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I have worked alongside Simone from Maternal Journey for 5 years now and can highly recommend her work.
As a Lactation Consultant, I see mothers and babies when breastfeeding is not going well. Once there is a resolution of the problem, it is important that mothers have support to move forward and feel confident with their feeding and parenting. This may include dads too!
Simone has a wonderul, warm approach that is nonjudgmental and nurtures a mothers own abilities. Simone's knowledge base is excellent, which is one of the reasons why I feel so confident about recommending her.
Simone will help mothers walk through the minefield of conflicting advice to focus on the developmental stage of a baby and by helping parents understand their own baby. With understanding, comes confidence to be the parent you want to be
Karen Palmer
Midwife and Lactation Consultant
Bay of Plenty DHB.
"Simone’s gift and talent for supporting women along their journey into motherhood is rare and amazing. In a world where competing experts vie for the right strategies in raising babies, Simone finds ways to help each individual mother become the expert for her own baby. With great skills and gentle encouragement, Simone combines cutting edge knowledge of child development with a keen sense of people and a love for her work. This tremendous combination means mothers are supported uniquely and sensitively, given top-notch information about nurturing and bonding and are able to make their mothering journey one that is fulfilling, loving and consistently nurturing for both their babies and themselves. I can think of no one better to give mothers the support, community and understanding they need during birth and beyond."
Lauren Porter
Centre For Attachment
"Simone has been a regular contributor to the education and enlightenment of midwives and midwifery students in the Waikato for several years now. As a midwifery tutor, I am so fortunate to have Simone's input to our degree programme, and our students delight in the presentations Simone gives. Simone is lively, yet gentle, always truthful about the reality of babies and parenthood, and facilitates learning in an open and humerous way. Simone, you have an amazing knack of exploring the needs of the developing baby with participants and linking instinctive parenting responses with those needs. So refreshing to hear another professional giving parents 'permission' to parent gently. Thanks again!
Fiona Hermann
Midwifery Lecturer
Wintec
Hamilton
COURSE: Nurturing Newborns and New Mothers
"I absorbed everything that was said like a sponge! It was so good to see other mums interact with their babies and talk about issues that we all share. Simone is so fantastic, knowledgeable and enthusiastic" - Kim
"I just wanted to say what a fantastic service it is that you provide. Each week I came away feeling more confident in what I was doing at home and more than ever did I know that what was happening was normal. Furthermore, that it was 'ok' to 'what works for us'. Simone was a great facilitator who really listened and gave each of us a chance to discuss our individual concerns. I am recommending these courses to every new mum I know! Thankyou so much for sharing your knowledge. - Rosanna
"Simone's advice at antenatal and Nurturing Newborns was invaluable and I had a happy and content little girl. I would not have survived the first couple of months without our weekly course. She really cares and knows her stuff!! - Jo
"Meeting other new mums was great. The atmosphere was relaxing and supportive, I definately feel more confident to go with my instinct".
"Love the course, it was an absolute 'godsend', it helped me feel like a competent mother. I'm much more relaxed as a mother now and I focus on enjoying each day, not routines that don't work'. - Jo.
"It was wonderful, the feeling that everyone was experiencing the same problems, joys and dilemmas - that I wasn't alone. Meeting with Simone and the other women and discussing and sharing these ideas. I think I've taken a more relaxed view now, I don't worry if things are not as 'in the book' and understand more fully that me and my baby are individuals" - Sarah
"I trust myself a lot more and my knowledge of my own baby has increased, this course is an awesome support tool for women".
"I really enjoyed being given the 'permission' to be the mother I sensed I should be and meeting the other mums with the same issues. I really enjoyed the course and learnt so much - thanks."
"The pace of the class and topics were great. Our questions often ended up in one hour discussions! I just feel so grateful that I received one of Simone's pamphlets. The course was such a wonderful support and sanity saver!" - Kim
"Thankyou for the cups of tea and copious amounts of chocolate biscuits!!! Thankyou very, very much, you are doing such a necessary and wonderful/brilliant job!! My husband is grateful to you too, because I have become a more confident mother. Before the course, I would second guess myself and stress out that I was a bad parent and it drove my husband nuts!! Thanks again" - Kim.
"I found the Nurturing Newborns and New Mothers course invaluable, and I would recommend it to all mums with a new baby. The subjects each week were relevant to us as new mums and were presented by Simone in a fun, informative way. She encouraged lots of questions and discussion so we all learnt a huge amount and it was great to know you weren’t the only one in your situation! We all had similar anxieties and the support and information gained from Simone and also from the other mums in the group was brilliant. The atmosphere was relaxed mums could breastfeed and tend to their babies and still take part in the class. Simone has an amazing knack of being able to be heard over crying babies! We were all disappointed when the course finished!" - Michelle
"I am so pleased that I was able to start the course when my baby was so young. I fell more prepared to tackle obstacles as they come up and am sure this course has made my journey into mother hood far less stressful thankyou so much" - Sarah
"I also really valued being able to contact you a few times after the course had finished, when we ran into some feeding ‘bumps’ nice just to know that somebody was there with some calm, sensible, non-judgemental suggestions." - Jo
"I felt more confident with each week attending your course. If it wasn't for your courses, the support and help you gave, I don't think I would have had such a successful time breastfeeding." - Rachel.
"The Nurturing Newborns and New Mothers course was great to ask those questions I didn't quite know how to ask. I received many helpful tips and advice, shared in a friendly, open environment." - Jolene
"I would definately recommend these courses to every new mum, it is such a new experience. Highly recommended to every first time mum and maybe second time as well!!." - Tiffany
"I thoroughly enjoyed the post-natal course run by Simone. One of the most important factors for me was to see how many degrees of normal there was. My daughter might not be doing what another baby is but she is still 'normal'. I felt the level of support that we all gained from one another was fantastic and I have made some very strong friendships from the course, which was an added bonus" - Amanda
"The topics covered were pertinent; the advice Simone gave was balanced and informative; being with the other women in the same situation was great. I feel less isolated - I'm not the only one going through this."
"I feel totally more confident with myself and the way my baby is developing. Thankyou very much for your advice and knowledge and giving us all the opportunity to meet every week. I will miss the course, but will hopefully continue with the new friends I have made." - Bronwyn
"I came to the course when my baby was 8 weeks old. I had no family support, and no previous experience with babies. My antenatal group hadn't really got going then, and I remember being really aware that I needed to link in with some kind of parenting support to help keep me (relatively) sane while I figured out what to do! I'm so glad we found you - it was brilliant having the structure of having to get us both ready to be out for the morning, organising everything we'd need and learning to cope with the baby's needs out in the real world - changing, breastfeeding (in public!) with out all the pillows and stuff we had been using at home. It helped me to learn to find the right balance for us both - fitting in with what we each needed, and learning that I could get (some) things done most days, rather than just being at home, waiting for the next sleep or feed or nappy change. Each week there was a 'topic' which seemed to fit in with what each of us were wondering about at the time. I remember how my baby just loved the baby massage techniques!" - Jo
"The course was the most helpful and caring environment for me to learn in. I was new to the country and new to motherhood. The delightful insights from Simone, along with stories from other moms was information that I needed, both mentally and emotionally. It was safe to breastfeed, cry and show up without makeup on during those meetings! It was a safe place with caring facilitiation, it was priceless for me. I would recommend the course to anyone" - Heather
"My precious little bundle of joy was born three weeks early and as such took a few weeks to settle into life in this world. I got loads of advice given to me in my first few weeks from both health professionals and well meaning people alike, however these pieces of advice did not always fit with my beautiful daugher. Hence there were times at the beginning of my motherhood journey where I felt such a failure for not being able to stick to a routine at the outset or not getting her to bed at the right times or in the right way. It was such a pleasure to be able to go along to the Nurturing Newborns and New Mothers course and feel I was not being judged for my actions instead they were put into context with my baby and her age and stage of life. I found the whole environment of the course extremely supportive and being able to mix with other new mothers who had no idea as well was fantastic!! I did this course when my baby was 6 weeks old an it was great to do it at such a growth stage so that each week I could report my daughters changes and successes. For anyone thinking of doing the course, I would certainly recommend it! I now have a very well adjusted baby with a very well adjusted mother!!!" - Vanessa
COURSE: The Growing Baby
"Once again, thankyou Simone for a wonderful and insightful course. I have now done three courses with you and eveyone of them has helped me to understand this amazing journey I am on." - Sarah
COURSE: Infant CPR/First Aid Course
"The infant CPR/First Aid course was invaluable to both my husband and I. We both feel that if the anything should happen, we would be prepared to cope with the situation. The session was both interesting and informative, very well put across and definitely aided with having the practice babies from the Red Cross as I did not know how much pressure apply etc. - Amanda
The First Aid course is a must, I learnt so much and feel a lot more confident - Rachel
The First Aid course was great, simple and very valuable advice. Plenty of opportunities to practise on the dolls and ask questions. The relaxed atmosphere and two hours was long enough to learn the basics and not end up too overwhelmed with too much to take in - Jo
The First Aid course was great thanks - Amanda and Wayne "
COURSE: Childbirth Education Course (antenatal classes)
"Simone’s ability to describe birthing makes so much sense, I feel so much more relaxed about pain in labour now and am looking forward to the birth.I feel so much more relaxed about giving birth since doing the course thankyou Simone"
"We both really enjoyed each session and am sad it’s finished, but look forward to seeing you again with our new baby! Thanks for a great course!"
"I was fascinated by how much birth and early parenting is hormonally driven, fascinating stuff, looking forward to ‘experiencing’ those hormones!!"
"Our antenatal course was held in an informal, relaxed environment, with great information. I spent a lot of time reading pregnancy and birth books while pregnant, but the information I learned at the antenatal course was relevant, useful and I retained that info more than any book I read. Great demonstrations too the ice lesson (!), car seat person coming in, trip up to hospital and around River Ridge Birth Centre etc. Plenty of info to take away too, leaflets, booklets etc. It was a held at a great pace, we weren’t given too much to learn too quickly and each week followed a logical learning path. You’re an awesome teacher with a lot of knowledge and great at selecting biscuits! I’d highly recommend your courses as essential to the amazing and mind-blowing journey of becoming a new mum!!! - Jo"
"Simone’s facilitation skills are awesome, totally enjoyed coming along each week."
"As a father to be, antenatal was so much better than I had expected, I really enjoyed it - cheers Simone"
"The antenatal course you provided for us was absolutely fantastic. We both got a lot out of it, and used the information during labour and the postnatal time especially regarding breastfeeding. You were very easy to listen to, we didn’t get bored or feel uncomfortable at any stage during the antenatal course. A very professional and informative course with a little humour thrown in! I feel your course is essential for any expecting parents - Rachel"
"We found the advice and handouts very informative and helpful for both mums and dads. Simone is a very approachable person and her enthusiasm for helping mums and dads is obvious. Her experience and helpful advice was just great and she was always willing to answer any questions/concerns we had - Amanda and Wayne"
"Loved the humour, thanks for a great course!"
"I feel more confident in my wife’s ability to birth and my ability to support her well after coming to antenatal. The birth process makes sense, thanks"
"I really enjoyed coming along each week to listen to Simone and meeting people who were having babies around the same time as us"
"I really enjoyed your teaching style, lots to listen too and lots to do! Thanks for a great course Simone"
"You’re a great facilitator, learnt heaps, thanks"
"Very informative and well worth doing from a males perspective."
"My partner is now looking forward to the birth unlike prior to the class. His fear has been filled with understanding of all that lies ahead."
"The course was BRILLIANT. The enthusiasm, knowledge and delivery made the course informative and entertaining and has changed my mind about a number of things."
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