Better Beginnings, LLC

01/23/2026

🌼 Breastfeeding Moms: Have you heard of D-MER?

Some breastfeeding Moms experience a sudden wave of negative or intense emotions right *before* or *as* milk lets down. This is called **D-MER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex)**—and it’s more common than many realize.

🧠 **What does D-MER feel like?**
It can show up as:

* Sadness or anxiety
* Irritability or dread
* A “pit in the stomach” feeling
* Sudden hopelessness

⏱️ The key detail: **these feelings are typically brief** (usually seconds to a few minutes) and **happen around milk let-down**, then pass.

🧬 **Why does it happen?**
D-MER is **physiological, not psychological**. It’s believed to be linked to a rapid drop in dopamine when milk releases—not your thoughts, not bonding, and not a sign you’re doing anything wrong.

💛 **Important reminders:**

* D-MER is not postpartum depression or anxiety (although they can coexist).
* It does **not** mean you don’t love breastfeeding or your baby.
* You are **not weak, broken, or ungrateful**.

🌱 **What can help?**
Some parents find relief with:

* Knowing what’s happening (awareness really helps!)
* Deep breathing or grounding during let-down
* Distraction (music, scrolling, TV)
* Support from a lactation consultant or healthcare provider

📣 **Let’s talk about it.**
D-MER thrives in silence—sharing accurate info helps parents feel seen and supported. If this resonates with you, know that you’re not alone, and help is available. 💕

01/13/2026

Better Beginnings, LLC is hiring! Consider joining our team; we specialize in women's mental health.

Better Beginnings LLC

01/08/2026

🧠 Sleep Matters More Than We Realize 💤

Insomnia isn’t just about feeling tired. Prolonged sleep deprivation can significantly impact mental health—and in some cases, severe insomnia can contribute to symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations, paranoia, or disorganized thinking. Prolonged interrupted sleep that often starts in pregnancy and continues when parenting an infant can also lead to psychosis for some parents.

When the brain doesn’t get enough restorative sleep, it struggles to regulate emotions, perception, and reality testing. For people already vulnerable due to stress, trauma, mood disorders, or other mental health conditions, lack of sleep can act as a powerful trigger.

Some signs of psychosis include: delusional thinking, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech rapid mood changes.

If you notice these in a loved one, this is a medical emergency- do not delay in getting them to help.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year to all! Our office will be closed today but will reopen Friday, 1/2/26.

12/26/2025

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas!
We are thankful to those who choose us as part of your care. We are also thankful to providers and practices/organizations who refer patients to us to collaborate in the health of those you serve.

11/27/2025

Best wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving.
Our offices will be CLOSED: Thursday, 11/27 & Friday, 11/28.
We will REOPEN at 8am on Monday, 12/1.

11/11/2025

Finally! The attention long-overdue on a matter affecting women in peri-menopause and menopause. A decades old study with deep flaws that resulted in many women being denied care via hormone replacement therapies that have vast benefits in this phase of life.

10/25/2025

Part II on sleep and mental health:
😴🧠 UNDIAGNOSED SLEEP APNEA & YOUR MENTAL HEALTH: THE HIDDEN CONNECTION 🧠😴

Do you wake up tired no matter how much you sleep? Snore loudly? Struggle with mood swings, brain fog, or anxiety?

You could be one of the millions living with undiagnosed sleep apnea — and it may be affecting your mental health more than you realize.

🔍 What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night — often without you knowing it. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where your airway gets blocked while you sleep.

🧠 How It Impacts Your Mental Health:
When your brain is constantly being disrupted at night, even for seconds at a time, it never gets the deep rest it needs to reset and recharge. This can lead to:

➡️ Chronic fatigue and brain fog
➡️ Irritability and mood swings
➡️ Increased anxiety and depression
➡️ Memory problems and difficulty focusing
➡️ In severe cases: greater risk of panic attacks and suicidal thoughts

📉 Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed because people don’t remember waking up — but the mental toll is very real.

💡 The Good News:
Sleep apnea is treatable. Many people see major improvements in energy, mood, and mental clarity after diagnosis and treatment (like using a CPAP machine or oral device).

📣 If you or someone you love struggles with low mood, fatigue, or snoring — don’t ignore the signs. Talk to your doctor or ask for a sleep study. It could be the missing piece in your mental health journey.