At motherhoodHannah understands that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to motherhood and that no two babies are alike. Hannah has been lovingly referred to over the years as The Bump and Baby Guru® as she has spent her career working with young babies as a maternity coach, sleep consultant and baby care expert. Hannah’s support dives deep into newborn care, feeding, sleep, and looks at how you can navigate pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period in a way that feels intuitive for you and your baby. There are no rights or wrongs. this is about you and your baby. She encourages moms to lean into what feels intuitive, tune out the outside noise, and help you feel confident and empowered by imparting her wealth of knowledge on sleep, feeding, regression, and birth. Here she talks to The Natural Parent magazine about the inspiration behind her business, how she balances work and family time and the challenges she’s overcome along the way.
The passion: What inspired you to create your business?
I’ve shared this postpartum, newborn fog with many new moms as they navigate pregnancy, birth, and life with a tiny baby. The reality is that postnatal support is low, leaving mothers feeling somewhat isolated and let down by the system. The traditional feel of a village is no more: often the family is far away. Becoming a mother is one of the most exciting yet exciting chapters of one’s life. There’s even a term for the process: matrescence. The fact that I can share this and call it work feels like a privilege. Watching someone evolve as they find their feet in motherhood is very special.
I feel very strongly about mental wellness and realized early on that it’s so easy to get overwhelmed during early motherhood, to not trust your gut and compare yourself to others. There is so much to take in, flooded with opinions and information at a time when you are most vulnerable. I didn’t just want to help a family as a maternity nurse, nor can everyone afford to hire one, but everyone deserves support. My business has evolved over time, but the inspiration remains the same: empowering women to find their feet in motherhood.
The launch: How did you get started in the first place?
I have spent my career working with families from all walks of life. After graduating university, I was lucky enough to land a role in Monaco as a nanny to a newborn (and his siblings). I remember being given a Gina Ford book and told to give the baby water if he wasn’t back to sleep by 4am. I loved this family and the role and so I trained as a maternity nurse at the age of 21. Since then, I have spent thousands of hours with newborns in private homes and have diversified to train as a sleep consultant. I have completely changed the way I work, following what I believe is truly best for mother and baby. The book they once gave me is now gathering dust somewhere (or maybe I used it one day to start my wood burner, who knows!).
Innovation: What has been the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Supporting mothers as they bring new life into this world is incredible. In recent years, I’ve seen a positive shift in the narrative about how to raise young babies, which I believe reflects positively on motherhood.
Everyone is on the same journey, just taking a different path. One thing remains the same: you have to find your feet in motherhood and trust your instincts. My biggest breakthrough was being told by a mother of newborn triplets that I brought joy, peace and comfort to her life in a way she couldn’t thank me for. To receive gratitude from families because of the support I have given is wonderful. For me it’s about the small wins rather than a big moment.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and personal life? What recommendations can you give to those balancing work and family life?
I like to think of it this way: in a plane crash, they tell you to put on your oxygen mask first. The same must be said for motherhood. Take care of yourself, be kind to yourself and then everything else will follow. And organization is key, plus a whole load of patience.
As for myself, I really struggle to separate my work from my personal life as it is a true passion of mine. I find it impossible to read a Facebook post from a desperate mom whose baby isn’t feeding well, isn’t sleeping and the doctor told her it’s normal. I can’t sleep without giving them the support they deserve.
