Tales From The Fourth Trimester

In this episode, Madeline and I chat about how intellectualising, people-pleasing and perfectionism showed up for her in postpartum, parenting and her career - and how it's now shaped how she helps other women.Madeline McKenzie is a mental health social worker and business owner at Sit with Self. Her specialty is working with high-achieving millennial women on what she calls the Millennial Trifecta. She's running a free masterclass in August called Breaking the Burnout Cycle: lasting change for grown-up 'good girls' and you can sign up here.

You all know I'm all about support over stuff, but that doesn't mean that there isn't stuff out there that's incredibly useful! In this episode, I talk to Em Stone, founder of Babybee, about her two postpartums and what she discovered was useful (and what absolutely was not). Enjoy the episode!This episode is brought to you by Babybee, Australian-owned and designed prams combining quality, safety and style. Not only does Babybee let you try their prams at home with free returns for nine months, they also offer an industry leading three year warranty for total peace of mind. With thousands of five star reviews, around the clock customer care and up to $200 of free accessories with every pram, what are you waiting for? Go visit www.babybeeonline.com - and use the code BABY20 to 20% off all full priced Babybee prams (cannot be used in conjunction with other offers).

This is part two of my epic chat with Amy Carmody, a yoga teacher, personal trainer, strength coach and pre- and postnatal exercise specialist,In this ep, we talk all about what we can do, as mothers, to help support our mobility, strength and nervous systems in this crazy ride we're on. And how we do it amid the busy-ness of life with kiddos.I love, love, love Amy's platform and have been working out with her for the past year. Check it out: www.amycarmodyyoga.com.au and on insta @amycarmodymovement 

For this episode, I'm joined by the amazing Amy Carmody, a yoga teacher, personal trainer, strength coach and pre- and postnatal exercise specialist, for a conversation about her two postpartums, recovery from her caesarean births and regaining her strength. We couldn't shut up, so you'll from Amy again in two weeks time for a frank pep talk about movement and mothering - frankly I could have done a whole season with her.Amy has changed how I think and feel about movement and I love her focus on function, future-proofing and, yes, fun. Highly recommend checking out her platform at www.amycarmodyyoga.com.au and follow her on Insta @amycarmodymovement

Welcome to a new season! Joining me for this fresh ep is Brooke Maree, a leading babywearing educator and Kangatraining instructor. I found Brooke when I had my first, velcro baby and her knowledge is immense - I hope this gets your babywearing journey off to a great start! You can find her on Instagram here and her really helpful YouTube videos here 

This episode is sponsored by Hydramama, a sugar-free hydration support drink that's designed for pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Chock-a-block with electrolytes, magnesium, methylated folate and vitamins B6 and C, Hydramama helps when you're growing a baby--particularly if you're struggling with nausea or morning sickness--and while breastfeeding, when you need at least an extra fluid a day. Get 20% off your order with the code COCOONBYNAOMI at www.miniandme.coIn this episode - one of my all time faves - I talk to perinatal psychologist Yara Heary of Life After Birth Psychology (https://www.lifeafterbirth.com.au/)I don't even know how to describe this episode: just listen.Find Yara on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterbirthpsychology/

This episode is sponsored by Addison, the chic and practical clothing label for the modern mum. Addison offers pregnancy and breastfeeding-friendly styles that are super cute, and they're giving you free shipping with the code FOURTHTRIMESTER. Having a baby? You need to hear this episode. Dr Eliza Hannam (https://www.drelizahannam.com.au/) is a mother of three, an IBCLC, Possums sleep consultant and GP who shares heaps of excellent advice, tips and wisdom on breastfeeding and baby sleep as well as her own complex feeding journey. 

This episode is brought to you by Babybee, Australian-owned and designed prams combining quality, safety and style. Not only does Babybee let you try their prams at home with free returns for nine months, they also offer an industry leading three year warranty for total peace of mind. With thousands of five star reviews, around the clock customer care and up to $200 of free accessories with every pram, what are you waiting for? Go visit www.babybeeonline.com - and use the code BABY20 to 20% off all full priced Babybee prams (cannot be used in conjunction with other offers).Ninety two per cent of parents report increased disagreements with their partner in their first year of family. Sixty seven per cent are less happy in their relationship. And relationship concerns are a leading cause of anxiety or depression in pregnancy and early parenthood – affecting as many as 1 in 3 mothers and 1 in 5 dads.Enter Elly Taylor, a perinatal relationship expert, author and founder of Becoming Us. She believes that partners can actually grow closer through parenthood, instead of growing apart: they can become a new, bigger, stronger, deeper version of “us”.Parenthood is a turning point for a couple - and she thinks that with some knowledge, skills and support for the common changes and challenges of parenthood you can face them head on and come out stronger. Preparing and supporting parents for the gnarlier parts of parenthood - so they can enjoy the highs even more - is her passion. To find out more about her work and the Becoming Us book and course, head to www.becomingusfamily.com

I'm six weeks postpartum in this episode (from back in 2020) and I'm chatting about what I've been eating, the amazing meal train organised by friends, the role of my midwife and doulas, my physical recovery, breastfeeding, sleep, how my anxiety and mental health has been and lots more.  This episode is sponsored by The Whole Bowl Co, a fabulous meal delivery service in NSW, ACT, VIC and QLD. They make and deliver nourishing meals that not only help mothers replenish those nutrient stores that are under the pump during pregnancy and postpartum, but also take the stress off the whole family. Their recipes and ingredients are nutritionist approved, made using whole foods, and cooked to perfection in small batches. It's a great way to support yourself during postpartum--and makes for a wonderful gift for a new parent, or someone whol just needs a little TLC. Head to www.thewholebowlco.com.au to put in your order!

This episode is sponsored by Hydramama, a sugar-free hydration support drink that's designed for pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Chock-a-block with electrolytes, magnesium, methylated folate and vitamins B6 and C, Hydramama helps when you're growing a baby--particularly if you're struggling with nausea or morning sickness--and while breastfeeding, when you need at least an extra fluid a day. Get 20% off your order with the code COCOONBYNAOMI at www.miniandme.coLily Nichols is an influential prenatal/postpartum dietician and nutritionist who has made a name for herself by diving deep into the research and rethinking evidence-based ideas for eating in pregnancy and beyond. What she's discovered is that much of the advice given to pregnant women and new mums is outdated, not tailored for the needs of motherhood and doesn't help women build healthy babies. But she has some (delicious) solutions. Listen in on our chat and find Lily's work here: https://lilynicholsrdn.com/Instagram: @lilynicholsrdn

Babies cost money - but how much exactly, and whether it will stress you out or you'll sail through, depends on your choices and planning. In this ep, I chat to financial coach Rebecca Pritchard, a mum of two who takes us through what she did and offers advice on where to save and what conversations to have that will help avoid common relationship pitfalls. She's helped me a ton! If you'd like to chat to Rebecca: https://www.rebeccapritchard.com.au/

I'm joined by Lael Stone (https://laelstone.com.au/) on this episode to talk all things Aware Parenting and how it can help us find a happy middle ground between authoritarian and permissive parenting, through holding space, setting loving limits, meeting our own needs, and working through our own baggage. I love Lael!This episode is brought to you by Babybee, Australian-owned and designed prams cominging quality, safety and style. Not only does Babybee let you try their prams at home with free returns for nine months, they also offer an industry-leading 3 year warranty for total peace of mind. With thousands of five star reviews, around the clock customer care and up to $200 of free accessories with every pram, what are you waiting for? Go visit www.babybeeonline.com and check them out for yourself! Use promo code BABY20 for 20% off all full-priced Babybee prams (cannot be used in conjunction with other offers). 

Jessica Chapnik Kahn is a singer-songwriter, author and poet. She's also a mum - and an example of how motherhood and creativity don't need to be mutually exclusive. In fact, her experience shows just how becoming a parent can open up a new layer of inspiration.Madre, the book of poetry that Jessica began during her postpartum (available here) is a raw account of the magic, mystery and unravelling that motherhood brings - it's bloody beautiful.Interested in becoming a postpartum doula? Sign up to Newborn Mothers training - the live round kicks off on February 22 - using my link and I'll give you a free mentoring call to say thank you! 

Many of you will know Leigh Campbell through her popular podcasts (This Glorious Mess Little Kids and You Beauty), via her work for Mamamia and from Instagram. In this epsiode, originally published in 2019, we dive deep into her fertility struggles, perinatal anxiety, breastfeeding challenges, relationship changes and the strange combination of heartbreak and happiness that she found while dealing with a new baby and the terminal illness of her father at the same time. This episode is sponsored by Addison, the chic and practical clothing label for the modern mum. Addison offers pregnancy and breastfeeding-friendly styles that are super cute, and they're giving you free shipping with the code FOURTHTRIMESTER. 

In years gone by, the message has been loud and clear: bedsharing kills babies. But what does the science say? And why are big organisations like Unicef and the UK's Lullaby Trust now promoting safe bedsharing? Can you ever be safe when you sleep with your baby? And if you're part of the 75% of parents who do fall asleep with their babies at some point, exactly how do you reduce the risks? I invited Carly Grubb, creator of The Beyond Sleep Training Project, to break down the research behind bedsharing and why these days many midwives and doctors avoid blanket 'co-sleeping is dangerous' advice and instead teach people the guidelines around safely sharing a sleep surface. Whether or not you think you'll bedshare, the message is clear: know how to do it safely, so you're not caught unawares. 

It took four years for Sophie Gleitzman to fall pregnant. It took only moments at her 19 week scan to realise that her much-wanted baby's life might be at risk. As it turned out, her son Jack (now a happy and healthy primary schooler) needed heart surgery soon after he was born and Sophie's motherhood journey began in the NICU. But while the intensity of life in NICU was often heart-wrenching, Sophie says it gave her a priceless perspective that she believes has changed her approach to parenting - and life. In this episode, Sophie shares her story - why her milk didn't fully come in until 3 weeks postpartum, what it was like to go home and find a way without the NICU regime and the relief of realising they could find their own way -- as well as advice for parents who find themselves in the NICU.

Bernadette Lack is a midwife, personal trainer, mum and pelvic floor expert--she has helped hundreds of women sort out their post-baby pelvic floors with her Core and Floor Restore programs. Here, she shares her own experience with incontinence, pregnancy, home birth, and restoring her pelvic floor health... and gives plenty of tips on how you can too.Side note: when we recorded this ep, I was pregnant and B was newly pregnant (but not publicly sharing that!). She's now a mum of two. Follow her @coreandfloorrestore and find her programs at www.coreandfloor.com.au

To celebrate five years of conversations with postpartum women and experts in the space, I'm bringing you a summer series of the greatest hits of Tales from the Fourth Trimester!And to kick it all off, I'm going right back to the first episode, where I shared my story of becoming a mum for the first time. If you've been around for a while, you've probably seen evidence of my less-than-picture-perfect first postpartum. The first weeks at home with my new baby were very beautiful, extremely brutal and, ultimately, what set me on an entirely new career path. Tune in to hear how my mothering, and business, began. 

What is it like to have you beloved mother pass away before you have children, and ache for her when you do? How do you learn to mother yourself? Tune in to hear Ali Heppell's story. Ali is a circle facilitator, postpartum doula and matrescence educator in the Dandenong Ranges of Victoria. Find her @aliheppell_mothercare

In this ep, we talk about Kristal's postpartums, including D-MER, postpartum depression and anxiety and military wife life, and how she navigated early motherhood. Find Kristal's book and services here: https://mamaswingwoman.com/

It's Perinatal Mental Health Week! In this conversation with Julie Borninkhof, clinical psychologist and CEO of Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia, we talk about my experience with postpartum anxiety, how to protect your mental health, what to do if you find yourself struggling - and how to help family and friends who have had a baby.Julie is the CEO of Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia – or PANDA – anorganisation that supports the mental health of parents and families during pregnancy and in their first year of parenthood.For 40 years, PANDA has worked to break down the barriers faced by expecting and new parents reaching out for help for mental health and wellbeing issues. It provides information, support and advice to parents affected by perinatal mental health and has Australia's only free, national helpline service for women, men and their families affected by perinatal mental health.If you or someone you love needs support:● PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 (9am-7:30pm Monday-Saturday) or panda.org.au● Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) or lifeline.org.au

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, and I hope that the stories shared on this podcast about postpartum after loss help with raising awareness of what that experience can be like. And with this episode, where I'm talking to Rowie Davies, a postpartum doula from NSW's Central Coast, I hope we take things a step further, with ideas, insights and advice on how to support friends, family or people in your community who may go through loss. A massive thank you to Rowie for her open-hearted and generous sharing of her and her son Billy's story and her honest advice. Find Rowie on Instagram @honouringyoubyrowena

Regan Figg sees motherhood not as a place where you lose yourself, but a place of opportunity. As a former exercise physiologist, yoga and meditation teacher, and health and wellness coach, Regan unexpectedly experienced postnatal depression and anxiety after the birth of her first son. Now a mum of three, she mentors mothers to uncover the gold that exists in their motherhood experience, to create balance in blending business and motherhood and to lead pleasure-filled lives.Join us for a juicy convo about why she banished the Good Mother, how she brings pleasure into her kid-filled life and what she thinks about people shouting "more self care" (spoiler alert: it doesn't work). Website: https://reganfigg.comInstagram: @regan_figgBook

In this episode, postpartum doula and infant massage instructor Mazz Napier joins to me to share her story.  We talk about lots, with a focus on learning to get comfortable with the opposing emotions that often coexist in motherhood - for Mazz, the grief for the baby she'd lost and joy for the new baby in her arms. We cover tuning out the external noise, pressures and expectations, particularly around sleep. And Mazz's career shift and what she's so passionate about a well-supported postpartum that fosters personal growth.Find MazzGrab her postpartum journalling guide 

It's not what the books say. It's not what the sleep training industry says, or your cousin or the person in your mothers group. Today we're talking about what we know from research and studies into the brain development of babies and how that interacts and impacts their sleep. I really hope this helps kill some of the noise that exists around sleep that can be really stressful, worrying and filled with a sense of failure (at least that's been my experience when I had a baby who didn't do what the books said she *should* but was in fact very normal). I'm joined by Dr Amber Hart, a mum of three girls, GP, lactation consultant (IBCLC) and director of Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne, a multidisciplinary clinic in Parkville, Victoria. She's also accredited through The Possums Clinic. 

Anna Lahey, mother of four and founder of Vida Glow, joins me to talk about her fourth postpartum - the one that she planned and prepared for meticulously, but which didn't go quite as she expected (to say the least). From a NICU stay and serious health scare to hyperlactation and mastitis, Anna shares what the experience has taught her, and what she knows about motherhood, and herself. 

The baby's out - what next?! A LOT. The first few days after you give birth is a potent cocktail of postpartum hormones, establishing feeding, afterpains and so much more. Things I had no idea about first time around! I'm joined by the wonderful Beth Ryan (@birthwithbeth) to talk about what to expect from your first week or so postpartum, and how to optimise your recovery and bonding in this intensive moment. Find Beth's fabulous birth education course, Power Birth hereFollow Beth on Insta: @birthwithbeth

In this episode, I'm chatting with Leonie Akhidenor about everyone's favourite juicy topic: sex and relationships. Specifically, what happens when you add a baby (or three) into the mix. Leonie is a relationship coach, mum of 2 toddler boys, host and founder of the Parenthood Podcast, a podcast about parents for parents. Parents call in with confessions of what is keeping them up at night and Leonie explores these topics and provides unsolicited advice. The podcast explores all topics from sexless marriages, to surviving affairs and overcoming the daily resentment that can build in relationships. Leonie is also a property developer, part-time model and is well versed in juggling it all. Find Leonie: Follow the parenthood podcast on Insta @parenthoodpod All other channels via https://linktr.ee/parenthoodpodcast

I have so much respect for Rachael Rose - mother, women's circle facilitator and educator - and I loved hearing her reflections on what postpartum changed for her, from how she saw herself in the world to how it changed how she works.  NAOMI will get you $150 off her women's circle facilitator courseYou can find her on Instagram @the_rachael_roseAaaaaand you can find my new postpartum cookbook here for the special launch price of $29!

Join me and Dani Potter for a chat about her two different postpartum periods, filled with unexpected challenges. Dani works with families on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Find her:www.beyondbabydoula.co / @beyondbabydoulaRegister for my free Cooking Hacks for Doulas class on July 21.Download my free sweet potato, cannellini bean and mozzarella bake recipe here

Returning to paid work after having a baby is a big moment of transition. And it's not just about the work: it's about daycare, the mental load, the identity shift, the division of household labour, illnesses and heaps more. It's BIG. In this episode, I'm joined by career counsellor and coach Lily Eid to talk about the common issues she sees, what she went through herself, and her top tips for returning to work after parental leave.I have an info-packed class on returning to work for just $22 if you'd like further support and ideas (lots on settling into daycare and dealing with relationship shifts)Find Lily:Launch Mama on InstagramBook a 60-minute Career Consultation with Lily here  Launch Mama Podcast – Apple Podcast & SpotifyContact Lily directly to learn more about her service offering via lily.eid@theprofessionaledit.comFollow The Professional Edit on Instagram & LinkedIn

Buy Life After Birth, Jess & Vaughne's new book hereFind Jess on Instagram here @jessica_prescott_

This is an episode I was busting to record, because I do not want a repeat of winter 2022 when we all got sick constantly - I was very keen to learn what I could do to help support my kids' immune systems. Listen in as Claire and I discussthe importance of gut health to immunity, key nutrients to use for immune boosting and ones you can use when kids get sick; tips for ear aches, bronchitis, etc, herbs for kids and how to get supps into kiddos!Find Claire:claireluckman.com.au/Insta – claireluckman_naturopathFB – Claire Luckman NaturopathKid's Health Consults – online via video call or face to face in either my Leichhardt orColedale clinic.Claire is a degree-qualified Naturopath and Nutritonist and a mum of 2 little people.She has been in private practice for 6 years and working in the industry for over 10years. She has a special interest in women & children's health and loves supporting women in the pregnancy & postpartum season. She has been mentored for over 10 years with one of Sydney's best fertility & women's health Naturopaths, and is busy working one-on-one with clients in both her Leichhardt & Coledale clinics. She moved to the Illawarra from the inner west over 3 years ago now and loves life on the coast!

Becoming a postpartum doula is exciting, daunting, wonderful and overwhelming, and in this conversation with preconception, pregnancy and postpartum doula Sami Stewart (https://www.theholddoulaco.com/) we talk about the highs, lows and lessons. Tune in to hear us talking about finding a new calling, the ins and outs of getting a business up and running, imposter syndrome and finding confidence, building relationships with other doulas (and being mentored by me), finding clients and the parallels between birthing a baby and birthing a business. This episode is sponsored by Newborn Mothers, the postpartum professional training that both Sami and I did. If you're interested in doing the course, I offer a free 30 minute mentoring call if you use my affiliate link to do so! Here's my link, and please get in touch if you have any questions. 

In this episode, it's just me! I had a lot of questions from people about how I weaned my two year old, and this episode hopefully answers those. I also share what I wish I'd done before I started the weaning process, because I really should have prepared more! 

Madeline MacKinnon is a passionate nutritionist with ten years of experience helping women to recover from debilitating hormone imbalances.  She is known for her popular hormone-balancing cooking classes she teaches live across Canada and has a new cookbook out: The Hormone Type Cookbook- Nourishing Recipes To Balance The7 Different Hormone TypesIn this episode, we talk about how your hormones shift in postpartum, key nutrients to include in the diet postpartum that most women do not get enough of, how to look out for postpartum thyroiditis, and how to eat to support postpartum hormone health. Find Madeline:www.naturalhormonehealing.com@naturalhormonehealing

Have you found it hard to finish sentences since falling pregnant? Left keys in the door? Phone on the car roof? I know I have! There's so much negative press around the brain changes that happen in women and birthing people (deeply rooted in sexism and misogynism!), but the work that Dr. Bridget Callaghan and her colleagues are doing is showing that we're not getting stupider - we're actually seriously up-levelling. If you're worried about the fuzzy  brain, this one's for you. Dr. Bridget Callaghan is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she directs The Brain & Body Lab. Together with her students, she studies interactions between mental and physical health across development, and how early life experiences of adversity influence development. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology, her Masters in Clinical Psychology, and her Ph.D. at the University of New South Wales, in Australia. She has worked clinically in the field of developmental psychology, and completed her postdoctoral training at Columbia University in New York in 2019. Dr. Callaghan's research has been generously funded through the National Institutes of Mental Health, Brain Behavior Research Foundation, and National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.Lab webpage: https://brainandbodylab.psych.ucla.edu/Twitter: @Dr_BCallaghanLab Instagram: @bablab_UCLAOnline study for first time pregnant mums going on now: https://research.sc/participant/login/dynamic/63060D73-0478-4EB1-AAE7-BEC43C066940

Welcome back! I'm kicking off season five of the podcast with a conversation with Nathalie, who shares the details of her two very different postpartum experiences.NOTES:Lily Nichols episodeKinesiologist Erin Dubé

HOOO boy, there is too much about baby sleep I wish I'd known, but in this episode I share two key principles that would have made a massive difference to the failure, angst and frustration I felt around by first baby's sleep.My Cocoon Cookie Mix is available to pre-order for a limited time - grab your bag here

Join Cook + Cocoon - my new postpartum prep and fourth trimester cooking course - and get $50 off  if you sign on by Sunday Nov 6 with the code EARLYBIRD!I feel a bit vulnerable putting this episode out there but here goes! The highs and the lows, the nasty and pleasant surprises... and a few things I wish I'd done differently. 

Just a few things I really wish I'd known about the mental load before having a baby, and how I got through it. I mention this book, which is great.

Welcome to a new, special season of the podcast! I'll be serving up mini solo episodes about all the things I wish I'd known more about before I had my first baby. This one is about breastfeeding - I mean, there was SO much I didn't know and if I had my postpartum would have been easier. Of course, I can't cover everything, but I hope that by sharing some of the things I've learned about vital postpartum areas will be useful. And if you're pregnant and want to be really well prepared for postpartum (and I really hope you do!) I have an online course coming out on November 2. Stay tuned!

This is the final episode in season three! Thanks so much for listening. If you've gotten something out of these eps, please consider sharing with a friend or leaving a review, or both!In this episode, I talk to perinatal psychologist Yara Heary of Life After Birth Psychology (https://www.lifeafterbirth.com.au/)I don't even know how to describe this episode: just listen.Find Yara on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterbirthpsychology/

I hope you enjoy this conversation with birth worker, postpartum doula, community builder and woman of many talents, Rose Ricketson. We talk about her second postpartum, her first child's big feelings, tandem feeding, feeding other people's babies, creating community and  having (or attempting!) a nourishing postpartum with a toddler in tow.Find Rose here: https://www.rosierick.com/Listen to Rose's first episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/tales-from-the-fourth-trimester/id1460569533?i=1000504246514

Nat Rolland is a content creator and small business owner who has embraced doing things her way in mothering. With a FIFO partner, Nat shares how she makes it work with her 5 month old - settling into motherhood while growing her business - and the strength she's found in going through infertility, IVF and more. Follow Nat: @natsiniskyFind Altered Sense: https://alteredsense.com/

Anna Cusack is an exercise physiologist and postpartum doula who loves to bust motherhood myths that abound in modern culture. In this episode, we talk about her own postpartum experience, the realities of baby sleep, her breastfeeding journey, trusting her intuition, returning to work, building community and finding her own damn way in this wild ride that is mothering. 

Whether you're pregnant or postpartum, you need to listen to this episode: hear perinatal physiotherapist and mum of three Kath Baquie (https://www.fitnestmama.com/) share her tips, wisdom and hard-earned lessons. From how to prepare your pelvic floor for birth to what you need to know about recovery and returning to exercise, this chat is a must listen.This episode is brought to you by Omm Label, a sustainable and stylish breastfeeding clothing label. Ethically made from 100% certified organic cotton, the brand was created by a mum who struggled to find clothes that worked for both breastfeeding and her personal style. Designed to empower women to feed anytime and anywhere with confidence, this is fashion that's feeding-friendly and fun - and it's great quality, too. 

In this episode I'm joined by Alice Godfree to talk about how her postpartum pushed her career into a new direction - find her here: https://www.villageforme.com/---------This episode is sponsored by Newborn Mothers. Newborn Mothers provides online courses for postpartum professionals and mothers worldwide who believe birth is about making mums too. The Collective course is what I did to become qualified as a postpartum doula, and I loved it. And as you'll hear in this episode, my guest also made a career change after doing the same program! The evidence-based course, run by Julia Jones, dives into how to care for mothers with guidance on everything from nutrition to listening with a non-judgemental ear, setting up a business and settling a baby. And when you finish the course you gain access to the graduates group of postpartum professionals who are such a supportive bunch of people and a great sounding board - I call them my brains trust! There's also ongoing education and classes, and I loved it so much I recommend the course to everyone who asks me! Julia has kindly offered a bonus for anyone who signs up using the code COCOON - you'll receive the Professional Mindset and Money Blocks class. Let me tell you, becoming a postpartum professional isn't just about learning the techniques, so much of it is about getting your head around this new role, how to charge and how to have boundaries… so this class is gold. Just use the code COCOON when you sign up, and you'll get that free.So, if you believe that when a baby is born, so too is a mother - and you want to support that mother - you should check out Newborn Mothers at www.newbornmothers.com. 

Leah Williams is a content creator and mother of three, and on this episode, she shares her three different postpartums and, after going through endometriosis, IVF, birth trauma and having a surprise home birth during Covid, how she's found her own way of mothering with confidence.Find Leah on Instagram: @leahwwilliams_ This episode is brought to you by Omm Label, a sustainable and stylish breastfeeding clothing label. Ethically made from 100% certified organic cotton, the brand was created by a mum who struggled to find clothes that worked for both breastfeeding and her personal style. Designed to empower women to feed anytime and anywhere with confidence, this is fashion that's feeding-friendly and fun - and it's great quality, too. If you'd like to try Omm Label for yourself, they're giving away a $100 voucher - all you need to do is look out for the giveaway post on my Instagram page, @cocoonbynaomi, for all the details.

Having a baby? You need to hear this episode. Dr Eliza Hannam (https://www.drelizahannam.com.au/) is a mother of three, an IBCLC, Possums sleep consultant and GP who shares heaps of excellent advice, tips and wisdom on breastfeeding and baby sleep as well as her own complex feeding journey. 

Jodi Wilson is a mother, a writer, a yoga teacher and an all-round wise woman. I look up to her immensely as someone who is a few steps ahead of me in the motherhood game and is living life with intention, purpose and clarity. Yep, I'm a fully fledged fan girl! In this episode, we chat about her new book, how on earth she managed to pack up her life and go travelling in a caravan with her brood and how to live more simply when life with kids often feels anything but.I hope you enjoy the ep!Follow Jodi @practisingsimplicitywww.practisingsimplicity.com