Tips to avoid maternal burnout
Perfectionism is not a healthy habit. Even less so when it comes to motherhood, unless you’re keen to rub shoulders with overwhelm, resentment, rage and the feeling of never being satisfied, which can eventually lead to maternal burnout.
Here is the new mantra you can adopt to preserve your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing when faced with the demands of mothering, working and everything in between: “Good enough is the new perfect”.
Beware of the Good Mother
The good mother is the one who does it all, preferably all at once, never raises her voice, always indulges in self-sacrifice…and does not exist! Most of us carry a lot of unhelpful and unrealistic beliefs about what a good mother is and does. So, next time you catch yourself thinking that you “should” be on top of it all, that you “should” do something productive while your baby is sleeping, that you “should” do every single pick up and drop off, think twice. Said who? Whose voice do you hear when the “should” shows up? Is it serving you or is it overwhelming you?
Learn to say no
Sometimes we forget that we are in control and can decide what we say yes to and what we say no to. If we want to stay sane and raise children who have healthy boundaries, we need to role model that behaviour ourselves. Here, it helps to think about what really matters, the values that are important in this season of your life. Once you have identified them, use them as a compass to navigate the decisions you make, no matter how mundane or challenging.
Connect with other mothers
Isolation is one of the major causes of stress for mothers. Find women to connect with and have genuine conversations about what it is really like to juggle the competing devotions that we need to wrestle with as women and mothers. This can help you normalise your feelings and bring a sense of community back into your life.
Redefine strength
Our culture defines strength as the ability to push through, be constantly “on”, do more, deliver: the perfect cocktail for burnout. What if you embraced a more balanced definition of strength, one that invites you to recognise your needs and respect them? One that gives you permission to delegate, rest, ask for help, get support through coaching, therapy or other holistic practices, prioritise your wellbeing and nourishment?
Mothering is not a walk in the park. It’s normal to not like every single day of your life as a mother, even though you may feel like you’re expected to. Ambivalence is part and parcel of being human, of being a parent, especially in a society that doesn’t value motherhood and is not set up for parents to thrive and feel supported along the way. Learn to own your new gifts and skills as a parent and be kind to yourself: you’re going through a process of transformation, learning and growth like no other.
If you’re interested in resources to help you navigate your mothering journey with more peace and confidence, I created a mini audio series with tips and tools I’ve gathered from my work and personal experience as a mother. You can download it here.
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Lotus Health and Psychology
Lotus Health and Psychology was conceived with a desire to create lasting change in the life of new parents, by establishing a team of expert practitioners offering holistic, compassionate support during the reproductive and perinatal period.
Our therapists are trained to support a whole range of issues, because clients come to therapy for a whole range of reasons! Our Psychologists have been trained to understand a broad range of presenting problems, and have experience working with all of the common psychological disorders as well as many of the less common. Our therapists adopt a neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy and can also offer sessions to NDIS participants.
Our patients include children, adolescents, adults and the elderly, and we treat all kinds of conditions including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Children with behavioural problems
- Children with anxiety problems
- Stress
- Grief and loss
- Life transitions
- Long-term personality problems
- Autism
- ADHD
- Psychosis
- Early psychosis
- Sleep and weight management
- Chronic health problems
- Chronic pain
- Sexual function disorders
LA Therapy
Hi, I’m Lauren! I’m a Registered Music Therapist and trained Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapist, passionate about walking alongside families through the joys and challenges of early parenthood.
After working in acute paediatrics, NICU and infant programs, I founded LA Therapy to provide warm, family-centred music therapy for infants, parents and caregivers during the perinatal period and beyond. My work is all about using music as a tool for connection, confidence and wellbeing – whether that’s helping a baby feel safe and calm, supporting bonding, easing ongoing hospital experiences, or giving parents space to breathe, process and feel supported.
At LA Therapy, I offer:
Individual supports – Tailored sessions for babies, parents, or the whole family, focusing on development, parent-infant attachment, NICU/SCN transitions, emotional wellbeing, and perinatal mental health. Music can become part of everyday routines – from sleep and settling to play and exploration – making life feel a little lighter and more connected.
Group programs – Come together with other families in a supportive, welcoming space.
- Connect & Bloom – A music group especially for families who’ve experienced a NICU or SCN admission.
- Mini & Me Melodies – A playful music and bonding group for parents and babies (0–12 months).
Whether you’re navigating pregnancy, adjusting after birth, or supporting your little one’s growth, my aim is to create a safe, nurturing space where music helps you and your baby thrive.
Grief Guide
Becoming a mother is one of life’s most profound transformations, yet it can also bring unexpected losses and grief that few people talk about openly. If you’re navigating the complex emotions of early motherhood, whether it’s grieving your pre-baby life, processing a difficult birth experience, or working through perinatal loss, Ali understands, and she’s here to support you.
Ali is a Registered Counsellor and Accredited Supervisor who has dedicated over a decade to helping people of all ages work through grief, loss, and life’s most challenging transitions. Her extensive experience spans oncology, palliative care, perinatal support, family changes, and supporting those affected by sudden and traumatic losses. What makes Ali particularly valuable for new mothers is her deep understanding that grief isn’t just about death—it encompasses all the losses we experience as we move through life’s changes.
With a Bachelor of Health Science (Psychology) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Counselling from the University of Queensland, Ali brings both professional expertise and genuine warmth to her practice. As a Level 4 registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and an Accredited Supervisor under the Rise Up Model, she’s committed to the highest standards of care.
Ali specialises in helping clients recognise and honour all types of loss, from perinatal loss and fertility challenges to the grief that can come with chronic health issues, relationship changes, or simply mourning the person you were before becoming a mother. She believes our culture struggles with grief, and she’s passionate about changing that narrative, especially for women navigating motherhood. Using evidence based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and Neuropsychotherapy, Ali creates a safe, client-centred space that honours your strengths while acknowledging your pain. Her trauma-informed approach recognises that your experiences are valid and that healing happens at your own pace.
Whether you’re processing birth trauma, struggling with the identity shift of new motherhood, or grieving any of the many losses that can accompany this life stage, Ali offers the understanding, expertise, and compassionate support you deserve during this pivotal time in your life.
Learn about the support you didn't know you needed.
We have cherry picked the most useful resources for your fourth trimester so that you don't have to waste precious hours searching.
Watch - Elisha Wildblood and Louise Barton (Not Another Onesie)
In Conversation With Dr Renee White from Fill Your Cup
Untethered: the raw truth of identity shift in motherhood.
Article - Louise Barton & Elisha Wildblood (Not Another Onesie)
Why Motherhood Feels So Hard
Dear Mama, We see you. We see the way you pour yourself into motherhood, the way you carry the weight of the world while still showing up with love and strength, even when you feel like a shadow of yourself. As a society, we sit here adding to the pressure, adding to the load and, let's be brutally honest - failing you miserably every step of the way. We owe you an apology.
Article - Leonie Lindenbergh-Poot (Love Through Loss Doula)
Helping Children Navigate Grief
Children experience grief differently than adults. They may not have the words to express their feelings, so they show them in other ways—through tears, anger, or even unexpected silliness. Some days, they may seem perfectly fine, and the next, a wave of sadness can hit them out of nowhere. It’s all part of how they process the big feelings they don’t fully understand yet.
Article - Louise Barton + Elisha Wildblood (Not Another Onesie)
Is a Nesting Party the New Baby Shower Trend in Australia?
Wondering what a nesting party is? Discover why this baby shower alternative is becoming the go-to trend for Australian mums-to-be. As more expecting parents seek meaningful support over tradition, the nesting party is emerging as a powerful, practical, and heartfelt way to gather around the mother, not just the baby.
