Take Something Off Your Plate
My doula basket is often overflowing when I visit a mumma. Today I brought my client the yummy My Baby Organics pureed Organic Cauliflower and Sweet Potato, some homemade veggie soup and energy trail mix, her laundered sheets (last week was rainy and she doesn’t own a dryer), and my usual massage oils and teas to help her relax and unwind. Every client and every visit is unique. I tune in to mumma’s needs and help in any way I can.
This week I caught up with the lovely Sarah, founder of My Baby Organics - the business bringing organic ready-made baby and toddler food direct to your door. Sarah and I have kids very similar in ages and are both running family-centred businesses while raising our little cherubs.
It felt very special to bring My Baby Organics direct to my clients this week. Distinct from most postpartum doulas, I work with families up to 12-months postpartum. This allows me to support mothers through a variety of sometimes-stressful stages of motherhood, including starting solids. My clients and their babies absolutely loved Sarah’s organic baby food. And I loved getting to know Sarah and her product:
Jasmine: Sarah, it’s so nice to meet you properly. I’ve been watching your socials for a while now and your products look amazing! I’ve even benefited personally from one particular kale de-stemming reel you posted (I was doing it ALL wrong 😆).
I’d love to know the story behind your business. Where did it all begin and where is it now?
Sarah: My Baby Organics began with my passion for providing the best nutrition for babies and children. As a mother myself, I noticed a lack of organic and wholesome options on the market. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and started making homemade organic purees for my little one. The response from other parents was overwhelming, so that’s when I realised, we needed to provide convenient and nutritious baby food options for other families. Fast forward to today, My Baby Organics has grown into a thriving business, reaching parents across the Gold Coast and Brisbane with our range of organic purees, textured meals and toddler snacks.
After the team of expert negotiators (mum and me! 😜) finally identified Mr F’s desire to be handed the spoon and the tub, the pureed sweet potato became a big hit!
Jasmine: As a postpartum doula, my primary concern is for the mother. I aim to make mothers’ lives easier so they can experience more peace and joy in raising their babies and children. Do you share a similar philosophy?
Sarah: Absolutely! At My Baby Organics, we believe that supporting mothers is crucial for the well-being of both the mother and the child. Motherhood is a beautiful yet challenging journey, and it’s important to provide mothers with the resources and support they need to thrive. We aim to alleviate some of the stress and overwhelm by offering nutritious and convenient baby food options, allowing mothers to spend more quality time with their little ones. We share a common goal of empowering mothers and helping them find joy and peace in their motherhood journey.
Jasmine: What do you say to mothers who feel that hiring help or outsourcing certain tasks are ‘luxuries’ they can’t justify paying for?
Sarah: I completely understand that sentiment, as many mothers often put their own needs last. However, it’s important for mothers to recognise that investing in their well-being and seeking support is not a luxury but a necessity. Motherhood is a demanding role, and it’s perfectly okay to ask for help or outsource certain tasks. By delegating responsibilities, mothers can free up valuable time and energy to focus on themselves, their baby, and their own self-care.
Jasmine: If you could change one thing for mothers during the first 12 months postpartum, what would it be?
Little M tried the My Baby Organics pureed cauliflower. When starting solids, it’s important to keep expectations low. M and his parents are right at the beginning of their solids journey so he had a taste, played with the tub and spoon, and then indicated he’d had enough. This is totally normal and still a big win!
Sarah: It would be to eliminate the pressure and expectations placed on them to be perfect. Motherhood is a journey. There is no textbook and nor should there be. We are all learning and growing on this journey so it’s important for mothers to give themselves time and embrace the imperfections. Let’s celebrate the small victories and remind mothers that they are doing an incredible job, even when things don’t go as planned. It’s about creating a nurturing environment where mothers can feel supported, confident, and valued throughout their postpartum journey.
Jasmine: If you feel safe to share, what has been your biggest mothering hurdle, personally?
Sarah: Personally, my biggest mothering hurdle was learning to balance the demands of running a business and being fully present for my children. Being an entrepreneur comes with its own set of challenges and time commitments, which sometimes made me feel torn between my responsibilities. There were many tears in the beginning as I found ways to prioritise both my business and my family. It has taught me valuable lessons about resilience and finding harmony in my roles as a mother and a business owner.
Jasmine: What has been your best experience so far, starting your business and supporting parents and babies with My Baby Organics?
Sarah: The best experience of starting My Baby Organics has been witnessing the positive impact we’ve had on parents and babies. Hearing stories from parents about how our organic purees have helped their picky eaters or seeing the joy on a baby’s face as they enjoy their first tastes of our food is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that we are contributing to the health and well-being of families is the driving force behind our work.
Jasmine: What are some of the biggest myths about baby food that you’d like busted?
Sarah: One common myth is that homemade baby food is always superior to store-bought options. While homemade baby food can be a great choice, it’s not always practical for every parent. High-quality, organic store-bought or online options can provide a convenient and nutritious alternative, especially for busy parents who may not have the time or resources to make everything from scratch.
Another myth is that introducing solid foods too early will help babies sleep through the night. The truth is that sleep patterns are influenced by various factors, and the introduction of solids does not guarantee better sleep. It’s important to follow the recommended guidelines and consult with healthcare professionals when it comes to introducing solids based on the baby’s developmental readiness.
Lastly, there is a misconception that baby food should be bland and devoid of flavour. In reality, exposing babies to a variety of flavours and textures early on can help develop their palate and expand their food preferences. It’s perfectly fine to incorporate herbs and spices into baby food, as long as they are introduced gradually and in appropriate quantities.
We can encourage parents to make informed choices about their baby’s nutrition and empower them to find the best options that suit their unique circumstances and preferences.
No, the cardboard tubs are not edible. But yes, he did have a really good go at it! 😆
Jasmine: What are three things you think mums absolutely need to know about starting solids?
Sarah: Firstly, it’s important for mums to know that starting solids is a gradual process. It’s not about rushing to introduce a wide range of foods all at once. Instead, it’s a journey of exploration, allowing the baby to gradually experience different tastes and textures, this in turn will develop their chewing and swallowing skills. We recommend introducing one new food at a time, keeping an eye out for potential allergies or intolerances. Plus, please remember, breastfeeding or formula feeding should continue while starting solids. It still forms an essential part of your baby’s diet.
Secondly, organic foods are best for starting solids as this eliminates harmful chemicals and pesticides. Young bodies find it hard to process chemicals which can lead to health problems as they grow up. Babies sure do eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. Some claim going organic is too expensive. But think of the cost involved in treating ill health concerns later in life.
While the first 6 months of motherhood are tough, some mothers find the every-growing demands of 6m+ the biggest parenting challenge - solids, rolling, crawling, walking - it’s a lot! I work with mothers up to 12 months postpartum for this reason. #postpartumisforever
Lastly, there is no right or wrong, deciding between purees and baby-led-weaning or a combination of both. It’s just important to offer a variety of nutritious foods to promote a balanced diet. This includes introducing different fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources. It’s beneficial to expose babies to a wide range of flavours and textures, as this can help healthy eating habits later in life.
Jasmine: Can you tell us a little about your products - how do mums get their hands on your purées and toddler snacks?
Sarah: Absolutely! At My Baby Organics, we offer a range of organic purees, textured meals and toddler snacks made with the highest quality ingredients. Our purees are carefully crafted to provide essential nutrients and introduce babies to a variety of flavours. We use organic fruits, vegetables, and grains, and our products are free from artificial additives, preservatives, and added sugars.
Mums can easily get their hands on our products through our online store. They can visit our website at https://mybabyorganics.com.au/ Once they’ve made their choices, they can place an order and have the products delivered directly to their doorstep. We strive to provide a convenient and accessible way for mums to nourish their little ones with wholesome organic food.
Jasmine: Thank you so much for your time, Sarah. It’s been a lovely couple of weeks getting to know you and sharing your tasty organic food with my clients.
To get your hands on these products, follow the link below and use the code DOULA10 for 10% off.
My Baby Organics – Organic Baby & Toddler Food delivered straight to your door
Thanky you Sarah and My Baby Organics for gifting my clients these tasty treats. For more information about my doula services, check out my Services & Packages page. Scroll down for First 12months options.
