Sleep Stories: With Poppy Lee

Meet Poppy Lee, momma of two little girls, Seren, 3 and Addy, 19 months old, from Brisbane. There's not much of an age gap between Poppy’s babes, only 16 months! Her hubby is from the UK so it's just the four of them in Brisbane and a full-time juggling-act to keep everything and everyone moving! If the girls didn't keep her busy enough, Poppy also works as a blogger (mainly in the late evenings when she has a moment to herself) and they’re currently undertaking a big house extension and renovation! All of which they're vlogging...exciting!

What were your first thoughts and feelings after your baby was born?

I felt stunned to be perfectly honest! I couldn't believe I'd made a little person.... It's instant love and the feeling of protectiveness for your little one is overwhelming.

Did you settle quickly into a routine with your baby? If so, do you think it worked well for you?

We had to put a routine in place very quickly with Seren, she wasn't the easiest of babies as it turns out. It's funny, I had one of each in my girls... Seren was a very fussy and hard work baby, and Addy was cruisey as! She was the calmest little baby, I don't think it would've mattered much whether or not Addy had a routine, she would've been relaxed either way. But having a routine with Seren helped all of us. I knew a lot of mums that didn't need to have a routine in place, and at the end of the day you just do what works best for all of you.

How soon after your baby was born did you begin to swaddle your baby?

I tried swaddling Seren about 4 weeks after she was born, and she hated any kind of swaddling! But Addy absolutely loved it. Again, my girls are chalk and cheese! I adored using the Love To Dream SWADDLE UP™ with Addy, she settled so well in them.

How did you come to know about Love To Dream™?

My best friend who has kiddies a few years older than my girls gave me some Love To Dream SWADDLE UP™ because she swore by them. Both of her babies loved them!

Do you feel like using the Love To Dream™ range of products has made a positive impact on you and your baby's sleep?

They definitely made a positive impact on Addy, she loved them. She would have the best sleeps when she was in her SWADDLE UP™! Seren was a different story though... The only place she would settle was lying on my tummy and that was that!

What is the one thing you wish you'd known before you became a parent?

Expect the unexpected with kids. No two babies are born the same.

Three words to describe life before parenthood and three to describe life after becoming a parent?

Before: Freedom, Less Cleaning, Time.

After: No Time, Lots of Love, Lots of Cleaning.

What is the one piece of advice you’d offer new parents or parents-to-be?

Don't put pressure on yourselves to be something you thought you were going to be before you had children. I had an idea in my head of exactly what it/I was going to be like before children, then your babies come along and you have many a "Oooooh I get it now" moments. It's quite a humbling experience becoming a parent...

What are your top 5 essential items to have ready to go when baby arrives?

1. Lots of clothes! It's insane how many milk messes etc you clean up when you have a little bubby.
2. The Love To Dream SWADDLE UP™ of course!
3. A soothing baby swing, they are life savers if you just want a 5 minutes to yourself to do something crazy like eat dinner.
4. Breathing sensor mat for under bubs cot, some people hate breathing sensors but I've found them nothing but brilliant for peace of mind.
5. White noise machine! They work SO well! And still do for my girls even to this day...

Follow Poppy and her sweet little family's house renos on their YouTube channel, or check out their feed on Instagram - our favourite Stories are Seren and Addy shouting “MORNING!” at the top of their little lungs every day!