Melbourne Postpartum Services, Melbourne, Melbourne (2025)

22/11/2025

I can’t begin to tell you how often I come across a mother who, at some point during the difficult moments of that early postpartum period, thinks to herself some form of “I’m not cut out for this”, or “I’m failing”, maybe even “I’m such an abysmal mother and my child would be better off with someone else”.

Thoughts so painful that often we dare not voice them. And worse yet, because these thoughts are not normalised, we think that fact that we are having them just confirms our fears! “How could I be thinking these things?! Good mothers don’t have such terrible thoughts…”

But these scary thoughts actually creep into the minds of the majority of perinatal mothers. Some people might find this researched based fact comforting, but its ok if you find this answer frustratingly unsatisfying too. It’s ok if you don’t want to just accept these thoughts and desire to do something about them, because, as normal as they might be, they can understandably be quiet distressing.

And you don't have to just accept them.

There are a mirid of things that can help parents experiencing these thoughts decrease in frequency and severity, and lessen the impact they can defiantly have on your mental health and everyday family life.
We love helping parents in these early days, if you want to chat and know more don’t hesitate to reach out, You are not alone.

21/11/2025

Stop the excessive crying by learning how to meet your baby’s sensory needs

Newborns have two different hungers: the need for physical nourishment ( like milk) and the desire for sensory stimulation. The former is crucial to their survival, while the latter is no less important because it shapes the baby's neural pathways. Unfortunately, our society's understanding of this second hunger is still limited, leading to outdated advice to avoid 'overstimulating' babies for better sleep and behaviour - an opinion that neglects key principles of recent infant neuroscience.

This is one of the pillars of the Neuroprotective Developmental Care model, an evidence based (which means its well-researched) way to care for your infant that helps them grow and thrive. It also helps parents by taking the pressure off and stepping away from long entrenched societal beliefs that encourage parents to ‘tune out’ from their children's cues which can create rifts in attachment relationship.

Read more about this on our website blog and learn how to meet this need for your baby starting today

https://www.melbournepostpartumservices.com.au/blog/stop-the-excessive-crying-by-learning-how-to-meet-your-babys-sensory-needs

20/11/2025

I had fed my baby, changed her, cuddled her, fed her again, tried some skin to skin, walked the hallway for the hundredth time, fed her again – but she was still crying.

I asked myself “What do I do now?!”

Or, at other times, she would scream, arch and scrunch up her little face so tight because she was so insistently hungry and needed milk RIGHT NOW, but was too upset to do the one thing she wanted – to feed. I just couldn’t get her to latch.
I cried through my tears - “What do I do now!?”

Before becoming a parent I was good at my job, handling the mental load of life and household routines. I was competent, and confident. I was not accustomed to frequently second guessing myself and not knowing where to turn or what to try next.

It was far from comfortable.

I have learnt so much about myself since becoming a parent, I have grown in ways I didn’t know I needed to. And now I spend my days passing on these learnings and helping parents navigate similar waters ( although every journey is unique).

Because the only way though this, the only way to come out the other side whole, is together.

This journey was never meant to be done alone. But I know that unfortunately so many parents, like myself many moons ago, thought that this was just the way.
So if you find yourself continually asking “what do I do now?!” and think it’s time to start feeling confident again – reach out and simply start a conversation with us.

We have helped many parents through these early days and know that we can do the same for you.

18/11/2025

It was such a joy to come alongside Maria and her family earlier this year.
Life as a first time mum without a local support network can be harder than expected.

I love empowering mums with knowledge, AND hands on support. Working with Maria and building her confidence in her mothering abilities, while nourishing her with food, and allowing time for her to grab an uninterrupted nap were just some of the ways I equipped her in those newborn days.

If you have a newborn, or are still pregnant, and want to know how we can help equip and support you in your postpartum send us a message, or an email. Did you know you can head over to our website for some free tips and hints too.

17/11/2025

I still remember when my baby first saw himself in the mirror, his little face lit up! How delighted he was to have found a little friend to pull faces at. He was even more excited to see me, and a little confused when he saw HIS mum holding another baby! (His reflection!)

Perspective is important.

When your baby sees you, you are his world! You may be focusing on what you wish to see, your perceived "flaws" or looking for what you used to see before you became a mum, but your baby is so content to see YOU! His precious mumma who is an absolute ledged at giving cuddles, protection, warmth and food.

Motherhood is not always glamourous, but those tired eyes we critique tell a story about a devoted mother who is giving her all to her children. True beauty goes much deeper than our reflection in the mirror.

Today it is important to remember you are a person who is adored and loved. And to continue to be able to meet the needs of your newborn and your family you need to make time to fill your cup too.

Give Mel or Rach a call, we’d love to come and help you have time to fill your cup, make your dinner and hold your baby while you take some time to rest or heal after birth.

Let's help both mum and bub smile when they see their reflections.

16/11/2025

Baby fussing at the breast or refusing to take the bottle?

I remember all too well the frustration and overwhelm when my newest little one was simultaneously crying with hunger but refusing to latch.

Oh the confusion!

There are a few possible reasons for this all to common scenario, but many of the babies we see are genuinely wanting their mothers and to feed - they just have a couple of easily overlooked struggles unfortunately getting in the way.

Thankfully I now get to help parents through this very scenario that used to bring me to tears.

At MPS We often help parents understand the basics of how their baby’s mouth works when drawing in breast-tissue and milk, alongside the optimal ways to support the natural biomechanics and inbuilt reflexes involved with feeding, whether it be breast or bottle.

I know how draining this is, but you don’t struggle alone in this. If this is you and your little one, reach out as we are happy to share with you too.

15/11/2025

There is no one right way to parent and there is no ‘magic solution’ that works with all babies.

The reality is much more complex than that: unique individuals who are trying to get to know each other and learn the ‘dance’ in getting BOTH parent and baby’s needs met.

However we know that this can be exhausting, confusing, and you might feel like you not sure what else to try because it's becoming clear that BOTH you and baby are not getting what you need -
- and what you're trying now is just not sustainable for anyone.

You don’t have to keep searching alone. MPS offers affordable, in-depth consultation for families who want help with infant sleep & settling strategies, and cry/fuss answers, while taking great care to respect and offer solutions that are in line with your families' values.

The aim is to make your nights less disrupted, while helping you truly live and enjoy your days. We don’t do this by taking over but by helping YOU take control and feel empowered.

We don’t offer tweaked versions of sleep schedules that you can find from google, or tell you to stay home all week so your baby can learn to sleep in a dark room. No, we can stay well away from the various forms of sleep training and stress inducing methods so commonly offered.

Want to know more. We happily offer no obligation free initial appointments to families. And if what we offer isn't quite what you are looking for then we will help connect you with other options you might prefer.

14/11/2025

Parenting is a beautiful and sometimes daunting adventure, where we navigate the unknown with an unwavering spirit of optimism.

Just like Gilda Radner said, parenting is the biggest gamble in the world, BUT it's also the most rewarding, (even if it doesn’t always feel like it and you are not always feeling the optimism).

From the moment we hold our child in our arms, we embark on a lifelong commitment to nurturing, guiding, and supporting them. We face challenges, make sacrifices, and experience moments of pure wonder. It's an act of infinite optimism, trusting in the limitless potential of our children and the bonds we create as a family.

Through the highs and lows, we find strength, resilience, and the profound joy of watching our little ones grow. Embrace the glorious life force of parenting and celebrate the incredible journey that lies ahead.

"

13/11/2025

True deep friends are the ones who see us beyond our masks and facades.

In their presence, we feel a sense of liberation and freedom to be our true selves. With them, we can let go of pretenses and experience genuine love, laughter, and shared experiences. They are the keepers of our stories and the pillars of our lives.

The beauty of true deep friendships lies in the profound emotional connection we share. These friends witness our growth, celebrate our authenticity, and stand by us through thick and thin. They provide a sanctuary of trust, vulnerability, and mutual understanding, fostering personal growth and a sense of emotional well-being.

You need friendships like these during major life transformations (like when one becomes a parent), and during times of challenge and struggle. We need people to believe in us when it's hard to ourselves while in the thick of it.

11/11/2025

Stress gets in the way of sleep, this is true for both adults and babies.

Stress can override the normal chemical functions of the two sleep regulators, that is the circadian clock and the sleep/wake homeostasis, aka sleep pressure.

When we are stressed, our Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) gets aroused (our heart is beating faster, our breathing quickens have you heard of the fight or flight response: your body is getting ready to figure out the best way to respond to the stressor). Chemicals are released, specifically adrenaline and cortisol, these physical changes can accompany anxious or worried thoughts.

In babies by meeting their needs and responding to their cues of crying and fussing, you can help to "turn down the dial" on this SNS response and reduce these chemical and physical changes going on inside of your baby.

Helping your baby to be calm, will help remove this obstacle to sleep ( ie the SNS hormones alerting your baby's system to fight to ensure they feels safe), and allow for the natural hormonal regulators for sleep to once again be in charge, and allow for easier sleep patterns. Remember you can not spoil a baby with too many cuddles!

All three of my babies liked different things! I love how right from the get go they are their own little person!

What tools do you use to help calm your baby?

10/11/2025

I know that it’s not just me that can relate to the image above – the endless string of thoughts and worries that we just aren't doing enough, or right, or that something is wrong...

For me, one way that anxiety showed up big time was through ‘anticipatory anxiety’ - feeling that something was going to happen, a constant ‘what if’ fear kept creeping into my mind. I found myself nervous about heading to bed for some much-needed rest, fearing that my baby was sure to wake as soon as I started drifting off to sleep.

Several studies indicate that postpartum anxiety affects 30% of pregnant and postpartum women – but there are many many more parents who experience it but maybe not to ‘clinical’ levels or are ‘under the radar’ because they are yet to reach out for help. ( So please know you are not alone)
But evidence also shows that there are plenty of things parents can do to come back from the evading experiences of anxiety and start reconnecting with their present lives.

With the right support and guidance you can have a peaceful and positive experience with your new bundle of joy. BUT It doesn’t just happen; it not as simple as implanting one single 'tip. With MPS you can go from stressed and overwhelmed to confident and enjoying this period of parenting. Let's chat about how to make it happen!

How did you find your way out to the other side? Do you have some tips to pass on to any parents in the thick of it right now?

06/11/2025

A touching testimonial from a mother I recently got the pleasure to know...

"Hiring support for my early postpartum period wasn't something I had considered before. I didn't even know it was an option until I attended one of MPS's community seminars on postpartum planning. It was eye-opening, and it made me realize the difference it could make with my second baby. Rachael was a godsend from the start. Her knowledge and professionalism put me at ease, which was crucial during those early weeks. It was so nice knowing she would respect my parenting philosophy and care for my little one just as I would. Rachael helped me embrace the concept of 'slower days' with my newborn. She provided both practical support and invaluable advice, which significantly reduced the overwhelm of those early postpartum days. I can't express how much my early newborn days improved this time around. I've been so pleased with MPS that I’ll be recommending their services to my friends and family."

Thanks Caitlin for the kind words!

Melbourne Postpartum Services

22/11/2025

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