EP 24 | Lucinda - Sleep Deprivation, Infant Temperament, Returning to Work, Ready or Not and The Reality of Juggling Parenting and Paid Work

<p>In this episode, Lu shares her experiences of becoming a mum to Ray and Posie, and how motherhood has shaped her relationship with work, identity and what she values most.</p><p>We discuss:</p><ul><li>Ray arriving unexpectedly four weeks early</li><li>Ray spending his first week in special care and the difficulty of leaving hospital without her baby</li><li>Establishing breastfeeding and the support Lu received from the midwives around her</li><li>Feeling incredibly held by family and friends during early postpartum</li><li>Experiencing the baby blues, nighttime dread and loneliness</li><li>Becoming unexpectedly pregnant again around one year postpartum</li><li>Struggling physically and emotionally during the first trimester while parenting a young child</li><li>Lu’s experience of going from one child to two</li><li>Posie’s unsettled temperament and significant sleep challenges</li><li>The enormous impact prolonged sleep deprivation can have on a parent’s wellbeing</li><li>Feeling pressure to follow routines and “fix” a baby’s sleep</li><li>Recognising the role of infant temperament and letting go of self-blame</li><li>The judgment and unsolicited commentary mothers can experience</li><li>Why motherhood can feel lonely even when you have people around you</li><li>Returning to freelance work after becoming a mother</li><li>Starting and growing Ready or Not with co-host Loz alongside motherhood</li><li>The realities of trying to balance paid work and caring responsibilities</li><li>Why there is no perfect blueprint or “hack” for combining motherhood and work</li><li>How motherhood has reshaped Lu’s values, priorities and relationship with time</li><li>Why sometimes the most helpful thing we can offer another mother is validation</li></ul><p>Lu is the co-host of Ready or Not, a podcast exploring the realities of motherhood, careers and trying to make the two work together.</p><p>You can find Lu on Instagram at @lucindamckimm_ and Ready or Not at @readyornot.pod.</p><p>And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:</p><p><a href="https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap">https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap</a></p><p>Thank you for supporting the podcast!</p><p>As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.</p><p>Australia</p><ul><li>PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety &amp; Depression Australia)<br>Helpline: 1300 726 306<br>Website: <a href="https://www.panda.org.au/">https://www.panda.org.au</a></li><li>Lifeline Australia<br>13 11 14 (24/7)<br>Website: <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">https://www.lifeline.org.au</a></li><li>Beyond Blue<br>1300 22 4636<br>Website: <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">https://www.beyondblue.org.au</a></li></ul><p> </p><p>New Zealand</p><ul><li>PlunketLine<br>0800 933 922 (24/7)</li><li>Healthline New Zealand<br>0800 611 116 (24/7)</li><li>1737 Need to talk?<br>Call or text 1737 (24/7)</li></ul><p> </p><p>Thank you for listening. Take care x</p>