Today I want to talk about something incredibly common and important: fear in birth. If you’re pregnant and feeling nervous or even just a bit apprehensive about giving birth, I want you to know this is SO normal. You are absolutely not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you for feeling that way. Listen to Episode 98. of Held In Motherhood Facing Fear in Birth - Why It’s Normal and How You Can Work With It Why Do We Feel Fear Around Birth? It’s really not surprising that f

Hello everyone! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re preparing for your first Christmas as a mother, or maybe you’re deep in that postpartum haze, wondering how to navigate the celebrations while still working out feeding and sleep. Today I want to share some practical tips and kind reminders for getting through this busy time with your little one, so you can feel held, supported, and maybe just a little less overwhelmed. Listen to Episode 99. of Held In Motherhood Navi

Today I want to talk about healing nipple damage - a topic that comes up often in our consultations with clients. It’s a common challenge for breastfeeding mums, and unfortunately one that can quickly make feeding an unpleasant experience. Listen to Episode 97. Healing Sore Nipples - What Really Helps (and What Doesn’t) here. If you’re experiencing nipple pain or damage while feeding, please know you’re not alone. Research estimates that up to 80 to 90% of breastfeeding mums

Welcome back to the blog! Today’s post was adapted from a special podcast episode where I interviewed Rachel Howe, a neuro affirming mental health occupational therapist who supports women, mothers, and babies as they navigate the transition to motherhood. Rachel’s practice, Belonging in Motherhood , focuses on supporting for women all across Australia, helping them find balance, re-establish their identity, and support their neuro type in motherhood. Listen to Episode 96. Un

Welcome back to this week’s podcast episode! Today, we’re diving into the role of birth partners and just how crucial their support is during labour. It’s common for birth partners to feel as though they’re being thrown in at the deep end - often, women are the ones reading the books, listening to podcasts, and having those deep discussions about birth with friends. Partners do their share of preparation too, but it’s typically not to the same extent. This is definitely the f

Sore, cracked, or damaged nipples are incredibly common in the early weeks, and for many women, the pain can feel overwhelming. While we...

Hi Hannah! Our little man Levi Monte decided to join us early. He came at 36+2 weeks but almost came at 35+2 weeks. On the Thursday of...

Breastfeeding doesn’t always work out the way we expect. For some mums, despite all the time, effort, support and heart they pour in,...

One of the most common things new parents are told to do after every feed is burp their baby. It’s a habit passed down through...

In the early weeks and months of parenting, one of the most common concerns I hear from families is about babies who seem gassy,...

Alex, Steve and baby Dawson. My birth began with spontaneous labour 3 days before my due date. I lost my mucus plug in the morning and...

Tongue and lip ties are a controversial topic, with many different opinions and perspectives, and very little quality research. I am often asked ' do you believe in tongue and lip ties? ' so I thought I would explain the approach that I use as an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), and also that our midwifery team at Held Midwifery use. This is my approach and my interpretation of the available evidence, as well as my experience working with families. 

When it comes to preparing for your birth, have you made a birth plan? Or are you taking the approach of just 'going with the flow'? As a...

If you're a mum navigating life with a little one, this post is for you! I’m sharing how I personally implemented the Neuroprotective...

As you get closer to your birth, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. But preparation can make all the difference in how...

While in the hospital, we always aim to keep mum and baby together, and your baby will routinely 'room in' with you. However, if your...

Photo of one of our incredible clients who birthed her VBAC baby after two prior caesareans! More and more women are having a cesarean...

In this blog post I delve into the top-up trap and its impact on breastfeeding. We explore how supplementing breastfed babies with...

I just wanted to let you know how the birth went! I delivered Monty on 2/4/24 at 2142, weighing 3.82kg, 51.5cm and HC 37cm. I woke that...

In the beautiful journey of pregnancy and birth, having the right support team can make such difference to your experience. I often get...