Have you ever taken the time to examine your messaging and belief systems? It's an extremely important step for us to all take in our lives to help us understand ourselves better and what makes us tick. There's no better time to get started than when you become a mum or are pregnant.

After all, the belief systems that you take on board about pregnancy, birth, motherhood, who you are as a person, your ability to cope with various situations, feels like a lot to try and overcome in a 9 month period.

You won't want to miss the wealth of information and insights shared by this week's guest Ria Oliver from the Maternal Wellbeing Foundation, who is an emotional health coach. Ria is passionate about helping mums thrive rather than survive in motherhood. You'll hear Ria talk about ways to enjoy your motherhood journey without anxiety, overwhelm or fear holding you back.

You'll hear Ria talk about:-

• Understanding and identifying the different types of anxiety that you are experiencing.
• Understanding your natural thinking style and how it can work against you.
• How being emotionally in control helps you to deal with change positively and confidently.

And much more!

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

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Feelings and emotions such as anxiety, stress, overwhelm or burnout are no stranger to many of the mums I speak with and indeed, many an episode of First Time Mum's Chat has provided tips and strategies to manage them.

This week's guest Naomi Buffery, is a certified emotional health coach, mum and postnatal depression and anxiety survivor and I really like her approach to these topics. She's very much into helping people identify and deal with the underlying associated subconscious thoughts that trigger their responses and reactions.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

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"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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In this week's episode of First Time Mum's Chat, I'm doing something a little different!

In a recent podcast episode I spoke with eco-home chartered architect, Jane Leach. Before our interview, the topic of baby massage came up, since this is what I do and Jane explained that this was an important part of her daily routine when she was raising her son.

I thought it would be an excellent opportunity for you to hear from a mom, who practiced baby massage techniques from a very early age, talk about her experiences and how it helped her little one sleep better.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

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"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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Many of the mums I speak with find the planning and hassle, each time they want to take their toddler out stressful and off putting. Their little one's often unpredictable behavior leaves many mums fearful they won't enjoy their outings.

It doesn't have to be this way. Going out with young kids doesn’t need to be chaotic, stressful, upsetting, or disappointing. As parents, you deserve to enjoy time with your children and the company of other families, just as much as your kids need that stimulation for proper growth and development.

If getting out the door with your toddler frustrates you then you'll want to listen to the many pearls of wisdom this week's guest Sharon Systad has shared. Sharon is a mom of two, an elementary school teacher and parent coach. Whether you need to pick up groceries, or hope to participate in a playdate at the park, you can anticipate a smooth activity if you begin implementing some of Sharon's suggestions.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

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"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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When it comes to planning for childbirth, many of the moms that contact me are well organised when it comes to their medical needs. However, what I've noticed is that often a lot of simple planning gets missed, resulting in stress, worry and overwhelm once baby has arrived.

This week's guest, Amanda Gorman is a mother of two and is a certified birthing from within childbirth educator. Amanda is passionate about helping moms prepare for childbirth and postpartum and offers loads of resources to help ease the load.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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Often when I'm speaking with moms the subject of their home comes up with frustrations often vented about why certain aspects of their home space simply don't work for them!

This isn't something I've given much thought or consideration to over the years, until I recently spoke with Jane Leach, who is an eco-home chartered architect. I learnt a lot during our chat about why moms so often experience these problems.

Since most architects and builders are male, women often feel ignored during the home design process. This is even more of an issue for moms who need a home that will help ease the daily battles getting everyone washed, dressed, breakfasted and out of the house.

Jane has created a way to help families design a vision for their home so they get a home that supports them in living their version of their best lives. She knows all about helping her clients begin their days without feeling frazzled, often by making simple changes to their homes.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

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"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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When it comes to the topic of pregnancy and childbirth, our society has a lot of preconceived ideas as to what is considered acceptable and what isn't.

I always enjoy talking with women on First Time Mum's Chat who put society's general expectations to the test and this week's guest is no exception. When it comes to childbirth, mother of 9 Angie Taylor has done it all!

As you'll hear from her during our interview she refers to herself as a Fairy GodMentor which was suggested by her clients. She is a midwife, birth insider, an international board certified lactation consultant, a birth doula, life coach and more!

Angie's aim is to be there for families and help them navigate their way through all birthing options to create the best experience for their unique situation.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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A lot of the moms I talk with often ask me about ways they can improve their posture since they're often put to the test particularly whilst pregnant.

I know from experience that my posture is far from ideal and there is much I could do to improve it. In my opinion, one of the mistakes that many moms make is looking to attain a perfect posture!

This week's guest, Courtney McManus who is a personal trainer, has what I feel is a more realistic, practical approach and encourages moms to find different ways to move through postures so they are truly mobile and able to move.

You'll hear Courtney share easy to follow tips including:-

• Ways to improve your posture and feel more comfortable whilst bottle feeding or breastfeeding your baby.
• The benefits of 360 breathing and how to get started.
• How to exercise your feet to improve your balance and reduce aches and pains.

And much more.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast.

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With the many stressors in our lives, it is hardly surprising that many of us find comfort in food and struggle with emotional eating.

I feel that the media has a lot to answer for with the typical images of women they portray. Any time I glance over at a magazine whilst shopping, they're full of images of beautiful and gorgeous women! Many of the women I speak with suffer because they feel they don't measure up!

As a new mum, this can be highly challenging as you adapt to life with your baby and the changes to your body during and after your pregnancy.

I am delighted to be speaking with Jillian Lama in this week's episode. Jillian is a certified life and weight loss coach and she teaches women how to end emotional eating and lose excess weight eating foods they love.

And much more.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast.

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Being sleep deprived isn't fun, is it! Let's face it, if your little is not sleeping then neither are you.

This will take a huge toll on you and your family, particularly when it is an ongoing issue. This week's guest, Kim Davis, knows all about being sleep deprived after being unable to get her son to sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time for naps or sleep overnight.

And Kim went through this for more than two and a half years and finally reached the point where she needed answers and to find a better way. This led Kim into her career as a pediatric sleep consultant.

Kim shares loads of tips and insights in this episode and I learnt lots from her. You'll hear Kim and I talk about topics including the following:-

• Why you need to be consistent and respond the same way every time to avoid confusing your little one.
• How to avoid overstimulation when it is approaching their bedtime so they know it's their calming time.
• Why an early bedtime is beneficial and doesn't mean your little one will wake up earlier!

And much more.

So go ahead, my dear mum. Click to listen and get started.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love Helen and First Time Mum's Chat." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- for a smooth journey into the exciting world of parenthood. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast.

Subscribe now!