In this tender and deeply honest episode, Jill and Bobby revisit one of the most emotionally loaded questions new parents often face: “Why don’t I feel connected to my baby yet?” Drawing from a personal excerpt in Jill’s book Mama Outspoken, they open up about the fear, grief, and self-doubt that came with not bonding during pregnancy, and how postpartum experiences didn’t immediately “fix” it. Together, they explore the emotional weight of unmet expectations, the unpredictable nature of birth, and the surprising ways bonding can eventually bloom. Whether you're a parent who's been there or someone supporting one—you’ll leave this episode feeling a little less alone.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why not bonding during pregnancy is more common than we talk about
• How Jill’s cesarean birth and breastfeeding challenges shaped her early connection
• The role of COVID isolation and grief in shaping maternal expectations
• Bobby’s reflections on supporting Jill through her doubts and fears
• The emotional pivot from fear of not bonding to being “too bonded”

If you've ever questioned your bond with your baby or wrestled with the pressure to feel a certain way in motherhood—this conversation is for you. Jill and Bobby remind us that connection isn't always instant, and that's okay. Healing happens in layers, and no two journeys look the same. Whether you're in the thick of postpartum or reflecting back, this episode is a powerful permission slip to let go of timelines and lean into grace.

Jill and Bobby get real about a topic that many moms feel but few talk about—what if you don’t feel connected to your baby during pregnancy? In this open-hearted episode, they unpack Jill’s personal story of navigating the emotional disconnect she felt while pregnant with Declan, the expectations that built up around bonding, and the guilt and confusion that came with it. They also reflect on how their birth experience shaped those early days and share a surprising professional insight from Jill’s background as a licensed funeral director. This episode is both validating and vulnerable, a true invitation to any mom who’s ever whispered, “What if I don’t feel it yet?” In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• Why Jill wondered if her baby had a soul yet—and how that shaped her expectations around bonding
• How societal and peer pressure made her question her own instincts and feelings
• The role Jill’s background in funeral care played in her thinking about life, soul, and connection
• How postpartum expectations can add layers of guilt if bonding doesn’t happen instantly
• Why “the golden hour” after birth mattered so much—and what happened instead
• What helped Jill begin to process her feelings and eventually bond with Declan
• Why it’s okay if connection takes time—and how support groups and community can help

Not every mom feels an instant bond during pregnancy—and that doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you human. If this is your experience, know that you’re not alone. The Mama Outspoken Village is here to hold space for your story, without shame or pressure. And if this episode helped you feel seen, we hope you’ll share it with a friend who might need the same reminder.

💛 Join Team Mama Outspoken for the Hope is Here 5K! 💛

This June 21st, I'm lacing up my sneakers—not because I’m a runner, but because I believe no mom should walk through postpartum struggles alone. The Hope is Here 5K supports the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, an organization that’s been part of my story and a lifeline for so many families.
Whether you’re a parent, partner, friend, or supporter, you can make a difference:
👟 Walk or run with us in-person. Register here https://postpartumny.org/25hope/
🤝 Donate to support moms in need here https://www.zeffy.com/team/mama-outspoken
📣 Share this message to help spread hope Every step, every dollar, every share matters.
💥 Join or support Team Mama Outspoken because hope is here—and together, we can help a mama find it. 💛

We hope you'll join us next time! —Jill & Bobby

You are invited to find community with us—check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. To learn more or grab your copy of the book, head here. Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York—you deserve support that sees you.

In this heartfelt episode, Jill and Bobby dive deep into a question that so many new parents ask themselves but are often too afraid to say out loud: What if I don’t feel like a good mom? Through a vulnerable conversation sparked by an emotional clip from Jill's book Mama Outspoken, they explore the tangled web of postpartum doubt, healing, and the moments that finally make us believe we’re doing okay—even when it doesn't feel like it. This is an honest look at the emotional toll of early motherhood, the power of a single captured moment, and the grace we must offer ourselves in the process.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why “being a good mom” often doesn’t feel like enough in the moment
• How postpartum depression and anxiety distort your view of your parenting
• The unexpected power of one candid photo to shift your perspective
• How healing and self-care can help you reclaim your worth as a parent
• The role of boundaries and rest in redefining what good parenting looks like
• Why outside validation isn’t always enough—and what finally makes it click
• The ongoing nature of parenting self-doubt and how to meet it with compassion

If you've ever questioned your worth as a parent or struggled to see yourself through the loving lens others see you through, this episode is for you. Your struggles don’t disqualify you from being a good mom—they make your love even more powerful. Let this conversation be your reminder that you’re not alone in the doubt and that you're more than enough, even on the hard days.

We hope you'll join us next time! —Jill & Bobby

You are invited to find community with us—check out the Mama Outspoken Village here. To learn more or grab your copy of the book, head here. We're also gearing up for the Hope is Here 5K to support the Postpartum Resource Center of New York. If you’d like to get involved, you can join my Team Mama Outspoken Here or support the cause and Donate Here. Together, we can support postpartum moms everywhere. Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of our favorite resources is the Postpartum Resource Center of New York—you deserve support that sees you.