babyshrink.com

I have all sorts of grand hopes and plans for the future of BabyShrink. But since I’m juggling my clinical practice, plus a consulting/management business, AND three young children (not to mention Mr. Dr. BabyShrink), my time is limited. I figure all I need is an extra 6 or 7 hours in every day to accomplish my goals!

So I’m thrilled that, despite my limitations, BabyShrink has continued to grow and develop, as any “baby” should. One of the really cool things is when producers of other sites — especially sites with far greater “reach” than mine — contact me to ask to cross-post an article. So I’m excited to show off my latest such effort, posted today at BettyConfidential.com. My article on “What is too scary for Halloween?” is up there now. Check out the “Hot Topics” box to find it…and cruise around the site, while you’re at it!

Here at BabyShrink, I get emailed questions from all over the world. Many of these make it onto the site; questions about potty training, TV-watching, and poop-smearing (which is my most-read post, if you can believe it!)

But there are other questions; questions too pained and personal to be published. Questions from mothers desperate about the difficulty of having a new baby. Questions from grandmothers, worried about the dark circles under their daughter’s eyes. Questions from husbands, worried that their wives (and marriages) might never be the same after the birth of their baby.

In our Lamaze class, we met several couples. You know how it is; you can’t help bonding with other couples going through the same trial-by-fire. You stay in touch with some of them. Others fade away, but you always recognize each other, say “hi” at the grocery store, and ask about their child, who is the same age as yours.

There was one couple we met and really liked. But they never seemed to follow through on suggestions of get-togethers. When we ran into them, they seemed fine. But they weren’t.

Quite by accident, I found out that the Mom had suffered a terrible, crushing postpartum depression after the birth of their baby. They never came to us — knowing we were both psychologists — and suffered alone.

I was stunned to have been so clueless about the pain they went through. Luckily, they eventually got help, and all is well now. But I never forgot about the terrible shame and hopelessness that must have driven them into silence.

I know there are many more of you out there, similarly suffering in silence. I hope that this, my first BabyShrink podcast, can help.

There are many people to thank in the launching of this podcast. Ilima Loomis, who helped me see that a podcast was the perfect vehicle for communicating with new mothers, who are alone and up with the baby at night. Heather Sanders, for my tech-support and visual flair extraordinaire, Glenn Sakamoto, my most tireless and knowledgeable supporter and designer, Danny Evans, who made BabyShrink happen, and his lovely Hot Wife, my BFF and straight-shooting reviewer. I also want to thank the women and families who have opened up the most frightening and painful chapters of their lives to me, to help me understand how best to help others.

I’m also collecting stories of recovery. If you’ve suffered from PPD and come through to the other side, please post a comment here to encourage others to get help….and send the message that you CAN feel better.

Note: This is a 16-minute podcast. It downloads to your player OR your computer in less than one minute, with a broadband connection.

[Click to Download Podcast Here]

My blogger friend Daddy Dan has started a new feature; he’s polling a bunch of us Mommy, Daddy, and advice-giving bloggers about all sorts of topics. The first installment is today. As you’ve seen, I don’t want to get TOO deeply into politics here, but he gave me my chance at outlining some of the essential legislative priorities for the benefit of young children and parents.

Go visit us over here, and let him know what other questions you’d like him to ask his panel.

Aloha,

Dr. Heather
The BabyShrink