EP 35: Bella Brennan- Parenting Editor at Kiindred, Unpacks Grief & Motherhood When Losing Her Brother During The 4th Trimester, Travel With Kids & More

Today we chat with the delightful Bella Brennan. Bella is a mumma of two little girls - Edie, three, and Tilly, one, and a writer and editor. She is funny and candid in her storytelling and has over a decade of experience in women’s publishing and digital media. She cut her teeth on a slew of mags you probably used to love - from CLEO to SHOP Til You Drop and OK! Magazine. Most recently, she was the Digital Managing Editor at Now To Love, which is the online home to some of Australia’s most loved publications, including The Australian Women’s Weekly and TV WEEK.  Bella is currently the parenting editor at Kiindred, which is an online parenting resource packed to the brim with free expert-backed content which aims to create an inclusive community and help families parent with confidence. 

Bella has been open and honest in her articles, where she unpacks the reality of breastfeeding struggles and returning to work. Honesty is always what we value at Pumped and we couldn’t be more excited than to talk to our first writer/editor on the Podcast. Bella also lost her big brother when her beautiful second baby girl was six weeks old and will unpack with us how she navigated this harrowing time. We deep dive into:

• Motherhood
• Writing about breastfeeding challenges
• Writing about going back to work
• The idea of 'success' 
• Her favorite all time story. Ever. Written. Check it out @thegriefcase
• Grief and loss during the 4th Trimester
• Advice on navigating grief as a new mum
• Bella's travel tips and tricks

And, so much more!

Girlhood by Maggie Dent was a book recommendation by Bella too as Maggie is her parenting guru.

We also get an update on Soph's current feeding journey. Listen to her breastfeeding episode here for context.

This episode is brought to you by Sande Kids who offer functional products for beach-loving and adventurous families. Helping parents maintain that relaxed vibe that can disappear so quickly at the end of the day.

Enjoy Mummas and Pappas 

XXX

Transcript

Before we begin, we are grateful to live and work on land that holds the stories of the Dreamtime. We pay our respects and honor the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present & emerging and acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of our First Nations People. 

Soph: Bella Brennan is a mumma of two little girls - Edie, three, and Tilly, one, and a writer and editor. She is funny and candid in her storytelling and has over a decade of experience in women’s publishing and digital media. She cut her teeth on a slew of mags you probably used to love - from CLEO to SHOP Til You Drop and OK! Magazine. Most recently, she was the Digital Managing Editor at Now To Love, which is the online home to some of Australia’s most loved publications, including The Australian Women’s Weekly and TV WEEK. 

 Hays: Bella is currently the parenting editor at Kiindred, which is an online parenting resource packed to the brim with free expert-backed content which aims to create an inclusive community and help families parent with confidence. 

 Soph: Bella has been open and honest in her articles, where she unpacks the reality of breastfeeding struggles and returning to work. She is passionate about writing content which resonates with parents - whether it's a first-person piece about why she got the COVID-19 vaccination at eight months pregnant, or a world exclusive interview with Eva Mendes chatting about her family’s love of Bluey.

 Hays: Honesty is always what we value at Pumped and we couldn’t be more excited than to talk to our first writer/ editor on the Podcast. Bella also lost her big brother when her beautiful second baby girl was six weeks old and will unpack with us how she navigated this harrowing time. We are so appreciative of her willingness to go there with us. In Bella’s spare time she loves to make up dances to The Wiggles with her two little girls, swim in the ocean and sneak  away for a cheeky nap when she gets the chance.

 Soph: Welcome Bella, we are PUMPED to have you with us today. Can you kick us off with a funny Motherhood story for us that you are willing to share with our listeners?

 Hays: As you know our poddy is called ‘Pumped’- and you have written an article about breastfeeding and your journey going tits up- much like mine did. Can you talk to us about this experience and if you ever had to pump? 

 Soph: In the blur that is the 4th trimester- you had a significant experience with the loss of your big brother when your second bubba girl Tilly was just six weeks old. We are so sorry for your loss and would love to hear how you navigated all of this? Any advice or guidance to any new mums listening who are living this right now would be so appreciated.

 Hays: Going back to work as a new mum is daunting, let alone with two. You have written a beautiful article that resonates with both of us. How was it and how is it going now?

 Soph: What has been your most rewarding story that you have ever written? Or, one that has had the greatest impact?

 Soph: What does the idea of ‘success’ mean to you as a woman and working Mother?

 Hays: Now, you love an ocean swim like Soph and I do. It washes away all of the worries. It can honestly change a day in the best possible way. How was your recent Euro trip and traveling with two little people? Tips and tricks welcomed here.

 Soph: What have been the biggest challenges in Motherhood for you in more recent years? Then, on the flip side, what have been the most beautiful aspects?

 Quick fire round of questions, Final 4 answer in one sentence: 

 Hays: What do you do for you? 

 Soph: What was the last book you read / or podcast that you listened to? 

 Hays: What’s your favorite self care activity?

 Soph: What's the best piece of advice you've received?

 Hays: Can you sum up Motherhood in 3 words for us? (We ask all of our guests this and love their diverse responses?) 

 Hays: Thanks SO much for being on PUMPED today, we have loved having you - if you want to find out more about Bella you can follow her on Instagram at @bellarosebrennan, check out her articles over on Kiindred.co and also check out @Kiindred_official where you can enjoy the journey of pregnancy and parenthood with confidence.