Your calm, curated alternative to late-night Googling.
Pregnancy and postpartum can feel like standing in the middle of the ocean — waves of advice coming from every direction. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a link. And somehow, in the middle of all that noise, you’re expected to feel calm, confident, and prepared.
I encourage every mother I work with to have a small, intentional collection of trusted resources on hand before they’re needed. Not to memorise. Not to master.
Let’s close some of those tabs. Save this list and give your mind a break.
Nutrition & Nourishment
At the very top of my recommended reading list is Lily Nichols. Her evidence-based approach to maternal nutrition is, in my view, some of the strongest and most practical research available in this space.
Real Food for Pregnancy supported me deeply through my second pregnancy and into postpartum. It offers nourishment that feels realistic, supportive, and sustainable—especially in seasons when energy is limited.
Another excellent resource for preparing for postpartum is The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr Oscar Serrallach, which explores the long-term nutritional and physiological demands pregnancy and birth place on the maternal body, and how we can restore balance and vitality in the months and years that follow.
Two other books I’ve bought and genuinely loved are The First Forty Days and Life After Birth. Both blend cultural wisdom, practical postpartum insight, and nourishing recipes—beautiful companions for early motherhood.
You can also lean on a clinical nutritionist, dietitian, or naturopath for more personalised support. Many practitioners now work online, so you’re no longer limited by location.
You may also choose to work one-on-one with a clinical nutritionist, dietitian, or naturopath, many of whom now offer online consultations. Personalised support can help align your nutrition with what your body actually needs, rather than guessing or following generic advice.
During pregnancy and postpartum, when your nutritional demands are shifting and your energy is precious, this kind of tailored care can be deeply supportive.
Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding can be intuitive, challenging, emotional—and sometimes all three at once.
Support matters.
Especially support that honours both mother and baby.
If you choose to breastfeed, know that it can be surprisingly complex. As a first-time mum, I was met with many questions and, at times, far too much information. One of the most helpful things I learned was the value of choosing one primary source of guidance, rather than trying to hold multiple techniques or conflicting advice at once.
Too many voices can quietly erode confidence.
That said, if advice doesn’t sit well in your body or doesn’t feel aligned with how you or your baby are responding, it’s important to trust that instinct and seek a second opinion. Support should feel steady, respectful, and responsive.
I’ve included the Thompson Method of Breastfeeding because it is a research-informed approach grounded in a deep anatomical understanding of both mother and baby. Dr Robyn Thompson completed a PhD in breastfeeding, and after completing her course myself, I genuinely stand behind both her work and her values.
- Thompson Method of Breastfeeding
A research-informed approach focused on baby-led attachment, responsive feeding, and reducing pain through positioning and instinctive behaviours. - Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)
Evidence-based education, local support groups, and a helpline for real-time reassurance.
📞 1800 686 268 - Raising Children Network — Breastfeeding Guides
Clear explanations that normalise what breastfeeding actually looks like.
Infant Sleep & Rest
Sleep is often where anxiety quietly creeps in—largely because many modern expectations are biologically unrealistic.
These resources help reframe infant sleep through a developmental, evidence-based lens.
It’s also important to remember that baby sleep doesn’t exist in isolation. Your feeding choices, your mental health, your support system, your family circumstances, and your sleep needs all matter.
What works beautifully for one mother or baby may not feel right—or be realistic—for another.
There is no single “right” way to support infant sleep.
Only what feels supportive and sustainable for you.
I’ll be sharing a deeper blog exploring different sleep approaches and how they intersect with feeding and maternal wellbeing. For now, these are gentle places to begin:
Start here:
- How Babies Sleep — Dr Helen L. Ball
A compassionate, research-led look at infant sleep biology, night waking, and normal sleep patterns — essential reading for new parents. - BASIS (Baby Sleep Information Source)
Evidence-based guidance on infant sleep, night waking, and safe sleep practices, developed by Durham University’s sleep research team.
Additional trusted resources:
- Red Nose Australia — Safe Sleep & Co-Sleeping Guidelines
Gold-standard Australian guidance on infant sleep safety. - Tresillian
Support for settling, sleep, and early parenting — including phone and in-person services. - Raising Children Network — Baby Sleep
Developmentally appropriate information that meets families where they are. - Dr Golly Sleep Programs
Mental Health Support
Postpartum emotions are complex—joy and exhaustion, love and grief, sometimes all at once.
You don’t need to be “at breaking point” to deserve support.
If something feels even slightly off, reach out early. Small feelings can quietly snowball in postpartum, and support is far more effective when we catch things early.
If you can, consider connecting with a counsellor, psychologist, GP, or support service before your baby arrives—and keep their details saved. When you’re tired or overwhelmed, having a familiar number ready can make all the difference.
Early support isn’t a sign that something is wrong.
It’s one of the most caring things you can do for yourself.
- PANDA — Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia
Specialist support for pregnancy and postpartum mental health.
📞 1300 726 306 - COPE — Centre of Perinatal Excellence
Research-backed mental health information and screening tools. - Beyond Blue — Parenting & Mental Health
- 13 Health (QLD) — Non-urgent medical advice
📞 13 43 25 84
In an emergency, always call 000.
Pelvic Floor & Women’s Health
While most women attend a six-week postpartum check, I also encourage seeing a female physiotherapist specialising in pelvic floor health—ideally both before pregnancy and again postpartum, especially before returning to higher-impact movement.
Pelvic floor care isn’t just about the early weeks. Thoughtful assessment and rehabilitation can shape how you move, exercise, and feel for years to come.
Early, specialised support helps protect long-term pelvic floor health and creates a steadier foundation for whatever movement looks like next.
Below are some trusted voices in women’s health and some guidance about pelvic floor health.
- Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
Evidence-based education on hormones, pelvic floor health, and nutrition. - Pelvic Floor First — Continence Foundation of Australia
Trusted guidance on pelvic floor recovery and safe return to movement.
Nervous System Support
I’ve included a mix of free and paid apps that can support your nervous system during pregnancy and postpartum.
If meditation is new to you, guided practices are a beautiful place to begin—they offer structure, reassurance, and something steady to return to when your mind feels busy.
Insight Timer is my top recommendation. It includes dedicated pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting content—free and easy to access in short windows of time. It’s also the app I use daily.
You don’t need to try everything.
Simply find one option that feels supportive—and return to it when you need.
Free (Australia-accessible)
Paid (with free trials)
A Reminder
You don’t need to use or read every resource. You don’t need to be “on top of it all.”
Simply knowing where to turn can be enough.
This season is not about optimisation it’s about support. Slowing down and learning to let others care for you. Share this list with your partner or pass it to someone who loves you so they can help hold it for you.
Mothers need mothering too.
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