Carly Devine
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a 31 year old mother to two littles, Olly is 4 and Amber is 2 and fiancé to my partner, Mark (Covid 2020 crashed our wedding). I am also a Children's Nutritionist and ABSOLUTE foodie!
What were you doing before babies?
Before babies I worked in marketing & advertising and spent my nights writing food reviews for local eateries around Sydney and Canberra. I was also the founding partner for local catering company, Nibble and Nourish, established in 2017 with my best friend (sold in 2020). See... FOODIE! Haha
How did you come to be a mum?
Met the love of my life and the rest is history! I have always wanted to be a mummy and dreamed of the day I had my own babies from a very young age. Having younger siblings, I always had it in my nature to be caring and protective. I became a Mum at age 26 after a text book pregnancy and emergency cesarean birth... once my little man popped out through the sun roof, my life was complete!
What has your feeding journey been like?
My feeding journeys were completely different each time around. I breastfed my son exclusively until 8 weeks and then mix fed up until 6 months of age where he then just had bottles of formula (and food!) until one. I did this purely so that my partner and friends/family could help to feed him.
I then exclusively breast fed my daughter for 14 months, purely because she didn't take the bottle, EVER. I am really proud of having done this, but this journey was certainly more testing than the first.
Both my children are absolute food monsters!
What has sleep been like in your house?
My son was an angel with sleep, I never felt sleep deprived... or perhaps I have just forgotten, because then when my daughter came along 2 years and 4 months later, there was hardly any sleep and I became a fire breathing dragon! Haha The hardest bits were having a defiant toddler and a clingy newborn and the entire year or so I spent at home with them both, trying to run my business and make a living without getting any sleep, felt like every day was ground hog day. I actually cannot believe I am considering a third child after that year!!!! The best bits were getting to spend that time with my babies and being there for ALL their milestones. When we did get sleep, we were always happy and laughing. The cuddles with the babies and co-sleeping nights are some of the best memories I have of the early days! Eventually I decided that routine and structure was a must for my mental health so I invested in sleep training and planned an outing every day, even if it was just going for a walk around the block, and it made SUCH a difference!
How do you make time for you?
I don't have time to myself very often, but when I do, I will book a babysitter or my partner will stay home while I go out for dinner and a wine or two with my girlfriends, get my nails done or have a massage. I have become more relaxed about having 'me' time when the kids are home, and when they are happily playing together, I'll pop a face mask on and watch a Netflix episode or play some music.
What’s next for you and your family?
Lots going on for us! Landscaping and house renovations, our son starts pre-school next year and I have just launched my new business, Mini Munchers Nutrition. Children's Nutrition | Mini Munchers Nutrition
We will be busy but also looking forward to doing some beach holidays and camping trips with friends and their kids also!
A piece of advice for our readers?
Surround yourself with a support network you can count on. Find joy in the small moments. Trust your mumma instincts, even if those closest to you don't see/feel it. Take things back to basics when you're feeling overwhelmed. Go outside and enjoy a hot coffee while soaking in the sunshine and fresh air - you will feel like you've actually slept a few winks. Leave the cleaning for another day. Ask for help. You got this mama! xx