Emily Flint

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a 28 year old mum of two little girls, Poppy and Florence. We live on a farm and spend our days looking after poddy lambs, playing in the yard and with our dogs, and helping their dad on the farm.

What were you doing before babies?

I have a background in public relations and marketing, and worked in a few different marketing/comms/PR roles across Canberra.

How did you come to be a mum?

I have always wanted to be a mum my whole life so it was an easy decision for us. After a miscarriage back in 2017, which required me to undergo a D&C procedure, we waited a little while to then try again but were lucky enough to fall pregnant quite quickly at the start of 2018.

What has your feeding journey been like?

With my first Poppy, breastfeeding was really hard to begin with. I had bleeding, cracked and broken nipples and I had an over supply of milk which meant I was engorged very often and Poppy would choke and carry on during my letdown.

Poppy also had a tongue tie which wasn’t cut until she was 10 days old so I had to endure excruciating pain every feed for 10 days. I remember saying to my husband ‘if this is what it’s going to be like, there’s no way I can last 12 months.’

Eventually I saw a lactation consultant and she gave me nipple shields to use which saved our breastfeeding journey. I used them for every feed until about 6 months when Poppy weaned herself off the shields. We continued to exclusively breastfeed without them until I weaned her at 12 months.

This time around with Florence it has been a completely different experience. She also had a tie but it was cut on the day she was born as it was the first thing the midwife noticed. Since then it’s been fairly easy and straight forward. No pain or issues, which I am very thankful for. I do have my oversupply of milk again but am just managing that and it’s settled much earlier this time too.! The only issues are she screams after feeds, I think due to digestion issues, but it seems to be getting better as she gets stronger.

What has sleep been like in your house?

Both my girls have been pretty good sleepers to begin with. Florence who is 7 weeks old currently only wakes once overnight around 3am for a feed. It’s interesting because when I was pregnant every night I’d be awake from 3-4am, so makes sense now! However Poppy's sleep went bad around the 4 month mark so we shall see if what happens for Florence.

The hardest bits…

so far the hardest part of parenting has been toilet training my 3 year old. But also probably the complete change of life! It’s all about being a mum now and not me. Wouldn’t change it for the world but it’s normal and OK to miss our old pre mum life at times!

The best bits…

Their little smiles and also seeing how happy having a little sister makes Poppy.

How do you make time for yourself?

I’m not great at making time for myself but I do have lots of family support so I am very lucky to be able to have a break when my big girl is Ruth family. I also like to catch up with my girlfriends and my sister when I can.

What’s next for you and your family?

Enjoying our two girls and watching them grow up together. Poppy starts preschool next year which I can’t actually believe but I am so excited for her!

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

As hard as it is in the moment, don’t sweat the small stuff or when they don’t sleep or are out of routine etc. You only get ONE shot at motherhood, one chance to parent your little people. The little things don’t matter.

Also - they all get there eventually. My daughter can be a fussy eater at times and as frustrating as it is, I try to tell myself that she won’t still only be eating fish fingers at 21! She will work it all out in her own time.