtime essentials! Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolytes -> 20% off your first order! [http://rwrd.io/ref_8O7OP1E?c] I am obsessed with Watermelon Lime flavor! ILIA Beauty-> $20 off your first purchase! [https://prz.io/eBEBr80F2] I absolutely love their Limitless Lash Mascara! Needed -> 20% off your first order! [https://www.talkable.com/x/jALzb9] I drink their Sleep and Relaxation Support almost every night! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Jamie Otis Hehner on Sharing Her Life Online, Entrepreneurship and Balancing Motherhood

#19: In this episode, Jamie Otis Hehner shares her inspiring journey through love, loss, motherhood, and entrepreneurship. From her unconventional marriage on Married at First Sight to navigating twin motherhood and building her beauty brand, Hendralux Beauty, Jamie’s story offers invaluable insights and authenticity. KEY TAKEAWAYS * Jamie’s story of finding love and navigating a unique arranged marriage through matchmaking * Her experiences with loss, motherhood, and how her childhood shaped her maternal instincts * The balancing act of being a working mom, benefits of therapy, and accepting help * Insights into her new beauty brand, Hendralux Beauty, and its focus on quick, multi-use products for busy moms * The emotional journey of mourning stages of motherhood and embracing new chapters with her children CONNECT WITH JAMIE Instagram @JamieNOtis [https://www.instagram.com/jamienotis?igsh=MXAzbmdxcmdxdnNsNQ==] @HendraluxBeauty [https://www.instagram.com/hendraluxbeauty?igsh=ZXVsbjQxcm84N2l3] Jamie Otis Website [https://jamieotis.com/] CONNECT WITH THE HOST, JESS Instagram @TwinMomLifePodcast [https://www.instagram.com/twinmomlifepodcast?igsh=NW1ybHF5dnY0azdh&utm_source=qr] DISCOUNT CODES Looking for a twin-specific breastfeeding course? Check out ->Twin Mom Guide to Breastfeeding Twins [https://twinmomguide.teachable.com/a/aff_5mgq1v7p/external?affcode=1158227_tbfxbghu] Moonshine Yoga -> Local to the ATX area? Check out Moonshine Yoga studios in Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Cedar Park! -> $10 credit click here! [https://momence.com/sign-up/member?hostId=31692&ref=77d765f7f6cc855146866d9f8982f79b] Riverside -> Want to start a podcast? I LOVE Riverside! I can record, edit and upload to streaming sites all in one program! To learn more click here! [https://riverside.sjv.io/6y3Y33] HIYA Kids Vitamins -> 20% off click here [https://hiyahealth.com/JESSIELEESITTIG] I love their kids bedtime essentials! Re-Lyte Hydration Electrolytes -> 20% off your first order! [http://rwrd.io/ref_8O7OP1E?c] I am obsessed with Watermelon Lime flavor! ILIA Beauty-> $20 off your first purchase! [https://prz.io/eBEBr80F2] I absolutely love their Limitless Lash Mascara! Needed -> 20% off your first order! [https://www.talkable.com/x/jALzb9] I drink their Sleep and Relaxation Support almost every night!