“You Were Always Meant to Be Held” — Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum on Nurturing, Neuroscience, and Parenting After Loss

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Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, neuroscientist, author, and doula, joins me for a deeply grounding conversation on how early experiences shape both baby and mother — especially in the context of pregnancy after loss and raising a rainbow baby. We explore the intersection of science and instinct, and what it really means to nurture, connect, and rebuild trust in motherhood after loss. This episode offers a powerful reframe: that the closeness you feel called to offer your baby is not only valid — it’s biologically essential.

We talk about:

• How early experiences shape brain development in babies
• The neuroscience behind attachment and connection
• Parenting a rainbow baby after pregnancy loss
• Rebuilding trust in your body and instincts after loss
• The impact of nurturing on maternal mental health
• Letting go of fear-based parenting narratives
• Why closeness is not “spoiling” — it’s protective
• The intersection of grief, healing, and motherhood after loss
• How to feel more grounded and confident in your parenting choices

This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that the way you love and nurture your baby truly matters.

Get to know Dr Greer:

Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is a neuroscientist, author, and educator dedicated to transforming how we understand early development. Trained at the University of Toronto, Columbia University, NYU, and Yale, she brings together cutting-edge research and her lived experience as a mother and doula. Through her work, Greer helps families understand how nurturing the mother–baby relationship supports both infant brain development and maternal mental health. She is the author of The Nurture Revolution and leads a global movement empowering parents to raise emotionally resilient children through connection and care.

Instagram: @drgreerkirshenbaum
Website: www.nurture-neuroscience.com

Connect with Kristin

📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca
🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven
🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim
🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother
📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life


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