Momcozy Village - Together We Grow

• Anyone Can Be a Dope Dad: Breaking Generational Curses with dopedad_e

  Many dads struggle with the responsibilities of fatherhood, leaving moms to shoulder the burden alone. How can dads break these curses?In this episode of the Momcozy Village: Together We Grow podcast, host Lalaina Rabary welcomes the show’s very first dad guest: Eric Taylor, better known online to hundreds of thousands as dopedad_e. With his viral ‘dusty son’ trend featured on The Sherri Show, Buzzfeed, and Good Morning America, Eric has become a powerful voice around breaking generational curses, loving with intention, and raising kids with purpose.Eric opens up about what “dusty” really means, sharing his own evolution from dusty habits to intentional fatherhood. He reflects on how growing up without a father, living through addiction, and learning from his wife’s example helped him step into the husband and dad he wants to be.The conversation also explores the loneliness men often face in fatherhood, the shifting of friendships and relationships when kids come along, and the courage it takes to ask: ‘Who do I want to be for my partner, my children, and myself?’Episode Highlights00:55 – Why Eric got into social media to share his message.02:19 – What is a ‘dusty’ son?04:50 – Eric’s experiences of his shortcomings as a husband and dad.06:17 – What are generational curses?10:19 – Can you train yourself to be a good father or partner?12:28 – How do dads experience loneliness?16:23 – How does friendship work in dad circles?17:53 – What questions do moms ask Eric?21:01 – Moms need to let dads do their part.23:13 – Men hate to feel stupid.24:12  – Parents need to start saying what they need.24:12  – Eric’s final thoughts.About the Guest: Eric Taylor (dopedad_e)Eric Taylor is a parenting and marriage content creator known as dopedad_e on social media. Eric creates relatable parenting and relationship content for his community of nearly 300k followers, emphasizing breaking generational curses, loving your spouses with power, and raising your children with purpose. He has collaborated with brands like Sour Patch Kids, Play-Doh, Dave’s Killer Bread, and Time 4 Learning. In 2023, his ‘Dusty Son’ viral trend was featured on The Sherri Show, Buzzfeed, and Good Morning America, and his content has been further featured in publications like Parents and Goodful.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramLalaina RabaryLinkedInEric TaylorInstagram | WebsiteAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms.

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• To Take or Not to Take: How To Navigate Medications, Substances, and Breastfeeding with Dr. Fran

  August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and this year’s theme from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action is Create Sustainable Support Systems. This call extends beyond supporting mothers; it’s about nurturing the entire family throughout the feeding journey.In this episode of the Momcozy Village: Together We Grow podcast, host Lalaina Rabary sits down with Dr. Fran, OB-GYN, mom of three, and powerhouse educator known for her clear, evidence-based health guidance online. Together, they explore one of the most confusing and pressing topics for new parents: medications and substances while breastfeeding.Dr. Fran explains why so much available guidance feels conflicting and how a historical lack of research has led to overly cautious recommendations, such as “pump and dump.” She breaks down the latest evidence on alcohol, THC, caffeine, antibiotics, antidepressants, anesthesia, and more, giving parents a realistic, science-backed understanding of what is safe, what to avoid, and how to make confident, informed decisions.Reflecting on her clinical work and her parenting journey, Dr. Fran stresses the importance of treating lactation as part of a parent’s medical history, not an afterthought. The conversation also explores cultural wisdom, the pressures of “doing everything right,” and finding balance between intuition and evidence-based care.Episode Highlights00:46 – Why is there so much conflicting information on medications and substances?03:53 – Are there ‘safe’ amounts of alcohol and THC?06:08 – What about caffeine?06:58 – Medication and breastfeeding myths.09:49 – Dr. Fran’s recommended apps for patients.10:24 – Resources for healthcare workers.11:23 – Which medications are safe while breastfeeding?13:20 – Why are some practitioners overly cautious?15:13 – Talking to family, friends, and partners about medication and breastfeeding.16:49 – Where do cultural wisdom and medicine meet?20:28 – Questions to ask your OB-GYN about medications and breastfeeding22:31 – Final thoughts from Dr. Fran.About the Guest: Dr. FranDr. Fran is an OB-GYN, mother of three, and online educator dedicated to sharing accurate, evidence-based women’s health information.After graduating in 2021, she noticed a wave of inaccurate obstetrics and gynecology content circulating on TikTok. Drawing on her medical expertise and past experience as a content creator, she began posting her own videos to combat misinformation. Within six months, her TikTok audience grew to over 100,000 followers, and by the end of 2024, her combined social media following exceeded one million.Offline, Dr. Fran practices in western New York, specializing in high-risk obstetrics, hormone management (including PCOS and menopause care), and minimally invasive gynecologic procedures such as laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomies.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramLalaina RabaryLinkedInDr. FranInstagram, TikTokAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms.Content DisclaimerThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. After that, infants can continue to breastfeed while also receiving complementary foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding for as long as the mother and infant desire.

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• Feeding the Family: How Everyone Can Be Nourished When Breastfeeding

  August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, as set by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, is Create Sustainable Support Systems. This call to action goes beyond supporting just mothers. It is about supporting the entire family in the feeding journey.In this episode of the Momcozy Village: Together We Grow podcast, host Lalaina Rabary is joined by Nicole Fox, a pediatric nurse, registered dietitian, and international board-certified lactation consultant with NAPS, for an honest and insightful conversation about the real-life challenges of breastfeeding. Nicole shares why it is essential to consider the needs of the whole family when creating a feeding plan. She offers practical guidance for how partners can contribute meaningfully and how parents can build sustainable routines through flexibility, rest, and teamwork.Reflecting on her own experience as a mom, Nicole speaks candidly about the pressure to do everything ‘right’ and how that perspective now shapes her compassionate, evidence-based support for others. She addresses the emotional weight of feeding challenges, the common gap in care after leaving the hospital, and the value of early, accessible support. Her message is simple yet powerful: you are the right parent for your child, and that is more than enough.Episode Highlights00:50: Nicole’s Background.01:55: What Does Feeding the Family Look Like?03:55: How Can Partners Be Included in the Breastfeeding Process?07:04: How to Make Breastfeeding Sustainable.11:26: What Are the Challenges in Transitioning from Hospital to Home?15:19: How Nicole’s Experience as a Mom Has Influenced Her Work.20:55: Your Support Person Could Be Anyone!21:16: What Success Looks Like to Nicole.About the Guest: Nicole FoxNicole Fox is a pediatric nurse, registered dietitian, and international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) with a passion for supporting families through every stage of their feeding journey. With a career that began as a pediatric dietitian at Boston Children’s Hospital, Nicole brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and empathetic care to her work with families.Currently serving families through NAPS, Nicole provides in-home and virtual support for everything from breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and formula supplementation to the introduction of solids and managing picky eating.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramLalaina RabaryLinkedInNicole FoxNAPS WebsiteAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms.Content DisclaimerThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. After that, infants can continue to breastfeed while also receiving complementary foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding for as long as the mother and infant desire.

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• Love is Not Measured in Ounces of Milk: An Introduction to Breastfeeding

  Breastfeeding is often portrayed as a natural and instinctive part of motherhood, but the reality can be far more complex and emotional. In this episode of the Momcozy Village: Together We Grow podcast, host Lalaina Rabary sits down with Dr. Colette Wiseman, a triple-boarded physician and certified lactation consultant, to unpack the nuanced realities of breastfeeding in today’s world.Dr. Wiseman brings her holistic, evidence-based approach to the conversation, offering compassionate guidance on a wide range of topics, from the critical early days of feeding to the transition back to work. She also demystifies common concerns like low supply, nipple pain, and engorgement, sharing clear advice on what’s normal, what’s not, and when to seek help.Dr. Wiseman also addresses the emotional weight many mothers carry when their feeding journey doesn’t go as planned. With warmth and wisdom, she reminds us that love is not measured in ounces, and a fed, loved baby with a supported, mentally healthy mom is always the goal.Episode Highlights01:14 How Dr. Wiseman Got Interested in Breastfeeding02:52 Early Breastfeeding Experiences and Challenges.04:13 Timing and Impact of Milk Coming In.05:58 What Happens Between Birth and Milk Coming In?07:46 What is a ‘Normal’ Supply of Milk?12:05 Navigating Stigma Around Breastfeeding.15:30 Love is Not Measured in Ounces of Milk.18:45 Everyone’s Breastfeeding Journey is Different.22:30 Combo Feeding and Emotional Well-being.25:58 Final Support and Encouragement.About the Guest: Dr. Colette WisemanDr. Colette is a double-boarded physician and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who offers holistic, evidence-based lactation care grounded in over a decade of medical experience. A mother of three who breastfed for more than 50 months, she combines clinical insight with real-world empathy to help families navigate breastfeeding challenges with confidence and compassion.Since 2012, she has supported parents through her private practice, hospital work, and community advocacy. Dr. Colette is also a mentor to fellow healthcare professionals and a moderator for a local Breastfeeding USA support group in Torrance, CA, championing a more breastfeeding-friendly culture across workplaces and communities.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramLalaina RabaryLinkedInDr. Colette WisemanWebsiteAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms.

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• Why has nobody told me how to get out of bed? How to Prepare for and Recover from a C-Section Birth

  Each year, around 270,000 women in the UK give birth via C-section. In the U.S., it’s approximately 1 in 3. Despite how common C-sections are, there’s still a significant lack of education and support around the experience, especially when it comes to aftercare.In this episode of the Momcozy Village: Together We Grow podcast, host Lalaina Rabary speaks with Victoria ‘Midwife Vic’ Holyoak, founder of c-sectionUK. This organization is committed to guiding women through every stage of the C-section journey, from preparation to delivery to recovery.Vic shares the deeply personal and heartbreaking story that led her to this work and offers practical, down-to-earth tips for post-surgery recovery. From the surprising benefits of peppermint tea for easing bowel movements to the critical role that gentle movement plays in healing, Vic delivers advice that's both realistic and reassuring, especially for first-time C-section moms.The episode also explores the growing interest in maternal-assisted C-sections, a procedure where mothers can actively participate in the birth by reaching down and helping lift their baby out. It’s an empowering option for those who want a more connected experience during what can sometimes feel like a highly medicalized process. Vic explains what this looks like in practice and how it can help reclaim the moment of birth for C-section mothers.Above all, Vic wants moms to know this: C-section births are every bit as real and valid as vaginal births. If a baby is born from your body, it’s a birth.Episode Highlights00:44 The Importance of C-Section Education01:17 C-Section Recovery Challenges06:04 The Story Behind c-sectionUK’s Founding10:13 Challenges in the Healthcare System11:28 Vital Physical Recovery Tips19:10 C-Sections and Vagninal Bleeding20:31 Emotional Side of C-Sections22:27 Birth Trauma and C-Sections27:50 Understanding and Managing Scarring36:52 Maternal-Assisted and Gentle C-SectionAbout the Guest: Midwife VicMidwife Vic founded c-sectionuk in Spring 2023 after nearly a decade of working as a practicing midwife, antenatal educator, and hypnobirthing teacher. Witnessing a growing demand for accessible, tailored c-section education, she launched the platform to empower expectant parents with knowledge and confidence. Despite the ongoing debate around birth methods, Vic remained committed to improving the experience of c-section births through inclusive, expert-led digital resources. Her vision quickly gained national and international support, turning c-sectionuk into a trusted hub for parents seeking informed, compassionate care.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramLalaina RabaryLinkedInMidwife Vic and c-sectionUKWebsite | InstagramAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show?Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms.

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