We sat down with Mama of two and Emergency Nurse, Maddie, who talks us through how she managed returning to work and breastfeeding her two babies. In May of this year, I headed back to work after two babies and a huge 2.5 years of Maternity Leave. I’m a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department, so I was lucky enough to return on a flexible work agreement. My partner and I decided that returning to work one day a week would be enough to contribute financially to running the house. It also meant that we didn’t need to put the kids into childcare, as my partner owns his own business and c ..read more

I admit breastfeeding has been relatively smooth sailing for us, so when Medela approached me to share my breastfeeding journey, I didn’t realise that I would have quite so much to say. Fast forward through our birth story (coming soon), and we had a blissful experience in the hospital. Despite feeling battered and broken, I got the giggles instead of the typical ‘day 3’ tears. Leo was a contented little dream, and we left on day 5 feeling confident after a week of the nurses joking with us that we were doing so well that ‘they didn’t need to check on us.’  Walking in the front door with ..read more

No one really tells you how hard breastfeeding is going to be… When I found out I was pregnant, I started thinking about the logistics of caring for a child, and part of that was breastfeeding. My initial thought about it was, yes I’m definitely breastfeeding… it’ll be easy.  My partner and I attended courses on the weekends to help prepare us for what to expect, and how to care for a child— part of that brought us to the topic of breastfeeding and all the benefits and different ways to breastfeed bubs- it all seemed pretty black and white, right? You’ll become a mum, and you’ll get it ..read more

Sydney health, fitness and mindfulness blogger, Monique Bowie, shares the emotional changes she went through after giving birth to baby Kora. Medela: Tell us about yourself and your new little family, where are you from, what are you passionate about? Monique: Hi my name is Monique! I am from Cronulla in Sydney and my partner is from Rio De Janeiro,  Brazil! We met in Bali when I was on holiday and he was living there. We are both passionate about health and fitness, mindfulness and being true to yourself. I am a first-time mama of baby Kora, who we welcomed into the world at the end of ..read more

We sit down with Bridget, founder of the online support group for women, Midnight Mums, as she shares the most important advice she has received about breastfeeding and motherhood. Medela: Tell us about your breastfeeding experience? How long did you breastfeed for, have you used a breast pump before? Bridget: I successfully breastfed my first son Harrison for seven months, my second son Mitchell for nine months and currently six weeks into feeding my third baby, daughter Bonnie. With both boys, I only ever used a manual pump. It served its purpose to produce enough milk for the occasio ..read more

First celebrated in 1992, World breastfeeding week #WBW2019 is a global celebration that occurs every year from the 1st to the 7th of August in more than 120 countries. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990, by government policymakers, WHO, UNICEF and other organisations, to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. The overarching goal of the week is to highlight the importance of breastfeeding, to encourage and promote breastfeeding and to improve the health of babies and mothers all around the globe.   World Breastfeeding Week aims to highlight the hu ..read more

As mums, we have a lot of questions about our precious little ones. But, we can’t always have an expert on hand, 24-7 to answer our questions. So, we recently reached out to Medela’s International board Lactation Consultant to ask her what new mums ask her the most. And, do you know what she said? Here is the number 1 question she gets asked… How do I know if my baby is getting enough breast milk? Here’s what she told us… Did you know that, in Australia, 40% of mothers stop breastfeeding because they think that they have a poor milk supply? I understand these mother’s concerns, but, I ..read more

My pregnancy was entirely different this time, which is why we were so convinced we were having a boy! I wouldn’t say it was “better” or “worse” than my pregnancy with Kora; there were just so many differences – from the morning sickness to the heartburn. I had an emergency C/Section with Kora and an elective C/Section with Indi and my delivery experience was definitely a lot better this time around. I wasn’t exhausted from the get-go. Different pain relief was used this time too and, overall, the recovery has been completely different. I’m finding that I’m feeling a lot better, sooner ..read more

“Breastfeeding looks different to us prem-mummies… it’s an emotional but rewarding time.”- Nadine’s NICU journey My name is Nadine Muller. I’m 30 years of age and I wear a number of hats. I’m in the Australian military – in the Royal Australian Air Force, specifically, where I’ve served for the past 12 years. I’m a Registered Emergency Nurse with the RAAF and I am very proud of the incredible experiences and exposures (and challenges and personal growth) the military has provided to me. I’m also a businesswoman; I am the director of my own online coaching and mentoring business in h ..read more

You may have heard that it is recommended to wash certain foods, such as fruits and veggies, as they can come into contact with germs. Just like with any food product, to avoid contamination, it is important that you regularly wash and sterilise products that come into contact with breast milk to ensure a healthy and safe pumping experience for both mum and baby. However, you may have also heard that breastmilk is full of antibacterial and germ-killing substances. Does this mean that you need to sterilise your breast pump and accessories every time you use them? And, if so, how do you know ..read more