It's a question I hear from new parents quite a bit. Your baby pulls their knees up, goes red in the face, grunts, squirms, strains, and looks like they're working incredibly hard just to pass wind or do a poo. And often they are. One of the surprising things about newborns is that they're still learning how to coordinate all the muscles needed to do these everyday tasks. Their digestive system is adjusting to life outside the womb, and sometimes their bodies are still figuring out how everything works. While it's always important to speak with your healthcare provider if you're concerned, a lot of this grunting, straining, and fussiness can be completely normal in the early weeks. This is one of the reasons many parents enjoy learning baby massage. Baby massage isn't just about relaxation. It can help support: • Parent-baby bonding and connection • Relaxation and calmness • Body awareness •Positive touch and communication • Wind and digestive comfort • Establishing quiet moments together during busy days One of my favourite things about baby massage is that it encourages parents to slow down, put distractions aside, and simply spend time connecting with their baby. ❤️Sometimes the biggest benefit isn't what it does for the baby. It's what it does for the relationship between you.❤️ Have you noticed your baby grunting, straining, or pulling their knees up lately? Or did they go through a particularly windy phase in those early weeks?

Because if you've done one of my classes, you'll know I'm a big fan of packing snacks to keep everyone's energy up. Labour can be hard work. The hours after birth can be even hungrier. And hospital toast only goes so far!! Over the years I've seen everything packed: • muesli bars • lollies • dried fruit • chocolate • crackers • trail mix • electrolyte drinks • sandwiches • chips protein balls And yes... I've had parents tell me they packed an entire family-sized bag of their favourite snacks and had absolutely no regrets. So let's help each other out. What snacks are making the hospital bag cut for you? Or if you've already had your baby, what snack were you most grateful you packed? Bonus points for anything unusual or unexpectedly brilliant!

Labour induction is one of the most common interventions in maternity care, yet it's also one of the topics many parents feel least prepared for. If your care provider has mentioned induction, you're approaching your due date, or you're simply curious about what happens if labour doesn't start on its own, this new blog post is worth a read. Inside, I cover: • What labour induction is • Common reasons it may be recommended • Potential benefits and risks • The different methods used to induce labour • What the Bishop's Score is and why it matters • Questions you may want to ask before making decisions Understanding your options doesn't mean you need to have all the answers right now. It simply helps you feel more informed and confident if the conversation ever comes up. Head over to the Labour & Birth section (in the classroom) and have a read. I'd love to know... had you heard of the Bishop's Score before today?