Q&A: Hannah’s Journey Through Motherhood with the Fossil Bay Babycircle
Meet Hannah Weir, a local Waiheke mother who recently completed a term at the Fossil Bay Babycircle. We sat down with Hannah to ask her about her journey into motherhood and her transformative experiences within the nurturing community of Babycircle. A heartfelt thank you to Hannah for graciously sharing her story.
Q: Hannah, can you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself?
A: Sure. I grew up in the mighty Waikato, where I lived during my formative years. I made the move to Sydney for 10 years before coming home during COVID to be closer to my Mum who lives in the Coromandel. We’ve lived on Waiheke since 2021, and absolutely love it here. I commute into Auckland where I work in the advertising team and a tech company.
Q: How did you first hear about the Fossil Bay Babycircle, and what inspired you to join?
A: I think I saw it advertised in the local paper. I was really looking for a community where I could connect with other mums.
Q: Can you describe what Babycirle is like? The atmosphere in the yurt, and how you feel when you’re there?
“What happens in the yurt stays in the yurt!”, Hannah says with a warm smile.
A: I joined my first Babycircle when Emme was just 6 weeks old and I was honestly just pleased and surprised to be out of the house by myself with my new little baby! It was such a relief to know that this was a place where it didn’t matter if my baby (or I) cried and where I could get used to feeding and changing her while out and about. Karianne created this warm, safe, supportive atmosphere where there is enough space for everyone navigating the ups and downs of life with a new baby to ask for advice, vent about the challenges we faced, and also to celebrate the wins.
I remember going to Karianne with my new front-pack and asking her to check if Emme could breathe properly, then readjusting and going back 2 mins later with “how about now!?”. It seems silly upon reflection, but having an experienced and understanding person to confirm you’re doing things right or to offer gentle correction goes such a long way when you’re learning everything for the first time and getting it right for this precious little human feels so important. I learned so much about baby-wearing, baby nutrition, and got ideas for sleep and selfcare. At no point did I ever feel like information or opinions were forced on us or prescribed to us; it was simply a space for us to use as we needed.
Q: Can you tell us what you love the most about Babycircle?
A: Sometimes you just need a cup of tea and some people who are in the trenches of life with a newborn at your side! I loved the sense of community it created with my fellow Mums. We were such a diverse group, a mix of first and second time Mums with different home, family, and work backgrounds. I loved hearing the experiences and perspectives of the group and loved how we had the freedom to be different while still being so supportive of one another. When someone in the group had a big win like a great night’s sleep or the baby taking the bottle for the first time it felt like a win for everyone! We all bonded in the yurt and still hang out after Baby circle has come to its conclusion for us.
Q: How has Babycirle influenced your journey as a mother?
A: I was adjusting from my role at work where I always felt very confident and in-control to experiencing the overwhelm of “holy sh*t I have to keep this beautiful little human alive and I have no idea what I’m doing”. Babycircle was a vital weekly check in that I didn’t actually realise I needed until I was there, ticking all the boxes of community, learning, a bit of routine, and a lot of empathy and support. In a few short weeks I have gained so many new tools for parenthood and a lot of confidence in myself.
Q: What are some of the most valuable lessons or pieces of advice you've received from other mothers in the group?
A: Sometimes you’re winning, sometimes you’re learning, but every day is a new day!
Often it just helps to let it out. Every single parent has gone/is going through the tough bits and we all feel less alone when we share. I learned so many little hacks like how to tie a baby wrap, 100 different ways to use a muslin cloth, new ways to approach tummy-time, and different feeding positions from the other clever mums in the group.
Q: What advice would you give to a new mother considering joining Babycircle?
A: Do it! And dress your baby in layers because it gets toasty in the yurt.
Q: How do you think this group could further benefit mothers in the Waiheke community?
A: It sets Waiheke birthing parents up for success early in their journeys and helps to create connections but there’s so much more after the conclusion of the program. We begged Karianne to run sessions for ‘older babies’ so we could keep a good thing going - Karianne I hope you read this and consider it!
Alternatively, there’s a real opening for a cafe on Waiheke to create a warm baby-friendly space for Babycircle graduates to all gather for a coffee and a treat each week - think a quiet space with room for strollers and cushy couches or beanbags! (no harm in putting it out there)
Babycircle could also be a great starting point for other great offerings for new parents on the island to make their introductions. There are some amazing offerings like Grow bootcamps and Connect post-natal pilates and women's health services just to name a few.
Great news for Hannah and the other mothers – Babycircle is now an ongoing group, meaning the journey will continue post the original 10 week period.
In closing, Hannah's journey with Babycircle serves as a special reminder of the transformative power of community, empathy, and shared experiences in the beautiful tapestry of motherhood. A huge thank you to Hannah for sharing her story, to Karianne for creating such a welcoming and inclusive environment, to the mothers who have attended or plan to attend Babycirle, and to you our reader for tuning in.
Babycircle runs every Monday 11.45am - 1 pm during term times. Our next Babycircle term commences on the Monday 22nd July, but you can join anytime. We welcome all mothers with babies aged 0-1 on Waiheke to attend.
Learn more and enrol on our website here - https://www.fossilbay.co.nz/under-3s