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

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.

We discuss:

• Ray arriving unexpectedly four weeks early
• Ray spending his first week in special care and the difficulty of leaving hospital without her baby
• Establishing breastfeeding and the support Lu received from the midwives around her
• Feeling incredibly held by family and friends during early postpartum
• Experiencing the baby blues, nighttime dread and loneliness
• Becoming unexpectedly pregnant again around one year postpartum
• Struggling physically and emotionally during the first trimester while parenting a young child
• Lu’s experience of going from one child to two
• Posie’s unsettled temperament and significant sleep challenges
• The enormous impact prolonged sleep deprivation can have on a parent’s wellbeing
• Feeling pressure to follow routines and “fix” a baby’s sleep
• Recognising the role of infant temperament and letting go of self-blame
• The judgment and unsolicited commentary mothers can experience
• Why motherhood can feel lonely even when you have people around you
• Returning to freelance work after becoming a mother
• Starting and growing Ready or Not with co-host Loz alongside motherhood
• The realities of trying to balance paid work and caring responsibilities
• Why there is no perfect blueprint or “hack” for combining motherhood and work
• How motherhood has reshaped Lu’s values, priorities and relationship with time
• Why sometimes the most helpful thing we can offer another mother is validation

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.

You can find Lu on Instagram at @lucindamckimm_ and Ready or Not at @readyornot.pod.

And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below:

https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap

Thank you for supporting the podcast!

As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help.

Australia

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)
  Helpline: 1300 726 306
  Website: https://www.panda.org.au
• Lifeline Australia
  13 11 14 (24/7)
  Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue
  1300 22 4636
  Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand

• PlunketLine
  0800 933 922 (24/7)
• Healthline New Zealand
  0800 611 116 (24/7)
• 1737 Need to talk?
  Call or text 1737 (24/7)

Thank you for listening. Take care x