There’s something really exciting unfolding in pregnancy circles, women are moving beyond focusing solely on birth and beginning to talk more and more about the postpartum period, you know, those blurry weeks when you dive into the deep waters of motherhood - and then someone throws you a baby!

When I was pregnant with Cooper now 4.5, there was very little talk about what happens after labour. Everything was geared towards birth and meeting baby. But I feel in my Mama bones that a change is coming, the circle is opening and we are rebuilding our village. Our postpartum Mama village, we are truly blessed to have no shortage of inspiring and passionate women leading us back down the path of woman-centred care and support. Secrets once locked away are now being shared and we are beginning to return to the wise ones to guide us.

Sophie Walker of the chart-busting, highly successful podcast Australian Birth Stories has created a 4 part educational series, Postpartum: Life After Birth to openly discuss and demystify early postpartum. Specifically:

• Breastfeeding with Amberley Harris of Maternal Instincts by Amberley
• Pelvic floor and abdominal rehabilitation with Shira Kramer of Be Active Physio
• Post Natal Depression with Psychologist Lisa Fetterling and;
• Sleep and settling with Midwife and sleep guru Amelia Lamonte aka The Midwife Mumma.

I was so very fortunate enough to be given access to this wonderful four-part interview series which by the way I absolutely loved and highly recommend. You can liken this series to sitting at a round table enjoying the gentle and encouraging conversation. What strikes me most is the genuine passion each guest holds for their profession, their enjoyment and desire to support and nurture women is unmistakable.

It’s the kind of resource that every expecting Mum needs.

• Evidence-based
• Easy to digest and;
• Supportive of the unique needs of individuals and their families

Even as a Mum of two, well beyond the immediate postpartum period I gained so much from this series. Of particular note is the incredibly important yet, rarely discussed, topic of how birth impacts breastfeeding, how to recognise the difference between ‘baby blues’ and postpartum depression and how to begin to seek help as well the importance of listening to what feels right for you.

I personally found Lisa Fetterling's interview to be pure magic, could there be anyone who adores women and mothers as much as this woman? I think not. Her encouraging and frequent affirmations made my little heart warm and fuzzy: “It is because they ARE SUCH GOOD MUMS!”, “Because they are WONDERFUL Mums”

It’s true babes - You are damn wonderful Mamas.

You can purchase the four-part interview series here and listen to Sophie’s exquisite podcast Australian Birth Stories on iTunes or Spotify.

Years ago before my son was born (or as I like to say BC - Before Cooper) I stumbled across the ‘Diva Cup’ - a menstruation cup for those of you playing at home, don't worry this isn't a blog post about menstruation cups! - and was immediately repulsed followed by insanely curious. I went home and googled the darn thing - I had so many questions. The internet told me it was a game-changer, that it revolutionised dealing with ‘that time of the month’ but I didn’t act. Periods came and went until eventually I gave in and decided to give it a crack.

“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFFFFFFE!”

I hope you know that feeling I’m describing because it’s been the overwhelming response to my most recent read Born to Breastfeed by Rowena Gray

Finally, someone wrote a boobs manual and it doesn’t read like IKEA instructions.

Reading 'Born to Breastfeed' is like being given the reigns to take charge of your breastfeeding destiny. It is your trusty companion *literally* minute by minute, day by day and month to month.

First a bit about Rowena: registered nurse, midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with more than 15 years experience. Rowena is a mum to 3 babes and is passionately committed to providing evidence based support and guidance

In our digital age that’s an important phrase that can’t be understated, and I’d like to take this opportunity to remind those reading that ‘evidenced based support and guidance’ comes about from individuals who dedicate their careers and life to research, clinical trials and large scale studies. Evidenced based support and guidance comes from a real life person who’s ‘Why’ in life is to better support you and your babe and your breastfeeding journey. The only thing they gain is knowing that you both thrive.

And, yes, 'Born to Breastfeed' is chock block full of facts and research that will remind you just how incredible our bodies are, but it is so much more than that. I cried on the first bloody page.

“A familiar smell encourages him to continue his search by reaching, licking, lifting his head and falling into you again and again. Even though he has poor eyesight, the dark shade of your nipple guides him to it.

. . .

He knows where to go. He knows what to do. He is born to breastfeed.”

It was such a beautiful opening passage on our babes first quest to the breast, it reminded me of my son’s birth and why I initiated our first feed together. Our journey started strong and like the 96% of women who initiate breastfeeding I had goals. But I also had concerns, our first weeks included me:

• Asking every midwife to observe me feed to confirm I was doing it right. “Yep” and off they’d go.
• Freaking out when my milk came in, (according to my husband I looked like I was going to float away) then pumping like a mad woman. “Be careful” the visiting midwife says “your body will start thinking you have twins”. Whoops!
• Convincing myself I didn’t have enough milk for my son because he fed all the bloody time.
• Crying at 3am on hold to ABA because he wouldn’t stop feeding all the bloody time.

Now you don’t know what you don’t know. And knowledge is power. 'Born to Breastfeed' would have given me:

• The power to correctly and confidently correct my latch or at the very least identify that there was an issue with it.
• Relief from cluster-feeding shock and the knowledge that it was normal and that my breasts would adjust to my sons demands.
• A step by step guide to help me determine whether my concerns of low supply were backed up by any actual evidence.

Rowena’s dedication to address every conceivable concern and challenge is remarkable and she has provided comprehensive - evidence based - markers and indicators to help you troubleshoot. And as I mentioned earlier 'Born to Breastfeed' follows your journey from first days right through to 6 months and beyond. Rowena doesn’t bail on you once the basic mechanics of breastfeeding are covered. She stays with you through the introduction of solids and managing returning to work. This structure means that the information is never overwhelming.

But what makes 'Born to Breastfeed' so unique as a breastfeeding resource are the seamlessly inserted chapters, bookends if you will, at every step focused on Mum’s health and nutrition to best support her and fuel herself to meet her breastfeeding goals. These chapters are written by dietitian and nutritionist of 35 years experience, Anne Hillis. And what a god send they are, it is so easy to forget about you, your health and what you need in order for both of you to thrive.

As a mother who ceased breastfeeding before I was ready to, 'Born to Breastfeed' would have been my saviour when I lost confidence. My reminder of why I initiated breastfeeding and my power to make informed decisions to overcome challenges. A cheer squad on my bedside table.

If you are an expecting mum or have recently welcomed a babe into the world and intend to initiate breastfeeding I urge you to arm yourself with this powerful resource.

You can purchase Born to Breastfeed via www.borntobreastfeed.com.au 

“We aim to offer individualised breastfeeding education, for most women this includes how breastfeeding works, attachment, positioning and infant cues, but for some high risk women this has also included targeted breastfeeding education, dealing with gestational diabetes, multiple births or planned prematurity.We have found a particularly positive response from women and their caregivers who have been diagnosed with Gestational diabetes in their pregnancy and how they can prepare their breasts, and may have colostrum available for their infants at birth if supplementation is required. Providing these women and their families with the education so that they are empowered to offer the best start to their babies makes this so fulfilling”

“He had a significant tongue tie, and while it didn't impact his ability to gain weight, did cause immense damage to me. This included oversupply, nipple damage, and he was a very unsettled baby. After assessment by midwives, GP's and Child and Family Health Nurses, who all assured me that while they could all see that there was Tongue Tie, that while he continued to gain weight it wasn't a problem. There were many tears from me at this point, which lead me to realising that I had the knowledge and the power to investigate other options. After seeing a paediatric surgeon, who confirmed that my little bub's tongue wasn't able to work effectively whilst performing an ultrasound on him while he fed, the frenectomy was performed and within 48 hours he was a more content boy and finally feeding comfortably until 11 months of age.”

It doesn’t matter if you are a first time mum or a fourth time mum, whether you have mastitis or have had it before and are keen to avoid it again, breastfeeding education is for you. At Bouncing Back From Birth we believe every woman’s journey is unique, it inspires everything we do here and  it’s within this diversity that we are united. As Katrina so eloquently describes,

“What unites all of the women I see is that they are passionate about doing the best for their babies and achieving their varied breastfeeding goals. I aim to create achievable plans with mums and their babies that will work best for each individual family.”

Antenatal and Postnatal Sessions run in the comfort of your own home for 1-2 hrs depending on your needs and Private Health Fund rebates may apply.

For more information about sessions offered at The BabyBrain visit their website and stay connected on their Instagram and Facebook accounts!

*Cue the most impressive Bio. Ever.

Katrina has over 15 years experience as a Registered Nurse specialised in Paediatrics & Neonates, and 10 years as a Registered Midwife, where she has developed a passion for caring for mothers, babies and the new family unit.

Katrina has worked in various roles in both public and private hospital systems in Sydney, however the role closest to her heart is mother to her 3 beautiful children.

It was through becoming a mother, that Katrina learnt the benefits of Infant Massage, and was inspired by her own breastfeeding journey to become a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®).

Katrina has been featured in Cosmopolitan Pregnancy, and campaigns for NSW Health.

Katrina is a professional member of LCANZ, CAPEA, IAIM, Australian Breastfeeding Association and ILCA.

With a passion for life long learning, Katrina holds a Bachelor of Nursing, Graduate Certificate of Paediatric Nursing, Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Nursing, Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health , Graduate Diploma of Midwifery, and is endorsed RegisteredNurse Immuniser.

Mastitis is usually the result of a blocked milk duct that hasn't cleared. Some of the milk banked up behind the blocked duct can be forced into nearby breast tissue, causing the tissue to become inflamed. The inflammation is called mastitis

• Letting your little one determine the length of feed.
• Massaging the breast as you feed, from the outer breast towards the nipple. Don’t neglect your under arms and under the breast.
• Hand express or pump after each feed for 5 minutes.
• Use a warm compress for up to 5 minutes just before a feed or when pumping to assist your milk flow - Bouncing Back From Birth stocks and highly recommends the BodyICE Woman Breast Gel Pads.

*On a side note Mama’s having an nonrestrictive, supportive bra is very important throughout your breastfeeding journey. Bouncing Back From birth stocks the Cantaloop nursing bra range for this very reason. Cantaloop Nursing Bra’s are fully adjustable so there’s no need to get fitted. They are designed to support and grow with your breast making them ideal for sleeping and in the immediate postpartum period.

If THE DREADED M does strike, continue to employ all methods above which work for you and continue feeding.

You can also use your BodyICE Woman Breast Gel Pads as a cool compress during rest periods to soothe and cool the inflammation.

As always Mama, stay confident.

You’ve Got This.

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