Her Best Version

I was a new Mum, not getting a lot of sleep but very hesitant to try the 'cry-it-out' methods that were presented to me. My motherly instincts told me there was a kinder way for my baby who seemed to be comforted by my touch and yes, mums milk. A friend had texted me through a link to a baby sleep event- I think she felt somewhat sorry for my lack of sleep. I'd heard of the name, but not yet had the energy to pick up any of her work so it seemed like the right time.

I went along solo (well with bubs by my side), feeling somewhat wired after yet another rough 2-hourly-wakes throughout the night and a bit anxious about how I would keep my baby girl settled for the long car trip and event.

As I arrived at pram city, I took a seat up the front ready to get the answers when it came to my wakeful bubba. I absorbed every word the speaker had to say and so appreciated her 'keeping it real', but loved that she supported a gentle and holistic approach that resonated with how I felt motherhood should be- comforting to the baby.

Yes, I had been introduced to teachings of Pinky McKay and I couldn't wait to dig into the books that I had taken away with me that afternoon.

In episode 67 I had the privelge of chatting with Pinky and we cover the following:

Sleep

• The benefits of carrying or rocking your baby to sleep.
• Tips for transitioning a baby gently, to fall asleep without the need to feed to sleep.
• How to wean with love.
• What healthy foods could be triggering wakefulness in bubbas & toddlers.

Toilet Training

• Toilet training tips for toddlers.
• Guidance around teaching your little one about the function of their genitalia once they discover their private parts.

Behaviour

• Helping little ones with the transition of becoming a sibling & ways to make them feel just as loved as ever.
• How to reset a routine when your little one gets sick, has an injury or some change happens that manages to sway a routine.
• How to reason and communicate with a defiant 3 or 4 year old to do things such as getting dressed.
• How to navigate swearing and outburst in little ones.
• Tips around overcoming boredom hunger requests.

Plus more!

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA SHOWNOTES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode67

THRIVING BUBBA BOOK: https://www.glowingmumma.com/thriving-bubba

GLOWING MUMMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA FACEBOOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

Just like that, as I record this episode, four weeks has past since our empowering home birth of our Elke angel. If you missed the birth story, you can head back to the previous episode to listen in here. Yes, these weeks have included nightly broken sleep, feeding around the clock, loads of washing, plenty of nappies and I barely get a moment to go to the toilet alone.

But the oxytocin is flowing from all the snuggles, skin to skin and suckling and I am just soaking it up as I know how quickly time flies and I can see how much Elke girl has grown in this time already.

Once again, I have put it out to my @GlowingMumma.ThrivingBubba insta community to see what questions you had on our fourth trimester experience so far.

So here it is- an insight into our post birth journey.

As Elke lay milk drink in my arms, I chatted about:

>> A little on our Elke girl- how she's been with feeding and sleeping and what her personality is showing so far.

>> How we are slowly introducing Elke to the world.

>> My post birth journey- how I'm nourishing and nurturing my body for healing with foods, supplements and practises.

>> Some of my fav Mum and baby items that have helped me post birth.

>> Our first outing and what we did as a family.

>> My thoughts on our mode of care support post birth.

>> Our biggest challenge during this time.

Plus more!

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA SHOWNOTES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode66

PREGNANCY, BIRTH & FOURTH TRIMESTER ONLINE PROGRAM: https://www.glowingmumma.com/path-to-glowing-mumma-mummatobe-disc

RECIPES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/booby-bliss-balls

GLOWING MUMMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA FACEBOOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

As I look through our birth photos, I feel an abundance of emotions bubble through me.

I feel proud for bringing our second baby into our world in an empowered homebirth, with no intervention or pain relief. I feel a level of relief that everything played out as we wished & manifested- particularly with having our 3.5 year old present.

I feel grateful of the wonderful support around me during & post birth. In awe of the way our baby entered our world and on the powerful date of 22 01 22 and of course a heart bursting with love for our little angel & how I am now a Mumma of two beautiful girls.

Yes, we had a baby GIRL, who we named Elke Anne (Anne being me & my Mums middle name).

After receiving many questions across on my @glowingMumma.thrivingbubba insta, here is the birth story of Elke Anne...

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA SHOWNOTES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode65

PREGNANCY, BIRTH & FOURTH TRI EMPOWERMENT~ PATH TO GLOWING MUMMA: https://www.glowingmumma.com/path-to-glowing-mumma-mummatobe-disc

GLOWING MUMMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA FACEBOOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

As the weeks of our third trimester fly by and we approach our guess date, we are getting so very excited to meet our sweet little second.

I know from tuning into other Mumma's, friends, family and podcast guests that every experience as a Mumma of two is unique. I am preparing for challenging moments, days and weeks, know that my priorities will shift and another layer of perfectionism will be released, as I navigate a newborn while being a full time Mumma to my active and affectionate three year old.

It won't be easy, morterhood isn't. But it sure is rewarding and full of so many moments that lead to a heart exploding with love.

Today I wanted to share an update on the second half of our pregnancy journey and answer some questions I've had from my @glowingmumma.thrivingbubba insta community.

Here is episode 64- the final of the Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba season 3.

Podcast & Show Notes:

• Path To Glowing Mumma, The Pregnancy, Birth & Fourth Trimester Empowering Online Program: https://www.glowingmumma.com/path-to-glowing-mumma-mummatobe-disc (use 48 hour limited time code LOVE for a special podcast price)
• Episode 64 Show Notes: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode64
• Optimising Pregnancy Iron Levels (free training): https://www.glowingmumma.com/iron

• @GlowingMumma.ThrivingBubba Instagram Feed: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/
• @KaseyWillsonNaturopath Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

What comes to mind when you think of childbirth?

Often the precious placenta is left out of the picture and it's incredible benefits to Mum & Bub are forgotten.

As a pregnancy health Naturopath, one topic that I encourage expecting Mums to consider, is how to honour their placenta post birth.

While placenta encapsulation resonated for me and I feel really helped with my post birth recovery, I know Mum's who have had lotus births and others who have planted their placenta somewhere sacred.

With several options available, I wanted to get an expert in the field onto the podcast to chat all this placenta magic and just why this organ is so special to both Mum and baby.

Todays guest is Erin Black. On top of being a self proclaimed placenta nerd & women's health advocate, Erin is also a Mother to 3 wildlings residing on the coast in Adelaide, SA. She is a doula, childbirth educator, yoga nidra facilitator & space holder.

Erin has joined me for episode 63 of the Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba podcast.

What We Chat About:

• How your placenta functions to nourish baby throughout pregnancy.
• The process of birthing your placenta and what you need to know if you are opting for a natural birth.
• The different ways of honouring your placenta post birth.
• What is the history of placenta consumption and what the process involves.
• The benefits for a new mum to consume their placenta.
• Important advice for a new mum to navigate her fourth trimester.
• Plus more!

Podcast Links & Show Notes:

• Path To Glowing Mumma, the empowering pregnancy, birth & fourth trimester online program: https://www.glowingmumma.com/path-to-glowing-mumma-mummatobe-disc (use limited time code LOVE for a special podcast price)
• Episode 63 show notes: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode63

• @GlowingMumma.ThrivingBubba Instagram Feed: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/
• @KaseyWillsonNaturopath Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

When you enter a challenging moment or phase of your life, what helps you process this?

For some it's a verbal release, by chatting it over with friends, family or professionals, but for me, expressing how I feel in words is most healing.

While I wouldn't call my cathartic words an art form, other talented souls are naturally blessed with expressing their thoughts, feelings and experiences through touching words and poetry. One of those women is Renée Melizza.

Creator of dear_daring_xo on Instagram, Renée is a first-time mum who lives in South Australia with her husband and toddler.

Renée truly believes; The best things in life are free. Laughter and dance are medicine. Gratitude makes your heart full. Everything comes to light when you write. To be unapologetically you, in this one life and that motherhood has been the incredible new chapter she didn't know she needed so much.

Sentimental, goofy and down to earth, Renée has always loved writing, but discovered her love for writing poetry during those middle-of-the-night feeds, which is how 'dear darling, a book about gratitude', was born.

Renée writes honest and empowering poetry and musings on motherhood, in the hope that other mothers feel supported and less alone in the crazy, beautiful chaos. Nostalgic at heart, Renée also writes words to her little darling. She feels there is so much power in words and keepsakes.

Renee joins me for an honest motherhood chat in episode 62 of the Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba podcast.

In this episode we explore...

>> Renée's personal transition into motherhood and the challenges she experienced throughout pregnancy and mum life so far.

>> Chatting work / mum life and tips that have helped her work towards this 'balance'.

>> Lessons from motherhood.

>> Word of motherhood through poetry - Renée shares two of her touching poems with us.

>> What Renée's new book 'Dear Darling, A book About Gratitude' is all about & how you can pick up a copy.

Plus more!

Show Notes & Further Links:

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA SHOWNOTES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode62

GLOWING MUMMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA FACEBOOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

While I was pregnant and approached birth, my only fear that I had was that my breastfeeding journey wouldn't go to 'plan'. I felt well educated and informed in all other areas, but felt like there were so many factors out of my control that could impact me nursing my daughter.

I'd heard many experiences of Mum's having challenges that impacted either their supply or baby's attachment and felt sad that more support wasn't available sooner to these women.

I'm now so passionate about empowering expecting Mumma's both through the podcast, one-on-one work and online support, to be prepared before thrown into the sleep deprived new Mumma life.

To help share her knowledge and holistic breastfeeding support, I have invited Kerrie Adams on for a podcast chat.

Kerrie is an IBCLC, Registered Midwife and Nurse living and working in private practice in the Gold Coast, Australia as a holistic lactation consultant. She is also a mama of two young boys raising them wild and unschooling them for now. Kerrie also has a yoga background and believes in holistic and natural health. She is a women's lifestyle and birth advocate and believes women have the innate power to do anything they desire if they just know how to ignite the fire within. Kerrie is also an entrepreneur working in the online space helping other mama's to become financially free females which she feels is the key to the healthful future of our beautiful planet. This is episode 61 of the Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba podcast. What we explore...

>> Considerations to make if you are having difficulty with your breastfeeding journey, due to pain when baby is attaching and/or nipple bleeding?

>> The controversial topic of tongue ties - the types, consequences if left untreated, detection and holistic treatment options.

>> Suggestions for you if you are told your baby is losing weight and not getting enough milk in the first days post birth.

>> How to detect if a baby isn't getting adequate breastmilk and guidance for mums in this situation.

>> Recommendations to help your energy and allow you to thrive through your breastfeeding journey.

>> How you can avoid being left feeling unheard throughout your new Mum and breastfeeding journey.

Plus more words of wisdom & comfort throughout!

Show Notes & Further Support:

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA SHOWNOTES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/breastfeeding-101-with-lactation-consultant-midwife-kerrie-adams

THRIVING BUBBA, THE HOLISTIC HEALTH GUIDE TO PROTECT & SUPPORT YOUR BABY's HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT FROM NEWBORN & BEYOND: https://www.glowingmumma.com/thriving-bubba

GLOWING MUMMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA FACEBOOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

Do you ever feel triggered and catch yourself in reactive mode? Yep, I've been there too, more than once.

One of my biggest parenting challenges currently is being well into my third trimester and struggling to build up the energy to 'deal with' end of the day tantrums, like navigating teeth and bed. My daughter is one to drag out the process by demanding more food from the fridge... and it takes mustering up a swagger of patience and persistence to get through it at the end of the day.

So if you're dealing with anything like me, you'll want to tune into my informative but comforting chat with psychologist Tammy Viterbo.

Tammy is a Mum of 2 with a BA in Psychology and a Masters in social work. Through her company, Happy Fambam, she aims to help parents understand the social, cognitive and emotional development of their children and enhance the parent-child relationship.

Tammy's parenting philosophy centers around respectful, mindful and conscious parenting practices.

Listen into my chat with Tammy in episode 60 of the Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba podcast.

What we cover:

>> Helpful guidance to help parents deal with tantrums, respectfully.

>> How to navigate 'naughty' behaviour.

>> Tips you have around creating loving boundaries with little ones.

>> The role our language and behaviour plays when communicating with and spending time with our children and how can we use this to build healthy self confidence in our children for years to come.

>> What is the compassion corner.

>> Importance and consequences of our behaviours and actions on the health and happiness of our children.

Plus more!

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA SHOWNOTES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode60

OPTIMISE YOUR VITAMIN D LEVELS (FREE GUIDE): https://www.glowingmumma.com/vitd-guide

GLOWING MUMMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA FACEBOOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

When I was getting ready for my first trip interstate without my nine month old daughter, I had been preparing with expressing my milk for weeks, but I also needed to purchase a back up formula just in case hubby ran out of my Mums' milk in the time I was gone.

I remember walking down the formula isle, picking up each of the brands and just feeling icky with the choices on the market. While one of them was organic, it also contained maltodextrin and soy. Another was free from that, but contained canola oil. None of them were up to my standards, and I ended up feeling so sad that there weren't more options on the market... that I had access to at the time anyway.

I am so grateful that I was able to breastfeed my daughter without needing formula, for over two years. While breastmilk is always going to be my first choice to feed my babies and something I support other Mumma's to feed their little ones by overcoming common challenges that can impact their breastfeeding journey, I realise your wishes of breastfeeding may not always go to plan.

Picking out the best formula to nourish your bubba can be an art form. That's what I thought until I met Elke and discovered her range of goats milk formula.

Elke Pascoe is the CEO and Founder of The LittleOak Company. She is passionate about children's health and giving every child the opportunity to grow and thrive. She started LittleOak to provide mums and dads with significantly better nutrition for their babies and children than traditionally has been available.

Elke is driven every day to ensure that every child is nourished with good, wholesome nutrition to grow big and strong and, more importantly, realise her own childhood dream to ensure no child goes to bed hungry.

Listen into my chat with Elke in episode 59 of the Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba podcast.

What we cover:

>> We take a dive into the formula world and important factors to consider when picking out a formula for you baby.

>> Why goats milk and a background on the goats that supply the milk for LittleOak formula.

>> What the production process involves in making LittleOat formula and how this differs to others on the market.

>> Why they decided not to mimic the whey:caesin ratio of breastmilk in the LittleOak formula.

>> The why behind some of the additional ingredients within their products.

Plus more!

Shownotes & Further Resources:

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA SHOWNOTES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode59

GLOWING MUMMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA FACEBOOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath

Ever since miss 3 had two big accidents in the one week, I've noticed myself second guessing my parenting style & reverting to old behaviours.

Like when she was having so much fun running around with her new little friend the other day and I called out "be careful" instead of letting the free (somewhat risky) play unfold.

But I noticed right away & reassured myself that next time I'd approach that differently. I guess that's all part of parenting consciously.

To open up this fascinating conversation, I invited my friend Gwen onto the podcast.

Gwen, originally from Canada came to Australia to do her Masters in teaching in 2010. A teacher for eight years she started in Special Education and then spent five years teaching Preschool (kindie) in Darwin. During this time, she became a leader within her school as well as within Early Childhood Education and Care sector in the Northern Territory.

As a teacher she was passionate about children's social and emotional growth and development as well as empowering and mentoring other teachers and educators.

Motherhood cracked her open in ways she never believed possible. Since becoming a mum, she has been on a deep journey of self love, reparenting herself, spiritual awakening and learning that to be the best parent you need to be there for yourself first.

Gwen now has started her own business, Connecting Kids Consciously supporting children's social, emotional and spiritual development as well as offers 1:1 mindset and confidence coaching programs for mums.

This is episode 58 of the Glowing Mumma Thriving Bubba podcast.

What We Cover:

>> Gwen's experience travelling to and raising children in Australia, away from family in Canada.

>> The importance and how to release perfectionism as a Mumma, including a tool that can help you bring awareness and support you through this.

>> What is parenting consciously and why is this important for your little ones.

>> Examples of dealing with anger or other emotions for that come up as a parent.

>> The importance of you tuning into your gut feelings as a Mumma.

>> Why speaking your truth as a parent is powerful.

>> The type of schooling Gwen (a teacher) is choosing for now, for her children.

Plus more.

Further Resources & Links:

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA SHOWNOTES: https://www.glowingmumma.com/blog/episode58

OPTIMISING YOUR IRON LEVELS FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY: https://www.glowingmumma.com/iron

INCREASE YOUR SKINS GLUTATHIONE LEVELS FOR AN ANTI-AGEING GLOW: https://primaskin.com.au/discount/KASEY

GLOWING MUMMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/glowingmumma.thrivingbubba/

GLOWING MUMMA THRIVING BUBBA FACEBOOOK: https://www.facebook.com/KaseyWillsonNaturopath