Sleeping with our babies…the good, the sad and the snuggly

‘So exhausted parents all over the world, feeding their babies, cuddled up in bed, feel that natural urge to fall asleep together and some do. In lots of cultures it is common place and considered completely safe and in others it would be seen as neglectful to sleep separately from your child. And in others it is used to actively promote healthy development. So where did our fear of co sleeping come from?’

20 quick ways to feel calm

‘So with everything that’s going on right now and it seems it might get a bit worse before it gets better, I thought I would share some calming techniques with you to counter the stress you might be feeling.’

parenthood, motherhood, keep calmJenna RutherfordMarch 19, 2020corona virus, calm, breathe, meditate, doula support, mindfulness, yoga, anxietyComment

Co Sleeping Joy

‘But what no one ever really talks about is the joy. Of sleeping together, the closeness, the oxytocin, the snuggles, the reassurance and the safety.’

parenting, newborn sleep, motherhoodJenna RutherfordJanuary 8, 2020co sleeping, motherhood, new baby, joyComment

Dear me...I forgive you

‘I forgive you for not knowing all the things you didn’t know in those early weeks, months and years as a mother. ‘

birth, motherhoodJenna RutherfordMarch 31, 2019motherhood, mothers day, first time mum, forgiveness, mum guiltComment

If you’re worried about nursery settling in, try this one thing...

‘When Spud started pre school I knew I was going to listen to that Mama gut of mine (why do we ever doubt it?!) and I had an idea...’

motherhood, parenthoodJenna RutherfordFebruary 8, 2019nursery, settling in, daycare, letting go, motherhood, separation anxietyComment

150 things I've done as a doula

‘I’m celebrating five years as a doula this month so I took a trip down memory lane…what a journey!

Here’s a 150 things I’ve done since becoming a doula…’

doula, birth, motherhoodJenna RutherfordJanuary 17, 2019birth doula, postnatal doula, doulalife, doula Comment

The Good Enough Birth

‘Accepting that, while there might be magical moments, birth may also be surprising and, at times, even mundane, we can begin to have a more realistic view of what is ahead of us. In fact, it’s pretty good practice for parenthood! Having some plans in mind but accepting that there will be much we can’t control sets us up brilliantly for our mothering journeys too.’

birth, motherhoodJenna RutherfordNovember 12, 2018the good enough birth, birth better, hypnobirthing, positive birth, informed choiceComment

My Positive Birth FOMO

‘So slowly over time I have practiced this feeling of FOMO, this shift to not being where I thought I wanted to be, often staying home with the kids while I live vicariously through my friends and their cool insta stories. And it has faded, dimmed, that feeling that I'm missing out. I started to focus simply on what I was doing and all the loveliness in that.’

LOVE your #Mumbod Mamas or your daughters will hate theirs

‘Girls naturally mature quicker and grow up faster anyway but now they are being bombarded with the wrong kind of messages during the soul searching part of their journey, they are having to deal with things they are not emotionally ready for. They are becoming confused and lost. Body image is a BIG issue.’

What does a doula do? Part Three

‘It is impossible for me to support a family in this intimate way without loving them. It’s not like loving your spouse, child or friend but it’s definitely love. It’s an emotional, private, personal and incredibly special time for the family and I get to be a part of it.’

odulamore@gmail.com