“You’re Not Doing It Wrong” — Rachael Shepard-Ohta on Postpartum Anxiety, Sleep, and Rest After Loss

Описание: This episode is for every mom who’s brought her baby earthside and finds herself in the thick of postpartum — somewhere between gratitude, exhaustion, and the quiet wondering, “Am I doing this right?”

In this conversation, I sit down with Rachael Shepard-Ohta (@heysleepybaby) — Infant-Parent Mental Health Specialist, Certified Sleep Consultant, and founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby — to talk about postpartum anxiety, co-sleeping, and learning to trust yourself again after loss.

Rachael shares her own experience with postpartum anxiety and offers grounded, evidence-based guidance for parents navigating the messy, emotional, and very real early months. We talk about why it’s okay to want your baby close, what “safe sleep” really means, and how connection — not perfection — is the key to finding rest again.

We Talk About:

00:00 — Intro
02:00 — Postpartum anxiety after loss
05:00 — Why “just be grateful” doesn’t help
08:30 — The truth about co-sleeping & safety
11:00 — What the research says about bed sharing
16:00 — How to prepare a safe sleep space
21:00 — Regulating your nervous system through connection
26:00 — Temperament, sensory needs & sleep differences
34:00 — Practical support for sleepless parents
40:00 — How to let go of guilt and “bad habit” fears

Resources Mentioned

Articles & Guides:
• The Safe Sleep Seven — La Leche League International
• Is Bed Sharing Dangerous? — Hey, Sleepy Baby Blog
• BabyBay Bedside Sleeper

Book:
• Safe Infant Sleep by Dr. James McKenna

Podcast Episodes by Hey, Sleepy Baby:
• Bed Sharing & SIDS — The Science and the Myths
• Sleep Training + Bed Sharing — What the Research Actually Says

About Rachael Shepard-Ohta

Rachael is an Infant-Parent Mental Health Specialist, Certified Sleep Consultant, and former Educator. She founded Hey, Sleepy Baby in 2020 and hosts two podcasts — No One Told Us and You’re So Right. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and three young children.

📸 Instagram: @heysleepybaby

🌐 Website: heysleepybaby.com


Connect with Kristin

📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca
🌷 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven
🌙 Mother Like No Other — Loss mOm Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother
📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life
🎧 Podcast: @therainbowconnectionpodcast

Join the Conversation

What part of postpartum surprised you the most? Share in the comments — we’d love to hear your story. 💛

#pregnancyafterloss #postpartumanxiety #rainbowbaby #sleepafterloss #cosleepingsafely #griefandhope #maternalmentalhealth #heysleepybaby #thedoulalife #therainbowconnectionpodcast