Growing Up Raising Us

In this episode, I'm joined by Aviv (she/her), a new parent who, alongside her partner Harry, recently welcomed their baby boy, Eden, into the world. Aviv shares her unique journey through childbirth, feeding challenges, and the profound changes she's experienced in her relationships and self-identity as a mother.

Aviv takes us back to her unexpected quick labour, where she had initially invited friends over to play board games, expecting to have a quintessential first labour, only to find herself progressing rapidly and needing privacy. With her doula's support, she had a transformative unmedicated and undisturbed birth.

The feeding challenges that followed presented a whole new set of obstacles for Aviv and her partner. Nurses recommended triple feeding for little Eden, who was a small baby. Her and Harry found the routine of triple feeding to be exhausting and challenging, and combined the frequent vomiting that Eden began to experience, decided it ultimately didn't resonate with them. She shares the inner struggle of going against professional advice, but ultimately doing what felt right for her and her baby's well-being.

Amidst the physical and emotional adjustments of motherhood, Aviv reflects on her evolving relationship with herself and her body image. As she navigates a wardrobe of clothes that no longer fit, she confronts the challenges of feeling disconnected from her own body. Additionally, living away from her family in the USA, Aviv contemplates how she can cultivate her son's connection to his Israeli heritage while building a life worlds apart from her relatives.

She also delves into the impact of a close friendship breakup during her pregnancy and how it has shaped her parenting journey. Having grown up in the USA and lacking a close circle of friends in Australia, she explores the importance of finding support networks and maintaining emotional well-being during this transformative period.

Join us for this beautiful conversation as Aviv shares her experiences, offering insights into the complexities and joys of navigating new parenthood while discovering personal identity, relationships, and a whole new, magical, earth-shattering love.

Follow our instagram ⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast⁠ ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases.

In this bonus episode, I’m joined by Anwyn (she/they) and her daughter Yvanya (she/her) who share their insights and experiences on their mother-daughter relationship. Through a series of thoughtful questions, the duo reveals the depth and complexity of their bond, spanning different life stages and family dynamics. They explore the qualities they admire in each other, how differences have shaped their relationship, and the challenging moments they've faced together. They also reflect on how they've maintained and nurtured their relationship. I'm sure you'll be touched by this honest conversation, and gain insights into your own familial relationships in the process. We delve into the following questions:

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People, and Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠⁠here ⁠⁠to learn more.

In this episode, I'm joined by Anwyn (she/they), the mother of Yvanya (28) and Markus (26). We have the pleasure of hearing about Anwyn's experiences raising children in the 90s and 2000s, and how the landscape of childbirth and child rearing has changed over the years. Anwyn also shares how her own identity, relationships, and career paths have evolved alongside her parenting journey. And, as a special treat, we'll also have a bonus episode airing this Thursday featuring Anwyn and her daughter Yvanya, as they share their unique perspectives on family and their relationship across the years. 

Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases.

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People, and Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click ⁠here ⁠to learn more.

CW: In this episode we discuss Taylah’s experience of depression and feelings of isolation. If the topic feels too much for you right now, you may want to come back to the episode at a later time, and if it does bring anything up for you I have listed some resources below that I encourage you to visit.

Join Taylah (she/her) as she shares the next chapter of her story, where she opens up about an experience during early postpartum that left her feeling frustrated and unsupported. She also talks about the unexpected challenges and identity struggles she faced when transitioning from one child to two, including how her relationships and friendships shifted, navigating supporting two children with varying needs, and the feelings of depression and isolation that began to creep in on her with her partner working long days and nights. After a quick stint living with their in-laws, Taylah and her family bought a big car and moved up north, where they're currently living. She describes her feelings of depression and depletion as a "catalyst for something different." She's also an emerging doula, so she shares her personal connection to this role and how she plans to support birthing people moving forward.

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Taylah, you're an incredible woman, mother, and creative.

I highly encourage you to visit these resources if the topics discussed in this episode bring anything up for you:

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.cope.org.au/⁠⁠⁠

Beyond Blue: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠⁠⁠⁠

PANDA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://panda.org.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lifeline:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.lifeline.org.au/⁠

Follow our instagram ⁠⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast ⁠⁠⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases.

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Kambuwal people, and Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples. Every month, I Pay The Rent and so can you - click here to learn more.

Welcome to the first part of Taylah's story. Join us as Taylah (she/her) opens up about the complexities of conceiving a baby in a new relationship and the added challenge of having a second baby when her first was only 10 months old. In this episode, she takes us on a journey through her two unique birth experiences, including a home-birth with her first and a free-birth with her second. You'll hear Taylah's firsthand accounts of her labour and delivery with both babies, as well as the commentary she received on her birthing choices.

Follow our instagram ⁠⁠@definitelybabypodcast ⁠⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases.

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode was recorded on the lands of the Kambuwal people, and Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.

In this episode, we’re joined by holistic lactation consultant Joelleen Winduss Paye, who shares her expert advice on breastfeeding. Drawing on her experience as a lactation consultant, midwife and naturopath, Joelleen provides practical tips for preparing to breastfeed before your baby is born, dispels common misconceptions about breastfeeding, and explains how to tell if your baby is getting enough milk. We also answer listener questions about weaning, tandem feeding, managing mastitis, and maintaining milk supply while returning to work or being separated from your baby. Whether you're a new parent or an experienced one, this episode is filled with practical tips and insights to support you on your breastfeeding journey. We also discussed this gorgeous episode of midwife Beth Ryan's Growing podcast, E25: Bye-bye boob - Our experience with weaning⁠. I highly recommend for anyone who's currently going through the process of breastfeeding or thinking about doing so.

You can check out Joelleen's instagram at @jwp.ibclc and her website https://jwp.care/ for more resources and support.

Follow our instagram ⁠@definitelybabypodcast ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases.

In this episode, I'm joined by Claire Tonti (she/her), a Naarm based singer-songwriter, mother of two, and podcast host. Claire's podcasts include the award-winning show ⁠Suggestible⁠ and ⁠TONTS⁠, where she celebrates women's stories by talking to writers, experts, thinkers, and deeply feeling humans about their lives. She's also recently reconnected with herself through her music, with her debut album ⁠Matrescence⁠ being a place in which she has been able to process her journey into parenthood. Matrescence is a collection of 11 intimate indie folk songs that explore the complexities of motherhood, including love, loss, trauma, identity, creative expression, breastfeeding challenges, and postnatal depression. Claire shares her inspiration behind the album's heartfelt lyrics, which draw on her personal experiences with birth trauma, postnatal depression, and loss of self-identity.

During our conversation, we delve into Claire's experiences with birth trauma and postnatal depression, as well as the impact of motherhood on her creative identity. Join us for an inspiring conversation with this phenomenal woman.

For those who may not be familiar with the term, 'matrescence' refers to the transition into motherhood and all the physical, emotional, and psychological changes that come with it.

We also discuss a few episodes of her podcast TONTS in the episode, which you check out here:

⁠Hormones, Perimenopause & Chronic Stress with Naturopath Freya Lawler⁠

⁠Endometriosis with naturopath Freya Lawler

Here is the link to Claire's show at the Wesley Anne this Sunday the 7th of May, I'll be there, come along and join us: https://wesleyanne.com.au/events/2023/5/7/claire-tonti

COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence): ⁠⁠https://www.cope.org.au/⁠⁠

Beyond Blue: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠⁠⁠

PANDA: ⁠⁠⁠https://panda.org.au/⁠⁠⁠

Lifeline:⁠⁠ https://www.lifeline.org.au/⁠

In this episode, I'm joined by Hannah (she/her), one of the hosts of the beautiful and informative podcast Baby Brain! 

As a parent of two, Hannah shares her experiences of pregnancy, birth, sleep, and feeding. She also shares her inspiring journey of resilience through loss, including how she found strength after losing both her father and sister during her parenting journey, and her experiences of taking on more of a parental figure role for her sister's daughter, who was 12 years old when her mother passed away. We also discuss the surprises and challenges that she's experienced as a parental figure of a teenager, as her sister's daughter is now 15.

Follow our instagram ⁠@definitelybabypodcast ⁠for photos of weekly guests and episode updates and releases.

The Definitely Baby theme music was written by Hagan Mathews and produced at ⁠⁠⁠@sleeplessfootscray⁠⁠⁠.

This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Dharawal/Tharawal peoples, and Wurundjeri Wilam and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be the land of the First Nations peoples.