Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a 24 year old Mum to a 2 year old boy Ollie and am due with baby boy #2 in August. I have a partner who is my best friend and biggest supporter. I grew up in a tiny country town but now call Canberra home.

What were you doing before babies?

Before babies we were very social and loved to have drinks on weekends with friends! We did lots of camping and went to as many BnS balls as we could. I have a teaching degree which l kept me very busy with study through the week after work.

How did you come to be a mum?

Prior to falling pregnant with our now 2 year old son we lost 2 babies that now watch over us. Falling pregnant with our son was an amazing surprise that changed our perspective on everything.

What has your feeding journey been like?

Breastfeeding didn’t come easy to me like many others. We had tongue, lip and cheek ties, low milk supply and dairy allergies. I tried to feed for as long as I could and last 4 months. With our next baby I feel a lot more prepared and have a better understanding so I can’t wait to try again!

What has sleep been like in your house?

Sleep? It has been 2 years since I last had any!

We went to QE2 twice, had private consultants, doctors and surgeons look over our boy. From day 1 he was waking 10+ times a night! We have finally got a routine in place and are down to 1 wake a night which has been amazing. Very grateful for Grandparents support and help to catch up on sleep every few weeks!

The hardest bits…

The hardest bit for me is the juggle! I went back to work full time when my son was 5 months old. Trying to juggle being an amazing parent and excel in my career has been extremely hard. I struggle with the lack of sleep but have a great support system that has helped me get through the tough times.

The best bits…

The best bits are watching Ollie learn and seeing the amazement in his eyes when he discovers something new for the first time! It is so special knowing I am a tiny humans entire world.

How do you make time for yourself?

I play netball 2 nights a week and prior to covid was doing bootcamps 2 times a week. Prioritising my health has really helped me mentally and clears my mind for an hour. If I need a rest or some down time I reach out to family for support, I wouldn’t have survived the past 2 years without my in laws and partner!

What’s next for you and your family?

In August we will be welcoming our second and final baby! We are getting married in October after many delays thanks to covid. I cannot wait to welcome our little boy and begin growing, learning and having fun as a family!

If you could talk to your pre baby/kid self, what advice would you give?

Slow down and enjoy the moment. Time goes so fast and you can’t get any of it back! Have fun but make the most of sleep while you can!