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Quirky Moms Matter - for moms who feel different.
Welcome to Quirky Moms Matter a podcast dedicated to supporting and validating moms who feel different. If you're navigating motherhood with ADHD , autism, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or any other experiences that make you feel alone in your difference, this podcast is for you.
Iām Dani Steele and I read the books and do the research so that you donāt have to . As a late diagnosed neurodivergent mom myself - I have applied my adult lifelong passion for research on neuroscience and neurobiology to focus specifically on neurodivergent motherhood so that I can help you understand your brain better.
Quirky Moms Matter - for moms who feel different.
Epi 3: Bonding, Breastfeeding & the Neurodivergent Mother š§ š¤± - Struggling to bond after birth? Feeling disconnected during breastfeeding?
Struggling to bond after birth? Feeling disconnected during breastfeeding? Youāre not aloneāand thereās a reason. In this powerful episode, we explore why ADHD, sensory sensitive, anxious and autistic mothers often feel overwhelmed postpartum, and how hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and prolactin affect bonding, mood, and sensory overload.
Learn how neurodivergent traits show up in early motherhood and why your bonding moment will comeāeven if it takes time. This episode is packed with science, compassion, and validation.
In this deeply personal and educational episode, we explore the often unspoken struggles of bonding and breastfeedingas a neurodivergent mother. š¬
So many women today are receiving late diagnoses of ADHD, autism, or sensory processing differences, and for many, these traits are only fully revealed through the intense transformation of motherhood. Hormonal shifts, sensory overload, and emotional dysregulation can make bonding and breastfeeding feel confusing, overwhelmingāor even impossible.
I open up about my own experience with feeling disconnected after birth and the intrusive thoughts that followed, and we unpack the real science behind it all: from oxytocin and dopamine to serotonin, prolactin, estrogen, and cortisol. Youāll learn why your brain might be responding the way it isāand that you are not alone.
This episode is for the mama who feels like somethingās missing, whoās wondering why everyone else makes it look so easy. This is your reminder: your bonding moment will come, and you are exactly the mother your child needs.
⨠Listen in for validation, science-backed insights, and a gentle reminder that understanding your neurodivergent brain is the first step toward healing and embracing your unique motherhood journey.
š§ Topics covered:
- ADHD, autism, and the postpartum experience
- The role of oxytocin and dopamine in bonding
- Hormonal shifts & sensory sensitivities after birth
- Intrusive thoughts, emotional numbness, and the truth behind them
- Why breastfeeding can feel overwhelming for ND moms
- How late diagnosis is often tied to the motherhood transition
š² Connect with me on Instagram @quirkymindsmatter to join the community, your story might just echo in the comments.
š§ How to Rate or Follow on Spotify (Mobile App):
š Spotify doesnāt allow written reviews (yet!), but you can rate the show and follow it to show your support:
- Open the Spotify app on your phone.
- Search for the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and tap on it.
- Right under the podcast title, tap the āā ā (star icon) to rate the show.
- Choose the number of stars (5 is always appreciated! āļø).
- Tap the āFollowā button so you never miss a new episode.
āļø How to Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad):
- Open the Apple Podcasts app on your device.
- Tap the Search icon at the bottom right.
- Type in the name of the podcast (e.g., Quickie Minds Matter) and select it.
- Scroll down past the list of episodes until you see āRatings & Reviews.ā
- Tap āWrite a Review.ā
- Choose a star rating (5 stars if you love it š).
- Enter a title and write your review.
- Tap āSendā or āSaveā in the top right corner.
YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.