EP 36: (Part 1) Naomi Chrisoulakis- Postpartum Doula, No BS Planning, Food to Fuel Motherhood , Podcaster and Mother Shares It ALL

Naomi Chrisoulakis is a certified postpartum doula who lives with her husband and two beautiful children in the Illawarra region. She believes every woman deserves a postpartum period that's restful, rejuvenating and respectful of the massive transition into Motherhood. Naomi has a new online postpartum preparation and fourth trimester cooking course coming in November, and a wonderful podcast ‘Tales from the 4th Trimester’ which is dedicated to the beauty and brutality of new parenthood. 

We talk about:

• The 4th Trimester and transition to two kids
• Being a Postpartum Doula, nourishing food and planning
• A Story of a mother with postnatal Psychosis who went on to thrive
• The language of "Should"
• Understanding your cycle
• Nourishing the Mother
• The hustle culture and Naomi's background in media
• The big lessons of 'Surrender'
• Hindsight being a little bitch
• Lessons as a Mother and kids as little teachers

And SO much more. Naomi also references:

The first Forty Days. The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother cookbook by By: Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, Marisa Belger

Audio book Still Life

You can also follow her @cocoonbynaomi

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

Prerecorded: 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: Naomi Chrisoulakis is a certified postpartum doula who lives with her husband and two beautiful children in the Illawarra region. She believes every woman deserves a postpartum period that's restful, rejuvenating and respectful of the massive transition into Motherhood.

Hays: How? Well, by taking a cue from cultures around the world. From Africa to Europe, women are encouraged to eat well, chill out and focus on bonding with their baby during the first month to six weeks. Countries around the world have similar rituals and traditions around postnatal care. What do they have in common? Rest, good food, comforting touch, warmth and social support where the new mother feels cared for deeply. 

Soph: It’s all about stepping back, slowing down, healing and resting, in order to transition healthily and happily from expectant parent to mother. Family and friends mother the new mother and treat her as gently as a newborn. Naomi has a new online postpartum preparation and fourth trimester cooking course coming in November, and a wonderful podcast ‘Tales from the 4th Trimester’ which is dedicated to the beauty and brutality of new parenthood. We will leave links in our show notes.

Soph: Welcome Naomi, we are PUMPED to have you with us today. Can you kick us off with a funny Motherhood story for our listeners? We just love hearing them to kick the poddy off.

Hays: So, how was your own 4th trimester and transition to becoming a Mother of two? 

Soph: What brought you to become a doula and create a podcast, tell us everything? 

Hays: We have a quote from you “The nourishment you need. The nurturing you deserve. And the support that will see you thrive” Can you tell us a story of one of your mummas that you have seen perhaps really struggle and then shift to thriving?

SOPH: Can you talk us through what your postpartum planning and doula support encompasses? For example, what food do parents need in their lives and not just in the 4th trimester? As we love that you describe creating ‘food to fuel Motherhood’.

HAYS: What has been your biggest learning curve as a Mother, Doula and podcaster?

Soph: What does the idea of ‘success’ mean to you?

Hays: In terms of your podcast- How did you build and manage this along with your business? We understand the massive amount of work that goes on behind the scenes.

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?

Hays: What do you do for you? 

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

Hays: What's the best piece of advice you've ever received OR that you would gladly give to the families that you work with?

Soph:  What would the you before Motherhood say to the you, in all that you are, now?

Hays: Three words that sum up where you are at in your Motherhood journey now?

Hays: Thanks SO much for being on PUMPED today, we have loved having you - if you want to find out more about Naomi, you can follow her on Instagram at @cocoonbynaomi or check her out at cocoonbynaomi.com where you can reach out to her for additional support and also listen to her podcast.