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