The intention behind this series is to shine a light on some beautiful, inspiring and connected mamas and what Post Partum looked, or looks like for them.
I feel very passionately about this vital period in a new mamas life so i wanted to shed an honest and authentic light on it by asking a few beautiful mamas to shed the light and sometimes the dark side, on this vulnerable and transformational period in their life.
Meet April, mama to a beautiful boy, and a lover of all things thrifty! I adore her honest and earthy approach to being a new mama, she has a gorgeous sense of humor and her authenticity as a woman and mama really is captivating! I am thrilled to share her ‘Unique Post Partum’ with you!
Name and Age: April 24 years old.
Children/Infants name and age: Flynn, 22months. (Nearly 2!).
Relationship to self or another: Happy relationship, no ring on it yet though!
How has becoming a parent changed you?
Wowzas! In so many ways. How? Well.. the rings around my eyes are alot darker, my brain is pretty much scrambled eggs and my body feels a whole lot older!!! No, for real though. I live in the moment more now, I was always grateful for life, health and happiness, but now it’s just different. I notice the little things in life more now, like how lucky we are to be able to stroll on down to the beach, enjoy a morning play at the park in peace and pretty much just be here doing life with my baby every day.
In those first few weeks Post Partum, what did it look like for you?
To be honest, I can’t even hardly remember.
I was so sleep deprived. I remember many microwave meals, a whole lot of poo’y nappies and HEAPS of little clothes to wash (that part still hasn’t really changed).
One special thing I really do remember though was the feeling of love, love was all around. We (my partner and I) had felt a new love like we had never imagined.
How did you feel?
At the beginning, so overwhelmed.
Everyone obviously wanted to meet Flynn and hold him and love on him. I remember being at a barbeque with all my loved ones and everyone obviously wanted newborn cuddles.
I was still so worn out and recovering from birth (cray hormones), that at one point I literally ran to find my partner and just stood their bursting out in tears crying. I cried because I wanted my baby, he was unsettled, I needed sleep and I was nowhere prepared for it all.
Did you feel pressure from friends, family or society in general as to how you ‘should’ parent your new baby? If so how did gently handle that sort of pressure?
Not so much at the start, but as the older months have swung by, yes.
I’ve always wanted to become a mum and think I was kind of just born with the mum instinct thing. I had also previously worked with children, so I felt no real ‘pressure’ as such.
Instead, I felt more of a pressure to ‘keep up’ and still do at times. Keep up with what he should be doing at his age, what he should be eating etc.
I’m handling this alot better now though, because I’m his mumma and noone knows him as well as what I do. Noone can tell me how to parent my son. Maybe that’s my inner stubborn taurian signs showing!? Ha ha. Who knows. I kind of just focus on what works for us now. For example, breastfeeding still. Yep, at 22 months and yes, still during the night.
Post partum care is EVERYTHING after. It is skin to skin, it is allowing your new baby the space to latch onto your breast in its own time, it is establishing a breastfeeding relationship, it is learning to wrap your baby, settle your baby and lotssss of nappy changes!
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What was the transition into parenting like for both you and your partner within your relationship?
It was a huge change.
We often laugh about how easy life was before having a baby.. We just bummed around, slept in, some days would come home from work and arvo nap, would cook dinner at any time of the night, no routine really.
We do respect each other alot more now though, still drive each other crazy at times but understand each other’s emotional wellbeing alot better.
Did you make time for YOU during your Post Partum period? If so, what was your favourite thing to do to get back to YOU?
Hmm not really, no. It’s something I’m still working on. It wasn’t until recently I had some separation anxiety leaving Flynn. Even if it was for a 20 minute dash down to coles!
Something I really did enjoy and I’m looking forward to again soon was going and getting my hair done. I felt SO much better. (it’s the little things in life).
I have also recently taken up going to yoga with my mum on a Tuesday night, cause shes always all “stress less Apes, just chill out”. She’s pretty spot on though I guess! Haaaa.
If you could go back to your gorgeous pregnant self, what loving, nurturing support would you offer her?
More chill time.
I worked pretty much right up to two weeks before having Flynn. I worked with kids, so was on my feet all day, 5 days a week. The kids I looked after were from 15months of age to 3 and a half too.. So some days were pretty hectic.
Some times I think it was a good thing though, because I was always active.
But yes, probably just more chill time. I’d even suggest putting some money away each week to put towards treating yourself to something relaxing once a month.
Post Partum & Infant Connection eWorkshop
Are you seeking a deeper knowledge of what to expect within your Post Partum period? Do you crave a supportive, non judgmental environment? Are you ready to be informed and to feel empowered on your new and exciting journey into parenthood?
