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Where’s the love gone? 5 tips to help reconnect after having a baby.
Motherhood

Where’s the love gone? 5 tips to help reconnect after having a baby.

Posted on:06/15/202206/15/2022

A topic that we don’t really share too much about. It’s true though, your relationship with people or your partner shifts….

Continue Reading Where’s the love gone? 5 tips to help reconnect after having a baby.Continue

Hello & Welcome

Hi I’m Jess! Mama, designer & founder of The Mama Collective.

I bring to you tips and tricks, my words, my experiences and anything else I think that may support another mama on her journey through this incredible chapter called motherhood.

Grab a cuppa, sift through the archives and leave me a comment.

Love Jess

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The Mama Collective
Waiting for your baby can test patience, increase Waiting for your baby can test patience, increase nerves and anxiety, but also excitement!⁠
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Here are some things you can do to keep you distracted.⁠
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1. Get your hair cut ⁠
2. Get a pregnancy massage, even one or two a week closer to your due date⁠
3. Sort through clothes you no longer use. Pregnancy and purging goes hand in hand⁠
4. Journal, or write a letter to your baby⁠
5. Rest.. sleep in or do what makes your body feel better.⁠
6. Go on a date with your other children/partner⁠
7. Start a creative project for your baby - make a baby mobile ⁠
8. Go through your hospital bag or home baby essentials⁠
9. Get outside for some vitamin D, feet in the sand or the grass⁠
10. Cook and freeze meals and snacks that are postpartum friendly⁠
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What did you do to keep yourself busy whilst waiting for bub?
Life before children (LBC)⁠ ⁠ You birth your b Life before children (LBC)⁠
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You birth your baby and within seconds your life changes. You're no longer who you were, you no longer look at things the same way, you no longer feel the same you and you're no longer solo.⁠
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You've transformed through the grit and magic of birthing, and what an achievement that one is. ⁠
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We start to live life in the slow land and day by day our confidence of parenting gets stronger.⁠
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Do you now reflect on the vast difference of both worlds? The world you lived in before children and the world you live in now? ⁠
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Having experienced both, what do you miss and what do you love the most about them?⁠
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For me I miss the ease of travelling and I'd be lying if I didn't say a full nights sleep. But I love the unconditional love and witnessing my girls grow. ⁠
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Your turn 👇🏼⁠
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Swaddling your baby has so many benefits, and it d Swaddling your baby has so many benefits, and it does come with risks too. ⁠
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Did you get taught how to swaddle your baby after birth? I had no idea.. and I also had 3 different techniques shown to me which overwhelmed me a bit. ⁠
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There are many ways to swaddle your baby and find the one you like most and what you baby likes the most. There are also some things to keep in mind...⁠
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* Your baby should be wrapped snug, not too tight but not loose that they can wriggle out of easily. ⁠
* Arm's should be wrapped in, to avoid them pulling the swaddle over their face.⁠
* Ensure excess swaddle is tied off/folded and out of the way from their head⁠
* Place your baby on their back for sleeping.⁠
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Would you like a demo on my favourite swaddle technique? Save and comment xx⁠
Dear Mama, how're you doin? how are YOU doin?⁠
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This is a chapter that requires the most. The most love, the most attention, the most energy, the ability to pivot your expectations and emotions, the part where your heart really cracks wide open and the part where you take each hour as it comes.⁠
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The part where all you can do is surrender. We learn so much in these early days, gosh I'm sure it's still all about learning when they turn 21! ⁠
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The biggest takeaway is to tune back into YOU... what do YOU need right now? The rest flows much more easily.⁠
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xx
Where’s the love gone? 5 tips to help reconnect Where’s the love gone? 5 tips to help reconnect after having a baby.⁠
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A topic that we don't really share too much about. It's true though, your relationship with people or your partner shifts. It faces challenges it never saw or felt before and the baby becomes number one. Understandably, our baby's cannot survive without us.⁠
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Solo time becomes non-existent and couple time... what's that again?⁠
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So where's the love gone? We haven't even kissed each other for a few days.. or has it been a week? I forget. Anyway, the love hasn't left the building, it's just been put on the back burner.⁠
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It's not just the two of us anymore, and it takes huge effort to keep each other in the love lane. So here's a few tips to rekindle.⁠
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You can read the rest over on our website under. blogs xx
The art of hand dyeing 🧑🏻‍🎨⁠ ⁠ An a The art of hand dyeing 🧑🏻‍🎨⁠
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An art that has been around for centuries, I've yet to learn so much more. It's so addictive though!⁠
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I've been hand dyeing for over 10 years and I've worked with natural dyes, experimented with using fruits and veges, I've used traditional Indigo imported from Japan and I've dabbled in reverse dyeing (using a chemical to strip the colour rather than add colour). ⁠
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For me I need to keep my hands working on something. It's the excitement of unravelling the fabric after its dyed to see the result. I haven't always produced loved pieces (I've donated a lot of dyed fabric that I've experimented on) but I don't feel that you can fail at this. It's perfectly imperfect. The uneven lines, the blend of colours, I love surprises!⁠
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Have you tried tie-dyeing or "shibori" dyeing? Go to kmart and grab some white cotton knickers or socks and have a go 💁🏻‍♀️
Sweet dreams little one xx Sweet dreams little one xx
Our Beige Infinity swaddle is our best seller. It' Our Beige Infinity swaddle is our best seller. It's soft, it's a generous size, gorgeous colour and design, and is very versatile.⁠
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Shop and get 15% off xx
Chapter 3..⁠ ⁠ Postpartum. The topic of conver Chapter 3..⁠
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Postpartum. The topic of conversation now! Do you notice that the content on social media is very focused on postpartum?⁠ ⁠
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I regretfully didn't make myself a priority when I went through my first postpartum journey. I now call it a "journey" because this time round it's been a 12 month one rather than a 3 month one.⁠
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To be honest, this postpartum has also been so different where the grief of my mum passing last year has been interrupted. One minute I'm reflecting on that fact she has died, then the next minute my toddler is asking me to wipe her bum on the toilet.⁠
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A circle of life really, watching someone die then bringing a new soul into the world is as big and real as life can get I think. ⁠
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I get it though. We focus on our new bub so much, we're their life support.⁠
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I didn't realise how much our body works when we're breastfeeding and coming down of a 9 month hormonal high. ⁠
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I didn't realise how much the hormonal drop would effect me, the moods, emotions, the brain fog, the bleeding and the tiredness. It's alot! Plus learning how to parent at the same time. "Why is the baby crying"?⁠
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I didn't realise how much I needed to eat well and drink so much water! Litre after litre..⁠
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I didn't realise that I would have anxiety leaving my baby to go and do a wee. (early day's of course)⁠
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I didn't realise how long it takes for the pelvic floor to restore.⁠
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The list continues, and everyone's postpartum journey is different. But we all heal in a similar way and we have similar needs... to lovingly mother the mother as she does for her baby.⁠
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If you're fresh in chapter 3, we're here for you! If you know someone who is on this path, drop them some love. Postpartum quickly becomes a distant memory. ⁠
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Most importantly, give yourself the gift of surrendering, accepting and not being too hard on yourself. xx
The smell of a newborn... mmm ⁠ This photo trans The smell of a newborn... mmm ⁠
This photo transports me back. I know it's a thing, that newborns ⁠
smell amazing to increase a loving bond between mum and bub.⁠
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Even not being bathed after birth, they smell so nice! Their soft oily locks is next level. ⁠
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Do you remember your bub smelling so good?⁠
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Our popular "Desert Rose" swaddle - She's such a s Our popular "Desert Rose" swaddle - She's such a soft and gentle pink. ⁠
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Soft colours are perfect for little one's as it encourages a restful eye. Although they don't see colour for a little while, I imagine the shock a baby goes through when they do! ⁠
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So a little bit of colour psychology, this one is perfect for rest and encourages a peaceful mood for both mama and baby. xx
Dreamy "Sea Foam" - it’s just soooo stunning. Th Dreamy "Sea Foam" - it’s just soooo stunning. This is a beautiful subtle swaddle. It's made for sweet dreams 💭.⁠
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Shop the link in bio xx
I spoke with a friend the other day and we were co I spoke with a friend the other day and we were comparing mothering 30 years ago and mothering now.⁠
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Both had pro's and con's but the biggest difference is that we're doing a million other things as well as being a parent today.⁠
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When I grew up we had Grandma on hand 24/7, my mum took 6 years out of her career to mother my sister and I. Plus we we were surrounded by our cousins so the village was quite big. This was back in the late 80's btw..⁠
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Today we're asked when we're going back to work 5 months after having a baby. The village is smaller..much smaller. The social pressure, the financial pressure and individual pressure to be the person you were before kids is really big.⁠
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We take a lot of the pressures on ourselves, but I know sadly the cost of living these days doesn't make it easy to live off one income. ⁠
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We need to take a moment and really just high five ourselves. We mother, we work, we do the household admin (which is a full time job), we make appointments, we try have couple time, we try have alone time, we try have time with friends, we try have time to exercise, we try find time to clean and we try find time to have some fun.⁠
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So my point to this is to really appreciate how much of a fantastic job you're doing. It's no easy gig. It comes with lots of tears and lots of hugs. But know that however you're surviving is you doing your best. All we can do is prioritise at the time and go from there. xxx⁠
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The Gold "Eternity" swaddle is one of our fav's. H The Gold "Eternity" swaddle is one of our fav's. Hints of peach that can really only be admired in person. You can shop this over on our website & grab 15% off your first purchase.⁠
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Makes for a great baby shower gift! ⁠
Wrap that baby up in gold 😍💫
You know life is about to change, but you'll never You know life is about to change, but you'll never understand the change until you're experiencing it.⁠
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I received so much advice prior to having my first baby, but there's nothing like learning on the job. So many big and wonderful changes.⁠
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The days leading up to my daughters birth were a bit of a blur. I felt the need to check my hospital bag a few times, hide in the house and listen to meditation.⁠
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It's amazing how the body just knows. What did you do leading up to your birth?
The “Indi Rust” swaddle is gorgeous. I’m cur The “Indi Rust” swaddle is gorgeous. I’m currently using it as a sarong 😆 You can shop this one via the link in bio xx
Adding a baby to your family is beautiful, but let Adding a baby to your family is beautiful, but let’s be honest, it can also be taxing, particularly if you have a toddler on your hands. ⁠
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One of the biggest skills in life (according to thousands of parents) is being able to look after a baby and toddler simultaneously. ⁠
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Partners, grandparents and friends can make it easier, but for the days you're riding solo, I have a few tips for you. ⁠
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Head to our blog page through our website to continue the read xx
This is the best time of year in QLD. Warm sunny d This is the best time of year in QLD. Warm sunny days and cool weather for sleeping. Although my little one is too big to be swaddled, her swaddles make for a great shade and play mat on the grass.⁠
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Shop the link in bio & grab 15% off your first purchase x⁠
The "Infinity" swaddle in beige has been re stocke The "Infinity" swaddle in beige has been re stocked! 🤗⁠
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It's so soft, versatile and has a gorgeous print.⁠
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Jump over to our website to grab yours. It makes a beautiful baby shower gift too!
Behind the scenes 👩🏻‍🎨⁠ ⁠ This is h Behind the scenes 👩🏻‍🎨⁠
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This is how I create the designs that you see on the baby swaddles and carrier wraps in our online shop. I hand dye fabric using ancient Japanese dyeing techniques which create gorgeous prints.⁠
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The designs are perfectly imperfect. Just the way I like it!⁠
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I then scan my prints to adjust the tone and digitally print 💁🏻‍♀️⁠
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You won't find the same design anywhere else, these are totally one of a kind and unique to us and for you.⁠
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Have you tried hand dyeing? or Tie dyeing? What did you dye?⁠
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