Tuck’s room is very white...
We decorated it with upside down duck bums above his change table, a navy, white and red Indian blanket on his bed and some leather rabbits. I buy Tuck’s toy’s from Kido Store and Kitchen By Mike. I really need to buy more toys. For clothes, Seed and Zara are great. Bonds is easy
I'm back at work now...
I work three days in the office, and two from home. I always wanted to keep my career. I definitely have to work more hours. I catch up at night and on the weekends, but it works for me. I spend the majority of the week with my baby. I also have a nanny and doting Grandmas. My only exercise routine after I gave birth was swaying my baby to sleep for the first two months. I live in jeans and tees. I like Sass & Bide, Theory, Givenchy and bassike. I try to put more of an effort into dressing these days. It makes me feel less mumsy
I was surprised by how much I love motherhood
I was unsure when I went into this new world, but it is strangely amazing. The labour was tougher than I expected. I think I was a bit naive about how hard it was going to be, but instincts take over and you are stronger than you think. I want to teach Tuck to be as positive as he can in every situation. Everyday is slightly different. I stick to a feeding routine, and sleep routine is around the same time everyday. You have to be malleable to your baby’s needs. I followed Save Our Sleep for a while, and Tuck now goes to sleep on his own and self settles
One-on-one time with your partner is essential...
My husband Tim and I sit down for dinner together every night after Tuck goes down. We also get out a couple of times a week without Tuck.
My advice to first time mothers would be...
You actually get used to the sleep deprivation. Don’t over think it and just try to get through it. Try to sleep when they sleep, respect your baby and expect they will respect you back.
For fashion designer Claire Tregoning, time management is the key to balancing motherhood with her job at Sass & Bide. Working for two mothers – Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke – she’s lucky enough to have a flexible working arrangement. She currently works three days a week in the office, and spends the other two days working from her home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. “I often catch up at night and on the weekends, but it works for me.”
Her now 10-month-old son Tuck was born back in January. I was surprised by how much I love being a mother. I was unsure when I went into this new world, but it is strangely amazing.
Tregoning’s understated style hasn’t changed since becoming a mother: jeans and tees are still wardrobe staples and she’ll often accessorise with Miu Miu studded sneakers or for work, she’ll opt for a heel. “I try to put more of an effort into dressing these days. It makes me feel less mumsy,” she says.
Claire’s little list of loves:
Coffee.
A glass of wine with my husband at 7pm.
Online shopping.
Long showers.
Getting my baby up after his sleeps.
Centennial Park.
My dog.
May 2013
Photography: Julie Adams Makeup: Sarina Zoe Hair: Amanda Kowalevsky from Oscar Oscar salon in Paddington Words: Georgie Abay