What to Expect the First 6 Weeks Postpartum

Nobody really tells a new mom what to expect in the first six weeks postpartum. Check out these 10 things women polled really want you to know about the postpartum period.

Division of Parenting Duties: Is it Ever Equal?

Join the founder of MamaSoup and her husband for a weekly chat about issues that have been shared and posted in the MamaSoup community for moms!

Gain perspective from these parents who've raised 4 kids in these completely unedited talks about all things parenting.

The Postpartum Period Can Last for Years, Not Weeks

I always feel that the best way to shine light on a dark subject is to talk about it. Let's stop being ashamed that we may not be handling motherhood as well as society says we should. Let's talk about how tough it is to adjust to this new life and help other moms understand that they're not alone.

Location-based Mobile App Mamasoup Helps Moms Connect to Their Community to Reduce the Emotional Impact of Social Distancing

March 26, 2020 PETERBOROUGH, ON - Joanne Ilaqua, the founder of Mamasoup, an app that is a support network for mothers, is working hard to provide online information and tools for women feeling the impact of social distancing.

Tips to Reduce Anxiety as a Single Mom During the Holidays

When you're a single parent, the holidays can be especially difficult. These tips will help you stay calm and focused on what matters most.

22 Unique Ways to Make Mom-Friends While You're Pregnant to Build Your Postpartum Village of Support

It’s hard to explain to you exactly how important it is to have a mom-friend because until you become a mama, you don’t realize how lonely it can actually be. A friend can listen when you’re having a tough day, sympathize when you tell her how tired you are and even encourage you to get out of the house when it’s the last thing you feel like doing.

5 Ways to Build Long Lasting, Never-Waivering, Confidence in Yourself

When was the last time you felt confident in yourself? I’m talking ass-kicking, not gonna stop confident? You wouldn’t be alone if you can’t really remember. It’s a lot of work for some women to feel confidence after lending out their bodies for babies and giving up the majority of their time (and sleep) for kids.

Stop Judging Moms for 'Distracted Parenting' When We're Raising Kids in the Digital F**king Age

Once again the media is calling out parents for another thing we're doing wrong out here. As if the pressure to raise human beings in a scary world where men like Trump are running the free-world isn't enough, now we can't check our phones while we do it?

Your 'Perfect' Instagram Life is Ruining Motherhood for the Rest of Us

The problem with the perfect feed of the "InstaMommy" is that women are feeling crappy after looking at it. Because at the end of the day, if you’re a mom you’re a woman with problems. Let’s stop pretending this is the easiest and most rewarding job in the world all the time and start talking about how tough it can be.

Motherhood is Lonely AF. Mamasoup Can Help.

I’m just a mom like you. I don’t have millions of dollars and an army of app developers at my disposal like Facebook and Instagram. I’m just one woman with a burning desire to help us all connect and lift each other up while we’re doing the hardest job on the planet.

The One Thing a Mom Can Do to Make Raising a Teenager Easier

Did you know there’s a group for moms of teenagers on the Mamasoup app? Join the conversation now and start finding the support that we all need doing this most difficult stage of parenting- the stage where we have to let go and trust that we’ve done our job well.

An Interview With a NICU Mom: What She Wants You to Know

As a nurse, I know how hard it is to have a baby who doesn't get to go home with you. But as a mama, I can't fathom the challenges these new moms are facing.

I interviewed a former NICU mama about her experience and insights, and here's what she had to say...

Have You Ever Felt the Crushing Pressure of Providing Your Kids a Christmas?

It may seem like an insignificant thing to some people- supporting a mom and her kids during a highly marketed season. You may think, Why on earth would she put her efforts into Christmas when there are so many other times a mom needs help?

Wondering How Mamasoup Works?

A video tutorial of how the Mamasoup app for moms works. It's a new level of mom-tastic!

8 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Your Baby Arrives

As a childbirth educator, I want to serve you up some of the realest information that you haven't even considered because let's face it- if this is your first baby, how would you know what you really need to know?

The #1 Way to Remove Mom-Guilt is a Profile on the Mamasoup App

Recently, I asked my Instagram followers to tell me what they were struggling with at their stage in motherhood. Let me tell ya, Mom-Guilt was the NUMBER ONE. In fact, it was so resounding, that I created a conversation on Mamasoup about it, using one mama's own words. (Hop over to check it out and join the chat!)

4 Ways to Do What's Best For You and Your Baby (and SHUT DOWN the Mommy-Trolls!)

If you’ve never experienced a mom-troll, hop onto any Facebook mom-group and post something about vaccines, breastfeeding or sleep training. Or post a picture of your baby in a carseat. The trolls just can’t help themselves: they’ll tear you down and eat you up. Apparently, they are the "Moms of Perfect Choices". They do everything right, even the carseat straps.

Your Body is Not Broken, Mama.

A caesarean.

I had to let it sink in for a bit, and when it finally did all I felt was scared. And disappointed: in my body and in the birth that I wasn’t going to have. I felt sorry for myself for awhile, then angry. Sometimes it seemed like all I was focusing on for the last 2 months of my pregnancy was my upcoming surgery and the pain that I would experience after.

Black Births Matter: And Why Privileged White Moms (Like Me) Should Care About It.

The numbers and the deaths don’t lie. Black women are dying at alarming rates in the United States, a country that prides itself on being the epicentre of the world, with advanced medical care.

Is it Possible to Take the Guilt out of Motherhood?

f you’re a mom, you have experienced the feeling of never being able to accomplish everything. And that goes for working moms and stay-at-home moms, too! I used to say to my husband, “I’m so frustrated because I can’t give 100% to anything in my life!”

When Moms Help Moms, I Do a Happy Dance

People often ask me why I would leave my career in nursing to start a company at this stage in my life. Let’s face it- I’m not young. I don’t have an MBA. Who do I think I am anyway, starting a business?  Trust me, I don’t always feel confident and I often feel terrified. But I'm not offended when people ask me because even I think I’m a little bit crazy, to be honest. Maybe the best thing I’ve ever learned from so many years of nursing is a deep, deep compassion for women.

Caesarean Awareness is for EVERYMOM

January is Caesarean Awareness Month! Instead of telling you all the reasons you shouldn't have one, I've decided to talk about the reasons some women choose to have a caesarean birth. It's time to stop judging moms for their decisions and support one another! Your birth decisions were right for you, and hers were right for her.

When it Comes to Moms, There's Strength in Numbers.

Moms need each other more than ever for friendship, support and information. Did you know there's an app for that?