Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain

by Nicole Pensak

Chatter for new mothers, this reassuring and practical handbook helps women navigate the seismic changes―in identity and emotion―that motherhood brings. Becoming a mother is one of the biggest changes a woman can experience. According to Harvard- and Yale-trained psychologist Dr. Nicole Pensak, it’s completely normal for a new mom to feel unlike herself, physically and psychologically different―to feel “rattled.” In fact, research shows that a woman’s brain shifts in real, biological ways very quickly. There are, however, also boosts in brainpower that can help to manage the distress and harness the advantages of the postpartum brain. In Rattled , Dr. Pensak draws on her own experiences and insights gleaned from her clinical practice to provide practical and emotional support for new moms, helping to relieve the anxiety and pressure for perfection in motherhood. She discusses mental health treatment and the many changes a mother undergoes, and offers accessible scientific information, relatable anecdotes, and strategies for self-care. An important book for new mothers and their families, Rattled offers the reader invaluable help to feel informed, validated, and guided through the transformation of becoming a mom.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Jen Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several pregnancy/post partum/parenting books, and I really, really enjoyed this one and will recommend!

Solid evidence based/science backed writing and advice(beware so many other books in this arena that are not!!) but equally easy to read and digest!

I read this at 7 months post partum with my second kiddo. I have with a 5.5 age gap between my kids, plus a global pandemic, so I feel like I forgot so many things of the immediate post partum/infancy experience, and this book felt like a great refresher/companion.

[Chandler (chapterswithchan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I wish I had this book to navigate the beginnings of motherhood with my first born. Thankfully, I was able to read it within the first few weeks with my third. And while I am a seasoned mom at this point, this book was the perfect read while I was in the trenches of newborn land. 


The number one reason I wish I had this for before my journey in motherhood was that I did not realize I was going to be meeting a completely new person, a new version of myself. I grieved the me I once was and felt so guilty about it. This book is the perfect reminder that it IS okay to have those feelings. 


It's a nice know that there is science behind why our brains are so discombobulated. It makes us feel less crazy.  This book provides you with ways to prepare your mind, body and soul for a baby. It explains mom rage, mom exhaustion and gives snapshots for how to help deal with the emotions running wild in your mind. 

Also- if you don't know about an octopus and motherhood... Research it. Wild. 

If you're new to motherhood or about to embark on that journey, we're just need a refresher and tips for battling postpartum... Make sure you check out this book.

[Heather Stangle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily the best book I have read during pregnancy, and one I will undoubtedly turn to repeatedly postpartum. Feel like I underlined half the book while reading it. Inter sting and informative, full of practical and actionable guidance, and yet somehow soothing and comforting to read as well— I highly recommend!

[Wanda ❣️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent. I’m so glad I read it.

[Philana Sun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how informative this book is! A must read for all mothers ❤️

[Cassie Rosen · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a clinical psychologist and mother of two, I was so eager to read this book and I was blown away. This is the book I WISH I had when I was starting out, but as a more "seasoned" mom I still found it massively helpful. It is beautifully written, readable, clear and well organized, with several "snapshots" throughout that summarize the main points, as we all know that when one is harried, it is hard to pick up a book! I appreciated the length, which is just right. Most of all, I felt seen and understood. I have experienced PPA and feel the author truly "gets it." Dr. Pensak offers an exquisite blend of personal and professional experience - she has been through it, which is super validating, and is also an expert on the topic from her many years of work and research, making for a wonderful combination. I loved the science-backed strategies woven through out the book but explained in an incredibly disarming way. It can be so lonely to be a new mom and this book makes you feel less alone. A game changer for those of us who feel guilty, are struggling, and can't understand why they feel this way. I will be recommending this book to ALL of my mom clients!

[Beth Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

My highlighted quotes:

- I love my babies, and I want them to go to bed immediately. I feel like my heart will explode out of my chest because I love them so much, and I need to get out of the house. I want to spend time with my babies, and I want to work on my career. I am a good mother, and I have bad thoughts about my little ones. I love being a mother, and I want to not have responsibilities of being a mother. I enjoy my life with my babies, and I miss my life pre-baby. I am bored with the monotony of infancy, and my favourite moments are to be doing nothing else but giggling and smiling with my baby. I am a good mother and I don’t enjoy every moment. I have sacrificed so much as a mother, and I have gained so much. I need to take care of my baby, and I need to take care of myself first.

- Every mother deserves the space to get more pleasure from motherhood.

- When they go low, you find the strength within and you go high. This is the work.

- When motherhood throws you to the wolves, the wolf you feed will win.

- Productivity looks different in motherhood.

[Ashlee H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this is exactly how I feel after the birth of my children. Each pre/during/post partum experience was different, but during each one I felt rattled. This book explores such important topics of becoming a mother, navigating the difficult emotions during the baby phase, and then moving into the later days. I loved the section on mommy brain, and the importance of good sleep hygiene.

So many parts of the book had me saying yup, and shaking my head in agreement….you are stressed out and someone says enjoy these moments, they go by so quick. Ok will do, the baby just spit up down my shirt and I forgot my wallet in the car but I'm enjoying this.

What is super helpful is throughout the chapters there's snapshot notes, kind of like TL,DR. It highlights important takeaways from each section. I am not a huge book tabber, but I have several in here on points that resonated with me.

Thank you @tlcbooktours and the author for a copy of this book.

[Vivian · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was deeply annoying. It was obsessed with name dropping and trying to build up their own reputation. It leaned into rhetoric about women's biology and a natural inclination for mothering without any cultural critique of this gendered ideology or an awareness of its implications - fathers change too, and so do adoptive parents, and it's not only women who can have children, etc etc. It took an overly confident prescriptive attitude that made assumptions about who was reading the book. The author also tried so hard to insert herself into the narrative, but I'm pretty sure many of the stories were made up. And to top it off, the book wasn't successful at explaining scientific research and its implications - which really should have been its basic goal.

[Courtney Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rattled is a thought provoking and valuable tool for all mothers. The science behind mommy brain, discussion of mom guilt and the shift in mindset that this book references provide insight that I wish I had had at my disposal when my kids were younger. Rattled is a tremendous resource that every mom (and their significant others) could benefit from.

[Ana Mattinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a number of similar books, I didn’t find that the information presented in “Rattled” was new or earth-shattering. (I’ve read about these concepts before.) I expected something a bit more focused.
I did, however, enjoy the writing style. The book was easy to read and understand.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I am being honest, this book made me cry because I wish I would have had this little gem in my hands eight years ago when I was in the throes of horrendous postpartum anxiety. I was recovering from a c-section, trying to figure out how to breastfeed, had a baby that woke up every two hours on the dot, and barely survived. My anxiety was crippling. I would pray for hours every night that the Lord would wake me up if something was wrong because I was so scared something would go wrong while I was asleep. I couldn’t function as a normal human being. I am thankful each and every day for the world’s best partner who helped me navigate that very difficult time in my life.

Even though I am over eight years postpartum, this book still resonated with me on so many levels. It is well researched, rich in evidence-based teachings, and written in a way that is easy to read and digest. I would recommend this one to any pregnant or postpartum mom, rather it is your first or fifth. It is life changing to know that there is science to why you feel like another person altogether during this time of your life and you are not alone. The mix of personal and professional experiences from the author makes it even more relatable.

If this one speaks to you, please don’t hesitate to pick this one up. I can’t recommend it enough.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Nicole Pensak is a gifted and compassionate author, researcher and therapist. She has a gift for making the scientific discoveries on matresence understandable and practical for new mothers. She puts her whole self into Rattled: her research, her recommendations about the importance and proven ways to practice self-care, her ability to allow herself to be vulnerable, sharing her own ups and downs as both a new mom & second-time mother, her compassion for new moms (as well as for herself), and for her therapy clients. This book is a remarkable contribution to promote the positive adjustment and thriving of new moms-even if it’s your 2nd, 3rd, or more child. And a happier mom creates a positive environment for a happier baby! This is a great gift for any mother to give herself…or a family member or friend.

[Sandy Pensak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and it really opened my eyes to the fact that the emotional changes that new mothers go through are very real, and that there are support systems that can help one manage anxiety, depression and build resilience.

I would love to see this book in every ob /gyn office.
This is an area of mental health that is regretfully not given enough attention.

The personal stories are relatable and the “snapshots”at the end of every chapter enable the reader to remember the most salient points, which can be challenging when reading self help books.

The author’s insight from both a personal and professional level makes a strong case for including this book on every new mother’s baby registry!

Sandy Pensak

[Jeana Curro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot express what a good post-partum read this was, a must read for any parent ! Thank you Dr Nicole Pensank for brilliantly validating the challenges of motherhood with humor, compassion, and science. Pensak normalizes the struggles new moms face while weaving in relatable anecdotes that are both funny and reassuring. Grounded in neuroscience, the book offers clear, actionable insights into the postpartum brain, helping moms feel empowered and less anxious. It’s the perfect mix of wit and wisdom, leaving readers feeling seen, supported, and equipped to thrive. I am so grateful for this book !

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read for new moms! Maternal mental health is so important, and Dr. Pensak does a wonderful job of explaining what's happening in our brains during the special time right after we have a baby. She is relatable, funny, and extremely informative. Finally someone has written a book that focuses on mom health too! The book is a lifesaver for new moms as it provides science-backed strategies to tackle postpartum anxiety which is so common, but often not talked about. The book gives you practical tools every mom needs to stay calm during a time that can be filled with anxiety. A must read (and a great gift for a new mom in your life).

[Melissa Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! As an early childhood educator, school psychologist and mom of 2, I can honestly say this book is applicable to new moms and seasoned moms. It provides a justification to "mom brain" with science-based facts and expert guidance to maternal mental health. Dr. Pensak is relatable and a great resource to all parents. This books brings an important topic to the forefront, and you will feel seen! She uses real life antedotes, experiences and humor in this page turner that you want to keep reading!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Nicole Pensak’s RATTLED is an incredible blend of humor, science, and heartfelt support for new moms. It’s a rare book that not only normalizes the challenges of motherhood but also equips readers with actionable, research-based strategies to calm anxiety and thrive. Pensak’s writing is both funny and deeply validating, making it a comforting companion for anyone navigating the postpartum experience. Insightful, empowering, and brilliantly written, this is a must-read for new moms everywhere.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Nicole Pensak’s RATTLED is a smart and engaging guide for new moms. A mix of humor, science, and practical advice, Pensak offers invaluable insights into the postpartum brain and how to manage the anxieties that come with motherhood.
Her writing is relatable, funny, and filled with moments that make you feel understood. This book not only validates the challenges of early motherhood but also provides tools to navigate them with clarity and confidence. A must-read for every mom seeking balance and calm in the chaos.

[madeline amato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Pensak has made an vital contribution to the new mother toolkit! Historically, new motherhood has been viewed as something that happens naturally and smoothly. The numerous emotional and physical potential difficulties have been minimally discussed, leaving many new mothers filled with anxiety, sadness and shame. Dr. Pensak delivers a book that takes science and makes it accessible to the average reader. The clear content and engaging writing make this an easy read for new moms and those supporting them. You will be happy you read this book or purchased for a loved one!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing! I gift Rattled to all expecting mothers I know and family members. I cannot express how important it is to have support in your most vulnerable state. I highly recommend Rattled as a trusted resource for expectant mothers. Its blend of evidence-based advice and emotional support ensures that readers feel informed and empowered during one of the most life-changing experiences of their lives.

[Elizabeth Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly 10/10! Even though this book is for moms, it was so encouraging and eye opening to read the author’s personal experience and how she overcome her postpartum OCD and depression. It has great tips for new moms and ways to get ahead of postpartum depression and anxiety. It creates a space for moms who might be too afraid to share how they really feel after birth. And the research this therapist gives is amazing to learn from and helpful for any mom postpartum.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible resource for me as a physician who deals specializes in peri-partum women's care and as a young mom myself. This book is incredibly inspiring and educational and is SO IMPORTANT for women right now. This should be required reading for all women or anyone who cares about a woman!!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a licensed clinical health psychologist, I’m a big fan of this!!!!! This book is everything a therapist would want their patient to read to enhance patient self-efficacy and normalize their experience with motherhood!

[Cyrus Khorrami · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely must read. Rattled is an engaging read for anyone looking for an honest portrayal of motherhood. Whether you’re a new parent or simply enjoy heartfelt memoirs, this book will resonate with you. The author has written a masterpiece.

[JMeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical strategies, with relatable anecdotes and research to back up the claims. Normalizing all of the highs and lows of new parenting. A great read for expecting parents to highlight and then reread again when the baby arrives.

[Jody Berson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rattled felt like a lifeline—it’s compassionate, relatable, and packed with practical tools that truly work. Nicole Pensak’s insights about the postpartum brain helped me feel empowered and less alone in navigating the ups and downs of motherhood.

[Chelsea Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a book that speaks to moms with equal parts smarts and sass! Dr. Pensak breaks down the science of postpartum anxiety in a way that’s easy to understand and impossible to put down. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll leave feeling unstoppable.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every anxious thought I ever had as a new mom was addressed in RATTLED. Dr. Pensak writes with such warmth and authenticity, it feels like she’s your best friend cheering you on. A sanity-saver for moms everywhere!