How to Prepare For Baby’s Arrival: The Postpartum Plan, with Mercedes Thomas

On this episode of the Learn With Less podcast, we were joined by Mercedes Thomas, of Advanced Practice Wellness. We chatted about:* Mercedes’ personal and professional background, and how she came to do the work she’s doing today* What to ACTUALLY expect as a parent, what kinds of topics to collect wisdom about (to prepare for that beginning phase), and how to prepare for that* Why it’s so important to develop your postpartum plan, not just a birth plan* Mercedes’s top 3 tips and resources for supporting new parents through that initial postpartum periodResources Mentioned in This Episode:Download a portion of Mercedes’ forthcoming book, What In The Baby?! The Modern Mama’s Guide to Confidently Caring For Your Baby and Surviving the Postpartum PeriodMercedes’ classes and services (parenting classes, lactation services, healthcare consulting)Learn With Less® Classes: “parent & me” classes worldwide (in person and virtual) using the Learn With Less® curriculumLearn With Less episode with Dr. Katayune Kaeni: Perinatal Mood Changes and Postpartum Mood DisordersLearn With Less episode with Arianna Taboada: Postpartum Care and How to Get Your Mental Health Needs Met Learn With Less episode with Kate Turza: What Is A Postpartum Doula?healthychildren.orgnapnap.org/The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, by Diane WeissingerHypnobirthing (Marie Mongan Method) and Natal Hypnotherapy (Maggie Howell)DONA International (find and connect with a birth or postpartum doula)Connect With Us:Mercedes: Website / Instagram Ayelet: Facebook / Instagram / PinterestText Transcript of This Episode:Ayelet: Welcome! Today, I am speaking with Mercedes Thomas, a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner, certified lactation counselor, maternal child health consultant, and author of What in the Baby: the Modern Mama’s Guide to Confidently Caring For Your Baby and Surviving the Postpartum Period, which will be released in February, 2021. Mercedes is also the owner of Advanced Practice Wellness and Lactation, which is a private practice based in the Washington DC area, where she provides virtual lactation services, parenting classes, and healthcare consulting to organizations serving families. Mercedes was most recently awarded the 2020 Washington Parent Pick in the category of breastfeeding supp...