Navigating the first few months after childbirth can be challenging, as low mood and mood swings may be mistaken for the baby blues. Recognising the early signs of postpartum depression is crucial; symptoms like irritability, anger, and frequent crying are common yet often overlooked. If these feelings persist for more than a couple of weeks, it’s important for new parents to seek support. Trusted sources like a GP, close friend, midwife, or lactation consultant can provide valuable assistance. Understanding and addressing postpartum depression is vital for both mental health and overall well-being during this transition.
If it is starting to have a significant impact on their wellbeing, such as:
While Google is usually the last place we want to find information, it can be a good starting point if we’re unsure what to ask or who to ask.
Search:
Finding the right fit is the most important thing! Clients must feel seen, supported, validated, and heard. The first session is an information-gathering session, so it may involve a lot of talking as the clinician gathers insights to create the best path forward. It’s important that you feel comfortable and have input. If the fit isn’t right (as hard as it is), speak up, the therapeutic relationship is the strongest predictor of positive outcomes.
Reaching out to say, “I don’t feel great” can be an effective way to start exploring one’s feelings. Speaking to someone completely removed from their life provides a safe, judgement-free space to unpack what is going on or what thoughts are running through their mind.
There are many reasons someone avoids therapy or doesn’t ask for help, and motherhood adds another layer.
The ‘perfect mother’ myth suggests that women should naturally know what to do. When they struggle, they often feel like failures. Many worry that admitting their struggles will be misunderstood or have consequences.
It’s crucial to normalise that parenting is hard. Asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s a powerful step. Support and connection improve emotional well-being. You’re not alone in this journey.
Improving one’s sense of self and recognising their own capacity and capability is vital. Having a supportive presence is essential, someone who reminds them they are not alone on this journey. This connection can foster a deep sense of purpose. When a mother feels validated, seen, and heard, it reinforces her experiences. Having someone to lean on can make the complexities of motherhood feel more manageable, allowing for a more confident and empowered approach to this significant role.
Preventative support for women in their motherhood journey is paramount to ensuring their success. Early intervention can significantly help maintain attachment with children and foster healthier family dynamics.
However, the risks associated with delaying help for mental health issues can be substantial, particularly when women are unaware of their deteriorating condition until they are severely unwell. This delay can lead to a lack of enjoyment in what should be a beautiful season of life. Furthermore, untreated mental health challenges may contribute to breakdowns in relationships with partners, family, and friends, underscoring the necessity for proactive support and timely intervention.
I am a psychologist working in the area of maternal mental health and am passionate about helping mothers navigate the ups and downs of motherhood. After becoming a mother myself, I realised what an immense adjustment it is and how mothers need to be better supported.Mothers need to be nourished physically, mentally and emotionally just as much as the babies do.
$150.00
Rad Parents
Beyond Birth is an incredibly comprehensive postpartum preparation and support program, and it’s perfect for you if you’re bringing home a baby for the very first time.
By the end of the program, you (and your partner, if you have one) will have created a comprehensive, kick-ass postpartum plan, with my guidance. And you’ll feel so much more confident going into parenthood.
$150.00
Elise Clement Coaching & Psychotherapy
Holding the Mother with Matrescence coaching.
Matrescence coaching is a powerful way to feel validated as you unpack the challenges, discomfort and doubts arising in this phase of your life.
$47.00
Motherhood With Keturah
Introducing ‘The Peaceful Postpartum’ eBook, a 52-page, interactive guide to planning for a postpartum of rest, healing, nourishing food, and a supportive village.
$100.00
Give the gift of a custom voucher. Homb operates as a luxury postpartum hotel offering 24/7 support from our dedicated team of care specialists. Homb exists to educate and support women and their families in the first year after birth, with a goal to aid in the prevention of postnatal depression and anxiety (PNDA).
The amount on the voucher is flexible at checkout.
Hi! We’re Carolyn and Olivia. As Child and Family Health Nurses and mums ourselves, we are passionate about supporting, educating, and encouraging you from the fourth trimester until your little one is five years old. With decades of experience working with unique families like yours, we provide evidence-based support for breastfeeding/feeding, sleep and settling, growth and development, baby and toddler behaviour and adjusting to parenting. Appointments are available via telehealth nationally or as home visits throughout Sydney.
Baby and You – supporting you to support your baby.
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)
Untethered: the raw truth of identity shift in motherhood.
Article - Elisha Wildblood and Louise Barton (Not Another Onesie)
Becoming a new mother is a beautiful and life-changing experience, but it can also be very challenging.
Article - Leonie Lindenbergh-Poot (Love Through Loss Doula)
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)
We have a lovely Mother’s Day planned for you this year, Mama … we’ve stretched it out over a week because you deserve more than a day! NAO 7 days of Motherhood Support - landing gently in your inbox wrapped in love. We’d love to gift you this week of loving support, helpful resources, and exclusive discount codes - simply enter your email and get ready to receive! First one lands Monday 5th May
Article - Louise Barton + Elisha Wildblood
In many households, the mental and emotional work of managing a family, often called the invisible load, falls disproportionately on mothers. It's not just about doing tasks; it's about carrying the mental checklist: remembering appointments, organising activities, planning meals, and anticipating everyone's needs. Over time, this invisible mental load can lead to resentment, overwhelm, and burnout.
