Recently, we spoke to Nikki regarding her experience during the wonderfully hard time that is being postpartum. Nikki, her partner Bill and her children Rey & Reg live in South Golden Beach
What has been your biggest learning in the shift into motherhood?
My children are such wonderful teachers and remind me every day how to live in the now. Before them, I found I was constantly projecting into the future or thinking about the past. Motherhood has been a nice way to reconnect to a presence that has always been there.
Describe the change in identity for you?
Before having kids, I enjoyed the flexibility of spontaneous travelling, moving to different towns and being totally selfish with life decisions. This was definitely a fun time but maybe all the constant change was in fact me trying to figure out my identity? So for me when I had my babies, I really felt like I landed in my authentic self. I found my purpose which I believe is to give love
What are some your self-care practices and how has that changed since entering motherhood?
I’ve always loved to run. Before babies I would run nearly every day. I guess you could say it was my form of meditation. Nowadays, I’m lucky to run 2-3 times a week. Partly due to lack of time, exhaustion but also not having the flexibility to just go for run anytime of the day. Also, I now run with a pram which is a big change from my usual loop of the Byron lighthouse.
What are essentials for you and bub during the fourth trimester?
Me- many cups of teas, my Frank Green drink bottle (with the straw lid of course) and many, many filling snacks. My favourite was a homemade batch of peanut butter & date bliss balls a girlfriend made for me.
Bub- a good white noise machine with a red light setting, a never-ending supply of soft cotton onesies (illoura kimono suits definitely my fav) and the ergobaby carrier. I used the carrier from 2-weeks-old with baby number two which was a godsend having a newborn and toddler to keep up with.
What would you like to tell your former self about becoming a mum?
It’s going to be the most incredible, wild ride of your life. Be prepared to feel every emotion and an abundance of love everyday
Reggie wears our Pure Beginnings Essentials
Photos by @mamakind_studio
