There’s no denying it. When a baby arrives, life changes. While many of these changes are joyful, some mums can feel like they lose a sense of themselves in their ‘new’ mothering role. So, how do you reclaim your post-baby mojo?
At the former VITALITY Health and Wellbeing Show in Sydney, our panel of experts shared insights into this very question. The discussion featured psychologist Jo Lamble, Nedahl Stelio, News Presenter Chris Bath, and Media executive Karen Lawson.
In this session, the panel explored how to bounce back after having a child from carving out time for yourself, to returning to work—while acknowledging it’s never an easy journey.
Nedahl Stelio: Making Time for Yourself
Nedahl, a mother of two, explains one of the biggest challenges for her was finding time for herself.
“Being a mum, everyone else comes first. The kids come first, then the partner, then work—and somewhere in there, you fit yourself in. I’m still working on getting my mojo back! But making time for yourself is pivotal. Treat it like a business meeting—put it in your diary.”
Her personal experience forms the backbone of her book, Mojo Mama Secrets, which shares expert advice for recovering the four F’s: Fashion, Food, Fitness, and Fabulousness. The book also includes tips for creating time, overcoming loneliness, getting better sleep, and even losing baby weight while enjoying plenty of food.
Jo Lamble: Self-Care is Essential
Psychologist Jo Lamble adds that taking time for yourself isn’t just nice—it’s essential for mental wellbeing.
“Mums are naturally selfless. You give so much to everyone else, it’s easy to forget to care for yourself. Scheduling in personal time, guilt-free, is one of the most important steps in getting your mojo back.”
Karen Lawson: Staying Connected to Your Career
For mums returning to work, businesswoman Karen Lawson recommends three key strategies:
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Stay connected: Engage with your employer and industry while on parental leave. This reflection period can give you a fresh perspective when you return.
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Be authentic: Understand what you truly enjoy doing. Leaving your child for a job you don’t love makes balancing life even harder.
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Value your relationship with your employer: Workplaces must support flexibility for both women and men, fostering a balanced environment.
Karen has always championed this approach through initiatives she conducted in former roles such as CareerOne’s virtual “Women at Work” fair, designed to educate and empower women while providing access to mentors and resources.
Chris Bath: Exercise Saved Me
Chris Bath shares her personal journey with post-baby self-care:
“My son didn’t sleep through the night until he was five—sleep deprivation felt like torture! What ended up saving me was exercise. Starting small, I gradually built my fitness back. It boosted my self-esteem, helped me cope with work, and became a non-negotiable part of my life.”
She recommends protecting your exercise time as a form of self-care, whether early in the morning or whenever it fits best.
Takeaways
The path to reclaiming your post-baby mojo is unique for every parent. Whether it’s scheduling personal time, prioritising exercise, reconnecting with work, or seeking professional guidance, small, intentional steps can make a big difference.
For more tips and community support, share your experiences with other parents in the Women Love Health comments section.
