The Postpartum Season

Laura Taneja | Sharing honest postpartum stories

The Postpartum Season is a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life after birth. Hosted by Laura, each episode explores the realities of the postpartum period through open, compassionate conversations with mothers and trusted health professionals. Motherhood is often portrayed as either beautiful or difficult, but the truth is that it can be both at the same time. This podcast creates space for the full picture—the joy, the love, the identity shifts, the exhaustion, the healing, the challenges, and everything in between. Whether you're preparing for your first baby, navigating the early weeks postpartum, returning to work, or simply looking for reassurance that you're not alone, The Postpartum Season is here to support you. Because every postpartum experience is different, but no one should have to navigate it feeling alone.

  1. 3d ago

    EP 35 | Educational Series 2026 | Understanding Baby Sleep – Normal Infant Sleep, Realistic Expectations & Supporting Parents with Dr Eliza Hannam

    In this episode of The Postpartum Season 2026 Educational Series, Dr Eliza Hannam, GP, IBCLC, NDC-accredited practitioner and founder of Nurtured Medical, joins me to discuss normal infant sleep, realistic expectations, responsive settling and supporting parental wellbeing. We discuss: Dr Hannam experience of becoming a mother and feeling unprepared for newborn sleep despite her medical trainingHow her own parenting experiences led her to pursue further training in infant sleepThe work Dr Hannam and her team do through Nurtured MedicalThe importance of considering infant sleep, feeding, health and parental mental health togetherThe Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC/Possums) approach to infant sleepUnderstanding sleep as a biological need rather than a skill to learnWhat normal newborn sleep looks likeWhy newborns initially have limited day-night differentiationThe normality of babies wanting to sleep on or close to a parentWhy catnapping is common in young babiesHow infant sleep changes as babies growThe enormous variation in normal infant sleep durationInfant temperament and its influence on settling and sleepWhy some babies need significantly more support to fall asleepUnderstanding frequent night waking and why it can be developmentally normalResponsive settling, co-regulation and helping babies feel safe and supportedWhy feeding, rocking or holding a baby to sleep doesn't necessarily create a problemUnderstanding the main biological regulators of sleepThe role of daylight, activity and day-night differentiationHow daytime naps and bedtime timing can influence sleep pressureRecognising when sleep pressure may be contributing to difficulties settling or frequent wakingPractical adjustments that may help support infant sleepWhy rigid sleep schedules and prescribed wake windows don't suit every babyThe importance of considering the wellbeing of the whole familyPractical ways to make broken sleep more manageable for parentsSeeking additional support when sleep deprivation is affecting parental mental healthNavigating conflicting infant sleep adviceHow to choose an appropriate professional for infant sleep supportCo-sleeping and bed-sharing, including the importance of understanding potential risksAvoiding unplanned sleep in higher-risk circumstances, including on couches and chairsWhat it means for infant sleep advice to be evidence-basedUnderstanding the limitations of observational studies and other infant sleep researchThe importance of critically evaluating claims made about infant sleepDr Hannam's reassurance that sleep changes over time and that difficult seasons do get easierWhy challenging infant sleep doesn't mean you're failing as a parent  The resources Dr Eliza Hannam mentioned during the episode include: The Discontented Little Baby by Dr Pamela DouglasRed Nose Australia — safer sleep informationAustralian Breastfeeding Association — infant sleep and bed-sharing informationBASIS (Baby Sleep Information Source), UK — infant sleep research and safer sleep information  You can find out more about Dr Eliza Hannam on instagram at @dr.eliza.hannam and her clinic, Nutured Medical, on instagram at @nuturedmedical. A big thank you to First Aid for New Parents by The Postpartum Season for sponsoring this week’s episode, which will be launching soon! Follow along on instagram at @thepostpartumseasonpodcast for updates about the launch. As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help. Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)Helpline: 1300 726 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue1300 22 4636Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au  New Zealand PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)  Thank you for listening. Take care x

  2. 5d ago

    EP 34 | Laura – A Positive Caesarean Experience, Feeding Challenges, Postpartum Recovery & Balancing Motherhood and Business

    In this episode, Laura shares her experience of becoming a mum to Billie, including an unexpected caesarean birth, feeding challenges, physical recovery and balancing motherhood with running a business. We discuss: Laura's journey into motherhood and deciding when to start a familyNavigating the decision to have a baby while running a business with her husbandFeeling excited about motherhood while wondering how it would fit into their working livesConcerns about Billie's growth towards the end of pregnancyIncreased monitoring and the unexpected decision to deliver by caesareanHaving a positive caesarean experience despite an unexpected change in birth plansMeeting Billie for the first time and the initial shock of becoming parentsThe emotional intensity of the early postpartum periodAdjusting to frequent feeding, broken sleep and caring for a newbornThe support Laura and Liam received from familyHow becoming parents has affected their relationshipThe importance of working as a team during postpartumBreastfeeding initially going well before Billie became increasingly unsettledNavigating weeks of crying, feeding difficulties and concerns about weight gainIntroducing expressed breast milk by bottleGradually transitioning to bottle feeding and pumpingThe practical and emotional challenges of pumpingThe relief of seeing Billie become more comfortable and gain weightThe unexpected emotional significance of changing feeding methodsLaura's concerns about recovering from a caesarean as a Pilates instructorThe initial shock of seeing her caesarean incisionExperiencing numbness and difficulty connecting with her abdominal muscles after surgeryGradually returning to walking and gentle movementRebuilding core strength and pelvic floor awareness during postpartum recoveryWhy Laura feels her own recovery has made her a better Pilates instructorDeveloping Wild Pilates' new postnatal programme while recovering from birth herselfFilming the programme with Billie alongside herHow motherhood has changed Laura's relationship with her body and movementFinding a renewed sense of purpose in her work after becoming a motherReturning to work while caring for a babyThe challenges of switching between work and motherhood throughout the dayThe guilt that can accompany trying to balance paid work and parentingFinding connection with friends who are navigating motherhood at the same timeRemembering that challenging postpartum seasons don't last foreverYou can follow along with Laura and Wild Pilates on instagram at @lauramohiryan and @wildpilates.    Auckland mums, if anyone would like to find out more about Connection in the Postpartum Season, head to my website www.thepostpartumseason.com. There are only a few tickets left! As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help. Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)Helpline: 1300 726 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue1300 22 4636Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au  New Zealand PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)  Thank you for listening. Take care x

  3. Oct 21

    EP 33 | Educational Series 2026 | Breastfeeding - Milk Supply, Feeding Challenges & What to Expect with Dr Kate Jenkins

    In this episode of The Postpartum Season 2026 Educational Series, Dr Kate Jenkins, GP and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), joins me to discuss preparing for feeding, navigating common breastfeeding challenges, and the importance of supporting parental mental health. We discuss: Kate's work as a GP and IBCLC, and her interest in breastfeeding medicineHer own challenging breastfeeding experience, including difficulties latching, nipple shields and undiagnosed vasospasmThe importance of being listened to, believed and validated by healthcare professionalsSetting realistic expectations about breastfeeding before your baby arrivesWhy breastfeeding being natural doesn't necessarily mean it will be easyPreparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy without becoming overwhelmedAntenatal breastfeeding education Common misconceptions about breastfeedingAntenatal hand expressing and collecting colostrumWhat breastfeeding can look like in the first hours and days after birthWhat to expect on the second night after birthCluster feeding and why babies feed so frequentlyRecognising whether your baby is receiving enough milkSigns that additional feeding support may be neededPainful breastfeeding, nipple damage and the importance of investigating persistent painUnderstanding milk supply and factors that can affect milk productionConcerns about low milk supply and the importance of effective milk removalWhat triple feeding involves and when it may be recommendedThe physical and emotional demands of triple feedingWhy feeding plans need to be manageable and sustainableSeeking early support from an IBCLC and getting a second opinion when difficulties persistPractical ways partners can support breastfeedingWhen formula supplementation may be medically necessaryCombination feeding Introducing bottles to breastfed babiesPaced bottle feeding and reducing the risk of bottle preferenceThe impact feeding difficulties can have on maternal mental healthNavigating guilt, shame, judgement and feelings of failure around feedingThe influence of social media on feeding expectations and parental confidenceRecognising when protecting maternal mental health needs to take prioritySupporting families to make feeding decisions that work for themWhy difficulties with breastfeeding can reflect gaps in healthcare support rather than individual failureThe resources Dr Kate Jenkins mentioned during the episode include: Mothersafe (NSW Australia): https://www.royalwomen.org.au/mothersafeAustralian Breastfeeding Association: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.auThe Breast Crawl (Google)You can find out more about Dr Kate Jenkins on instagram at @dr.kate.jenkins. A big thank you to First Aid for New Parents by The Postpartum Season for sponsoring this week’s episode, which will be launching soon! Follow along on instagram at @thepostpartumseasonpodcast for updates about the launch. As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help. Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) Helpline: 1300 726 306 Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia 13 11 14 (24/7) Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au  New Zealand PlunketLine 0800 933 922 (24/7)Healthline New Zealand 0800 611 116 (24/7)1737 Need to talk? Call or text 1737 (24/7)  Thank you for listening. Take care x

  4. Oct 19

    EP 32 | Jes – Postpartum Anxiety, Perinatal Mental Health Unit Stay, Seeking Support & Finding Your Village

    In this episode, Jes shares her experience of severe postpartum anxiety, the challenges of accessing perinatal mental health care, and how her journey eventually inspired her to create The Jellybean Gym — a space supporting both young children and their parents. We discuss: Jes's experience of a difficult pregnancy with persistent nausea and vomitingDiscovering her daughter was breech at 37 weeks and changing her birth plansChoosing a planned caesarean and navigating feelings of failure before becoming a motherThe importance of partner leave Meeting her daughter for the first time and not experiencing the immediate connection she had expectedRecovering from a caesarean and the anxiety Jes experienced Struggling to trust her own instincts as a new motherThe challenges of learning to parent together and communicating with your partnerExperiencing increasingly severe anxiety and panic attacks during early postpartumThe impact of anxiety on Jes's ability to eat, sleep and functionReaching a mental health crisis and recognising that she urgently needed professional supportThe significant barriers Jes encountered when trying to access perinatal mental health careSeeking help through urgent care, her GP, emergency departments and other servicesThe support Jes received from PANDA during this difficult periodBeing admitted to a perinatal mental health unit at eight weeks postpartumSpending three and a half weeks in hospital alongside her daughterWhat a perinatal mental health admission can look likeAccessing psychiatric care, medication and psychological supportPreparing to leave hospital and the anxiety surrounding returning homeUnderstanding that mental health recovery is an ongoing processThe enormous role James played in supporting Jes through her postpartum experienceFinding a supportive community through mothers' groupsThe importance of feeling heard and validated by other mothersHow connection with other mothers can reduce feelings of isolationWhy her postpartum experience inspired her to establish The Jellybean GymCreating  purposeful play classes for young childrenDesigning a space that supports parents and caregivers as well as their childrenThe importance of allowing families time to connect before and after classesCreating community through small groups, shared experiences and everyday conversationsHow building The Jellybean Gym has been part of Jes's own healing journeyJes's advice to other mothers - if something feels hard, it is hard, and you deserve supportYou can find out more about Jes and The JellyBean Gym at www.thejellybeangym.com.au or on instagram @thejellybeangym.   A big thank you to Odi Nutrition for sponsoring this week’s episode. You can find out more about Odi at @odi_nutrition_, and you can browse their range at odinutrition.com.   As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help. Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)Helpline: 1300 726 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue1300 22 4636Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au  New Zealand PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)  Thank you for listening. Take care x

  5. Oct 12

    EP 31 | Tayla – Two Postpartum Experiences, Formula Feeding, Postpartum Anxiety & Returning to Work

    In this episode, Tayla shares her two postpartum experiences, including recovering from caesarean births, choosing to formula feed, navigating postpartum anxiety and returning to paid work earlier than she had hoped. We discuss: Finding out unexpectedly that she was pregnant with her first daughter, EmilyBecoming a mother without a relationship with her own mumThe enormous support Tayla has received from her mother-in-lawPreparing for a planned caesarean and worrying about physical recoveryMeeting Emily for the first timeThe challenges of those first days in hospital and adjusting to caring for a newbornRecovering physically from a caesarean birthTayla's decision to formula feed both of her childrenThe judgement and pressure she experienced around her feeding choicesNavigating conflicting feeding advice and concerns about Emily's weight gainLearning to trust her instincts as a first-time mumExperiencing anxiety during her first postpartum seasonReturning to paid work when Emily was just under three months oldNavigating daycare and adjusting to being away from her babyPreparing for postpartum with a second babyMaintaining Emily's routine during the transition from one child to twoPractical postpartum preparation, including meal preparation and creating a calm home environmentMeeting Paul and recovering from a second caesareanFeeling much more confident as a mother the second time aroundWatching Emily meet her baby brother for the first timeThe challenges of adjusting to life with two young childrenFeeling a temporary change in her relationship with Emily after Paul's arrivalPaul becoming seriously unwell at just 10 days old and requiring hospital careHow this experience contributed to significant postpartum anxietyPaul being admitted to hospital again with RSV at 10 weeks oldExperiencing prolonged postpartum bleeding and the anxiety surrounding her recoveryStruggling with sleep, withdrawing from the outside world and feeling increasingly anxiousWhy Tayla wishes she had sought mental health support earlierThe importance of opening up to trusted friends and familyHow regular conversations with her husband and friends helped Tayla feel connected and supportedReturning to paid work earlier than she wanted because of financial pressuresThe challenges of combining paid work, daycare and parenting two young childrenTayla's positive experience with her children's daycareThe joy of watching Emily and Paul's sibling relationship developFinding greater confidence in herself as a mother, partner and personLearning who truly shows up for you during motherhoodThis weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.  If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com. And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below: https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap Thank you for supporting the podcast! As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help. Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)Helpline: 1300 726 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue1300 22 4636Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au  New Zealand PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)  Thank you for listening. Take care x

  6. Oct 5

    EP 30 | George – Processing Having an Unplanned LSCS, Postpartum Body Image, Breaking the ‘Bounce Back’ Culture & Finding Your Village

    In this episode, George shares her experience of an unplanned caesarean, adjusting to her postpartum body, finding community and learning to surrender to the realities of new motherhood. We discuss: Finding out unexpectedly that she was pregnant with TeddyDeciding there may never be a “right time” to become parentsLiving in Sydney while most of George's family are in TasmaniaRealising how important community would become after having a babyPreparing extensively for birth but much less for postpartumHoping for a low-intervention vaginal birthHaving an unplanned caesarean after more than 24 hours of labourFeeling unprepared for what a caesarean and its recovery would involveMeeting Teddy and not experiencing the immediate rush of emotion she expectedThe guilt and self-blame George experienced after her birthLearning to validate her own experience rather than comparing it with other people’s birth experienceThe role pain played in George's emotional wellbeing during early postpartumBeginning to talk openly about her birth and process some of the guilt and shameFeeling unprepared for the physical reality of a postpartum bodyThe influence of “bounce back” culture and postpartum bodies portrayed onlineWondering whether her own body was normal because she hadn’t seen bodies like hers representedAnother mother reaching out and helping George realise she wasn’t aloneFinding the courage to share her postpartum body onlineThe response from thousands of women who felt seen and validated by her contentMoving from struggling with her body to feeling in awe of what it has doneThe challenge of finding genuine friendships and community in early motherhoodFinally meeting other mums who made George feel seen in her experienceNavigating sleep deprivation at around six months postpartumThe enormous identity shift that comes with motherhoodThe joy of watching Teddy’s personality begin to emergeGeorge's feeling that motherhood has brought a sense of contentment she had been searching forYou can find George on Instagram at @georgina.raynerrr.   A big thank you to ergoPouch for sponsoring this week’s episode. Use the code PPS20 at checkout to receive 20% off the ergoPouch range. Valid until 31 October 2026. Terms and conditions apply. You can find out more about ergoPouch at @ergopouch, and you can browse their range at www.ergopouch.com.au.   As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help. Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) Helpline: 1300 726 306 Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia 13 11 14 (24/7) Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au  New Zealand PlunketLine 0800 933 922 (24/7)Healthline New Zealand 0800 611 116 (24/7)1737 Need to talk? Call or text 1737 (24/7)  Thank you for listening. Take care x

  7. Oct 1

    EP 29 | Bonus Episode | The challenges faced by parents in today's society with Tegan from The Parenthood

    In this bonus episode of The Postpartum Season, I’m joined by Tegan Gilchrist, a senior director at The Parenthood, an Australian advocacy organisation campaigning for the social and economic infrastructure parents need to make life work for modern families. Tegan shares some of the challenges facing parents today, including the tension between work and caring responsibilities in the context of systems designed for another era,  the cost and availability of early learning, and the pressure parents can experience as their families move through different stages. We also talk about what The Parenthood is advocating for: 12 months of paid parental leave for families, high-quality and accessible early learning, and more family-friendly workplaces. Tegan explains why giving fathers and partners dedicated opportunities to take parental leave matters — not only in supporting mothers during the first year, but in establishing shared care from the beginning. We discuss the idea of the “default parent”, the role that time plays in building confidence and connection as a caregiver, and why creating better systems for families can benefit mothers, fathers, children and the wider community. We finish by talking about The Parenthood’s vision for Australian families and how parents can get involved in advocating for change. You can find out more about The Parenthood at: https://www.theparenthood.org.au Or follow along on instagram at @theparenthood. Important links that were mentioned in the episode: Address by Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, at the National Press Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brIRti7aEpg The Parenthood Paid Parental Leave Petition: https://www.theparenthood.org.au/first_year_foundations Also, as mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help. Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)Helpline: 1300 726 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue1300 22 4636Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au  New Zealand PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)  Thank you for listening. Take care x

  8. Sep 28

    EP 28 | Caitlin – Mothering Without Your Mum, Finding Your Village, Returning to Paid Work & Trusting Your Instincts

    In this episode, Caitlin shares her experience of becoming a mother while living overseas without family nearby, mothering without her own mum, and how motherhood has changed her perspective as a NICU nurse. We discuss: Finding out she was pregnant with MaeveCaitlin’s experience of pregnancy as a NICU nurse and feeling that sometimes she “knows too much”The balance between being informed and becoming overwhelmed by everything that could go wrongPreparing practically for postpartum without fully understanding the emotional transition aheadGrieving the end of life as just Caitlin and Stefano before becoming parentsPreparing to raise a baby in New Zealand while their families lived overseasMaeve’s labour progressing quickly from three to eight centimetresMaeve’s heart rate dropping during pushing and being taken into theatreAn episiotomy and vacuum-assisted birthMeeting their daughter for the first timeEstablishing breastfeeding and Caitlin’s experience of colostrum harvestingStaying at Birthcare after Maeve’s birthThe unexpected pain of recovering from an episiotomyRealising how much physical recovery required her to slow downPlanning a wedding during pregnancy and getting married in Italy when Maeve was four months oldTravelling overseas with a young baby and having Caitlin and Stefano’s families and friends finally meet MaeveBecoming a mother after losing her own mum at 23The bittersweet experience of joy and grief existing at the same timeMissing the experience of being mothered while learning to mother your own childGrieving the grandparent relationship Caitlin wishes her children could have had with her parentsCelebrating Maeve’s relationship with Stefano’s parentsThe ways Caitlin’s mum continues to influence how she wants to mother her own childrenReturning to NICU after becoming a motherHow motherhood has deepened Caitlin’s empathy for NICU parentsThe emotional impact of caring for babies and families after having a child herselfCaitlin’s passion for supporting and educating parents in NICUReturning to paid work and wanting to continue a career she deeply lovesThe challenges of balancing paid work and motherhoodPreparing to welcome a second baby without family support nearbyThe sadness Caitlin feels about Maeve no longer being their only childLooking forward to experiencing the newborn stage againSavouring the fleeting seasons of having a babyTrusting your instincts and recognising that you often know more than you think you doThis weeks sponsor is Rest in the Postpartum Season - guided yoga nidra practices created for mothers.  If you’re looking for a simple way to slow down, rest and take a little time for yourself, you can find practices ranging from five to fifteen minutes at www.thepostpartumseason.com. And if you would like to buy a Postpartum Season cap, click this link below: https://www.thepostpartumseason.com/store/p/the-postpartum-season-cap Thank you for supporting the podcast! As mentioned in the episode, here are some postpartum support resources. Please reach out if you need help. Australia PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)Helpline: 1300 726 306Website: https://www.panda.org.auLifeline Australia13 11 14 (24/7)Website: https://www.lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue1300 22 4636Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au  New Zealand PlunketLine0800 933 922 (24/7)Healthline New Zealand0800 611 116 (24/7)1737 Need to talk?Call or text 1737 (24/7)  Thank you for listening. Take care x

About

The Postpartum Season is a podcast dedicated to honest conversations about life after birth. Hosted by Laura, each episode explores the realities of the postpartum period through open, compassionate conversations with mothers and trusted health professionals. Motherhood is often portrayed as either beautiful or difficult, but the truth is that it can be both at the same time. This podcast creates space for the full picture—the joy, the love, the identity shifts, the exhaustion, the healing, the challenges, and everything in between. Whether you're preparing for your first baby, navigating the early weeks postpartum, returning to work, or simply looking for reassurance that you're not alone, The Postpartum Season is here to support you. Because every postpartum experience is different, but no one should have to navigate it feeling alone.

You Might Also Like