Kaitlyn Marie - Doula & Paediatric Massage Consultant

I can’t believe my youngest is off to school next year 😭

Now that this is my third and most likely last time experiencing this as a mum, I know just how big this transition truly is.

Once they hit school so much changes.
They need you a little less & start being influenced by the world around them.
They start navigating friendships, school work & how to be independent.

It truly is huge.

I feel really emotional thinking about it & just want to keep her in our bubble while knowing this is the best thing for her and she is absolutely ready.

My little girl 🥹

I’m so proud of her.
I’m proud of her sisters.
I’m proud of myself.

Most of all I’m proud of the family I created and how blessed am I to raise such wonderful humans ❤️

It really is such a privilege.

To the mamas, dads and parents out there nervous for this transition, don’t be.

It’s so magical watching them grow and learn & to be their safe space when they come home.

Letting go is hard but it’s all part of the process.

Trust it, embrace it & watch all your hard work pay off as they show the world who they are and discover new experiences and just what life has to offer.

Also welcome to school mornings, long pick up lines, lunch boxes & book weeks.. it’s a whole new world 😂

But you’ve got this & if you feel a twinge of sadness like me you’re not alone.

Enjoy the last couple of months and soaking in your little babe and I’ll see you on the other side of being a school mum 🫡

You’ve got this ❤️

It’s amazing how different life can be in 12 months.

Where I was this time 12 months ago to now is just wild to me.

From my lowest point to thriving and taking risks and challenging myself in the best way.

It’s a beautiful reminder that you’re never truly stuck and the darkest of days are never permanent.

Getting this new job has opened doors for so many little things in my life and has given me the confidence boost that I’ve been needing after a really hard year of grief.

I’m feeling safe and loved in my relationship.
I’m feeling like a good mum and that I’m being present with my kids & most importantly I’m feeling content with myself and my future.

Last night was a fun night to end my first week of real estate & has left me feeling excited for this next chapter ❤️

Our society has it all backwards when it comes to having babies.

We’re so engrossed with the perfect looking nursery, the sweet baby clothes & which pram has the best reviews, yet we do little to no preparation for our postpartum.

Although these things can be important to you we really do lack the knowledge on what truly matters when you’ve just given birth.

What you need is support.

Support that looks like someone checking in on you emotionally, meals being prepared to nourish you to help support your recovery. It looks like moments for you to have to yourself if needed or the house work kept on top of while you bond and love your baby.

Support looks like the mental load being shared and offering knowledge on well known services in your area for when questions or things arise that need professional assistance.
It can look like someone listening and debriefing your birth experience or the intense emotions that may have come up for you.

Support can look like caring for other children or allowing space for you to connect with them while your baby is still getting the care they need.

Support can look like a foot soak, a hot cup of tea & feeling like someone is in your corner and caring for you.

All these things play a role in supporting you mentally and physically and ensure you look back on this time with love, softness and most importantly kindness for yourself.

Although it’s lovely to have a well dressed baby and a nursery that looks magical, you will remember more so on how you felt being during your newborn bubble than how it looked in photos.

Take it from one mama that wished she invested more,
You will never regret the support you did have, only the support you didn’t.

If this is something you would love to experience for yourself send me a message so we can discuss how this looks for you & ensure you have the support you deserve ❤️

What did you need or wish you had as support during your postpartum?

Happy Monday! Just thought it was time to reintroduce myself 🤗

I’m Kaitlyn! I run my own business as a postpartum doula & Paediatric massage consult. I also work for an amazing company called - FYC also have a podcast full of evidence based information & amazing guests so check them out! I also work for as I’m sure you’ve seen many times in my stories if you’re following along ☺️

I live with my 3 daughters, Payton, Keeley & Audrey (13,11 & 5). As they’re older now it’s been a completely different experience and transition which a lot of mums don’t talk about - let me know if this is something that interests you!
I have a wonderful boyfriend that I’ve been with for 16 months now & our love story is very unique and one that I’ll forever be grateful for.

I’m a nurturer at heart, hate conflict and I’m a very understanding person which has both been a blessing and a curse throughout my life.

Acts of service is one of my love languages so I love doing things for people around me which fits perfectly into my role as a postpartum doula.
There’s nothing I love more than leaving a home feeling refreshed with a relaxed mama & baby.

I feel like I’ve lived 10 different lives and although I’m only 32 I have a lot of life experience which I can’t always openly share online but do try my best to be transparent as I can - I’m always up for a chat in my dms! Not great at small talk but love a good deep and meaningful one!

I did turn into a crazy cat lady. During a very low point in my life I purchased a cat. A very expensive cat. But my gosh she was worth way more than I could have imagined. She has been the biggest blessing for me & my household 💜

Things I love to talk about are;
☀️ Everything and anything pregnancy, birth or postpartum
☀️ love languages, attachment theories & understanding the way people think
☀️ hardships & joys in motherhood
☀️ raising an autistic child & neurodiversity
☀️ relationships, intimacy, co parenting & blended families

Anyway I feel like that’s a fair chunk of me for now!

please let me know if you relate to any of this and introduce yourself in the comments 👇🏻

I often get asked what my biggest lesson is from experiencing raising 3 girls & my answer would definitely be that every baby is different!

When you have your first baby you’re learning on the go and just fumbling your way through, your second you feel more seasoned and ready to take it all on and by the time your third comes around you might assume that it’ll be easy.

If only it was that simple!
Each of my babies have been so different from feeding issues, two taking dummies and one not, one liked to self settle, the others fed to sleep & let’s not talk about the 4 month regression hitting the hardest with my third baby!
I remember so many times comparing one to the other and wondering what I was doing wrong and why didn’t they like what I had known to work before.
This was until I had the realisation that every baby is different and the comparing game wasn’t helping.

It’s the same way in which advice for one parent may work for one family and not the next.
It’s why as a postpartum doula I will offer a range of different tips and tricks but at the end of the day my number one rule of thumb will always be “trial & error” due to the fact there’s no such thing as a guaranteed answer for every baby.

You definitely learn your own little routine & ways of doing things but at the end of the day each baby has different needs and ways in which they like things to be done.
Be prepared to learn with each baby and remember that personality plays a big part in who they are and what they like.

I swear they just like to make sure we’re not getting too comfortable and like to keep us on our toes 🤪
But really if this is something you’re experiencing I just wanted to remind you that it’s nothing you’re doing wrong it’s just your baby expressing their wants and needs in their own way.
Trust your baby, remember that it’s ok to do things differently & that this time is such a small glimpse of your lives and you will figure it out before you know it!

Did you experience this where you had to change and adapt your techniques with each baby?

You don’t have to be struggling to have a postpartum doula.

The role in which we play in your postpartum experience isn’t to rescue you from the depths of despair but rather allow space for you to experience this transition with support, evidence based information and time for rest.

Sometimes my clients are on to their second baby and just like to know they have another set of hands to give time for the parent and child to connect without juggling two at once.

Sometimes I have clients that just want time to sleep and rest while I care for their baby, cook them a meal or tidy their house because we know with resting comes no time for much else & how overwhelming that can be with an ever growing to do list.

Sometimes I have clients that just want emotional connection with an adult and to talk through their thoughts, feelings or questions that come with raising children.

Sometimes I have clients that just want to tackle tasks in their home without a baby attached or a toddler asking for another snack.

Each client & experience is different and although sometimes we come across clients that are feeling very overwhelmed, a lot of the time it’s clients that know the importance of support and keeping their cup filled rather than waiting for it to be completely empty before asking for help.

So if you’re having a baby and are thinking that a postpartum doula is only for those that desperately need support, I’m here to tell you that we’re for all parents, all types of families and at any stage of your postpartum experience.

I have spaces available for the remainder of the year so if you’re reading this and feeling the pull to put yourself first please reach out ❤️

If you’ve had a postpartum doula before please let me know in the comments what you enjoyed most about having one 👇🏻

✨ Pamper day at

I can’t think of a better way to start your Tuesday than a baby massage pamper sesh!

This session was so much more than getting beautiful photos & admiring the cuteness of these little ones.
Baby massage is a way to connect and nurture your baby by spending 1:1 time giving eye contact, smiles, reading body language, and of course intentional touch.
All of these things help to further form a secure attachment with your baby which we all know is so important during these early years.

We had lots of smiles, laughs & sleepy babies by the end of it!

It’s also a great way to meet other mamas/parents and build a community of support for you and your baby.

These pamper days are also included each term so if you want to get in on these sessions book in for the up and coming term ❤️

Spaces are still available so head over to website to book ☺️

And side note how adorably cute are these babies in their little robes 🥹

Client love 💜

I feel so privileged to do the work that I do and for clients to take time to write such beautiful words means so much to me.

This beautiful mama welcomed me into her home during such a sacred time & it was such a beautiful experience for us both. I often think of my clients after our time has passed and it’s such a privilege to meet so many incredible women & their families.

I still have spaces available throughout the remainder of the year so please get in touch if you’re needing postpartum support 💜

Just a reminder that packages can also be customised to your needs especially single mamas that are needing that extra bit of love 💜

This is going to be so fun! Come along or please share if you have a mama in your life that needs some self care 💜

Queen Boho Diy flower crown and high tea
$32.00 per ticket
11am-1pm
Saturday 22nd July 2023
At the conservatory cafe on Hull Road Croydon

Dress in something that makes you feel like the queen you are. in the beautiful conservatory cafe at the wyreena estate in croydon

We will begin with a beautiful little diy flower crown making workshop to complete our looks.

Next will be a lovely high tea with a mix of sweet and Savoury mouthfuls along with some lovely tea options.

Let us adore you, share a gift or two with you and just celebrate the queen you are.

All I ever wanted was my children to see me happy.
I wanted them to see me be loved and cherished.
I wanted them to see me hugged and looked at in a way that they could see what it is to feel deep love.
I wanted them to see me smile and laugh so much that they too smiled in reflection of mine.
I’ve always wanted them to see what it means to be respected by their partner & appreciated for who I was and to set the bar high so they never settled for less.
All of which I was beginning to feel was a dream.
A fairytale in which wasn’t made for me. Yet here I am.
Living and showing the very dream I thought wouldn’t be mine.
My relationship to the outside isn’t conventional but on the inside it’s full of strong foundations, respect and so much love.
Relationships as a mum can be complicated.
We stay in circumstances that don’t align with our values or beliefs in hopes that keeping your family together will somehow be best for our kids.
In reality what’s best for our kids is to see us truly, deeply and soulfully happy.
Something that isn’t a fairytale but a standard in which we deserve.
It’s never too late to find your happiness! Whether that’s being in love with the person that lights your soul or finding passions that fill you up.
Having children doesn’t mean sacrificing on the things that bring you joy just to make the outside world look at you in approval.
Having children is an opportunity to raise good humans that see healthy relationships blossom in and outside of your household.
Single mums still have a stigma and being a single mum for the second time you feel it even more.
I might be a mum that has ended two relationships while raising children but I’m also a woman that feels blissfully happy and content in the life she has created.
I think that also needs to be recognised as something to be proud of too ❤️

So mama if you’re feeling judgement or shame just remember there’s no such thing as an expiration date for your happiness.
You find that love, that career, that passion that makes you feel the way you deserve.
Our kids need to see us happy &
YOU deserve to feel happy even if it takes a few tries ❤️

I was talking to a soon to be mama today & she asked me what about the newborn stage is there to look forward to as so far all she’s heard about is the lack of sleep, crying, engorged breasts and emotions flying everywhere!
And it really got me thinking how many other soon to be mamas that wonder this question but don’t have a space to ask it.

So what sides of the newborn experience do you have to look forward to you ask?

Well I’ve made a list below 👇🏻

✨ The feeling and experience of falling in love like you’ve never experienced before

✨ The time to slow down, surrender and just be with your baby

✨ The newborn smell! Yes you will find your baby to smell delicious in the best way

✨ The smallness of them. Their tiny features, their small limbs and how much they need you

✨ The love and admiration you will feel for each other. Somehow all the traits that drive you mad about your partner will simply vanish

✨ The oxytocin high. The love and euphoric feeling is one that can’t be matched

✨ The admiration you will have for yourself. Remembering you grew & birthed this tiny miracle that means more to you than anything else

✨ The baby snuggles

✨ The newness of the whole experience. Learning new things about yourself & your baby

✨ The love you will see others have for your baby. There’s something so special about seeing those you care about supporting you & loving your baby that brings a joy I can’t put into words

The newborn bubble is a real thing and there’s so much to look forward to.
As your baby grows there will be new experiences and joys brought to life that will stop you in your tracks and fill your heart.

Raising children is such a privilege and although I acknowledge the hardships in that, it’s nice to also remember and discuss the beauty in it too 🥰

What else would you add to this list? Let me know below 👇🏻

My darling girl ❤️

My youngest daughter is turning 5 in a few weeks time & when I look at this photo I feel like I can smell her through the screen.
The first 4 years are so tiring, sleep deprivation, learning & growing constantly - you and them.
They need you so much.
Then they turn 5 and the independence blossoms and they need you a little less.
Soon enough they're at school and you find yourself sitting here looking back through photos with tears in your eyes wishing to go back for one more day.
Motherhood.
It's such a beautiful whirlwind.
Forever changing and wishing they were on to the next stage! whether that be from excitement, simply wanting to drink your coffee hot again or let's be real, a full nights sleep!
What you don't realise at the time is how much you'll miss those small & wonderful moments and soon enough you'll be looking back remembering their smell through a photo 💔

Time is a thief but also a gift.
I'm thankful to have lived these moments not once but three times now & what a privilege and wonderful experience it has been.

Does anyone else feel the sadness of wanting them to be little forever but also feel grateful for their growth & love the next chapter too?

❤️❤️❤️

At first glance, your newborn baby may seem unable to do much.

But they are actually taking in volumes of information about the world through their senses .

In our grow and nurture program for 3 weeks to 3 months you will learn valuable infant massage and have meaningful conversations about the 4th trimester with our amazing

You will meet other new parents, maybe it’s their first, second or third baby…

But in true grow with play nature, you will watch in these early months as your baby makes steady gains, in their ability to control their muscles, watch their tightly closed fists loosen, and begin to swipe at objects.

Play isn’t so much about lively activity at this age as it is about sensory exploration -giving them object to watch, to listen to, and touch.

term 2 enrolments are now open for our grow and nurture program, these sessions fill up incredibly fast. Please don’t miss out.

Have you done this program with us? Maybe you can share your experience for others to hear

Let’s talk about sleep deprivation in motherhood 🥱
From my experience it wasn’t caring for my baby that I struggled with it was more so caring for my baby while experiencing sleep deprivation on a whole new level.

You become irritable, mentally tired & even resentful at times.

Those first 12 months are so tough when it comes to lack of sleep and it can be really tricky to navigate.

So what can you do about it?

Well knowing it’s biologically normal and isn’t a reflection on you as a mother or your baby personally, certainly helps. We’re so quick to blame ourselves.

Obviously prioritise sleep when you can. This can be achieved with a doula, partner support or friends and family - think of this when people say “do you need anything”.
I understand this is often a privileged answer so if you don’t have these options then find ways to rest where you can even if it’s resting on the couch with baby snuggles.

If you’re finding it hard to sleep during the day - I know this was definitely me! Then finding small pockets of joy in your day can be so beneficial. Whether that’s a hot cup of tea with 10 minutes of silence or going for a walk with your baby in tow. You need all the oxytocin you can get!

Make sure you’re eating breakfast and regular meals during the day. If you’re not eating well it will make this season a whole lot harder on your mind, body and soul.

Delegate, delegate, delegate.
Now is not the time to do all the things! Yes this means speaking up which I know isn’t easy but necessary for this time.

Lastly, reminding yourself this too shall pass.
I promise it won’t be this way forever.
You will sleep again.
Your child will sleep a full 12 hours one day and this stage of life is such a small time period in raising children.
Although knowing this doesn’t solve all your problems or get you more sleep, I hope it’s reassuring that it won’t always feel this way.

My last reminder is that it’s ok to vent about the season you’re in too.
You don’t have to put on a brave face. There are so many mums in the thick of this season with you 💕

Do you have any sleep deprivation tips or experiences that other will find useful?

When the massage is so good you fall asleep straight after it 🥺

Todays sessions were so lovely and had a few sleepy babies towards the end of class.

I love hearing feedback from mums saying after our Grow with play!] sessions how their little ones sleep better in the afternoon 💕

It also fills the parents cup & that’s just as important!

I also love to see the connections between the mamas growing and even had an afternoon catch up session being made for after class which also fills my cup to hear 🥰

Connection in those early days & months into parenthood really makes your transition easier & allows room for you to feel all your feelings while being validated and understood from those that are in the same transition.

We all know how hard & lonely this period can become so by having an outlet and somewhere to go during your weeks at home is so valuable.

So grateful to be able to provide this space 💕

Casual sessions are still available so contact Grow with play!] if you’re wanting to join in on this beautiful community 💕

💕

Have you heard of the Maternal & Child Health Line?

It’s a 24 hour, 7 days a week hotline for parents from pregnancy to children starting school.

It’s a great tool especially for new parents navigating the newborn stage, breastfeeding and just those anxious thoughts that arise when having to keep a tiny human alive for the first time.

It’s also available at any time so if you’re up at 3am and you need to speak to someone about your baby or child you have that option available.

They offer services for health information or advice, counselling, parenting issues, breastfeeding support & referrals just to name a few.

This service being available for pregnancy and up to school age children is pretty amazing as I know from first hand how things come up and sometimes you’re unsure and just need some guidance to help make an informed decision.

It’s a support and a resource that’s easily accessed and it’s free!

For more information their website is below ⬇️

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/maternal-and-child-health-line-service

(Simply google maternal & child health line and the website will pop up!)

Have you used this resource before?
If so did you find it helpful? ❤️

Very excited for be part of this! If you’re local to Pakenham come and check out Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten Pakenham and RSVP for their event where I’ll be teaching baby massage ❤️

My biggest love of baby massage is the connection it provides through touch.

Touch is often used for moments such as feeding, nappy changing or even settling but how often have you set intentional time for touch to really reconnect and bond with your baby?

Baby massage is a wonderful tool to do just that!

Learning strokes and techniques helps to not only make you feel more confident in massaging your baby but it will also come with so many amazing benefits for them too! I cover what these are during my sessions and leave you feeling confident and with one relaxed baby!

If you’re interested in learning more on baby massage please send me a message to book in a private or group session 🧡

What does vulnerability look like for you?

For me building this page has allowed a semi vulnerable side to me & my motherhood journey but also still so filtered.

I often scroll my feed and I’m so envious of so many accounts that show the real and the raw side of their lives.

I have so much to share.
So much to talk about yet that worry of being judged or being rejected lingers on.

Scared to upset people & worried about how my words can be taken. All of this plays a role in what I share and what I don’t.

I created this page for my business.
A business which requires a lot of vulnerability from the women and families I support.
So sometimes I feel conflicted on keeping this page very professional but then also wanting the softer sides of me to flow out as how can I expect others to confide in me if I can’t be vulnerable myself?

I would love to discuss more things on co parenting, relationships after having kids, parenting children with different personalities and needs, abortion, miscarriage, teen pregnancy, the judgement we face as parents & raising children in their tweens. All while mixing in the need for postpartum support and more education on the process our bodies and brains go through postpartum. Plus all my doula passions and knowledge!

So my question for you is what do you want to see?
Is there such a thing as being too vulnerable or are you just looking for evidence based information and don’t care so much about my personal experiences?
I’d love to know!

I feel I’ve hit a wall with my page lately and I can’t seem to get my words to flow or know what I want to say.

This year I’d like to really use my voice.
My actual non filtered voice and validate your experiences as well as my own.

So would you like to see this side of me?

Grow & Nurture 💕

This class is designed to teach you how to massage your baby while meeting other new parents and finding your groove together 💕

This class is not only for your baby but it’s also for you!

We’re so quick to want to do what’s best for our baby that we can get lost in the process. Having a weekly 45 minute session to escape the house, bond with your baby and speak to other adults will be a game changer for your postpartum experience.

Grow with play is also a community that is all about connection and fun! Which is designed to grow with your baby with so many fun classes for every age group!

If you’ve been looking for something different to a mum group or playgroup check us out over at Grow with play

https://www.growwithplay.com.au/enroll-for-2022



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Kaitlyn - Postpartum Doula 🍃 on Instagram: "Grow & Nurture 💕 This class is designed to teach you how to massage your baby while meeting other new parents and finding your groove together 💕 This class is not only for your baby but it’s also Kaitlyn - Postpartum Doula 🍃 shared a post on Instagram: "Grow & Nurture 💕 This class is designed to teach you how to massage your baby while meeting other new parents and finding your groove together 💕 This class is not only for your baby but it’s also for you! We’re so quick to want t...

If you’re in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne I also teach baby massage & sensory classes over at Grow with play

It’s an amazing community where you get to enjoy quality time with your little one while making new connections with other parents 🥰

They also provide classes until school age so check them out 🙌🏻

Grow and nurture. This is for newborn to 5 month olds.
Meet kaitlyn - she is a qualified and practicing postpartum doula.

In our grow and nurture sessions you will experience, gentle important conversations around those first few months, learn infant massage with many benefits for example colic and sleep.
You will make and take baby artwork and gifts for the parents.
Experience basic sensory through sight, sound and music. Meet other new parents.

K - kaitlyn is kind and caring. She really does hold a special sacred place for new parents
A - amazing mother to three girls, one is also on the spectrum, if you have a child going down that path kaitlyn is an amazing sounding board.
I - irreplaceable to Cody - kaitlyn was the cheerleader that made Cody have the oomf to start her dream.🥰
T -thriving doula, she has her plate full with many clients but still has time to fit us in ❤️❤️
L - lovable, we love her so much
Y -yes we are sure you will love her as much as we do🤩
N - nature of calmness she brings to her sessions is second to none.