Securely Attached

I'm joined by doula, childbirth educator, and founder of Baby To Go, Sarah Ludwig, to talk about what it actually means to prepare for birth and why so many parents feel overwhelmed, anxious, or like they have to "get it right."
 
Together, we explore:
 
What a doula actually does and how they support families during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
Why pregnancy can increase anxiety, and how to work with it instead of against it.
The difference between what you can control and what you can't during birth.
How to think about birth plans as flexible "preferences" rather than fixed outcomes.
Why trying to control every detail can sometimes make anxiety worse.
How to build confidence in your ability to cope, even when things don't go as planned.
The role of postpartum planning and why it's often overlooked.
How to recognize when anxiety is within a normal range and when it might need more support.
 
Instead of focusing on creating the perfect plan, this conversation is about building your ability to cope with uncertainty and feel more confident in the process.
 
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:
🔗https://www.baby-to-go.com/ 
🔗Hudson Valley Birth Network 
📱IG: @baby_to_go FB: Baby To Go 
 
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT ME:
🔗 https://drsarahbren.com/ 
📱@drsarahbren
 
 
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:
👉 Click HERE to sign up for my FREE workshop, Confident Parenting from the Start, to get tools and strategies that you can put into practice right away to challenge self-doubt, put an end to your panic-Googling, and finally find the ease and enjoyment in early parenthood!
 
👉 Click HERE to download my free interactive workbook, My Mental Health Postpartum Checklist, that will help you create a personalized mental health support system for yourself allowing you to feel more confident and relaxed, knowing you have a plan for whatever your unique postpartum experience may be.
 
 
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to create a plan with your OB/GYN that supports resilience and reduces anxiety during and after pregnancy with Dr. Shieva Ghofrany
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about processing birth trauma with Dr. Sterling 
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to read your child's cues, build routines, and trust your instincts with pediatrician Dr. Golly

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
 
Why the expectation that toddlers should already know how to regulate themselves is a common parenting myth.
What's actually happening in a child's brain and body when their emotional "gas tank" is empty.
Why your child's big reaction to a limit doesn't mean you've done something wrong.
The difference between holding a boundary and trying to solve your child's feelings.
What to do when your child's behavior is physically aggressive, like hitting or hair pulling.
Why your own triggers matter and how understanding them can help you respond differently.
The foundational factors (like sleep, fresh air, movement, and connection) that often drive behavior more than discipline strategies.
 
If you've ever felt powerless, guilty, or overwhelmed in the face of your child's big emotions, this episode will help you zoom out, reset unrealistic expectations, and approach these moments with more clarity and compassion—for both your child and yourself.
 
 
REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:
 
👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and coaching to give parents the tools to feel more grounded and confident as they navigate parenthood and learn how to most effectively support their child. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.
 
 
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the psychology behind dysregulation with founder of Parenting Translator Cara Goodwin
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about what to do when your child is hitting
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to identify and manage your triggers with Dr. Amber Thornton
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using the attachment relationship to help your toddler fall asleep, with Eileen Henry
 
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:
 
Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are everywhere right now. But behind the headlines and social media debates are real people navigating complicated questions about body image, health, and how to talk about these changes with their families.
 
Clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman joins me to unpack the psychology behind GLP-1 medications, the concept of "food noise," and how parents can thoughtfully talk to their children about changes in their own bodies.
 
Together we explore:
 
Why obesity is now understood as a chronic, multifactorial disease rather than a simple issue of willpower.
What "food noise" is and why GLP-1 medications can dramatically quiet the constant mental chatter around food.
The biggest misconceptions about GLP-1 medications and why they're not simply "weight loss drugs."
Why significant body changes can bring up complicated identity and emotional shifts.
How parents can talk to kids about weight loss or body changes without reinforcing shame or diet culture.
The difference between body positivity and body neutrality and why neutrality may be more realistic and helpful for many families.
Small language shifts that help children focus on what their bodies do, rather than how they look.
Why it's never too late for parents to shift the way they talk about bodies and health.
 
This conversation will help you understand the science and psychology behind GLP-1 medications and give you practical tools and language to navigate your own health journey and talk about it with your kids in thoughtful, supportive ways.
 
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:
🔗 Dr. Rachel 
📚 When Life Happens: The Mindset Shift You Need to Manage Stress, Build Confidence, and Break Free
 
 
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
📱@drrachelnyc
📱@drsarahbren
 
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:
👉 Want extra support in your parenting journey? Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers therapy and parenting coaching to help you feel more grounded and confident as you support your child's emotional development and navigate challenges like body image, big emotions, anxiety, and family dynamics. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services and schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to find the support that's right for your family.
 
 
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about navigating their effects on body image from early childhood to teen years with Dr. Miriam Steele
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about empowering girls to navigate media, body image, and societal pressures with Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about youth sports and body image with Zoë Bisbing

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...
 
What a time-in actually is and how it's different from a time-out.
How to tell if your child's behavior is coming from dysregulation, a skill gap, or deliberate behavior.
How to know which discipline tools will work best in each unique situation.
The difference between co-regulating during a meltdown and teaching a behavioral boundary (and how to know when to use each).
How to use time-outs as a teaching tool, not a punishment.
How developmental stages affect behaviors like hitting, tantrums, and defiance—and what realistic expectations to set.
Why trying to find the "perfect parenting script" often makes discipline harder.
The one question to ask yourself that will help you decide what to do in the moment.
 
If you've ever found yourself wondering whether you should comfort your child, correct the behavior, or step away entirely, this episode will help you zoom out, understand what's really going on underneath the behavior, and respond more intentionally.
 
 
 
REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:
 
🔗 Longitudinal Relationship Between Time-Out and Child Emotional and Behavioral Functioning
 
👉 Feeling confused about discipline strategies like time-ins, time-outs, and consequences? Visit drsarahbren.com/timeout to download my ✨FREE✨ Discipline Guide to learn when and how to use these tools in a way that actually supports your child's development while reducing power struggles at home. This guide breaks down how to respond to common behaviors like tantrums, hitting, and defiance so you can feel more confident in the moment. 
 
📚The Tantrum Survival Guide: Tune In to Your Toddler's Mind (and Your Own) to Calm the Craziness and Make Family Fun Again by Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, PhD
 
 
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about using your child's brain, body and nervous system to guide your parenting Dr. Mona Delahooke
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the psychology behind dysregulation with founder of Parenting Translator Cara Goodwin
 
🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about how to integrate effective discipline that prioritizes emotional and mental health with Sarah R. Moore
 
 
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:
 
Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!

Let's revisit the foundation of raising securely attached kids! I'm bringing back one of my first ever episodes to help parents understand the basics of how a secure attachment bond impacts children's resilience, confidence, and overall well-being.
 
Tune in to hear:
 
What secure attachment is and how it plays a key role in nurturing a child's confidence, curiosity, and ability to handle life's ups and downs.
The powerful influence of feeling safe and seen on a child's ability to be honest, adaptable, and resilient.
Practical strategies for fostering secure attachment, no matter the age of your child.
How attachment affects a child's development into a compassionate, kind individual who can build meaningful relationships throughout their life.
 
This episode offers science-backed insights and actionable tips and is a must-listen for all parents!
 
 
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ATTACHMENT SCIENCE?
Click HERE to download my free guide, The Four Pillars of Fostering Secure Attachment, helping you parent with a focus on attunement and trust.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. SARAH:
https://drsarahbren.com/
 
FOLLOW DR. SARAH ON INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/
 
 
CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:
🎧 Breaking the cycle of insecure attachment: How to support your child's secure attachment even if you didn't grow up with it with Dr. Miriam Steele
 
🎧 Secure attachment is optimal, but insecure attachment may not be as bad as we think with Dr. Or Dagan
 
🎧 Can my kid be securely attached to me if I'm insecurely attached in my adult relationships?