In today’s episode Ruby shares her journey with infant sleep. We all come to postpartum with a predisposed understanding of baby sleep which usually involves the mindset that it’s the parent’s ‘job’ to ‘teach’ the baby to sleep. But as you will hear in this episode, babies have a primal drive to sleep and their sleep needs are ultimately influenced by their temperament. Ruby sought advice from two sleep training experts (which she admits felt counterintuitive), before she found a sleep consultant who specialises in normal infant biology. From here, Ruby grew to understand her baby’s low sleep needs and subsequently surrendered to a sleep journey that looks very different to her initial presumptions of sleep and settling.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy. It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

• A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour – what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
• Images of birth positions – the ideal addition for visual learners 3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans.
• An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing – everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sea shared her first three physiological births in episode 304 and today she returns to tell us all about her fourth pregnancy and birth. Little Leia was a big surprise but Sea took it in her stride - as most mums of four do - and managed to get in the MGP program at Cairns Hospital which gave her access to the spacious rooms in the birthing suite. She stayed active throughout her pregnancy, consciously planned for postpartum so she had the support to stay home for six weeks after birth and experienced a beautiful waterbirth. This episode is a powerful reminder that birth can be quiet, calm, gentle and positive.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Kiwi.co.

I must confess I’m not much of a crafty mum but Kiwi Co’s panda crate has been the best educational investment for Ottie. KiwiCo Panda Crate is a bimonthly subscription for babies ages 0-24 months. We receive a subscription box filled with playful, open-ended activities backed by research and designed especially for naturally curious and creative babies and toddlers.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, Ariane shares her experience with postpartum psychosis. As a psychologist working in child and family services, Ariane was aware of perinatal mental illness but her anxiety prevented her from disclosing her symptoms which included disillusions, hallucinations and suicidal ideation. After a stay in a mother and baby unit, she started seeing a perinatal psychiatrist who saw past her well-presented exterior and diagnosed her with psychotic depression. Ariane speaks candidly about her mental health, her work with the Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) and her new memoir, ‘Because I’m Not Myself, You See’.

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If you’re considering The Birth Class, now is the time to buy. It just got bigger and better thanks to new content that enhances your birth education and preparation experience, including:

• A cheat sheet for your birth partner. This simple outline takes your support person through early and active labour – what to expect, how to support and what to say when challenges arise
• Images of birth positions – the ideal addition for visual learners 3 meditations to release tension, foster trust and navigate a change of plans.
• An illustrated guide to antenatal expressing – everything you need to know about collecting and storing colostrum.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.