What the Mama, Canberra (2026)

28/02/2022

Hello to our wonderful, incredible, amazing WTM community 💜

So, we all know December & January is typically a time to rest & revive (anyone else exhausted after the year that January was?🙃).
We're the first ones to tell you to prioritise rest, to take your time, do things your way that is right for no one but YOU...

We have decided to take our own advice.
It's time to step aside for a little break. We need a minute to breathe, to think & to be 💜

Don't even for a minute worry about us disappearing for good! Our team is just taking a step back, to take a step forward.

We can't wait to see you back here, refreshed & re energised. & in the meantime, remember to keep looking after you 🙏🏽
All of our love, the What the Mama team.
💜

25/02/2022

Our team here at WTM are all about buckling up & committing 1000% to your new-mum to-do list! This list looks a little something like:

1. Zero
2. Zilch
3. Nothing
4. Not lifting a finger
5... you get the picture, right?!
😇

As a brand new mama, you *should* be doing absolutely nothing but looking after you & baby. If that looks like a productive Monday binge-watching the Tinder Swindler from start to finish, then YOU KNOW YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!😀👏🏽

Although, naturally, you will eventually wanna be up(ish) & at em(ish), which isn't going to be easy now that you've got that teeny, gorgeous little bub to tend to! So, these are a couple of tips to slowly introducing yourself to getting back into the swing of this new mama normal!💁🏽‍♀️

P.S. We don't suggest any of the below until you're at least 3 weeks postpartum! 🙋🏽‍♀️ Once you're healed & baby seems more comfy in their environment, we found these hacks super helpful for maneuvering around the house!

👉🏽Pick your timing: while bub is napping/partner/fam/friends are there to watch bub for you.
👉🏽Strategise: See if you can plan smaller cleaning/cooking tasks a day, as opposed to leaving it all on the one day & overwhelming/overworking yourself!
👉🏽More today, less tomorrow moments: Pop any extra dinner into containers & in the fridge/freezer to have at a later date! Extra points if you ask your mum & besties to bring over any extras they have as well!
👉🏽Baby Carrier: Life. Saving. Just Strap bub up nice & cosy to you & enjoy the bliss of having free, usable arms again!
👉🏽Use the interweb: We're lucky enough to live in the online day & age, so utilise it for all it's worth! Groceries, nappies or that cosy blanket that Instagram ad keeps targeting you with. Hit that link & get all your necessities delivered straight to your door.
👉🏽Be flexible: You're gonna sleep through the day, you're gonna have a sink full of dishes & you're definitely going to have a Mount Everest of laundry to do. Know now that you're not going to win them all & that that is totally OK👌🏽
Do your best, go with the flow & give yourself some grace, mama!🙏🏽

23/02/2022

How were we supposed to know we'd have to give all of us, until there was no trace of us left at all?
How could we have fathomed that a love this big, this pure, this unconditional could weigh so heavy on our mind, body & soul?
It would have been impossible to imagine the resilience that comes out of pure desperation.
We had no clue we would feel so completely full alongside feeling so utterly shattered into a million pieces.
We didn't foresee that failure is not only an option, but a prerequisite.
We had no clue that we would learn a new definition of 'try' - one that meant we would show up over, & over, & over again, until we got it right.
No understanding of the how much purpose, life & reason this tiny being gave us, the instant we laid our eyes on them.
There was no way we could know how absolutely, wholeheartedly worth every single tear, ounce of pain & sleepless night you would be.
💜

The only thing we do know is that we will battle, show up, fail, try & cry every single day, for you.

22/02/2022

As a Mama-to-be, we allllll fall culprit to it... We well & truly go OTT Newborn Newness CRAZY!😬🤷🏽‍♀️

Blame the excitement, the nesting hormones & the fact that itty, bitty baby clothes & shoes are literally just TOO FREAKIN CUTE NOT TO BUY!😩

We get it, those adorable name-embroidered baby blankets come in blue, yellow, pink & purple & who knows what baby's favourite colour will be so, like, maybe we should buy two in every colour?!

Been there, done it & spent allllll the $$$ on it!🙄

So, to save our almost-Mamas, we wanted to narrow down a couple of our fave, & *actual* newborn essentials you'll need for bub around the home!💁🏽‍♀️

👉🏽7 or more burping cloths - cheap & cheerful, don't need to get fancy with these. They will literally be used for cleaning up spew/sometimes (all the time) poo & wee.
👉🏽7 or more zip-up (& we repeat: ZIP! UP!) onesies - fiddly buttons + sleeping baby = not a sleeping baby. Trust us. & don't go OTT on the Size 0000. Bub will grow quick!
👉🏽Baby Thermometre - peace of mind is priceless.
👉🏽4 packs of newborn Nappies - this should get you through the blur that is those first moments.
👉🏽3 or more packs of baby wipes - you. will. use. these. for. every. single. thing.
👉🏽2 tubes of Nappy rash cream.
👉🏽Swaddle - whether you go for a traditional swaddle, a blanket or want to give sleeping sacks a try.

What do you recon, Mamas? Have we covered it all? What others would you add to the list? Share! 👏🏽

16/02/2022

During the second trimester, it's recommended that expecting mums start looking at creating a birth plan✍🏽 Now, spending hours scribbling specific situations doesn't mean your birth will be free of surprises! The point of this trusty little plan, is so that Mama can head into her labour & delivery ready, with Plan A's & Plan B's (& Plan C's & D's if necessary!)💁🏽‍♀️
A wish list, if you will, of your ideal birth scenario & the plan of support you'd like along the way.

A birth plan is completely individual, tailored to your needs, your wants & your vision of the interventions (or non interventions!) you're comfortable with👏🏽 As plans & experiences of birth a SO vast, we thought we'd drop a couple of tips below to help get you thinking about what you would, or wouldn't like included in yours.

REMEMBER: Always have a thorough chat with your healthcare practitioners if there are things you're not sure about! That's what they're there for!

Location📍
There are 3 main locations:
Hospital
Birthing Centre
Home - ALWAYS assisted by a qualified physician or certified nurse & midwife. & ONLY when you meet criteria & have been cleared by your healthcare practitioner to do so.

Environment✨
Would you like a bath/shower available?
Dim lighting?
A Television or music playing?
Birthing ball?
This can all be organised in your birth plan.

People🤝
Be sure to specify who you would like in the room with you when you are delivering, remembering to check number & space limits with your location of choice.

Interventions👩🏽‍⚕️
Think about things like:
Pain relief
Intermittent/continuous fetal monitoring
Oxytocin
C-section
Episiotomy
Vacuum/forcep assistance

Newborn care👶🏽
Immediate skin-to-skin
Immediate breastfeed
Umbilical cord cutting
Donate/bank umbilical cord blood?
Placenta requests
Administering Vitamin K/eye treatment

Finally & most importantly...

Flexibility💜
Anyone who has given birth knows a LOT can happen. Remember that the most important thing is a safe birth & delivery, always.

What other do you recommend new mamas put on their birth plan? 🤔 Share!

14/02/2022

What The Mama is Self-soothing?🤔

Self-soothing has been a buzz for a minute in the MamaSphere.
Some mums love it, some hate it, some are totally indifferent & really couldn't care less.
The obsessors of all things mamahood that we are, of course we had to dive into it!🙋🏽‍♀️

What is it?🤔
A self-soothing baby means they're able to fall asleep or return to sleep with little or no crying. Some babies learn this naturally as they get older, however some parents choose to encourage self-soothing earlier on with various techniques.
Controversial, yes, & it's super important to know that there is no conclusive evidence that suggests there is any health differences between self-soothers & non self-soothers👌🏽

When does self-soothing start?🤔
There's no rules here! The ability to self-sooth depends on the baby & their environment. It's not typical to introduce self-soothing to newborns, as their eating & sleeping patterns will & must vary throughout those first few precious months of nurturing.

Babies will typically wake numerous times in the night up until 12 months, & very commonly even longer! By around 4-6 months, sleeping patterns may start to somewhat stabilise, which makes for a much easier foundation to learn how to self-soothe😌

Important to note, some babies struggle to self-soothe & others aren't able to settle into it at all. Always do what's right for your bub🤱🏽

What can it look like?🤔
Simple self-soothing encouragement can look like:

👉🏽Putting baby down to sleep at the same time each night.
👉🏽A sleeping environment that is quite & dark.
👉🏽A bedtime routine that could include a bath, bedtime story or calming music.
👉🏽Sharing lots of cuddles & love at bedtime to help baby know they are loved & safe!

If you're on the self-soothing train, or are interested in learning more, there are loads of professionals available who are experts👌🏽 We highly suggest reaching out to them & educating yourself on what is write for both baby & you!

We love our community & love to share parenting topics of all & any type! Remember to be kind & supportive, there is no 'this side' or 'that side', we're all on the same 'motherhood' side! 💜

11/02/2022

There's endless info on the nerve-wracking, fleeting moments that come with giving birth, but really not a lot on the nerve-wracking, FOREVER moments of doing motherhood!
A crazy misconception that birthing baby is the Mt. Everest & everything else will be a smooth sailing, easy-going, seamless experience... Sorry to burst your baby bubble, but it probably ain't gonna be that easy🙃

It's absolutely normal to worry about whether baby is eating/sleeping/pooing/crying normal amounts, here's a couple of very NORMAL first fears for first time, or many-a-time, new mums!

Leaving the house
OMG WHAT IF I'M WALKING DOWN THE STREET, TRIP ON A TWIG, FALL DOWN A CLIFF NEVER EXISTED BEFORE TODAY (BUT LIKE, YOU NEVER KNOW?!) & TUMBLE TO TERROR WITH MY PRECIOUS NEWBORN?!😱 Being real, of course it's gonna be nerve wracking to leave the house with baby those first few times, but being stuck in doors all day every day poses a much larger threat than an imaginary cliff you're going to fall down!
Start small. Fresh air & a walk around the block will do you & baby a world of good👌🏽

To b**b or not to b**b
That is the overbearing, annoying & BORING question🙄 The answer? Fed. Is. Best👏🏽 If that means formula - GO MAMA. If that means breastfeeding - GO MAMA! Do you, listen to you & look for experts who can help you make educated decisions based on what is best for YOU!🙋🏽‍♀️

Split the gig
As mums, we're capable of all the THINGS. The feeds, the wake-ups, the changes, the cuddles but we don’t always have to do all the EVERYTHINGS. Sharing the load with partners, family members and friends is necessary, encouraged, and equals precious bonding time for baby and their extended village. & you'll be able to take some time for you to do things like, oh, I don't know... wash your hair for example?!🧟‍♀️🙃

What were some of your first-fears as a mum? 🤔 & how were you able to manage them? Drop them below, we'd love to share! 💜

09/02/2022

I love you. I thank you. But I am no longer you.
To the woman I was. The woman who carried me here.
The one I know I didn't appreciate enough.
The one I said goodbye to, as I transition into who I will be.
I honour you, I cherish you, I am no longer you.
💜

07/02/2022

What the Fourth. Brought to you by the refreshing, reminding & REAL words from 💜

"Normalise YOU

Normalise tired parenting, coffee consumption and popcorn for breakfast.

Normalise the same tshirt, not showering and a birds nest for hair.

Normalise squishy bums, squishy bellies and size 14 jeans.

Normalise changing your mind, changing your style and changing your perspective.

Normalise no pants, no bra and no f*cks given.

Normalise taking stock, staking action and taking photos when you feel like a Queen.

Normalise YOU, being the best version there ever was."

If you feel comfortable to do so, do feel free to tag us in your What the Fourth thoughts & feelings. Our mission is to bring mamas together, to build, nurture & strengthen this beautiful community through honesty & transparency, always.
Thank you again, , for sharing your thoughts & words.

📸

03/02/2022

It is Summer (although it hasn't necessarily felt like it - cheers La Nina!🌧️🙃) & being a new Mama through the warmer months can be challenging!

Sweaty, sticky, icky & messy is not the aim of the game🙅🏽‍♀️ so here are a couple of our tips to keep you & bub as cool as a (very cute!!) cucumber! 🥒

💦Hydrate
Sick of us harping on about hydrating? Too bad, because it's THAT important! Drinking plenty of water is important for all ladies, all year round, & ESPECIALLY for new mamas! Whether you've chosen to breastfeed or not, making sure your body is well hydrated is so important! Being adequately hydrated helps a new mama's body absorb & transport vitamins, minerals, & hormones to the blood cells, making for an easier postpartum recovery👏🏽

👗Dress
Or, un******ng, really! Make sure you & baby are dressed in loose-fitting & natural fibres if you can! This helps keep things light & breathable. Even just a nappy & singlet in the warmer months more-than does the job!🙋🏽‍♀️

😌Chill
& we mean it! Take this time to relax indoors, aircon on, whenever you can! A hot baby can sometimes be a flustered baby when spending longer days outdoors in the sunshine 🥵 If you do have plans to leave, try adventuring out in the earlier morning before the heat of the day hits☀️

01/02/2022

Hey, new Mama. How's it going? Have no idea what time/day/year it is? Because SAME. LOL🙃

The postpartum period is incredible because it somehow magically teams the most profound sense of purpose with the most drastic sense of who/what/where/how/why, alllllll at once!

To keep it real, Mama. WE GOT NO IDEA WHAT WE'RE DOING THOSE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF MOTHERHOOD. & that is COMPLETELY OK👌🏽 There'll be no road map, no instruction manual & no right or wrong. It's the fifty (zillion) shades of grey-zone that is motherhood!👋🏽

We've been there & done it, so we thought we'd share a couple of quick postpartum must-haves for all the mamas who are in the thick of it!

👏🏽Drink Bottle: Keep this near to you at all times, hydration is CRUCIAL!
👏🏽Burp Cloths: Get more than you think you need... trust us!
👏🏽Postpartum Recovery Shorts: Help comfort & support that beautiful body of yours that just created that beautiful baby of yours!
👏🏽Postpartum Underwear: If you think these sound kinda like adult nappies, it's because they pretty much are! & are SO much easier than pads.
👏🏽Sleeping Mask: Because sleeping in the day will (& should!) be a new normal for you, mama!
👏🏽Nipple Cream: Life saver for our breastfeeding mamas.
👏🏽Comfies: All the comfortable pyjamas, loungewear, slippers & throw blankets! Get ready to get comfy!

Did we miss anything out? Let us know! What were some of your New Mama Hust-Haves? Drop them below! 👇🏽💁🏽‍♀️

28/01/2022

You're a gym-goer, fitness-loving, movement-thriving & now a... Mama-to-be!?

We don't need to state the obvious & let you know your body is about to... umm... change a lil bit. LOL ( !). But it doesn't mean your love for activity has to stop here!

As long as you're clear of complications, pregnancy can be a fabulous time to dust off the workout shoes! Activity in mamas has seen to:
👉🏽Reduce backaches
👉🏽Reduce swelling
👉🏽Reduce bloating & constipation 💩
👉🏽Help you sleep better
👉🏽Promote muscle tone, strength & endurance!

So, how do you start gettin' a move on?
Before you begin any kind of exercise regime, it's most important you get the A-OK from your Doc! 👌🏽 Yes, activity during pregnancy comes with loads of benefits, but all of us mamas have different pregnancies, so making sure our bodies are ready for movement is the number one rule! 👏🏽

For most mamas, up to 30 minutes of movement a day is recommended most days a week. Our fave is a morning or evening walk, swimming or low impact cycling on a stationary bike! Think: moderate aerobic conditioning with minimal stress on joints! Meaning anything that leaves you too out of breath is probably best to skip! 🙅🏽‍♀️

Extra (but V. important!!) tip: Make sure you're including a warm up, stretch, cool down & upping the fluids! 💁🏽‍♀️

If you're not a DIY kinda mama, think about T-ing up a time with your workout bestie or joining a prenatal workout class! Start small, listen to your body & only EVER after getting your healthcare providers approval.

Not sure where to begin? There's a bunch of pre & postpartum experts available on our website, & the best part? They come to YOU! 👏🏽
Head to the link in our bio to see how we can support your moving mama journey!

What the Mama