Every new parent has moments where they stop and wonder, "Is this normal?" From feeding and hiccups to diaper rash and safe sleep, Mama Nurse Tina answers some of the most common newborn questions with practical, reassuring advice you can trust.

No one sends you home with all the answers, and trust me, you're going to have questions. As a labor and delivery nurse and mom of four, I'm answering the newborn questions I hear most often so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your little one.

Real talk: nobody warns you that "feed the baby" is actually a three-part job. There's the feeding. Then there's the washing. Then there's the sanitizing. And somewhere around 2am and wash number four, you start fantasizing about a machine that just does it for you.

Newborn sleep can feel confusing, especially when everyone has an opinion. As a labor and delivery nurse and mom of four, I'm sharing the evidence-based advice I give new parents every day, so you can feel more confident and a little less overwhelmed.

You prepare for labor. You prepare for your baby. But almost no one prepares you for postpartum recovery. As a labor and delivery nurse and a mom of four, here are eight postpartum truths I wish every new mom knew before bringing her baby home.

Most parents expect their baby to get a bath shortly after birth—but these days, that's usually not the case. As a perinatal nurse, certified breastfeeding specialist, and mom of four, I'm breaking down why we wait, what that white "baby cheese" on your newborn's skin is actually doing, and how delaying a bath can support bonding, breastfeeding, and a smoother transition to life outside the womb.

If your baby seems to cry for hours no matter what you do, you're not alone. As a Labor and Delivery Nurse and mom of four, I've seen how exhausting and overwhelming colic can be. Let's talk about what colic is, what might be causing it, and some practical, evidence-based ways to help soothe your baby—and yourself.

Breastfeeding shouldn't feel like razor blades. If every latch makes you grit your teeth, there may be a simple reason why. Let's talk about the three most common causes of breastfeeding pain—and what you can do about them.

Girl, you do not need all that crap in your hospital bag. As a mom of four and labor and delivery nurse, I've packed a few hospital bags myself and seen hundreds more over the years. Let's head to Walmart and grab the things you'll actually use for labor, birth, and postpartum—and skip all the garbage you don't need.

After spending nine months avoiding alcohol during pregnancy, it's completely normal to wonder whether that celebratory drink is finally back on the table. Between social media, family advice, and conflicting opinions online, it can be hard to know what's fact and what's fiction. Here's what breastfeeding parents need to know about alcohol, breast milk, and timing feeds safely.

As a labor and delivery nurse, there's something I really need you to understand: many complications of birth actually happen after you've already had your baby. After you've been discharged. After you're home in your sweatpants, running on no sleep, trying to figure out this whole new life.

I've been a labor and delivery nurse for a long time now. But I'm also a mom of four. And while I was pregnant, I didn't know about all of these things — and made some choices I probably wouldn't make today. So here's what you need to know so you don't make the same mistakes.

Let's start with the urgent signs.

Are you newly pregnant and already overwhelmed by the sheer number of pregnancy books out there?

Same.

Because here’s the thing—there is no one “perfect” pregnancy book. What actually matters is finding something that fits how you learn.

The internet is full of pregnancy advice… and not all of it is good.

Some of it is outdated. Some of it is just plain wrong. And some of it? It can actually be dangerous if you follow it.

So let’s clear a few things up.

Let’s be honest—postpartum recovery can hit like a truck.

You spend so much time preparing for pregnancy and birth… and then suddenly you’re home with a baby, a healing body, and a whole lot of “wait… no one told me THIS.”

So let’s talk about the things that actually make a difference.

Breastfeeding can be beautiful… but it can also be frustrating, painful, and honestly overwhelming at the start. And one of the biggest reasons people struggle or even stop early? The latch.

I’m not currently pregnant…but if I were planning a birth in 2026, there are a few things I would absolutely have on my birth plan.

Bringing your baby home is one of the best feelings in the world—but it can also come with a lot of “is this normal?” moments.

As a labor and delivery nurse, I can tell you this: newborns do some weird things. A lot of them are completely normal… and some are not.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what you actually need for a newborn…you’re not alone. Between baby registries, TikTok, and 47 different “must-have” lists—it’s a lot. So let’s simplify it.

Induction of labor is common—but what a lot of people don’t realize is that it can be a very different experience than spontaneous labor.