alicia Fritsch
Tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi fellow Mamas,
I’m Alicia, Mama to my cheeky son Henry who is 16 month old. I moved from country NSW (near Bathurst) to Canberra 6 years ago on a 6 month contract with work and well I'm still here! I love the capital, it's the best of the city and country and can't think of a better place to be raising our family.
What were you doing before babies?
I'd call myself a savvy creative, working for almost 15 years in banking whilst growing an investment property portfolio on the side! I'd work 9-5 during the week and come the weekend, I was renovating, flipping and styling properties... Talk about hectic!
How did you come to be a mum?
A few months before my 30th birthday (and after finishing a mammoth renovation) we decided it was time to start trying for a family. My partner Tim kept telling me to wait until after my birthday. I was confused, why not now? But what I didn't know was he was planning to propose! So we got engaged and conceived within a few months of trying - We feel incredibly blessed and grateful.
What has your feeding journey been like?
For something so natural, how could breastfeeding be so damn challenging!
Henry's first few latches really damaged my nipples - they were cracked (one even became infected) and I was in tears every single feed for the first 5-6 weeks. (Ouch - not to mention he was a 2 hourly feeder!) Lansinoh and cabbage leaves were my saviour!
I then got 2 rounds of block ducts, the fevers were intense and the pain was excruciating - hot showers and a natural massage oil to the rescue!
In those first few months I felt like giving up so many times, it didn't seem like there was any light at the end of the tunnel until the 3 month mark when it all eased and to today, we are still enjoying our breastfeeding bond.
What has sleep been like in your house?
Argh!!! What is sleep? Henry has never been a great sleeper, he only started sleeping through some nights when he turned 1!
I tried sleep training early on which helped with self-settling through day sleep cycles but it just didn't work for us during nights
From about 5 months we threw away all the 'training' and 'googling' of solutions... Henry was getting his first teeth and we got little-no sleep during the night so I followed my maternal instant, it felt right to settle with the boob and some nights co-slept
The hardest bits…
Sleep deprivation! Losing and finding myself... After giving birth to Henry, the realisation hit I'd always been so busy 'hustling' and 'doing' that I felt lost in myself.
Becoming Mama has slowed my pace of life and has been a beautiful journey of unravelling. Permission to come home to my values, honour my body and take full advantage of slow living. Being present as a Mama has taught me more than I ever expected
The best bits…
ALL OF IT! I've experienced a love that cannot be explained - My whole world is enriched.
How do you make time for you?
A non-negotiable is getting on my yoga mat in a yoga studio once a week. And staying active, getting fresh air is a priority - We love doing lake walks!
Most days I get up a little earlier and do something for myself - 20-30 minutes of yoga or journalling or reading or meditating, usually over a cup of Cacao. Its a little slice of self care that makes a big difference Also we keep a spot open for a date night once a month - It may not always happen but we prioritise quality time as a couple
What’s next for you and your family?
We are building a shouse (shed-home) on our acres just outside of Canberra, cannot wait to move in and once we are settled may think about baby #2!