WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE FOR MAMA POSTPARTUM STORIES SERIES, WHERE WE CHAT WITH SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE MAMAS ON THEIR BIRTH, POSTPARTUM EXPERIENCE AND HOW THEY GATHERED THEIR VILLAGE.

FIRSTLY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

Absolutely! I’ve worn many hats over the years, and I think becoming a doula marks my third major career shift. In a previous life, I worked as a biochemist—I have a PhD in biochemistry and immunology. I’ve always had a curious mind and a deep love for science, learning, and education. I spent about a decade in the medical research industry before transitioning into intellectual property law, where I practiced as a patent attorney for eight years.

During that time, I also became a mum, which was a transformative experience—one I had zero preparation for. Looking back, it’s surprising, given my research background, that I didn’t deep-dive into what postpartum would be like. That experience ultimately led me to become a ‘one-and-done’ mum and was also the catalyst for launching Fill Your Cup.

I currently reside in Hobart, though I’m a Melbourne girl at heart. Like many families, we made the move during COVID—bought a house online, packed our bags, and relocated to my husband’s hometown in Hobart.

CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT THE CREATION AND EVOLUTION OF FILL YOUR CUP?

Of course! As I mentioned earlier, Fill Your Cup was born during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns—a time when my husband and I had those classic ‘pandemic discussions.’ You know, do we get a COVID divorce, have a COVID baby, or learn to bake sourdough? We chose none of the above. Instead, we had deep conversations about whether we wanted a second child.

My pregnancy was smooth sailing, but I did zero preparation for postpartum. I assumed motherly intuition would just kick in. Spoiler alert: it did not. We had no family or friends nearby, having moved to a new suburb at 33 weeks pregnant. I didn’t know about the local parks, cafes, or community spaces. I also had a history of anxiety, which put me at higher risk for postnatal anxiety—a fact I wasn’t aware of at the time. Sure enough, postpartum hit me hard.

When we were deciding whether to have another child, we recognised that my husband’s demanding work schedule and frequent travel, combined with our lack of local support, made it an incredibly tough decision. Ultimately, we decided against it, prioritizing my mental health. That was a hard pill to swallow, but it was the right decision for our family.

The silver lining? I became passionate about ensuring no mother would have to go through what I did. I wanted to create something that would support mums so they wouldn’t have to choose between their mental health and growing their families. So, I did my research, quit my job mid-lockdown, and started Fill Your Cup. Now, we have 16 team members across four states in Australia, supporting mothers and families during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. It’s the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had!

We so often prepare for the birth and forget to prepare for postpartum. Something else we don’t tend to acknowledge is how much the birth can impact your postpartum experience. What type of births did you have?

Great question! I had an elective caesarean for several reasons. First, I didn’t prepare for birth at all. I found the hospital’s birth education underwhelming and wasn’t aware of alternative birthing classes or the support of a birth doula. That left me feeling scared and out of control.

Once I went on maternity leave, I was alone with my thoughts, and my anxiety started to spiral. To mitigate potential birth trauma, I opted for an elective caesarean—and honestly, it was magical. The atmosphere was calm, the medical team was incredibly supportive, and it was an overall beautiful experience.

I talk about this often on my podcast and with clients, and many mums now seek out Fill Your Cup specifically because they know we support all birth choices without judgment. There’s still a stigma around elective cesareans—this whole ‘too posh to push’ narrative—but I firmly believe every woman should have the right to choose how she births her baby.

How was your recovery from birth and did it impact your postpartum experiences?

My recovery was surprisingly smooth, largely because I followed some key advice from a friend who is a nurse.

Her top two tips? First, don’t be a hero—stay on top of your pain meds. It’s much easier to manage pain proactively than to chase it. I had the midwives write my medication schedule on the whiteboard in my hospital room and made sure to buzz them in advance when my next dose was due. Second, constipation is real, thanks to pain meds like Endone and Tramadol. So, I took every laxative they offered and focused on hydrating, nutrient-dense foods like broths, dahls, and smoothies.

My positive birth and recovery experience made a huge difference in my postpartum journey. My main struggle wasn’t physical recovery—it was sleep deprivation and mental exhaustion.

What are your non-negotiables for postpartum recovery?

Food, food, and more food.

I tell clients to stock their fridge and freezer as if preparing for a zombie apocalypse. Ideally, you’d have two weeks’ worth of meals prepped because when you’re exhausted, cooking is the last thing you want to do. Good nutrition is critical for postpartum healing, energy levels, and mental health.

I also emphasize rest. The whole ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’ advice is often dismissed, but it’s so important. If you can’t nap, even 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra (which you can find free on Insight Timer) can be as restorative as a two-hour nap.

We are often told to sleep when the baby sleeps which can feel impossible. Yet rest is so essential for postpartum recovery! Did you manage to have moments of rest during your postpartum and how did you achieve these?

Absolutely. I’m a huge advocate for sleeping when the baby sleeps, but I didn’t start that way. At first, I was the mum who would put the baby down and immediately rush off to do laundry, clean the house, and tackle the to-do list. But I quickly realised that by the time my baby woke up, I was completely exhausted—and it became a cycle of burnout.

So, I made rest a priority. Even if I didn’t sleep the entire time my baby napped, I would at least try to lie down and catch 30 minutes of rest. If I was too wired to sleep, I found Yoga Nidra incredibly helpful. You can find free tracks on Insight Timer, and many people say that 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra feels as restorative as a two-hour nap.

Once I had that bit of rest, I found I had more energy to do household tasks while my baby was awake—whether that meant having them in a bouncer nearby or wearing them in a carrier. Prioritising rest made a huge difference in how I felt throughout the day.

What were your favourite meals during your postpartum?

At the time, I survived on toast scraps, Tim Tams, and Nutri-Grain—far from ideal! But when I did eat proper meals, spaghetti bolognese was my go-to. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and healthy carbs. These days, I level it up by adding minced liver for an extra iron boost.

A village can be one person, it doesn’t have to be a tribe of support! Did you have a village of support for your postpartum? How did they impact your postpartum experience?

My ‘village’ was small—just my husband and my sister. My sister was incredible, feeding me delicious snacks while I figured out breastfeeding and even massaging my swollen feet.

Had I known about it, I would have loved a postpartum doula, especially because we didn’t have any friends and family close by. That’s why I’m so passionate about Fill Your Cup—we provide that ongoing care so mums don’t feel alone.

What was the most helpful thing someone did for you during postpartum?

My husband’s advice and support. He helped me let go of unrealistic expectations, encouraged me to seek therapy for postnatal anxiety, and arranged practical support like a cleaner and a nanny before I even returned to work. But it was an uphill battle to learn how to ask for help and relinquish that control (as an A-type personality), it can be challenging.

Something that most mums are most surprised by is breastfeeding. It is biologically normal yet rarely comes naturally and often impacts our postpartum experience. It is also something we spend the most time doing during those early months! Would you like to share anything about your breastfeeding journey?

Absolutely. One thing I wish I had known is that having a C-section can sometimes delay the onset of milk production. I wasn’t prepared for that, and when my milk took longer to come in, the midwives became concerned, which made me feel incredibly anxious. I think having that knowledge beforehand would have helped me manage expectations and stress.

Looking back, one of the best things I did—and something I now encourage my clients to do—is to book a consult with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) if you plan to breastfeed. They can provide invaluable guidance, help troubleshoot any challenges, and set you up with realistic expectations. I also recommend becoming familiar with your own anatomy—especially for first-time mums. Get comfortable with your breasts, understand their shape, and notice how they feel. That self-awareness can be really helpful.

I personally had to use a nipple shield, which can sometimes be a topic of debate, but honestly, it was a game-changer for me. It allowed me to successfully breastfeed my daughter for 15 months, and I think it’s important to normalise using whatever tools support your feeding journey.

For those of us in the ‘big titty committee,’ having a properly fitted, supportive nursing bra makes all the difference. I found Brava, a store specialising in bras for fuller-busted women, to be a lifesaver. I remember rolling in there just eight days postpartum, sleep-deprived and desperate for help, and they were amazing.

Another thing no one told me—breastfeeding makes you ravenous! My biggest tip? Start your day with a high-protein meal. It helps keep blood sugar levels stable and gives you sustained energy. And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Aim for protein in every meal, and try to fuel your body with nutrient-dense foods rather than surviving on toast and Tim Tams… which, let’s be honest, I did more times than I’d like to admit!

What do you wish you had known or someone had told you about postpartum or what would you do differently next time round?

I’d say the biggest lesson I learned—and what I wish someone had told me—is that you cannot control sleep or feeding. Every day is different, and the sooner you embrace that unpredictability, the better. 

As someone with a Type A personality, I really struggled with this. One night my baby would sleep five hours, the next she’d be up every two. I kept questioning myself: ‘What did I do wrong?’ But the truth is, it’s not your fault. Babies are human, just like us, and their needs fluctuate. The moment I let go of the need to control it all, I found so much more peace.

And lastly, what is your favourite recipe from the Village for Mama book?

Hands down, the banana bread! It’s a staple in our house—I bake it weekly. It’s the perfect snack to have on hand, whether for morning or afternoon tea, and it’s great for school lunchboxes. I love warming up a slice and pairing it with some yogurt. My husband loves it, too, so it never lasts long!

AT VILLAGE FOR MAMA, WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT WAYS TO SUPPORT NEW MAMAS ON THEIR POSTPARTUM JOURNEY. WE ASKED RENEE WHAT HER POSTPARTUM ESSENTIALS ARE AND HERE IS HER LIST:

Okay, shameless plug, but I swear by our Chocolate & Goji Lactation Cookie Mix. It’s organic, high in protein, and easy for mums to whip up. Perfect for snacking at a feeding station without the sugar crash!

1. The Bring App – A shared shopping list app so you and your partner can stay on the same page without endless texts. Life-changing.
2. Insight Timer – A free app with guided meditations, Yoga Nidra, and sleep music to help wired mums wind down.
3. An Instant Pot – This kitchen hero does it all—pressure cooking, slow cooking, and even making rice in three minutes. Anything ‘set and forget’ is a win in postpartum life.
4. A Doula or Postpartum Meal Delivery – I didn’t have these, but I wish I did. Cooking is hard when you have a barnacle baby attached to you 24/7.
5. A Blackout Eye Mask – Essential for sneaking in naps during the day, especially if you’re sensitive to light.
6. Warm Socks (for Winter Postpartum) – Keeping your feet warm helps regulate body temperature, and you lose a lot of heat through your feet.
7. A Rose & Lavender Facial Mist – My little luxury. After every middle-of-the-night feed, I’d spritz it on my face or pillow—it became a ritual that signalled my body it was time to sleep.

At Village for Mama, we are always looking for the perfect ways to support new mamas on their postpartum journey. We have recently launched Village for Postpartum, our postpartum directory where you can connect with postpartum practitioners like RENEE AND THE TEAM AT FILL YOUR CUP Check it out here. For more of our favourite postpartum essentials, download our FREE guide here.