An edited conversation between Krista, founder of Nunona, and Lindsey Simcik, mom of two.
Lindsey Simcik is a motherhood, lifestyle, and wellness creator, artist, and co-host of the Almost 30 podcast, known for sharing candid pregnancy, parenting, and personal-growth content with her community.
In this candid Nümama Let's Get Real Talk conversation, Lindsey shares what surprised her about becoming a mom of two: the emotional logistics of caring for a toddler and newborn, the impact of pregnancy loss, the support that mattered postpartum, and the routines that helped her feel more nourished. This is one mother's story — not medical advice.
At a Glance
- The move from one child to two can feel emotionally and logistically intense, even when it is joyful.
- Pregnancy after loss can bring anxiety, and clinical and emotional support matter.
- Preparing food, hydration, rest, and practical help can make the early postpartum period more manageable.
- Breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding, and combination feeding are all valid feeding paths.
- Persistent postpartum mood symptoms deserve professional support.
What Was the Transition From One Child to Two Like?
Krista: Welcome to nümama, Let's Get Real. We're here with Lindsey. This is no filters, no fluff, no BS — just real, authentic motherhood. Thank you so much for joining us and having us in your beautiful home.
Lindsey: Thank you for coming. I was like, "You're going to come to Brooklyn?" Perfect. No, I'm so happy you're here. And this is Lenny's first interview too, so we'll be on our best behavior.
Krista: We're honored. So first and foremost — how are you doing? You're a new mama of two. You have a toddler, and now you have a newborn. What's it like?
Lindsey: I've been getting this question a lot, and the highs are high, and the lows are super challenging. Before having two kids, I heard from so many people that zero to one is the hardest because it changes your whole life. And I disagree — one to two, for me, is really challenging. I feel so, so blessed to be where I am, but I just feel like everyone needs me and I can't be in more than one place at a time. I don't have eight arms and legs, and it breaks my heart when I can't be everything my toddler needs in a moment and also feed Lenny and make dinner for everyone by 6:00 p.m. It's quite a lot in this moment.
But what I do know, from going through seasons that feel similarly intense, is that this is expanding me — to be able to love so deeply, two different human beings. And the expanding part is uncomfortable. So I'm doing wonderful physically, in terms of how blessed I feel, and I also feel overwhelmed a good portion of the day. Just being able to say that out loud is helpful, and getting a lot of nods from moms when I share this — hearing "that is totally normal" — is also helpful. Because it can feel isolating, and I can be so hard on myself that I shouldn't be doing this differently or better.
Krista: Somebody said this to me a while ago, which made complete sense — that the first child is harder on the mom, but the second child is harder on the dad or the partner. In my experience that's very true, because the first child completely changed my world and I was doing everything for her, but by the time we had two, my husband, who's amazing, had to step in even more. He said the second experience was much harder on him because there's less of us to go around. How do you think Sean would relate to that?
Lindsey: I think there is a lot of truth in that. Now it's like man-on-man coverage. I feel lucky we do have support in the form of a nanny, and right now we do have overnight support too — investments we consciously make. I like being open about that because sometimes you see people's lives on Instagram and think, "Wow, they look so fresh, it looks like they've had a full night's sleep — how do they do that?" And even having help, it is still not the easiest thing. But yeah, it's changed his life.
What we've noticed is that with two kids, we both have to be really conscious and intentional about our connection. How do we stay connected and communicative through this? Because so easily we can just make the kids the number one priority at all times, and that's not good for them either if our relationship is suffering. He's really feeling the intensity of two more than the first time around, but what we're focused on is our relationship and making sure that doesn't fall to the wayside. We're in couples therapy, which is fun.
Krista: So wise.
Lindsey: Yeah, and having our time, and having it be the seed that's planted at the beginning of the week — things to work on, be aware of. Knowing that we're investing in that is a signal to our relationship that this matters. So it's really great, but it takes work.
Krista: So what's been the best part of seeing your family become a family of four, and how is that adjustment going?
Lindsey: Oh my gosh. My son Maverick is going to be three this Sunday. I knew he was going to be a sweet big brother, but the level of preciousness is overwhelming in the best way every day. He lights up when he sees her every single time, even if he's in a bad mood, which I can't even get him out of otherwise — she lights him up. He already embodies big-brother energy of protection, and he's teaching her things. He thinks she can do much more than she can right now, so it's funny to watch them interact.
Even at almost eight weeks old, I see — maybe this is just my mom brain — but I feel like she looks at him, feels his energy, and smiles at him. So to give Mav a sibling and look ahead and think, "Wow, they're going to be connected for the rest of their life," is precious and special. I'm one of four kids myself, and I feel like I knew that but also forgot. It's special when you find people who have big families like that. I don't know if I'll have four — I know I won't, actually, might have three, who knows — but I take pride in building our family and having this be my priority right now.
How Did Pregnancy Loss Shape Lindsey's Next Pregnancy?
Krista: You said it was a bit of a journey to get here. Do you want to expand on that?
Lindsey: Yeah, I haven't gone in publicly about this, so I'm happy to share. Mav was born in 2023 — August 24th. The year prior, I found out I was pregnant three days before my wedding, and I was so excited. It was like my little secret with Sean, and it was amazing.
It ended up not being viable, and we found out after the wedding, I think around eight or nine weeks. It was obviously sad and disappointing, but it was also a really transformative experience for me. There was grief, but there was also this connection with my body that I feel like was necessary for me to strengthen. I trust my body implicitly now, for better or for worse — it created this little baby, and it also told me when something wasn't able to come to fruition, so I trust it.
In the three months between that loss and getting pregnant with Mav, it was interesting. I am spiritual — I have that woo-woo in me. I really believe the spirit of the baby is connecting with you, working with you, well before they come. So I knew some things needed to change, and I had this friendship reckoning — relationships in my life that felt like they'd come to their end, some that ended without a conversation, some that needed a conversation. It felt like a clearing, or a reorganization, before he was ready to come in.
So we got pregnant, and it was amazing. Then, when we were ready to conceive again, I had an ectopic pregnancy in the summer of 2025. That felt a little different — more like an emergency. I had to have surgery, and they took out my right tube. It was one of those things I had to grieve again, and work through some trauma around, because it happened so fast.
And again, I went through the healing process, and we got pregnant with Lenny in October — that happened in July. It's funny, for any science nerds: I ovulated on the side where I don't have a tube, so that is apparently possible — the egg found its way. She was born almost ten months later.
I know a lot of women go through this. It is not rare. It can be incredibly isolating, and it can bring up so much anxiety about whether you're doing something wrong, and whether it's going to happen again. It's a mental, physical, and energetic experience. To anyone listening who's been through this — I see you, and your body is incredible. It knows what to do, even though it can feel broken afterward.
Medical note: An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening. Seek urgent medical care for possible symptoms such as one-sided abdominal or pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, shoulder pain, weakness, fainting, or dizziness — especially if you could be pregnant. This story reflects one person's experience and should not be used to assess fertility or pregnancy risk. Nothing about pregnancy loss is your fault; support from a clinician, therapist, loved one, or loss community can be an important part of healing.
What Helped Lindsey Manage Pregnancy Anxiety?
Krista: I think there can be a lot of anxiety around pregnancy, especially if you've experienced an early loss. What's something during pregnancy that you were feeling anxious about that never really came to fruition — for anyone who's pregnant and anxious, to help them find the ability to relax?
Lindsey: The first trimester is trippy. You're not feeling your best — you might be nauseous, you might be so incredibly tired, your body's changing, you don't feel like yourself. That alone puts you in a state of mind that makes you more anxious. And if you've been through loss before, I was incredibly anxious that I was going to do something wrong and experience loss again. If I worked out too hard, would that do something? If I had sex, would that do something? If I had too much matcha? The littlest things, I would go down a rabbit hole.
I'd say the body is incredibly resilient — so much so that in the first trimester you have certain aversions, maybe throughout, because maybe coffee isn't the best right now for your body. So if you love coffee and all of a sudden don't want it, that's probably what the body needs.
But the number one thing I focused on was finding peace and calm as much as possible. If I were in an anxious spiral, the tried-and-true things that could get me more centered were movement — stretching, yoga, light movement around the house, even ecstatic dance to get that crazy energy out of my body. And talking — to my therapist, to other moms — to feel like I could pull myself out of my head a little, because I was stewing on "what if this goes wrong." The truth is, I'll never know.
Krista: That first instinct is so strong.
Lindsey: Yeah, not immediately, and all you want to do is make sure they're okay. But then it can spiral, and that stress on the body isn't good either.
Krista: So now, looking back on it, is there anything completely unhinged that you did during pregnancy?
Lindsey: Oh my god. It's always funny in the bedroom with my husband, because I'd joke with him — I didn't know what was happening from his perspective on me, and he was always so amazing about it, saying, "I love you, you're great, you're hot, I don't care." But our experience in the bedroom got a lot more comedic, and I eventually had to ask him, "Can we just stay in the moment and you not comment on parts of my body or what's happening down there?" That was an experience.
I'm also pretty nutritionally regimented — reading all the books, especially Nourishing Traditions, which if you know, you know. I was cooking liver, doing kind of random things in the kitchen to make sure my baby got the best nutrients possible. I was gagging trying to swallow liver, but I was like, "This is worth it." I can't un-know something, especially when it comes to health and nutrition and something good for my body, so I was trying a bunch of different things.
What Support Mattered Most in the First Weeks Postpartum?
Krista: What's something that nobody tells you about those first few days of postpartum?
Lindsey: It's incredibly important to get proper food and hydration for your healing. It can be so overwhelming just to figure out — there's pain in your body still, whether you had a tear or a C-section, and that pain is a lot to manage. And then you're also expected to feed your baby and take care of them right away. Who and what is taking care of you?
For me, it's having proper food lined up — whether that's my parents making food I know they put love and nourishment into, or a meal delivery I trust, or meals I've made and frozen — just making sure I have what I need to fuel myself, to heal, to feel good. Hydration is so important in my experience; I add electrolytes to my water, and I've been doing that forever.
I think not a lot of people talk about how — people say your hormones are all over the place, and they are, but if you haven't experienced it before, it can feel disorienting to suddenly be so emotional. For me, it showed up as a very positive kind of emotional — I look at my husband and start crying, or see the baby and start crying, or see my son with the baby and just feel overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. A really happy cry, very open-hearted, mushy — and it's nice. So if you're experiencing that, or you're experiencing postpartum sadness that doesn't feel as good, that is just as real, and you're not crazy. Give yourself grace, and ask for support from people you trust.
The hormonal wave doesn't just stop, either — when you wean, even partially, that drop can be intense. I remember my hormonal drop after cutting out night feeds the first time was really intense, and I was suddenly like, "Why do I feel this way? What is happening?" It's a real hormonal shift, and you kind of have to let it level out. Feeling well-nourished and connected to my body seemed to help that process feel a bit smoother the first time around.
How Did Lindsey and Her Partner Stay Connected as New Parents of Two?
Krista: How have you and Sean worked to stay connected through all of this?
Lindsey: Honestly, it comes back to what I mentioned earlier — it's so easy to let the kids become the only priority, and we've had to be really intentional about not letting our relationship fall to the wayside. Couples therapy has helped. We plant an intention or a check-in at the start of each week, so we're actively working on things rather than just reacting. It's not always easy, but knowing we're investing in it on purpose has made a real difference for us.
What Did Nutrition and Hydration Look Like in Lindsey's Postpartum Routine?
Krista: How did you discover Nunona?
Lindsey: I actually met you at an event. That was my first foray into this experience of not just taking a supplement for my prenatal, but actually eating real food for it. I remember trying the cashew blueberry bite and thinking, "Wait — this is actually good?" Sometimes with very clean products I don't expect that reaction; I'll still eat them because I know they're good for me, but this one was genuinely good and clean. I think I finished all four in about five minutes.
I'm someone who's very obsessed with finding products that both myself and my family can eat and feel good about. I'm in the health-and-wellness podcasting space, so I'm exposed to a lot of information, but I don't often find products that pass my test when I actually read the label. I got excited also thinking about how many of my mom friends and people in my community struggle with getting enough nutrients during pregnancy and postpartum. This has felt like a meaningful part of my routine during breastfeeding, energy, and healing — and when I find something I trust and that feels like it's making a difference for me personally, I want to share it with other moms, because moms are busy and don't have a lot of time to sort through what's out there.
Krista: As a dietitian, my focus has always been: how do we make sure moms get what they need for their baby's health — in utero or while breastfeeding — in a way that's easy and doesn't require a lot of extra thought? When you're pregnant or postpartum and breastfeeding, you're hungry for a reason; it's a metabolic process and you need real calories. My approach has been to lean toward whole, real-food ingredients — with fiber, cofactors, and macronutrients alongside the vitamins and minerals — rather than isolated synthetic nutrients alone.
Lindsey: And it's enjoyable — there's just something different about the experience of eating food versus taking a pill. I think a lot of people would prefer eating real food, and I feel like my body responds well to it, even if that's more of a personal impression than a scientific one.
Krista: Digestion actually starts in your mouth — chewing creates saliva, which contains an enzyme that starts breaking food down, so there's something to the idea that the format and experience of eating matters, not just what's in the formula.
Lindsey: That's fascinating — we don't really talk about that.
Krista: My approach has always come back to: how is the body meant to work, and how do we lean into that instead of fighting it?
Prenatal and postpartum nutrition looks different for every person. Whole foods can provide energy, protein, fiber, and a range of nutrients, while prenatal and postnatal supplements — whatever their format — may help fill nutritional gaps when recommended by a qualified healthcare professional. Individual needs vary, and it's worth discussing your specific nutrient needs with your OB-GYN, midwife, registered dietitian, or pharmacist.
Krista: I'll also say — get your labs done, and see where you're actually short before assuming you need more of any one thing. I recently had labs done at Baker Health, and it was reassuring to see where things stood. That's ultimately the most reliable way to know what your body needs, rather than guessing from what's trending online.
This is part of why I started building what became Nunona — a real-food prenatal vitamin, postnatal vitamin, and lactation support snack, made as a organic whole-food option for women during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and breastfeeding. It came out of my own experience: I'd spent years working in infant nutrition, managing an infant formula business across roughly 30 countries, and I kept coming back to the question of who was supporting the woman doing the feeding — not just the baby. With my first child, I moved to a new country while pregnant, had very little support in the early months, and found I wasn't eating enough myself because I was so focused on her. That personal experience — knowing that maternal nutrition is deeply tied to how a mom feels and functions in the fourth trimester — is what pushed me to build something I wished had existed for me.
[Learn more about Nümama's approach to food-based prenatal and postpartum nourishment.]
Lindsey: So many of the best products come from someone who lived the exact problem they're solving. That's part of why I trust it.
Krista: It wasn't originally built for me — it was for her, so I could have what I needed to try to give her what she needed.
What Did Breastfeeding and Combination Feeding Look Like for Lindsey?
Lindsey: Having worked in the formula industry, what do moms navigating combo-feeding usually want to know? A lot of moms want to combo-feed — maybe one or two bottles a day to get a break or to support supply — but they're nervous, because they've heard things about formula.
Krista: It can be a polarizing conversation, but it's really a spectrum. Infant formula is formulated to try to approximate breast milk — it can replicate macronutrients like carbs, fat, and protein, and it includes many of the same vitamins and minerals, even if the source differs. Breast milk also contains certain bioactive and immune-related components that are harder to fully replicate, and formula companies continue to research and add components like human milk oligosaccharides over time. Ultimately, formula exists so that babies can get the nutrition they need to grow and thrive when breastfeeding isn't possible, isn't the family's choice, or isn't providing enough on its own. I don't think either extreme — treating formula as something to avoid, or dismissing breastfeeding altogether — serves families well; it really depends on what's right for each baby and each mom.
Lindsey: That's helpful, because there's so much conflicting information out there. It feels like there have been a number of infant formula recalls in the U.S. recently.
Krista: There have been some recalls in recent years across different brands, and manufacturing and supply-chain issues do get investigated and addressed when they come up. If you use formula, it's worth staying informed through your specific brand and the FDA, and talking to your pediatrician if you ever have a concern about a particular product or lot. For parents who are able to and want to breastfeed, focusing on getting well-nourished can be one part of supporting that goal — and if breastfeeding isn't possible, isn't chosen, or isn't providing what's needed, formula is a legitimate and important option.
Lindsey: Sure — unless breastfeeding itself is the source of anxiety, and then mental health matters just as much. It wasn't easy for me either. I remember the first time I breastfed with Mav, I had a lot of pain — pretty bad nipple trauma for about four months. I stuck with it, learned as much as I could, met with a lactation consultant, and eventually it got so much easier. It became a joy, a bonding time. That's not to say you can't bond just as deeply through a bottle or formula — it was just something I found meaningful.
Krista: One interesting thing about breastfeeding specifically is that breast milk composition changes over the course of the day and across a feeding — for example, night feeds tend to differ somewhat from daytime feeds. It's a dynamic, evolving process that's hard to fully replicate in any single formula.
Lindsey: That's amazing.
Krista: It really is remarkable what the body does. My focus has always been: how do we show up for the mom who's breastfeeding — not telling her what she "should" do, but asking what her goal actually is. A lot of women in the U.S. set a breastfeeding goal — three months, six months, a year — and many don't reach the exact goal they set, often because they don't have the support systems they need. So my question is always how nutrition, information, and support can help a mom reach whatever her own goal is.
Lindsey: I feel lucky to have that information, but it still takes real work and time. Literally last night I got up to pump at 3:00 a.m. — twice — because I was trying to rebuild my supply after a rough week of sleep. I'm hydrating, I'm doing what I can, in the middle of the night.
Krista: And the lack of sleep can feed right back into that same cycle.
Lindsey: Exactly. But it's been worth it — it's short-term, focused effort, and over time things tend to regulate.
Breastfeeding and milk supply can be influenced by many factors, including feeding or pumping frequency, milk removal, latch, sleep, stress, health conditions, and medications. If you are concerned about supply, contact a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or OB-GYN for individualized guidance. Breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding, and combination feeding can all support infant growth and family well-being, and a pediatrician or lactation professional can help build a feeding plan that works for your baby and family.
[Find feeding support resources for breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding, and combination feeding.]
Krista: This was great. Thank you so much for having us in your home and sharing with us — and thank you, Lenny, for being on camera.
Lindsey: Thank you so much. I'm so thankful. I think one thing that surprised me so much about becoming a mom was how important it is to be in conversation and connection with other moms. You're a few years ahead of me with your kids, and it's been so nice to hear what's down the line and to hear your reflection on what's happening now for me. I'm grateful — and I'm grateful for Nunona. I feel genuinely nourished.
Key Takeaways From Lindsey's Postpartum Experience
- Going from one child to two is its own distinct adjustment — logistically and emotionally — even in a joyful, wanted transition.
- Pregnancy loss and ectopic pregnancy can carry lasting emotional weight; professional and community support can help.
- Practical postpartum support — prepared food, hydration, and help from others — can meaningfully ease the early weeks.
- Staying intentional about the partner relationship (check-ins, therapy, protected time) matters as family size grows.
- Feeding is personal: breastfeeding, pumping, formula, and combination feeding are all valid paths forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for the transition from one kid to two to feel harder than zero to one? Yes. Many parents find that moving from one child to two introduces a new set of emotional and logistical demands. The adjustment can include divided attention, changing routines, sleep disruption, and relationship stress. Feeling overwhelmed and grateful at the same time is common. If distress feels persistent or unmanageable, reach out to a healthcare or mental-health professional.
How can couples stay connected after having a second child? Small, consistent check-ins can help couples stay connected during a demanding season. Some families find weekly planning conversations, division-of-labor discussions, protected time together, or couples therapy helpful. The best approach depends on each family's needs and support system.
Is pregnancy loss or ectopic pregnancy common? Pregnancy loss and ectopic pregnancy can be deeply emotional and isolating experiences. Ectopic pregnancy requires urgent medical care. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as one-sided pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, fainting, or shoulder pain during a possible pregnancy should seek emergency care immediately. For questions about future pregnancy or fertility, speak with an OB-GYN or fertility specialist.
What is the difference between a real-food prenatal vitamin and a synthetic one? Prenatal nutrition includes both food and, when appropriate, supplements. Whole foods can provide energy, protein, fiber, and a range of nutrients, while prenatal supplements are often used to help meet nutrient needs during pregnancy and postpartum. Because nutrient needs and health histories vary, ask a prenatal-care provider which nutrients and products are appropriate for you.
Can taking too many supplements be harmful? Yes. Some vitamins, minerals, and herbal ingredients can be harmful at high doses or may interact with medications. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are especially important times to discuss supplement use with an OB-GYN, midwife, registered dietitian, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare professional.
Can nutrition help with postpartum mood changes? Regular meals, hydration, and adequate nourishment can support overall well-being during postpartum recovery. However, postpartum depression and anxiety are medical conditions that require appropriate screening and care. Seek professional support for persistent sadness, anxiety, panic, intrusive thoughts, hopelessness, or difficulty functioning.
How does stress affect breast milk supply? Breastfeeding and milk supply can be influenced by many factors, including feeding or pumping frequency, milk removal, latch, sleep, stress, health conditions, and medications. If you are concerned about supply, contact a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or OB-GYN for individualized support.
Can I combo-feed with breast milk and formula? Yes. Combination feeding — using breast milk and formula — can be a practical and healthy option for many families. A pediatrician or lactation consultant can help create a feeding plan based on your baby's growth, feeding goals, and family circumstances.
Does breast milk composition change over time? Yes. Breast milk naturally changes over the course of lactation and even within a feeding. If you have questions about your baby's intake, growth, feeding behavior, or nutrition needs, speak with your pediatrician or a lactation professional.
What is Nunona? Nunona is a real-food prenatal vitamin, postnatal vitamin, and lactation support snack, made to offer a whole-food option for women during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and breastfeeding. It is intended as a convenient nutritional option, not a treatment for any medical condition.
When to Seek Support
Contact a qualified healthcare professional if you are experiencing possible ectopic-pregnancy symptoms, persistent postpartum sadness or anxiety, intrusive thoughts, trouble functioning, concerns about infant weight gain or feeding, painful breastfeeding, or worries about milk supply. For immediate safety concerns or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call or text 988 in the United States, contact emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department.