The Best Advice I’d Give New Mums—Charlotte Morley Shares What She Knows Now
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Time to read 4 min
Motherhood is a life change that doesn’t come with an instruction manual. No amount of nesting can truly prepare you for bleary-eyed exhaustion, identity shifts, and the kind of love that changes everything. Looking back, most mums will tell you there’s something—big or small—they wish they’d known earlier. Maybe it’s the magic of a leakproof nursing bra or hacks for cleaning up weaning chaos—hindsight is one of the greatest gifts we can pass on to other mothers.
In this series, we sit down with the mothers who inspire us to ask: What do you know now that you wish you’d known then?
This week, we speak with Charlotte Morley, founder of thelittleloop, about identity, maternity fashion, and the hardest lessons she’s learned along the way.
"I became acutely aware of myself as a mother—partly because my actions directly affected someone else, and partly because, for the first time, I was completely out of control."
Motherhood, Identity & The Shift That No One Prepares You For
When Charlotte Morley became a mum on 4th January 2017 , she quickly realised just how much motherhood reshapes a sense of self. “I became acutely aware of myself as a mother—partly because my actions directly affected someone else, and partly because, for the first time, I was completely out of control,” she shares.
Like many ambitious women, she approached it as she would her career—working hard to be “the best” mother she could be. But motherhood doesn’t come with clear metrics for success. “There are so many ways to be a good mum. The hardest thing was not knowing if I was succeeding.”
The Unexpected Joy of Maternity Fashion
While maternity fashion can be a hurdle for many mums, for Charlotte, it was surprisingly freeing. “I’ve never been skinny, so it was the first time I didn’t have to worry about my stomach—I could just celebrate it.” She built a capsule wardrobe, prioritising comfort and practicality. “It was simple, but I loved that. If For The Creators had existed back then, I’d definitely have rented some statement pieces to mix it up.”
Lesson learned: “I once bought an expensive maternity gown for a formal wedding at 9 months pregnant. It was pretty, but I didn’t love it—and I never wore it again. I’d have much rather rented one.”
“I probably haven’t fully ‘found’ my style again"
After birth, though, fashion became trickier. “I outgrew most of my wardrobe but didn’t have the budget to replace everything. I also hoped I’d shrink back down—which never happened!” Instead, she rebuilt her style over time, leaning into secondhand pieces and avoiding fast fashion. “I probably haven’t fully ‘found’ my style again, but I feel much happier with the values behind what I wear now.”
The Birth Experience: Two Stories, Two Very Different Outcomes
Her first birth was traumatic . “I felt cheated—and like a failure. If medical intervention hadn’t been available, both my baby and I might not have survived.”
Her second was the complete opposite. “It was textbook, no interventions—just a little too close to the wire getting to the hospital! It felt like redemption.”
Today, she rarely thinks about it, and the trauma has faded. “My focus has always been separating the birth experience from how I feel about my children.”
The Breastfeeding Struggle No One Warns You About
Breastfeeding was a deeply painful experience for Charlotte. She wanted to do it so badly—but her milk never came in. “I tried and tried, but eventually, the midwives forced me to switch to formula because my daughter was so malnourished. It felt like another failure.”
What she’d tell herself now? “Honestly, nothing. Nothing could take away the pain of that moment. But I also know I did everything I could.”
Her biggest mum guilt moment came later—when she missed her daughter’s first nursery nativity for a business meeting. “If this business is successful, maybe it will have been worth it. If not…”
The Non-Negotiable Routine
Every mum has their own way of managing exhaustion. For Charlotte, a clear routine was key.
"I was regimented about naps, sleep schedules, and avoiding sleep associations like feeding to sleep. Some might call it rigid, but it saved my sanity."
A game-changer ? The dream feed—a bottle given by her husband before bed. “Not only did it let me sleep longer, but it also helped my babies sleep through the night sooner.” Her approach worked: “They’re still great sleepers today. Or maybe I just got lucky.”
The Truth About Mum Friends & Overhyped Baby Activities
Mum friends are a lifeline—but they don’t have to be forever. Charlotte learned not to put pressure on relationships. “Open your heart to as many as you can, but don’t stress if life pulls you in different directions.”
Looking back, some baby activities felt unnecessary: “Baby sensory was fun, but did they need it? Probably not. And baby swimming—so expensive!” That said, “Both gave me precious one-to-one time with my baby, which I wouldn’t have had just sitting in a café with mum friends.”
The Must-Have & The Waste of Money
Overhyped product? A fancy video baby monitor. “The basic one we had worked better and lasted longer.”
Surprise essential? Cloth nappies. “We didn’t try them until my first was 4 months old, but they were incredible. We used them from birth with our second.”
Final Advice for New Mums
"Try to enjoy it - you could be back at work before you know it, and it will all become a blur. Soak it in. Enjoy the bits you love. And don’t feel guilty about the bits you don’t."
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