Nursery and Baby Tips

You have just created, grown, and birthed your beautiful baby - and now you have to keep bub fed, and manage breastfeeding!? If you are like me, the thought is daunting and overwhelming. I wanted to share some simple ways you and your partner can prepare for a successful breastfeeding journey and to reassure you that there is plenty of support if you feel like things are getting tough. You and your baby are learning on the job, remember, it is a learnt skill not a natural skill for many mamas. You may experience some tough and overwhelming times during your breastfeeding journey, but preparing and informing yourself of the benefits, process and where to get support is the best thing you can do.  As for most big events in life, it is easier to prepare when you have prior knowledge and understanding.   The same goes for pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding; antenatal education is the first step to prepare you and your partner. Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) encourages mama’s-to-be to learn about breastfeeding before your baby arrives, making you knowledgeable and empowered for when bub is born and more likely to identify any problems that may arise. Antenatal classes are also a great way to learn valuable information, and the ABA also runs a ‘Breastfeeding Education Class’ and support groups for pregnant and breastfeeding mamas. Being aware of where to find reliable resources is also important, the first place I suggest is the resources page in your pregnancy health record, or through your hospital’s website. Also discuss with your partner and those around you in the antenatal period that you want to breastfeed so they can support and encourage you, especially on those tough days. Often partners feel helpless in the early days when you are feeding bub a lot, so I encourage you and your partner to read ‘The Breastfeeding Partnership’ on the ABA website, which outlines how your partner can best support you while breastfeeding and feel included in the partnership of parenthood, to give you and your baby the best chance of breastfeeding as long as possible.  Tips for successful breastfeeding:  Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and as much as possible  Leave bub on your chest until after the first breastfeed pending you are both well   Encourage breastfeeding on demand - it is so normal for your baby to cluster feed. Understanding normal feeding patterns at each age can provide reassurance to you and your partner  Room in with your baby for the first 6 months (sleeping in the same room) and have a comfortable, supportive place to feed.  Keep hydrated when breastfeeding; try my Motherhood Hydration Powder to keep you nourished and hydrated  Ideally no dummies or teats until breastfeeding is established  Accept support and seek assistance when you need. Lactation consultants are a wonderful first contact when you need guidance and assistance   ‘Baby-led attachment’ or the ‘Thompson method’ are great tools to research  A hospital that implements the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), and supports the World Health Organisation ‘10 steps to successful breastfeeding’. The BFHI is a global launch effort to protect, promote and support breastfeeding  The basics:  Colostrum is present in your breast from mid to late pregnancy and following birth for around 3 days. Your body produces more colostrum due to hormonal changes and your baby suckling at the breast, therefore frequent feeds lead to a quicker increase in milk supply and a fed happy bub. You can also research antenatal expressing of colostrum in preparation for breastfeeding. Mature breastmilk fills your breasts around day 3 or 4 (70-90 hours) after your baby is born, and your breasts will become very firm. You may then notice a change in your baby’s suck and swallow pattern while breastfeeding, baby will take deeper slower sucks and you may also hear gulping and swallowing of your milk! You may experience engorgement around this time when your breasts fill, use warm compresses and lots of massage before bub feeds.  Maintaining breastmilk supply is reliant on frequent suckling and removal of milk from the breast, as well as regulation of hormones (prolactin and oxytocin). Supply = demand: the amount of breastmilk that your body will produce is determined by how often your baby feeds and how much milk is removed from the breast. The more milk that is removed, the more that is produced, therefore you make exactly the right amount of milk for your baby and their appetite/needs.  One of the most common questions for breastfeeding mamas: ‘How do you know if my baby is getting enough breastmilk?’  When your baby is feeding at the breast, you cannot tell exactly how much milk they are consuming, therefore a lot of mamas worry or will be unsure if their baby is getting enough. Massaging or feeling the firmness of your breasts before and after your baby breastfeeds is one way you will be able to tell if they are draining the breast or not. If your breasts feel softer and emptied when bub is finished then you can be reassured they have had a good feed, if they still feel firm then re-offer bub the breast. Your baby should breastfeed 8-12 times (or more) every 24 hours, with frequent feeds and emptying of the breast resulting in more milk produced. There are 3 main ways that you and your midwife can tell if your baby is feeding well and consuming enough breastmilk. Always look at the whole picture when assessing if your baby has had enough; feed frequency, nappies, weight and behaviour.   Output = number of wet & dirty nappies. Your baby’s wet nappies will indicate to you their hydration, especially in the early days before your milk comes in. The wet nappies should increase by 1 for every day of life, so on day 1 they will have 1 wet nappy, on day 2 they will have 2 wet nappies, on day 3 they will have 3 wet nappies and so forth until day 7, and from then onwards they should have 7 wet nappies every day. You also track the colour of bubs poo to determine their intake. On day 1 of life your baby’s poo will be a black tar-looking meconium, then as your breasts fill with milk on day 3 bubs stool should be greenish brown, then when by day 7 when your milk supply is increasing the stool should be a mustard yellow colour.  Weight. All babies will lose weight by day 3 of life, no more than 10% of their birth weight. After this your breasts will begin to fill with milk, and if they have been feeding efficiently their weight will begin to increase. Bub should gain at least 150 grams per week and return to birth weight around day 14 of life, depending on how much weight they have lost on day 3. Frequent weight checks with your midwife, GP or child health nurse is recommended until 6 weeks of age, or as directed by your health care professional.  Behaviour. Every baby is different in regard to the frequency and length they need to feed for to be satisfied. Looking at your baby’s cues as well as their behaviour can also be a great way to tell if bub is full and content. As you watch your baby you will learn their signs or cues of hunger, sleep and being full. If your baby is showing hunger cues, irritable, sucking their hand or not settling to sleep, they probably need another feed. A settled, relaxed and happy baby is generally a well-fed baby. Also trust your instincts mama.  What to do if you have concerns with breastfeeding: Always ask for help if you are having any troubles breastfeeding or need support. Lean on those around you that have breastfed before, or pick up the phone and call local child health nurse or ABA hotline. If you want an in-person consultation with a professional, a midwife or lactation consultant (LC) is the best person to see. If you need help in the early days and you are in hospital, press your call bell for your midwife to assist you on the postnatal ward. They will be able to check bub’s latch and provide practical assistance with breastfeeding. If you need further assistance, most hospitals have breastfeeding class you can attend or one on one consultations with an LC. If you have already been discharged from hospital, get in contact with a community midwife or LC that you can see.  What is an LC? A trained professional specializing in feeding support for families.  When to see an LC? If you need ANY help or support with breastfeeding; to increase your supply, manage pain difficulties when feeding, assess suck, swallow and breathing, as well as tongue function of your baby. You can even arrange to have an antenatal consult with an LC.  Where else can you access an LC? You can self-refer to any LC’s in the community; private LC’s, LC’s at your local child health clinic, as an outpatient at your local hospital, recommendations through your GP or other mamas and websites such as www.LCANZ.org  What are some other things that can help on this journey?   A great breastfeeding chair - I recommend the amazing chairs from il Tutto. You will spend a lot of time sitting down, supporting your baby’s head and neck while feeding and being comfortable is key. Read more about Why Your Breastfeeding Chair is the Best Nursery Investment You'll Make here.  Nourishing lactation cookies that are the perfect one-handed snack, loaded with beautiful quality ingredients from Franjo’s Kitchen.   When you’re breastfeeding, plain old water just doesn’t cut it on the electrolytes scale, Franjo’s Kitchen’s Motherhood Hydration Powder is a healthy way to hydrate your hardworking body. With the delicious taste of Australian blood orange and hydrating powers of coconut water, it’ll turn your drink bottle into your bestie. Haakaa Ladybugs, perfect for catching leaking milk - and not wasting it!  Plenty of cloths - leaking milk and baby vomit means an awful lot of mess. I like these ones from Kmart - cheap and they last   Some comfortable maternity singlets, with built-in support - I found these held nursing pads far better    Key resources:  Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) - great fact sheets on all topics, FAQs and a 24/7 hotline to call (1800 mum2mum)  Raising Children’s Network  Breastfeeding & Your Baby Booklet- find here  I hope these tips help you. Remember you are never alone on your breastfeeding or motherhood journey. This blog contains general advice only, and does not replace the need for medical advice.   Blog written by midwife Aliza Carr from Bumpnbub.  

The question that almost everyone will disagree on! Co-sleeping has become a controversial topic in recent years mostly due to concerns around safe sleep, but experts almost unanimously agree there ARE ways to safely co-sleep with your baby.  The best way to co-sleep and ensure your baby is kept away from dangerous adult bedding is by using a co-sleeper bassinet.  Not sure what this is? Have a look here!   Of course, lots of parents will never co-sleep and that’s okay too! For those Mums and Dads, the question about when to stop co-sleeping is a redundant one, but for families who do co-sleep there are several factors to consider when deciding on the right time to move a child into their own room.  1. Your living situation  For lots of people – particularly those in one-bedroom apartments – the option to move your baby into another room becomes difficult! If that’s you, rather than co-sleep you could move to room sharing instead by bringing a separate cot into your room for your baby to sleep in.  This will be a necessary move when your baby reaches around 5-6 months of age and outgrows their co-sleeper bassinet.   For other families with more rooms to choose from, you may like to keep your baby in a room close to yours, or use a reliable baby monitor so you can still hear and respond to your baby overnight.  2. Your parenting style  If you align with an attachment parenting style you may never want to cease co-sleeping, and that’s okay! Ultimately, when to move away from co-sleeping is an entirely personal one.  If co-sleeping is working for you, your partner, and your child, stick with it!   If, however, you’ve noticed having a baby in your sleep space is killing the romance between you and your partner, it may be time to consider whether it’s working for your family.  That’s especially the case if your child is unable to settle to sleep or stay asleep without your presence.  It means your ability to do anything in the evening becomes basically non-existent!   3. Your baby’s temperament   Believe it or not, some babies do NOT sleep well when co-sleeping.  Although some parents may start out with having big hopes of co-sleeping, they may quickly discover their baby is Mr or Miss independent from the get-go!   For other babies, closeness to their caregivers is of particular comfort during the ‘Fourth Trimester’ but becomes less of a requirement as they get older and sleep for longer periods of time between feeds.  4. Sleep quality   After birth, a mother’s brain quite literally changes.  The amygdala – the part of the brain that drives emotional reactions like fear, anxiety and aggression – increases in size.  This change makes a mother hypersensitive to their baby’s needs, which is why mothers will often wake at the slightest of movement or noise from their baby while their partner is blissfully unaware!  For a mother who is already a light sleeper, this doesn’t bode well when room-sharing with a grunty, noisy newborn! In situations such as this, moving the baby into their own room may help to ensure the whole family is as well-rested as feasibly possible.   Equally, there are many babies who are easily disturbed by movement or noise in the room, triggering them to wake.  Parental snoring, rolling around, or early alarms can disrupt a baby’s sleep, making it yet another scenario where co-sleeping or room sharing may no longer be in a family’s best interests.   Ultimately, there isn’t a definitive time frame on when a family should stop co-sleeping.  There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all when it comes to sleep, so the decision is an entirely personal one.  If co-sleeping or room-sharing isn’t something you want to maintain long-term, we recommend moving your baby into their own room from 6 months of age.  You can transition them slowly by firstly moving their bassinet into their room, so their sleep space (the bassinet) stays the same while they get used to being in a different room.  From there, it’s relatively easy to move them into a cot.  Sleeping with their cot sheets can be helpful so their new sleep space smells like you!   For more sleep tips, head to @sleep_school on Instagram or visit www.sleepschool.co 

You’ve probably heard the phrase “co-sleeping” and if you have, you’ll know it tends to get a bit of bad rap. Concerns around infant safety have driven a burgeoning sense of fear amongst parents in recent decades, causing them to steer away from co-sleeping entirely. The good news is, there IS a way to co-sleep with your baby while also abiding by Safe Sleep guidelines.  First, let’s get clear on different types of co-sleeping.   1. Bed sharing  This refers to parents who sleep with their baby in bed with them. Although the idea of snuggling up to your baby at night sounds like a nice one, it’s not considered safe. Why? Because it increases your baby’s risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents. Firstly, adult bedding and mattresses are often too soft for a baby whose neck muscles are underdeveloped. A soft surface allows a baby’s chin to tilt forward, causing an obstruction of their airways.  What’s more, loose sheets and blankets can very easily end up over a baby’s face and increase their risk of suffocation. Unfortunately, there have been many cases of accidental suffocation by a parent when bed-sharing, either because of dangerous bedding or because a parent has rolled on top of their baby unknowingly.   2. Room sharing  Red Nose Australia encourages room sharing with your baby until at least 6 months of age. Room sharing involves putting a baby to sleep in their own flat, sleep space - either a bassinet or cot - in the same room as their parents. It means both adults and baby sleep in the same room, but they have very separate sleep spaces.   So why bother? Well, there’s a few reasons. The most obvious being that it makes feeding your baby overnight significantly easier if they’re close by, as opposed to in another room.  There’s a good argument for room sharing when it comes to safety too. Studies have shown room sharing can reduce the likelihood of SUDI, because sensory stimulation (like parental movement, noise, and smells) can keep babies from moving into a deep sleep, thereby supporting protective airway responses.   3. Sofa sharing  It might sound obscure, but sofa sharing has become somewhat of an accidental sleep arrangement, where one parent takes the baby onto the couch to allow the other parent some much needed shut-eye. Most people don’t plan to sofa-share, but it happens so frequently that Red Nose Australia has given it a label, and recommends strongly against it. Not only is a couch or sofa too soft to qualify as a safe sleep surface for a baby, there is also a very big risk of a parent falling asleep and either dropping their baby, or unintentionally wedging the baby into cushions or the back of the sofa.   4. “Side car” or co-sleeper bassinets/cots  Welcome to the best of both worlds! Co-sleeper bassinets allow parents to co-sleep with their baby, while also ensuring their sleep space meets Red Nose guidelines. iL Tutto’s co-sleeping bassinets attach directly to the parent’s bed, which allows parents to stay close to their baby, while also ensuring their baby’s mattress is firm enough. With their own sleep space, it also means bub can be kept far enough away from adult bedding - it’s a win/win!    Whatever sleeping arrangement you choose for your family, it’s important to make sure safety is at the forefront of your priority list. Lots of cultures have co-slept with babies for thousands of years and those traditions can still be honoured, while taking all the necessary precautions to minimise SUDI risks.     For more info about all things baby sleep, head to sleepschool.co or visit their Instagram page @sleep_school.

Feeding your baby is a full-time job. One mum in the USA did the maths and estimates that she spent approximately 1,800 hours feeding her baby over the course of a year. That equates to almost 35 hours a week sitting in your breastfeeding chair! What this number doesn’t factor is all the time you spend rocking and patting your baby trying to get them to sleep. Or the nights you sleep in your breastfeeding chair because it’s not worth the effort of waking the baby up to go back to your own bed.  Whether you bottle or breastfeed, your nursery chair becomes a place you spend a significant portion of your days… and nights. If it’s comfortable and designed to support you on your feeding journey, it will make an immeasurable difference to your life as a mum. You’ll quickly discover that it’s the best investment you’ve made in your nursery. Breastfeeding posture matters Research has found that when mothers have poor breastfeeding posture, it may lead to shoulder, neck, back or hand pain. This is common across so many breastfeeding stories of mothers who don’t have the adequate support or the right feeding equipment. Breastfeeding in the correct position helps to minimise the risk of this pain.   There are a range of different positions you can adopt while breastfeeding your baby, depending on which is most comfortable for you. You may also use different positions at different stages of your baby’s growth.  Cradle or cross cradle hold are the most commonly used. Other mothers opt for a straddle to keep their baby upright or the football hold to avoid the baby pressing on their stomach. If you’re experiencing nipple pain, a laid-back hold may help to reduce that pain and encourage a good latch. Understanding breastfeeding positions is one thing. Having the right breastfeeding chair to support you to achieve this is another. The right chair makes it so much easier. It’s been designed with feeding and your comfort in mind. On a nursing chair recliner you can achieve the laid-back hold without having to move into another room. You can easily shift between positions because the chair has been designed to accommodate the full spectrum of feeding positions. More than feeding Breastfeeding chair doesn’t quite capture all the ways you’ll use this versatile piece of furniture. It’s a rocking chair, a story chair, a nursery rhyme time chair and a watching your baby while they drift peacefully off to sleep chair… if you’re lucky! Those 1,800 hours of breastfeeding are over in the blink of an eye. The toddler years whiz past at lightning speed. No sooner are you sending your baby off to big school than you’re preparing them for high school and attending their graduation. There has never been a truer saying than, ‘the days are long, but the years are short.’ Long after the cot and bassinet are packed away, your breastfeeding chair will remain. From breastfeeding time to story time, the chair can stay with you beyond the baby years. Each time you sit in it to tell a story to your toddler, or have a snuggle with your preschooler, or listen to your teens dramas, you’ll be reminded of those early days. A quality nursing chair glider is just as at home in a nursery as it is in a bedroom, playroom or a living room. That nursery investment is a piece of furniture that you can enjoy well beyond the baby years. It’s the little details that count The best way to demonstrate the value of a breastfeeding chair is to dive into the features. One of our most popular breastfeeding chairs is the Chelsea Glider Recliner Chair in Grey Frost. It’s also available in a range of other fabric colours, including Egg Shell, White Linen, Coastal Sand and a Light Grey Vegan Leather. And for those who prefer an electric option, there is the Electric Glider Recliner Chair in Egg Shell. If you’re unsure of which colour to choose, you can order a free fabric swatches to help make your decision. No matter which Chelsea you choose, you get a breastfeeding chair that’s been designed specifically for your needs.  It starts with the ergonomic design, including a higher backrest suitable for all heights and armrests positioned to support correct breastfeeding posture. The electric version of Chelsea features a single push button recline. All other Chelsea varieties have a spring-loaded recline. Either way, you’re supported to sit up without using your abdominals, particularly important while you recover after giving birth.  The 360-degree swivel glider base (180 degrees for the electric version) has a gentle and smooth gliding motion, ideal for rocking your baby to sleep. Our exclusive, premium fabrics are STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified, meaning they don’t contain harmful substances or toxic chemicals.  The result is a supportive breastfeeding chair that can accommodate different feeding positions in supreme comfort, safety and style. Discover your new breastfeeding chair Chelsea is just one of the many breastfeeding chair options available from iL Tutto. Our award-winning range of Australian designed furniture includes glider chairs, recliner chairs, nursery rocking chairs and electric recliner chairs.  Explore our complete range and fall in love with your new breastfeeding chair.  

Choosing how to best feed your newborn is one of the most important responsibilities that can come at an already overwhelming time. Although it can be an incredible experience for some, this isn’t the case for all. With advice coming in from all different directions, its important you educate yourself the best way you can so you are able to make a decision on what’s best for you and your family. We have put together our top 7 fun facts about feeding your newborn you may find interesting; Newborns have a tiny stomach: A newborn's stomach is about the size of a cherry when they are born, and it can only hold about 1-2 ounces of milk or formula. As a result, frequent feeding is essential during the first few weeks of life. Colostrum is the first milk produced by a mother: Colostrum is a thick, yellowish milk that is produced during the first few days after birth. It is rich in nutrients and antibodies, which helps protect the newborn from infections. Breast milk changes over time: Breast milk changes in composition as the baby grows, and it even changes during a single feeding. The milk at the beginning of a feeding is more watery and contains more carbohydrates, while the milk at the end of a feeding is richer in fat and calories. Formula-fed babies may have more solid stools: Formula-fed babies typically have firmer, more solid stools than breastfed babies. This is because formula is harder for babies to digest than breast milk. Feeding cues can include more than just crying: While crying is a common cue that a baby is hungry, other signs include smacking their lips, sucking on their hands or fingers, and turning their head towards the breast or bottle. Burping is important: Burping helps release any air that a baby may have swallowed during feeding. This can help prevent discomfort and spitting up. Newborns can feed frequently: Newborns typically feed every 2-3 hours, but they may need to feed more frequently if they are going through a growth spurt or if they are not gaining weight properly. Now the age old question, to breast feed or bottle feed? Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are both important and valid choices for new parents when it comes to feeding their newborn. While breastfeeding has long been considered the gold standard for infant nutrition, there are benefits to both methods. In this blog post, we'll explore the advantages of both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding for both parents and newborns. Benefits of Breastfeeding: Breast milk is the most natural and complete food source for newborns, providing all the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and development. Breast milk also contains antibodies that can help protect your baby from illnesses and infections. Other benefits of breastfeeding include: Promotes bonding: Breastfeeding provides an opportunity for skin-to-skin contact, promoting bonding between mother and baby. Convenient: Breast milk is always ready and at the right temperature, so there's no need to prepare bottles. Cost-effective: Breastfeeding is free, making it a cost-effective option. Health benefits for mother: Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as other health issues. Benefits of Bottle-Feeding: Bottle-feeding provides an alternative for parents who are unable or choose not to breastfeed. While formula doesn't contain the same antibodies as breast milk, it is still a safe and healthy option for your baby. Other benefits of bottle-feeding include: Sharing the feeding responsibilities: Bottle-feeding allows partners or other family members to participate in feeding and bonding with the baby. More flexibility: Bottle-feeding allows for more flexibility in feeding schedules and allows mothers to return to work more easily. Easier to track intake: With bottle-feeding, it's easier to track how much your baby is consuming. Less pain: For mothers who experience pain or discomfort during breastfeeding, bottle-feeding can be a more comfortable option. In conclusion, both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding have their benefits and drawbacks, and the decision should ultimately be based on what works best for you and your baby. Fed is always best. Whether you choose to breastfeed exclusively, bottle-feed exclusively, or a combination of both, the most important thing is that your baby is getting the proper nutrition they need to grow and thrive. Remember to always consult with your healthcare provider to discuss which feeding method is best for you and your baby.  

Winners are grinners. And yes, you heard right – we’ve won ANOTHER award. Introducing the CoZee Breeze Plus co-sleeping beside bassinet as winner of ‘Best Baby Bassinet 2023’ as voted by real parents at TellMeBaby review website. Whilst iL Tutto basks in pride today, it’s really no surprise that our CoZee Breeze Plus is an award-winner, given its wealth of safety features, adaptable design and thus, versatility of use. This is a parent favourite for all the right reasons, essential during those precious first few months with your newborn. Stylishly presented with two colour options to choose from – the Oak Silver or the Oak Charcoal - this product is wider, longer and deeper than your standard bassinet, meaning it can offer greater longevity of use, depending on your baby’s developmental sleep milestones…      The CoZee attaches securely to your bed with straps and, because it’s a height adjustable Bassinet (to 7 different levels), it configures perfectly to your mattress height. Additionally, there’s wheel attachments for easy portability (which lock into place with minimal effort) and a handy bassinet travel bag it packs away into, in as little as 60-seconds! The CoZee Breeze Plus also includes the super-handy rocking leg attachments – a complete game-changer for parents who often tell us how they love watching their baby becoming so content and calm and sometimes soothed back to sleep with the gentle rocking motion it offers.    Here’s just a sample of what people on TellMeBaby appreciate the most with our award-winning bedside sleeper:  Wow what a bassinet, great for reflux with side adjustment, rocking legs for the assistance in sleep, but my favourite is the adjusted side and the wheels , all of this makes my days a lot more pleasant. Milena Azzopardi We love the fact that it’s on wheels and it glides easily across the house. Have even used it during travels, setting up and packing up is a breeze. Takes up no space in the car when folded up. We have our second baby on the way and will be using this bassinet again. Aki Loupos We got this bassinet as a co sleeper. It looks fantastic and is definitely a quality build. Very spacious. Love the wheels for easy manoeuvring between rooms and wheels can go in all direction. The bottom section of the bassinet is massive! Great storage for blankets and toys when not in use! Cindy Li The design is modern and looks great in our home. The fold-down side makes the bassinet and great co-sleeper, making night-time care easy. Overall a fantastic bassinet. Victoria Key But don’t just take our word for it, try it for yourself and join a growing list of happy iL Tutto customers. And don’t forget, you can join our iL Tutto family and get 10% off (code delivered to your email inbox) – discount is applicable to your first purchase, conditions apply – see our T&C’s page for more info. If you need Bassinet bedding, a spare mattress or backup CoZee travel bag – these accessories are available to purchase individually via our CoZee Shop page.  

There's no doubt that it's easy to forget about the Fourth Trimester ... oh but wait, you thought there were only 3..? Not so - the Fourth Trimester (also known as postpartum) is easy to dismiss. Between your fertility journey, your pregnancy and then the actual birth, it's hard to find the energy to do or think about anything else. However, having a postpartum plan is incredibly helpful to make sure you're feeling supported in those crucial first few weeks and months... it really does take a village! Here are some helpful hints - care of childbirth educator ‘Christina McKay’ - to help you prepare for the fourth trimester, because we were never meant to do this alone.  Book a Postpartum Doula This is all about you! The experience of becoming a mother is transformative. Hiring a Doula can be a huge support to you as a new mother. A non-judgemental ear, delicious meals, a hot coffee bought from your favourite cafe, someone to hold the baby whilst you have a shower, a nap or fold all of that dreading washing... yes please! All Doulas have different offerings so find one that best suits your family and your needs and remember, it's not only the baby that needs to feel held and supported. Nourishing Food Stocking up your freezer with warming nourishing meals really takes the stress out of those first few weeks. You could cook them yourself in those last few weeks of pregnancy, outsource this to family and friends via a meal train or leave it to the professionals and order meals from postpartum food delivery services. Remember to make a few different snacks also - think one-handed freezer-friendly snacks, eg, protein balls, savory muffins, peanut butter filled dates or lactation cookies. Set Boundaries It’s important to give yourself space and the time you need after giving birth, so Christina suggests set boundaries with family and friends before your baby arrives. Do you want your visitors to have had the Whooping Cough Vaccine? Who (if anyone) is welcome to visit you in the first few days after birth or at the hospital? Are you happy for visitors to kiss your baby? What are the rules around friends / family bringing over their kids if unwell? How long do you want visitors to stay for, usually we recommend no more than 45 mins to an hour. Perhaps you’d like to establish set ‘visiting hours’. Are you happy for visitors to post photos of your baby online? There are so many things to think about and having boundaries set in place will reduce friction and make those first weeks a lot more enjoyable for you and your family. Outsource Help Help could be anything from friends or family walking your dog, doing school drop off or pick up for your older children, taking bub for a walk in the pram so you can have a rest or bringing you groceries. If it's within your budget, hiring a cleaner can also take the pressure off. Surrender to motherhood and ask for help. Appointments & Bookings Christina suggests trying to create a few bookings, appointments or meetings before your baby arrives, if you can manage it. Your future self will thank you! If you already see a therapist, book in future appointments so you don't have to wait. It's a great opportunity to debrief your birth or navigate the baby blues in those early days. Book a Lactation Consultant For some mothers, breastfeeding can be incredibly challenging and doesn't come as naturally as we would like - it's a learned skill for you and baby, so professional help can mean the world of difference. It helps to have a supportive, comfortable recliner chair to support you and bubs while you figure out what your feeding journey will look like. Book a Women’s Physio/Pelvic Floor Specialist No matter how you have birthed, this service can be very helpful in healing and getting a good reading of where your pelvic floor is at post birth. Seeking help early can avoid issues down the track. Create ‘Me Time’ What is going to fill your cup? A massage, a pedicure, yoga, breakfast with your best friend - finding time outside of mothering is important. This could be as simple as doing a 10 min meditation and having a cup of tea alone, whilst your partner takes the baby for a walk or a long bath - uninterrupted of course.  Be Patient Lastly, it’s important to practise patience, with your baby, with yourself and your recovery - healing takes time! It's taken the good part of a year to make a baby, and it takes a long time to heal - 6 weeks is how long it takes for your uterus to go back down to pre-baby size and this should not an indication as to when you should be or feel ready to resume 'normal' life again. You're in a new season of life that cannot and should not be rushed. You take care, Mumma xx  

Currently in Australia, 1 in 3 women reportedly experience the birth of their child as traumatic. "A lot of women I've met working in the birth space are doing so after giving birth themselves - mainly due to an innate desire to help other women have better birthing experiences than they did themselves. With incredibly higher rates of intervention and mothers trying to navigate arguably the most transformative experience of their lives, whilst being 'on the clock', it's time for women to take back their power, be able to advocate for themselves and feel safe, heard, empowered and calm during birth."    Christina discovered Hypnobirthing after the birth of her first child and went on to become a Hypnobirthing Practitioner, and in using all the tools she had learnt, have a beautiful and healing second birth.    The Hypnobirthing Australia Course is positive childbirth education. It gives you and your birth partner the tools, knowledge and preparation for an empowered birth...whatever that looks like for you. It assists you in creating an environment conducive to relaxation and letting go, because when we learn to surrender to birth our bodies relax and giving birth with a relaxed body and mind is so much easier than if it's tense and fearful.    The tools and techniques you will learn in Hypnobirthing are such things as:   self hypnosis and relaxation techniques  mind and body connection breathing & visualisations techniques massage & acupressure optimal birth positioning the birth process and decision making tools  bonding with baby and your birth partner  There are so many tools that you AND your birth partner can use during pregnancy, birth and postpartum, that leave you feeling calm, empowered and involved.    Christina also gives you a lot of useful information for preparing for your postpartum, such as stocking up your freezer with nourishing meals and one handed snacks (exactly what you need when feeding your baby) possibly hiring a Lactation Consultant, Doula, Pelvic Floor Specialist, outsourcing help to friends or family and so much more.    Golden Bump services Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and couples via online sessions.