Meet Natalie
Hi there, I’m Natalie and I’m a postpartum doula in Auckland, New Zealand.
I wholeheartedly believe that mothers need and deserve to be supported during their transition to motherhood.
I am here to help you feel seen, held and cared for during your fourth trimester so that you can approach your role as a new parent with the calm confidence that comes from trusting your own innate mothering ability.
How Mothermoon was born…
After the birth of my son in 2016, I experienced the single biggest identity shift of my life to date. Becoming a mother was joyous and momentous, but it was also incredibly challenging and the physical and emotional transition to motherhood was not what I had expected.
When my younger sister became pregnant I wanted to make sure that I was there for her and, equipped with the knowledge I’d gained as a first time mother, supported her during the birth of her son and subsequent postpartum.
This experience ignited the spark I was looking for and, with a new found sense of purpose, I eventually made the life-altering decision to retrain with the inspirational Julia Jones and the Newborn Mothers Collective.
Mothermoon
A time of love, nourishment and support at the beginning of your new motherhood journey.
So what exactly is a postpartum doula?
A postpartum doula is a support person who provides compassionate, non-judgemental emotional and practical support in your home after the birth of your baby.
So often in early parenthood, the needs of a mother are disregarded or seen as secondary to those of their baby. But if you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and stressed how can you possibly nurture your wee baby to the best of your ability?
We were never meant to do this alone.
In traditional cultures all around the world, the practice of cocooning a new mother in the first six to twelve weeks after birth is seen as foundational to the overall health of the mother and her baby. Unfortunately in today’s western culture, we seem to have lost the art of ‘mothering the mother’.
However, slowly but surely, a postpartum revolution is taking place and reinstating mothers in their rightful place at the centre of a healthy and thriving society.
My focus as your postpartum doula is to ensure that you feel supported, nourished and celebrated so that you can be the best possible parent to your beautiful baby.
Food and nourishment are the cornerstone of my postpartum practice.
The recipes I prepare have all been thoughtfully selected to provide the nourishment specifically required to promote healing and recovery, support breastfeeding and encourage physical and mental health for new mothers. They are strongly influenced by my French heritage and also include elements of both traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese principles.
I come from a long line of passionate French home cooks and food has always been the way my family showed their love and took care of you. If you were feeling under the weather or just needed a bit of extra love and comfort, a soothing bowl of warm soup or a slice of something sweet would appear.
Postpartum food is traditionally warming, easy to digest and highly nutritious. At it’s best, it’s just like the food my family has always served - delicious and made with love.
A selection of the recipes I can prepare for you on one of my visits or during a ‘Fill your freezer’ session include:
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Golden turmeric latte
Warming mother’s chai
Nepali rice pudding
Enriched mother’s porridge
Apricot, almond and and cardamom bliss balls
Dark chocolate and cinnamon banana bread
Oat, raisin and fennel seed lactation cookies
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Pumpkin and leek
Courgette, almond and cumin
Country French vegetable
Spiced red lentil, carrot and ginger
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Red lentil and coconut dahl
Lentil marinara with basil, olives and capers
Kitchari with seasonal greens
Chicken with cream and mushrooms
Rich beef, bacon and mushroom Bolognese
Let’s create the gentle postpartum you always imagined and deserve.
If you’d like to chat about how I can support you during your postpartum, book a complimentary ‘Welcome Consult’ with me below. You can ask me anything and we can see if we’re a good fit. I’m so looking forward to meeting you!
I am fully vaccinated and can provide my Vaccine Pass on request.
I am a postpartum professional and graduate of the Newborn Mothers Collective and have completed a Relaxation Massage course through Wellpark College.
