Milk Stork

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! "Fireside Chat with Dr. Harvey Karp: Exploring the Science of Sleep and Why Better Sleep is Good for Baby and for Business" is going to be an insightful conversation with Milk Stork founder, Kate Torgersen, and renowned pediatrician, sleep expert, and co-founder of Happiest Baby (the maker of SNOO) Dr. Harvey Karp. We'll delve into the critical role of sleep in enhancing productivity and overall well-being. Whether you’re a working parent, employer, or simply interested in the science of sleep, this webinar is for you. Save your spot! https://bit.ly/3yf7idA #WorkingParents #EmployeeBenefits #Compliance #HR #InclusiveWorkplace

According to Parents Under Pressure: The Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents, 41% of parents report that most days they are so stressed they cannot function, and 48% say their stress feels completely overwhelming. And what’s one major stressor for new parents? SLEEP. It's so obvious if you're in it, but it's often overlooked by society. The report goes on to say: During early childhood, parents and caregivers often experience stress related to sleep disturbances, adjustment to new parental roles, and more work-family conflict. This exhaustion isn’t just a personal battle—it’s a public health issue. Employers are in a unique position to support exhausted parents returning to work and offer support during these critical early years. By acknowledging and addressing the stress parents face, we can create healthier workplaces for families to thrive. #worklifebalance #workingparents

We're less than one week away from our next virtual event: "Fireside Chat with Dr. Harvey Karp: Exploring the Science of Sleep and Why Better Sleep is Good for Baby and for Business." Save your spot! https://bit.ly/3yf7idA This going to be an insightful conversation with Milk Stork founder, Kate Torgersen, and renowned pediatrician, sleep expert, and co-founder of Happiest Baby (the maker of SNOO) Dr. Harvey Karp. What's We'll Cover: ✔️ Understand the Common Challenges: Gain insights into the unique challenges faced by working parents, including sleep deprivation, stress, and the complex task of balancing professional responsibilities with parenting. ✔️ Discover the Science Behind Sleep: Discover the latest research on sleep and its essential role in mental and physical health. Understand how sleep deprivation can significantly impact productivity and overall well-being. ✔️ Learn Employer Solutions for Better Sleep: Explore effective solutions that employers can implement to support parents during their transition back to work, helping to improve work performance and job satisfaction. ✔️ Q&A Session: Engage directly with Dr. Harvey Karp in a live Q&A session. This is your chance to get personalized answers to your specific questions about sleep and its impact on both personal and professional life. What questions do you have for Happiest Baby (the maker of SNOO) Co-founder Dr. Harvey Karp? Comment on this post below 👇 #WorkingParents #EmployeeBenefits #Compliance #HR #InclusiveWorkplace

"The work of raising a child is work, no less valuable than the work performed in a paid job and of extraordinary value when it comes to the impact on the future of society. Additionally, while parents and caregivers bear the primary responsibility for raising children, society as a whole must see itself as sharing in this responsibility—and shaping policy, programs, and individual behavior accordingly." This powerful statement from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in the newly released report, Parents Under Pressure: The Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents, underscores a truth that often goes unrecognized: The labor of love that parents and caregivers put into raising their children is equally valuable to any paid work. But here’s the key takeaway: While parents bear the primary responsibility, we as a society have to step up and share the load. Employers, elected officials, local communities need to adopt policies and programs that reflect the importance of this work. #worklifebalance #workingparents

Did you know that the number one driving factor for working parent satisfaction is team and leader support? It’s not just about pay or benefits—it’s about creating an environment where parents feel trusted and supported. Consider the daily experience of a working parent who pumps: 🧠 She starts her day thinking about when she can fit in her pumping sessions and how to navigate the awkward conversations when she needs to excuse herself from a meeting to go pump on schedule. 👜 After a sleepless night with the baby, she arrives at work carrying an insulated cooler and clean breast pump + all the necessary accessories that she had to wash, dry, and pack the night before. 🍼 Throughout the day, she has to make sure she doesn't miss a pumping session every 2-3 hours, which can lead to discomfort, mastitis, and/or affect her milk supply. ⏰ She’s constantly aware of the clock. Each day is a mental balancing act, ensuring her baby has enough breast milk, managing her work responsibilities, and maintaining her own well-being is immense. Every day requires careful coordination and emotional resilience. As Kortney Ross said, “True support means recognizing the unique challenges that working parents face and responding with empathy, flexibility, and real solutions.” Navigating the demands of work while managing the emotional and physical challenges of breastfeeding is no small feat. Supporting working parents isn’t just about compliance—it’s about empathy, understanding, and providing real solutions. #WorkLifeBalance #Breastfeeding #SupportWorkingParents

We've supported parents long enough to understand the top challenge they wish their employers recognized: The hidden labor of transitioning back to work. Returning to work after maternity leave is often portrayed as a simple “back-to-business” moment. But maternity leave isn’t a vacation. It’s a time of intense bonding, sleepless nights, and adapting to a new normal. And just when new parents start to get the hang of it, the looming return to work adds a new layer of stress. ✔ The Reality of Preparation: The lead-up to an employee's return to work is a marathon of preparation. From establishing a feeding routine that aligns with daycare schedules to introducing bottle feeding weeks in advance, the effort required is intense. And it’s not just about logistics—it’s about ensuring that their baby is ready for a new environment without their constant presence. 💔 Emotional Labor: Beyond the physical tasks, there’s the emotional weight of handing over baby’s care to someone else. Communicating feeding preferences and making sure baby’s needs will be met, adds another layer to an already complex situation. 🍼 Building a Breast Milk Stash: The pressure to pump extra milk daily, label it correctly, and ensure it’s stored according to daycare guidelines is real. It’s one more task on a growing to-do list, often squeezed into late-night or early-morning hours. 📱 Staying Connected: Even after dropping their baby off, the mental load doesn’t stop. Many parents rely on frequent updates from daycare, but staying in the loop often feels like managing a second job. The transition back-to-work isn’t just tough on babies, it’s tough on parents too. The emotional toll of balancing work and motherhood, coupled with the stress of ensuring their baby is cared for, can’t be underestimated. As your your employees prepare to return to work, remember this: They're doing more than “just” going back to the office. They're navigating a significant life transition, managing an incredible amount of unseen labor, and balancing the needs of their baby with professional responsibilities. #worklifebalance #workingparents #returntowork

The working mom guilt can be so real after returning to work from maternity leave. Thankfully, I feel supported by encouraging friends, family, and colleagues who helped pave the way as I approach my fifth month of being back to work. My daughter is healthy, and I try my best each day to create an environment that will have her feeling empowered as she grows up. In answering the question of ‘how can you as the mother be away from your child?’… I try to take this as a teaching moment and simply say it’s all about balance and support. In the final bit of August and #NationalBreastfeedingMonth I wanted to express my gratitude towards Cargill for providing Mothers’ Rooms at their offices and Milk Stork for making travel possible to maintain my connection to my daughter when I have to be away. Please kindly remember, maternity leave is not a vacation. Pumping breaks are usually accompanied by a laptop to keep connected to work. It is OK to have a conversation about what works for you and your family. The worst someone can say is no or that they need to get back to you. Working parents are awesome people and can be excellent parents, too.

💡 Hot take: It's time to rethink new parent exhaustion + the return to work. ⤵️ New parents are all too familiar with the challenges of juggling work responsibilities during the day while battling sleepless nights. It’s a tough road. Parents and employers alike have accepted this as the norm. But what if it didn’t have to be this way? What if there was a way to return to work feeling more rested, more supported, and even more productive? We believe that new parents deserve better. You shouldn’t have to choose between being a great parent and thriving in your career. Join us on September 12th for "Fireside Chat with Dr. Harvey Karp: The Science of Sleep and Why Better Sleep is Good for Baby and for Business." https://bit.ly/3yf7idA Dr. Harvey Karp is co-founder of Happiest Baby and the creator of the beloved SNOO, as we challenge the idea that exhaustion is just part of the package when returning to work as a new parent. Hosted by Kate Torgersen, founder and CEO of Milk Stork, this webinar will explore how proper sleep is essential—not just for your baby’s health but for your own well-being and success at work. What You’ll Learn: •Rethinking Parental Exhaustion: Understand why new parent exhaustion doesn’t have to be the norm when returning to work. Discover strategies for managing sleep that allow you to thrive both at home and in your career. •The Science of Restorative Sleep: Delve into the latest research on sleep’s critical role in your health and productivity, and why quality sleep should be a priority, not a luxury. •Supporting New Parents at Work: Learn how employers can create a supportive environment for parents, helping to ease the transition back to work and reduce the impact of sleep deprivation. •Live Q&A: Get personalized advice from Dr. Harvey Karp during a live Q&A session, where you can ask your burning questions about sleep and work-life balance. 📢 Let's stop accepting exhaustion as a given for new parents returning to work. Save your spot today https://bit.ly/3yf7idA.

Why does better sleep matter for your team and their families? Better sleep can significantly boost productivity and overall well-being. But how can new parents get quality when exhaustion and new babies seem to come hand-in-hand? Join us for "Fireside Chat with Dr. Harvey Karp: The Science of Sleep and Why Better Sleep is Good for Baby and for Business." Date: September 12, 2024 Time: 2pm ET / 11am PT Duration: 45 minutes Register and we'll send a recording if you can't make it. https://bit.ly/3yf7idA In this insightful conversation hosted by Kate Torgersen, Founder and CEO at Milk Stork, with renowned pediatrician, sleep expert, and Happiest Baby (the maker of SNOO) co-founder Dr. Harvey Karp, we'll delve into the critical role of sleep in enhancing productivity and overall well-being. What You’ll Take Away: ✔️ Understand the Common Challenges: Gain insights into the unique challenges faced by working parents, including sleep deprivation, stress, and the complex task of balancing professional responsibilities with parenting. ✔️ Discover the Science Behind Sleep: Discover the latest research on sleep and its essential role in mental and physical health. Understand how sleep deprivation can significantly impact productivity and overall well-being. ✔️ Learn Employer Solutions for Better Sleep: Explore effective solutions that employers can implement to support parents during their transition back to work, helping to improve work performance and job satisfaction. ✔️ Q&A Session: Engage directly with Dr. Harvey Karp in a live Q&A session. This is your chance to get personalized answers to your specific questions about sleep and its impact on both personal and professional life. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field and discover how better sleep can lead to healthier, happier families and more productive workplaces. 🔗 Register now! https://bit.ly/3yf7idA #WorkingParents #Productivity #WorkLifeBalance #ParentingTips #EmployerSupport #HR #EmployeeBenefits