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Post-partum
Beyond Amazing: The Excruciatingly Slow Steps of a Mother's Labour of Love
The journey of a thousand miles may start with a single step, but when you are a mother of small children each of those steps can feel excruciatingly slow. Whether the journey you take is studying, starting a business, building a career, commencing therapy, renovating, or a community project, the process may feel interminable, eternal, never ending.
You finally sign up for the thing, dedicating an hour a day to the cause, and your toddler drops their nap. The routine of da…
Why do I talk birth when I'm a postpartum doula?
Why do I spend so much time banging on about birth info when I’m actually a postpartum doula? Because, quite simply, we can’t pretend birth doesn’t influence postpartum.
The impact, as any mother or person whose experienced a traumatic or amazing birth will tell you, is massive. As such, preparing for birth is, in a way, preparing for postpartum, but we can’t end our efforts at birth affirmations.
My tips are:
Get independent birth AND lactation education. You can’t re…Why I won't ask to hold your baby
A postpartum doula will not ask to hold your baby.
We recognise the sanctity of the bond you and your baby have, the interdependence of your biological, hormonal and emotional needs through the early days and entire fourth trimester with your baby earthside.
And so, we will not visit intending to hold your baby, but to hold you in whatever way you need.
That may be through nurturing touch massage, talking you through a guided meditation while you feed or doing your dis…
3 Years In: What Would I Change?
As my child hurtles towards her third birthday and the end of infancy, I have been reflecting on my parenting and its evolution so far.
What am I satisfied with? A fair bit.
What would I do differently if I had my time over? Some things, for sure.
One thing I would absolutely not change however is supporting my child’s sleep through nurture, night and day. We have been close, responsive and watching her rather than a clock, through the non-linear process that is biologic…
Again? Birthing Parents Ignored Again While Hillsong Parties Down The Road
I went on my first school camp at Glenrock Scout Camp, aged around 9 or 10 years old. That place has been in the news lately, but it wasn’t a big deal then.
What I remember as a view from a bunk bed, a movie night and a cold lagoon has been used in the last few days for Hillsong’s “Wildlife” event and summer camp. Footage from the event (released by Hillsong Youth in their own social media, not leaked), shows hundreds of people singing and dancing to performers inside a massive tent, …
Start Early: Why Waiting To Be The "Fun One" Falls Flat
If you’re tempted to leave the baby duties to your partner and come back for the “fun part” when they’re old enough to play, I have news for you! Unfortunately... it just doesn’t work that way.
Yes, baby care is hard, because all the skills are new and baby communication is a new language.
Think of it this way. You wouldn’t head off to a new country without doing any language training and expect to cruise through. You’d likely do some reading up, and spend a few weeks on a language app so you co…
Mothers And Birth Parents Are Not Doormats. It's Time We Stopped Trampling Them.
“I’ll schedule your induction for Wednesday”
“I’ll check your cervix now”
“This will make the placenta come faster”
“They’re latching fine, you’ll get used to it”
“It’s policy to place them back in the crib”
“Just let them cry, they’ll soothe themselves”
“Tongue ties aren’t real”
“Start topping up with formula after each feed”
“It’s normal to feel low/anxious/exhausted”
“You should be grateful you had any leave at all”
“Mayb…
Hey Partners! Here's How to Get Us Hot Under The Collar
You know those calendars where sexy men are doing housework? I can do one better, and it’s not just men doing the housework in real life.
Sure, people with and without appendages can cook and clean, and in most cisgender opposite-sex couple households, it’d be long overdue for men to do more of these things.
Yet to me these are the minimum of adulting, not what’s going to get me hot under the collar.
So what does?
When I hear my giggling child say “s…
What now? Information for breastfeeding mothers and lactating people who test positive for COVID-19
With case rates in Australia through the roof I figured this was something I might need to know about, and you might too.
****This blog provides general information only and does not replace medical advice or conversations with your care providers. All information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge as at 4/1/22 and all sources listed below were accessed on this date. Always seek medical care if you are concerned about your or your child’s health.****
Is it safe to keep feedi…
Mothers As A Foghorn For The Family's Needs: Why It's Not As Simple As Telling Fathers To "Step Up"
“My doctor was lovely but they didn’t get it. They suggested therapy and yes, it might help, but I already know what I need to do to look after myself.
I need to read a book in the sunshine, with more than five minutes between interruptions.
I need to go for a run, regularly.
I need to sleep for ten years.
And above all, I need my husband to deal with his own sh*t so he can actually parent instead of me doing everything for everyone and him being a passenger in this family.”
I r…
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