For All Mum Kind

Packing your hospital bag can be a very daunting task for any new mum. Will my bag be big enough for everything? What if I don’t have all the essentials that I am going to need? What if my partner can’t find the right outfit for the birth? And when will I get the time to buy and pack all of this?

Mother of three Siobhán Stack faced all of these questions and while on her second pregnancy as she trudged back from the chemist with two plastic bags full of “those green pads” in arms she decided to do something about it. And that was the genesis of her company Ulluv which designs bespoke pre-packed hospital bags to make mum’s lives easier. Siobhán’s bags are not only practical they are also beautiful and she has since added a range of nappy bags and overnight bags to the range.

So naturally with the hospital bag expert on the show I had to ask her what are the essentials that must be in every bag? The simplicity of her answer may surprise some of you, especially as some of the lists you see on Pinterest and the like can be the length of your arm!

With three kids all very close in age and setting up a new business Siobhán admits she found the early days of motherhood all a bit of a fog. Especially as she found herself in a different county away from all the usual support networks. But with a little preparation (Ulluv is the Irish word for prepare after all) she has learned ways to turn her frenetic household into a somewhat efficient one.

Raising three children comes with different challenges, especially as each child comes with their own personalities. Siobhán tells me how she communicates differently with each of her children. But at the end of the day all that they really need is you and your presence.

It was truly fascinating meeting Siobhán and listening to how she has grown as a mother and business woman over the last few years and she shares some tips that may help anyone listening who has their own business idea burning away in the back of their mind.

To check out Siobhán’s current range of bags either for yourself or as a gift please head to her website:

https://ulluv.com

Thank you to everyone who is listening and if you would like to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/forallmumkind/

If you are enjoying the series please share it with your friends, especially those who are expecting. And if you have the time please rate and review me on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. Thanks!

Pamela x

Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz

Aoife Hearne is a well known face from our TV screens as the resident dietician on RTÉ’s annual must-watch-show Operation Transformation. In her daily life she is a registered dietician, author of The Plan and mother of three to Dylan, Alva & baby Zoë.

Aoife took the time out of her hectic schedule to sit down with me and chat about her own challenges throughout pregnancy and juggling a career and three kids. As well as sharing her tips for new mums looking to keep a balanced diet and the importance of breastfeeding, of which she is a huge advocate.

Aoife was an only child but was always drawn towards larger families, so it was of no surprise that she would have more than one child. Although she didn’t have it completely easy. After ending up “walking like an old woman” on her first pregnancy Aoife was diagnosed with SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) putting her usually active lifestyle on pause. In fact she is only just getting back to running now.

After her second child went for months with undiagnosed tongue tie Aoife’s whole body crashed. She suspected herself to have PND but in fact she was suffering from an autoimmune disease. With her thyroid levels now needing to be managed by medication Aoife struggled to find the support she needed to continue her breastfeeding journey with most physicians simply telling her to stop. As a dietician who knows the importance of breastfeeding this was not an option for her and we discuss what can be done by the HSE to better support women who want to breastfeed and not let such simply corrected things as tongue tie rob new mums of this experience.

Aoife not only believes in a balanced diet, she also believes in a balanced life. She too often sees the constant “pursuit of perfection” as a path to failure. And we talk about how she learnt in her own life to let things slide and to juggle whatever motherhood sends your way.

And of course Aoife shares some simple tips on how mums can try to stay healthy through those first hectic weeks after childbirth. I promise you will never look at a pizza cutter the same way again!

Aoife is as delightful and charming as she is in on Operation Transformation and it was an absolute pleasure meeting her. And just like on the TV show we even share a few tears. To read more about Aoife’s workshops and programmes, or to order her book The Plan please visit her website or follow her over on Twitter.

http://www.aoifehearne.ie

https://twitter.com/deisedietitian

Thank you to everyone who is listening and if you would like to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/forallmumkind/

I have received more feedback this week on the show that really makes it all worthwhile and even got to meet some of you at the Dingle Food Festival. If you are enjoying the series please share it with your friends, especially those who are expecting. And if you have the time please rate and review me on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. Thanks!

Pamela x

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2

Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz

Deirdre Kingston is a communications officer at a health charity, a Labour Party councillor and one of my oldest, dearest friends. In fact she was actually a bridesmaid at my wedding. She is a mum to a beautiful boy Abe and is expecting her second child in January and I couldn't be happier for her.

What makes me less happy however - well, not at all happy actually - was seeing Deirdre appear in the papers this summer when she announced that she would not be going ahead as a Labour Party candidate for the next general election, a career that she has been working towards for many years, as she did not feel that she was supported as mother or as a women by the current political system.

In this episode I talk to Deirdre about why she felt she had to make that choice. How the system and the constitution is failing women looking to get into politics and how it is inevitable that the Dáil will always be weighted towards men.

We also discuss how a few simple tweaks to the health system could help thousands of women to successfully and confidently breastfeed. And also about the pressures put on new parents both emotionally and financially to get access to adequate childcare. An area we are falling way behind on compared to our European neighbours.

And of course I chat to Dee about how she has changed since becoming a mother. The intensity, the joy and the fears of those first few months and what learnings she will take from her first pregnancy into this new one.

It was fantastic as always to catch up with Dee and see her in all her stunning bump glory and I can’t wait to meet the little person that is growing inside of her in the new year. If you want to read more about what Deirdre does with the Labour Party you can visit her website or she she can be contacted through her Twitter, details of which are below:

https://www.labour.ie/deirdrekingston

https://twitter.com/deirdrekingston

Thanks as always for listening and if you would like to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/forallmumkind/

I received some lovely messages this week about the podcast and I thank everyone who takes the time to message me - it really does make a difference. If you are enjoying the series so far please take the time to rate and review me on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners and new mums to find me. Thanks!

Pamela x

Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz

Oh. My God! This week I am joined by author, journalist and mother of three Sarah Breen. Sarah is one half of the creative team behind the award winning ‘Aisling’ series of novels. As a former country girl in the city myself, I have laughed and cried my way through both Aisling books so far and can’t wait to see her adventures in book number three: Once, Twice, Three Time an Aisling. And I equally couldn’t wait to hear Sarah’s take on motherhood, and she didn’t disappoint.

Sarah’s first child was born in Arizona and Sarah elected to forgo the American hospital system and chose a natural birth centre called the Baby Moon Inn. And it was fascinating to hear how it compared to Sarah’s Irish labours. Especially in regards to the amount of post birth support she was given.

Sarah was determined to breastfeed and despite facing early issues (a front and back tongue tie) she persevered and fed her first child up to her third birthday.

With three babies and books under her belt I wondered how Sarah found a balance in her life and she fully admits that at the minute her life is very unbalanced and she often finds herself up to 2am in the morning “typing away like a vampire.” Although there’s nothing a good long shower can’t fix - something we both agree on.

And of course we talk about her other creation: Aisling and what she would be like as a mother. Although Sarah was keeping tight lipped about what lies in the future for Aisling in both book form and screen, I think we would all agree that Aisling would enjoy organising all the baby clothes!

Sarah is super busy at the moment and I was so grateful she agreed to chat with me right in the middle of her hectic press schedule. The latest Aisling book along with the previous books 'Oh My God What a Complete Aisling' and 'The Importance of Being Aisling' are available from all book shops. And you can follow Sarah on her Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahjaybee/

Thanks as always for listening and if you would like to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/forallmumkind/

If you are enjoying the series so far please take the time to rate and review me on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners and new mums to find me. Thanks!

Pamela x

Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz

Amy De Bhrún is an actress, writer and voice over artist who has appeared on stage and screen. But she is now taking on her biggest role yet: Motherhood. There are no auditions, there is no rehearsals and more than likely things will not stick to the script.

Amy joined me in studio with her beautiful baby girl Billie who, at just two months old was the perfect (and possibly cutest) guest.

Amy is just finding her feet as a mother, although she has had plenty of practice as one of five sisters who all have children. But she still wasn’t prepared for that overwhelming feeling when it came time to take Billie home from the hospital.

Amy found the early stages of pregnancy to be a tough slog. Hit by bouts of morning sickness - or all day sickness - and having to continue to work and audition right up to the final few weeks certainly took its toll.

She didn’t have it easy when it came to her labour either. A virus meant that Billie was born by emergency caesarian. Trusting herself in the hands of the professionals Amy was faced with some tough decisions in those first few hours regarding feeding and the wellness of her child.

Yoga has always been a big feature of Amy’s self care regime and it has helped her both pre and post birth to find the calm in the day as well as to become a better actress.

Her self penned play I See You celebrates the life of Lady Mary Heath, a forgotten female pioneer of the aviation industry. She was performing the play while pregnant with Billie and she hopes that some of the words of empowerment resonated with her unborn daughter as much as they did with her. And we muse on how life will be for our daughters as they grow up in modern Ireland.

Thank you to Amy for taking the time to meet with me, and for bringing Billie so I could get some baby cuddles. If you would like to see some of Amy’s repertoire please head to her website:

https://www.amydebhrun.net

Or check out her stunning Instagram feed:

https://www.instagram.com/amydebhrun/

Thanks as always for listening and if you would like to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram and thanks as always for listening.

Pamela x

Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz

Ollwyn Moran is the face and brains behind Irish baby brand CogniKids. A company that is dedicated to supporting child & baby development through its range of innovative products. As a former teacher and now neurological development therapist Ollwyn is passionate about healthy brain and body development in children and her enthusiasm and knowledge is packed into her products: Dip, Grip, Sip, Crawl & Sooth. Not only is Ollwyn a superb inventor and entrepreneur, she is also a great speaker and activist on all things baby development and she made for a fascinating and entertaining guest.

When both of her boys were born prematurely Ollwyn knew that they were at higher risk for having developmental issues in their future. And spotting that our home lifestyles and furnishings (carpets were out and wood floors and tiles were in) she saw the need for a product that could help kids to crawl, and that is how CogniKids was born.

For Ollwyn crawling is one of the key touchstones in early brain stimulation and advancement. She is passionate that not only should kids crawl but they should do so properly to ensure both sides of the brain are being used. Too often she see parents unwittingly relying on walkers and door bouncers that she sees as detrimental to child development, so much so that they are banned in other countries and we discuss why that is so.

Screens are also another bugbear of Ollwyn’s. We talk about how babies brains are not able to cope with all the flashing images that gadgets such as iPads and phones bombard the eyes with. And although you think you may be soothing your baby, actually you are just “zombifying” them and wiring them for addiction problems in later life. Ollwyn is so passionate about this she even took Dundrum shopping centre to task for the use of screens throughout their premises.

We also discuss Ollwyn’s family life and how she as a single mother chose to raise her two boys in a very open household where no subject was off the table. As long as they have done their chores first that is! And we talk about how Ollwyn is able, or is not able, to juggle her business and children to find a work/life balance, or integration as she calls it.

I honestly could have talked to Ollwyn for hours. Her insightfulness and knowledge about how the brain works and needs to be exercised in the right ways is just fascinating. And I was so glad that I found her Instagram stories when Alice was only just born. They were a fantastic source of knowledge from do’s and don’ts to sensory DIY tips using everyday household items and I encourage you all to check them out here:

https://www.instagram.com/ollwynmoran/?hl=en

And check out Ollwyn's range of products on the CogniKids website here:

https://cognikids.com/

Thanks as always for listening and if you would like to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram and thanks as always for listening.

Pamela x

Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz

TV Chef and author Sophie Morris is a new mum who’s not afraid to tell it how it is when it comes to motherhood. As a nutrition coach who specialises in baby & child nutrition she knows the importance of giving your child the best start in their food journey. But it was Sophies’ difficult start to her motherhood journey that first bought her to my attention.

Sophie was a young and healthy women and after seeing her friends around her having babies she naturally thought that once she started trying herself she would soon have an adorable baby in her arms. But after a year of counting and measuring her cycles Sophie and her partner were still no closer. She felt alone and at her wits end. But once she opened up to her close friends she soon realised that nearly all had a similar story of how difficult they found it to get pregnant. Sophie couldn’t believe the secrecy that existed around fertility and vowed to not be another quiet voice.

Eventually Sophie fell pregnant and she now has a beautiful baby boy Wrio. Despite feeling terrible anxiety through her pregnancy about the precious cargo she was carrying, when it came time for her body to enter the birthing stage, although quicker than she had anticipated, she was overwhelmed by the instinctive strength of the female body.

Although nothing could prepare Sophie for the equally huge challenge of the first few months of sleep deprivation that left her exhausted, disoriented and her tank empty. Sophies’ honesty about the difficulties she faced during this period is as refreshing as it is brutal.

Obviously food plays a massive part in Sophie’s life and she has thrown herself feet first at introducing Wrio to the wonderful world of food. Many of her recipes and guides can be found in her Instagram Stories:

https://www.instagram.com/sophie_morris/

They are well worth checking out and you can visit her website here:

https://www.sophiesnutrition.com

Thanks as always for listening and if you would like to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram and thanks as always for listening.

Pamela x

Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz

With most kids returning to school this week, we as parents are often worried about how they will cope in their new environments. Will they make new friends easily? Do they have the mental toughness to take any criticism? Are they spending too much time looking at screens and how is that affecting them?

Fiona Forman is a leading expert in childhood wellbeing. She has over 30 years experience as a primary school teacher, a masters in Positive Psychology and is the co-creator of the Weaving Wellbeing Programme and in this podcast we discuss some of the key components as to how this programme works to build positive mental attachments in the children she works with.

Wellbeing has become a buzzword over the past few years. And while we are often concerned about our own mental health, are we paying enough attention to our children’s mental coping skills? With so many new pressures on our children from social media, technology and simply genetics it is so important to be acutely aware of the role that we play as the main adult in their lives. Fiona believes that even in today’s busy lifestyles that every “micro-moment” we spend with our kids can be spent being a positive role model.

Anxiety and mental health issues are on the rise in Irish children and Fiona tells me how to identify and label these emotions to normalise them and in turn build up coping mechanism that your child can take on in later life. We also talk about the ‘Self Esteem Movement” and how sometimes despite our own intuition, constant praise and can actually be detrimental to their development as they fail to build up the necessary resilience to cope with what the world will throw their way later in life .

I found Fiona to be a fascinating guest and her advice and knowledge will definitely influence my own parenting style as Alice gets older. To read more on the Weaving Wellbeing Programme please check out the website here:

http://weavingwellbeing.com

If you want to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram and thanks as always for listening.

Pamela x

Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/for-all-mum-kind/id1456045096?mt=2

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5q5ErY3McbYLuzC2qGfxVz

Today’s episode with designer Emma Manley is a special one as not only is it the launch of Series 2 of the For All Mum Kind Podcast, it also marks one year since I myself became a mum. If you had told me a year ago that not only would I have a gorgeous, thriving baby girl but that I would be starting the second series of my own podcast, I would have told you that you have the wrong Pamela. But what a year it has been and I have enjoyed every - well nearly every - minute of motherhood and being able to share those experiences with you and the other mums that I have interviewed. And what better way to end a weekend of celebrating my little girl than with launching a brand new series….

In this launch episode I am joined for the first time by not one but two guests, the delightful fashion designer and entrepreneur Emma Manley and also her 5 month old son Tadhg. Both were charming guests and occasionally as chatty as each other!

As Emma is a fashion designer of course pregnancy chic was top of the agenda. Emma very much believes in sustainable fashion and being able to keep your own style throughout pregnancy and beyond and despite a few early mishaps - tight leather skirts are a definite early pregnancy no no - watch this space for some new Manley pieces inspired by her journey so far.

Being self employed returning to work as early as possible was a necessity for Emma. And despite the obvious wrench of being away from your child, Emma found the process of returning to her creative space to be rewarding as well as challenging.

Despite an uneventful pregnancy Emma’s birth story was anything but. When her waters broke five weeks early her well thought out birth plan was cast aside as she put herself in the hands of the medical service. As a first time mum she talks about the naivety we all share on our first birth and how she is now a firm believer in the epidural.

I want to thank Emma and Tadhg for taking the time to come talk to me. If you would like to see Emma’s designs please go to her website:

https://www.manley.ie

Or look out for one of her Irish designer pop-up stores "Bloss"

https://www.manley.ie

If you want to keep the discussion going please follow me on Instagram and as always thanks for listening.

Pamela x

I am delighted to let you all know that after a short summer break, the For All Mum Kind Podcast will return for its second series on August 25th to mark 1 year since I myself became a mum.

Join me, Pamela, over the next few weeks as I chat to new group of amazing Irish mums about their experiences of becoming mothers.

Each Sunday I’ll be joined by mums from all walks of life, from the fashion industry, media, the world of fitness, as well as baby experts giving their tips and honest accounts of what it’s really like to be a mum.

In the meantime head over to my Instagram account, ForAllMumKind, where I am currently running a competition to win a mum & baby hamper to celebrate the launch of the second season and to thank you all for your support.

Make sure you are subscribed to the For All Mum Kind feed on your podcast provider of choice so you’ll receive every episode automatically every week.

As always thanks for listening and for all your lovely reviews and comments. And I’ll see you next week for the first episode of Season 2 with Irish designer Emma Manley.

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COMPETITION DETAILS

I have collaborated with some of my favourite brands and products to bring you a competition! To win these five mum and baby products:

@Bellababystores Clouds 3 in 1 Travel Cot

@Elvie Pelvic Floor Trainer

@my_expertmidwifeireland Mum and Baby Hamper

@gillbooks @Lucywolfesleep The Baby Sleep Solution & Aileen Cox Blundell The @Babyledfeeding Cookbook and The Baby Friendly Family Cookbook

@Drbronner Baby Mild Range Hamper @presencepr ...................................................

Entering is easy…

1. Like the Series 2 announcement post on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1UPi1XHwv0/

2. Make sure you are following @forallmumkind and @Bellababystores

3. Tag a friend who you think would love this prize and you can enter as many times as you like. One comment equals one entry.

The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday 25th August 2019. ROI Entries Only. T & C's Apply. Thank you to all the brands for their support.