13/09/2025
Receiving a review like this means the word to me. Thank you Stacey Smith
Hi Momâs, this is quite an emotional post for me, but it has to be done and praise needs to be given where it is due. Do I even need to say her name? Sister Teresa Hayward!!!
Rewind to my first Covid baby in 2021, I had a colic baby that turned into a baby that was only able to sleep, eat and breathe- attached to my boob/nipple. I was so sleep deprived, I would literally shake from the cortisol and I was so alone that I swore on my life that another child would end me. (Point 1: you never alone if you have Teresa)
In the beginning, I was told that you canât over feed a breastfed baby, little did I know, that that very statement would negatively effect my life once again, when I fell into the trap of over feeding my second child. Over feeding my child on breast milk was causing silent reflux which then turned into full blown acid reflux and vomiting. (Point 2: Teresa is a genius when it comes to feeding, she is a feeding specialist, just wait until I tell you my experience with that!)
This year, I was blessed with my unplanned baby boy who is now 6 months. He was a natural birth, unmedicated, breastfed, but by day 2 he was already screaming his head off. I received zero help as I was always so quick to respond to him, my husband would pass him to me every time with the words âhis hungryâ. I had him at a chiropractor and physiotherapist that works in NICU but that didnât help. I was so overwhelmed, sleep deprived and trying to survive that I could not pick up on any baby ques. I was overstimulated and in survival mode. (Point 3: Teresa has very informative teas and meet ups- keep going because you will always walk away having learned something new. Baby ques are a real thing, get educated.)
I was referred to Teresa by Nicole when baby was 3 months old, even though I was a second time mom, I knew I had to get help so I was happy to try and I called her in tears on a Friday afternoon. She was so willing to help me. My boy was 3 months old, his crying and wake ups were constant, I couldnât put him down to sleep and he was getting heavier. I was in a very dark place. Teresa taught me that I had to spread out my breastfeeding as he was receiving too much lactose before his previous meal had even fully dissolved. Baby did not want to follow a plan, but I had to guide him.
After that, I saw my paed for babyâs 3 month check up. He said that baby had grown well and handed me a solids meal plan for my baby to start. He suggested that I start food before 4 months and he encouraged me to start novalac formula for better sleep. I contacted Teresa straight after my appointment, I was crying and so confused, it went against everything I thought I knew about starting solids at 6 months and why was he encouraging me to end my breastfeeding? I knew in my heart that what he said was not right, but he was so convincing that I started doubting myself. Teresa was able to reassure me that his info was not right, and I trusted her. The Dr had recommended a formula that is not even right for combo feeding and it would have made the acid reflux even worse. (Point 4: Teresa knows more about feeding than some/most paeds do, consult with Teresa for any feeding concerns or advice.)
When I got to the 6 month mark, baby was still waking 8 to 10 time a night (it ranged from 3 to 10 times a night for 6 months). Iâm alone, so itâs all on me. He doesnât take a dummy nor a bottle. I was so sleep deprived, that I started fantasizing over dying in my sleep. I felt like I was being tortured. I had now reached the end. When I started sending videos and messages to Teresa, she could see that his sleeping was out of control. I was spiraling and still had a second child to care for. (Please note how Teresa was still there for me.)
Two days ago, I went to Teresa for a sleep consultation, and last night my baby woke once!!!!!! No formula, no dummy, no feeding at night⌠just applying her methods. (Point 5: Teresa is a sleep consultant, use her!)
Let me add that this has been no easy journey, I often fell off the bandwagon, but I knew that I could keep coming back to Teresa. She knew I was trying and I knew that she was excellent, I just had to pick myself up and get help again. Itâs not going to be easy, but motherhood is not easy. Even though I breastfed my first born until 2y3m, I almost quit with my second at 6m. Quitting was not an option for me. Breastfeeding is natural, but you need to be educated on breastfeeding because itâs one of the hardest and greatest things you can do. (So the best thing you can do for yourself and baby is to book Teresa as your lactation consultant, my doula helped me deliver baby, but her feeding advice was not good at all. I kept asking for help, but she said nothing was wrong when everything was actually wrong. And on top of it, she used up all my free medical aid sessions. Make it clear to the nurse that you want Teresa.)
So this has been my journey. Your family, your doctors and friends, that you thought would show up for you- donât always show up in the way you and baby need. Nobody can save you, but yourself. Iâm glad to know that I can always go to Teresa or contact her anytime for help. The amount of old wivesâ tales that I have heard this second time round, has reached an all time crazy high (sometimes I nod my head to shut them up)- be careful of where you find answers. All the best with your journey and I hope you find your feet along the way. Also, if you want to share how Teresa helped you. Please post⌠you might help another mother more than you know⌠just like one mother saved me.
