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 Maddison, beautiful mama to their delightful daughter Parker, living in the quaint seaside town of Ballina NSW where they spend their days by the water with their feet in the sand, I never not see Maddi smiling and it’s sooo infectious! I am SO thrilled to be sharing her humor and Maddi’s ‘Unique Post Partum’ with you!
Name and Age: Maddison 23yrs of age.
Children/Infants name and age: Parker 4.5 Months
Relationship to self or another: In a relationship
How has becoming a parent changed you?
I don’t think becoming a Parent has changed me as such, I’m still the same person, just with a mini me. I still find time to do all the things that are important to me like walking every day but now I just do it with a pram (and my little babe). I still go to breakfast dates with my friends…just with my baby too. I’m still me, I always will be. I haven’t changed, I’m just now more conscious of who I am as a mother, a role model.
In those first few weeks Post Partum, what did it look like for you?
It looked squishy (if we’re talking about my belly here) real squishy! But those first few weeks are a bit of a blur really, I think I was on a high from all those raging hormones for quite sometime.
How did you feel?
I was one of “the lucky ones”. You know how every second person you run into at Woolies says “oh wait till you give birth…oh Labor, it’s horrific…oh this and oh that”. Well I was the opposite, I had a really great labour. I’d do it all over again tomorrow. 6hrs 13mins, natural, no stitches & no pain relief. I wish I ran into one of those stories in Woolies instead or every other traumatic event I was told about instead.
So I felt great, I was not traumatised by my birth, I was on top of the world…we had visitors left right and centre. I loved sharing the joy of my baby. I was always saying yes to visitors all the time (which I never thought I would be so open too).
I was grocery shopping on day four while Dad stayed at home with our baby. I thought it was nice to give my Partner some bonding time without me around…since the whole pregnancy was all about me. I strongly feel Dads are just as equally important. I felt physically well & mentally well…and come to think of it. Emotionally too, I never got the “baby blues” either. I adjusted to the “Mum lyf”…well in hindsight I did have 9 months to prepare.
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?
Coming from a childcare background (5yrs exp. ) and looking after children I knew what kind of a parent I wanted to be. Obvs it’s always going to be different as I handed all the littlies back to their parents at the end of the day and I only ever had babies from about 5months+ of age so I knew it would be a totally different situation, but working with children and seeing my co-workers of all ages and generations use different strategies and techniques to assist with each child’s wellbeing I get to see first hand what really works and what doesn’t.
I also read a lot of articles around children’s health & wellbeing, I’ve attended many workshops too so I feel confident in what I do and why I do it and how I do it.
What was the transition into parenting like for both you and your partner within your relationship?
“Seamless” my partner says after I read the question aloud. Typical male response. But really it was more than that. There was very little sleep involved (as expected). And some nights still aren’t as good as others. But I guess you need those interrupted sleepless nights to appreciate the all night long sleeps.
There was also a little guilt on my behalf that I was always breastfeeding and my partner was always cooking/cleaning & washing. It wasn’t until I expressed that I was feeling “guilty” that he was doing EVERYTHING, he reminded me that I was giving life to his child, I was feeding and growing the most precious little being ..and that, right there is what every first time Mamma needs to hear from their partner (or anyone) because that put a whole new perspective on how I was feeling. He was right, I was doing the most important job. Nothing else really compares.
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!
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?
You bet I did. I went grocery shopping by myself on day 4 as I mentioned above.( I love grocery shopping) I went and stocked up on all the things I felt like. (I have a very particular eating habits)
I got a massage two weeks PP too and not just like your 15mins head massage…I went for a full hour for a full body. I remember saying to the lady “if my phone lights up/rings/vibrates can you let me know…I have a newborn at home.” I also LOVE showers. So when bubsy slept, I showered. I gave the motto “when baby sleeps,Mum sleeps “ a run for its money. “When baby sleeps…mum showers”. That’s what I did for me. I know right, sounds a little ridiculous but hey I always felt good, fresh & clean.
If you could go back to your gorgeous pregnant self, what loving, nurturing support would you offer her?
Hey you, you’re doing a great job at looking after yourself, keep eating those healthy nutritious foods. It’s paying off, you’re baby is growing happy and healthy. Stop worrying so much.
And if you feel like doing nothing today, then do nothing. Slow down. Put you’re feet up. Have a second cup of tea after the other. Everything else can wait.
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?
