Navigating New Motherhood: Finding My Rhythm and Trusting Myself

When I was pregnant, one of my biggest fears was how I’d cope with sleepless nights once my baby arrived. The thought of being constantly exhausted and trying to care for a newborn felt very overwhelming. My mum suggested having someone stay with us during the first week to help at night. At the time, it seemed like a perfect solution but in hindsight it actually pulled me further away from trusting my instincts.

I was persuaded to use bottles for night feeds so I could rest but it made breastfeeding during the day more challenging. I started pumping to keep up but soon my entire day was consumed with pumping, feeding, and trying to maintain some kind of balance. It was exhausting and having someone stay with us also felt intense, I found myself feeling like I had to be a host instead of focusing on myself and my baby. Also we had so many visitors who came and went endlessly and I struggled to set boundaries.

The Baby Blues and Finding Routine

No one had prepared me for the baby blues and because I had help during that first week they didn’t hit until I was left alone with Ella for the first time. I was overwhelmed with anxiety and I was convinced that I couldn’t care for her on my own.

Thankfully, those feelings didn’t last long and over time I began to find my rhythm. One piece of advice from our NCT class that did stick with me was to try shift work at night. Because Ella was taking a bottle I could feed her early in the evening and then sleep for a few hours while Daniel took over the next feeds. By the time I took over again, I felt rested enough to manage the rest of the night. Having a routine made things feel a little easier and by the time Ella was three months old, we could see the light at the end of the tunnel!

While things became easier at home I had started to go to baby classes but they often felt overwhelming. I’ll never forget attending a sling session where Ella started screaming the moment I took her out of her car seat and literally didn’t stop for the entire class. Baby massage was another challenge, I always found it hard to undress, massage and redress her within the session’s structure which left me feeling so flustered.

Some classes felt overly bright, loud, and overstimulating for both of us. I often wished for something calmer, a space where I could feel relaxed instead of stressed.

Why I Created My Mum & Baby Sessions

These experiences have inspired me to create my Mum & Baby Sessions - a peaceful 90-minute escape for mums and their babies. These sessions are held in the calming space of my home, these sessions offer:

• Guided meditation to help you relax and reconnect.

• Sound healing with crystal bowls to calm your body and mind.

• Moments of stillness to recharge while enjoying a cup of herbal tea.

There’s no pressure and no overstimulation, just a chance for you to unwind and reconnect with your baby. The babies, too, seem to sense the calm energy in the room and are often incredibly relaxed because their mums are.

I’ve learned that when a mother feels at ease, her baby naturally follows. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder of how important it is to nurture ourselves, trust our instincts, and find spaces that support our well-being as we navigate the beautiful, messy journey of motherhood.