The First Year

Guess who is back! This week I thought I would do something a little different and update you all on how life is now that I am actually through the first year of parenting!
I chat about Emily's sleep (or lack there of), my return to work and give you all an update of breast feeding!
I have also been lucky enough to sample some amazing self care products which I chat about and can be found here! https://www.kellieandabbie.com.au/

Todays episode is a heavy one, yet Lexi is so fun and well spoken that I found myself giggling along when I wasn't crying along!
Lexi has been through a lot, with a lot of that because of our medical system failing her - something I am still quite shocked at! It really is amazing how often mothers (especially first time mothers) have their problems and concerns brushed aside. 
I really enjoyed making this episode - it was a rollercoaster of emotions and for sure an amazing story to hear!
If you want to get in touch with Lexi (or just check out more cute pics of Myra) her insta is: https://www.instagram.com/lexi.masterman/

In todays episode I speak with Ellesha about her parenting journey with Hudson and Harvey. Ellesha experienced quite a traumatic birth with her first baby, however was able to heal a lot from this when birthing her second child with the assistance of a hypnobirthing course. This healing birth inspired her to look more into the world of natural care, which lead her to start her own community focused on the benefits of essential oils, Happy Oiling with Ellesha - https://www.instagram.com/happyoilingwithellesha/.
Ellesha compares how different her experience has been with her two boys with each child having their relatively easy moments and challenges. Harvey had some very severe tongue ties which were particularly difficult and made for quite a difficult start to breastfeeding. 
Make sure you listen right to the end to hear a particularly hard moment for Ellesha, which I am sure would be every parents worst nightmare! 
I loved chatting with Ellesha and learnt so much from you - I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it!

In todays episode I speak with Cassandra, a mum to two beautiful girls and a freelance writer who is passionate about parenting! To check out more of her work, head to her insta - Mumma Cass Writes https://www.instagram.com/mumma_cass_writes/ 
Cassandra and I speak about her births, which took her by surprise when she needed an emergency c-section. We speak about her breastfeeding journey, PNA and returning to work and introducing food when your child has allergies. Cass is able to give an amazing insight into parenting as her babies are now tweens, so it was wonderful to hear what she remembers, what she treasures and what was hard, now that she is passed the baby / toddler stage of parenting. 
I loved hearing all about Harmony and Lacey and hope you enjoy Cassandras story as much as I enjoyed recording it! 

In todays episode I speak with Elyse, mum of one, Patrick who is going on 10 months! 
Elyse had a surprise pregnancy, but not in the way you think! Elyse was diagnosed with PCOS, so was expecting a long journey to pregnancy, however was shocked in the best way possible when she fell pregnant almost straight after coming off the pill! After an uneventful pregnancy Patrick arrived with his hands on his face which caused Elyse quite some trauma with Patrick coming out! 
Elyse thought she was off to a great start with breastfeeding however Patrick lost more than the expected weight and there was a few red flags which lead to a diagnosis of breast hypoplasia, which basically ended her journey with exclusive breastfeeding. After spending weeks pumping and trying to increase her supply it became clear that breastfeeding wasn't sustainable which partly triggered PND. 
Elyse went through tresillian to help Patrick's sleep with a little success, however sleep deprivation and sleep struggles is still something she is working through. 
I loved speaking with Elyse. She and I have had different struggles with similar outcomes - it really shows that in so many ways, you are not alone. I hope you enjoy listening to her story as much as I enjoyed recording it!
Elyse recommended the below instagram accounts: 
https://www.instagram.com/play_at_home_mummy/
https://www.instagram.com/lets_play_charlie/
https://www.instagram.com/ontrackbaby/
https://www.instagram.com/sick.happens/

In todays episode I talk to Amelia about her parenting journey with her little girl, Hannah. We speak about her pregnancy which was very eventful considering she was on bed rest for almost half of it! She opens up about the anxiety and 'baby blues' that she faced after her c-section and how she overcame that. 
Amelia was thrown quite a few complications through her pregnancy, however was able to overcome these to have a wonderful (almost) year with her little girl Hannah, who features on this episode!

In todays episode I speak with Taylor all about her parenting journey with Sunday and, more recently, Iggy. Taylor speaks about her decision to become a 'young mum', her amazing birthing partner and the different role that her partner played in Iggy's birth! She opens up about the emotions around going from one child to two, the differences between her two breast feeding journeys and the emotions around both her children weaning early.
It was wonderful to chat with Taylor and I hope you enjoy listening her her story! 

In today's episode I speak with Tanya, mum to the beautiful 9 and a half month old Ayla. Tanya speaks about her very speedy birth with Ayla, how she managed to work through those early weeks with a husband that works away for weeks at a time, and the anxiety and struggles that starting solids brought on. 
Tanya was so much fun to speak with and I really hope you enjoy listening to her story as much as I did! 
Tanya recommended the below resources: 
- Australian Birth Stories Podcast
- Hypnobirth 
- Baby led wean team instagram page
- New Ways Nutrition 
- On track baby
- Play at home mummy
- A girl named Max

In today's episode I speak with Katrina about her three boys, one who was born sleeping. We speak about the difficulty that came from parenting after a loss and raising her two earth side boys.
The organisations that Katrina mentions are:
- Heartfelt: a photography service in which birth photographers donate their time and resources into capturing photos www.heartfelt.org.au

- Sands Victoria: a hotline run primarily by parents who have experienced loss to help counsel others through such a difficult time www.sands.org.au

- Stillbirth Australia: https://stillbirthfoundation.org.au/

- Bears of Hope: a charity that creates teddies for parents after a loss and provides support: https://www.bearsofhope.org.au/

- Molly Bears: A US based charity that provide weighted bears to families after a loss. These bears are the same weight as their angel baby: https://www.mollybears.org/

The First Year Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thefirstyear1
I will be donating any and all funds given to my Patreon in July to the organisations that were able to support Katrina through Noah's loss

This week we discuss parenting with Chloe who is the mum to Willow, who is almost 10 month old. 
Chloe discusses her post natal depression in the first few weeks of Willow's life and her difficulty adjusting to mum life. Chloe has since worked through her PND to become an amazing mum, even after her relationship breakdown. 
Follow Willow on instagram @misswillow__ and check out The First Year Podcast on Instagram to get links to Chloe's recommendations.