This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength and resilience of us mums by sharing the truly motivating story of Aleesha Brown—a mum of twins, personal trainer, and founder of Bondi Mums. From pumping in the gym to balancing life as a business owner, Aleesha shares her experience with breastfeeding, fitness, and finding the support she needed along the way.
Aleesha shares her personal story and stick around, because she’s given us some great tips for every new mum navigating postpartum and the new normal and a new bub.
Day 1
The day Aleesha’s twins arrived, she knew her breastfeeding journey would be different. With two hungry bubs, she quickly adapted to a routine that involved tandem feeding, pumping, and supplementing with formula. Triple feeding at its absolute finest- except that it’s not fine, it's a lot of work- but Leesh was determined.
“In those early days, I learned to master the art of multitasking. I’d breastfeed one twin while bottle feeding for the other, straight into a pumping. Sometimes even a power pump, a dance that felt both chaotic and beautiful. My breast pump became my constant companion—an extension of myself. I wore it while walking around the house, coaching bondi mums and even during shopping trips. It was always there, humming softly in the background as I navigated my new life as a mother of twins”
Her hands-free wearable breast pump gave her the freedom to continue daily activities while providing milk for her babies.
“I embraced the challenge of fitting it all in. I’d pump after each breastfeeding session, ensuring my supply stayed strong. My afternoons were often spent juggling bottles of formula, pumping schedules, and the endless cycle of feeding. I’d strap the pump onto my body and head out for errands, a familiar sight to onlookers who would smile knowingly at my determination. It felt empowering, like I was conquering every task, one pump at a time.”
Have you ever pumped at the gym during a workout? Leesh has. “I used to pump while coaching classes! With twins, I had to pump up to eight hours a day just to keep up with their needs. It became a normal part of my daily routine for 6 months."
“Each session brought with it a sense of accomplishment, a reminder that I was doing my best for my twins. But as time went on, the demands of life began to weigh on me, and I made the difficult decision to stop pumping sooner than I had hoped. Now, looking back, I wish I had held on a little longer. I miss the rhythm of those pumping sessions, the connection I felt to my babies even when they weren’t at the breast. I long for the comfort of knowing I was providing them with everything they needed. The memories of that chaotic, fulfilling time linger in my heart, fueling my excitement for the future.”
The Balance
As a mum of twins and a business owner, Leesh has developed strategies to juggle it all.
Here are her top tips for finding balance:
Establish a routine: A flexible schedule for feeding, naps, work, and self-care can help create structure. Leesh set a daily schedule but always tried to remain flexible. She would identify the most important tasks for the business and her family and focused on the priorities.
Be adaptable: Twins, all babies for that matter, come with unpredictable moments and things can change quickly—adjusting expectations is OK. Leesh would use the twins’ naptime to tackle important business tasks or catch up on rest when she needed it.
Ask for help: Whether it’s a partner, family members, or friends, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Having someone to lend a hand can make a big difference. Leesh freed up time when she could by seeking help with household tasks like cleaning, online shopping allowing her to remain focused and spend quality time with her bubs.
Leverage technology: Productivity apps help manage business and life tasks efficiently and save that mental energy you need for well, everything else! Even automating bills was a big one Leesh would utilise to reduce the mental load!
Prioritise self-care and celebrate the small wins: Make time for yourself, even just a few minutes! Nutrition, sleep, and movement are essential for energy and mental health. Sleep is always a hard one but establishing a bedtime routine is key, and celebrating your small achievements will help you stay motivated and appreciate the journey.
Set boundaries: Defined work hours and distraction-free time with kids help maintain balance and helped with Leesh’s productivity levels.
Find a support system: Connecting with other mums provides encouragement and shared experiences. Leesh loves connecting with other parents, mums of twins and working mums, if not for the practical mum tips then for the emotional support, especially on the touch days.
Be kind to yourself: Sounds simple, but with a lack of sleep sometimes it’s easy for those negative thoughts to creep in.Understand that you won’t always get everything right. It’s okay to have days that don’t go as planned.
Tips for Breastfeeding Mums
As a personal trainer, Leesh believes in making fitness work for your lifestyle.
Here are her tips for new mums trying to stay active:
Fuel your body: Eat balanced meals with enough protein, healthy fats, whole grains to support breastfeeding and energy levels.
Hydration is key: Drinking enough water supports milk production, energy levels and overall health
Short workouts work: Quick workouts can be effective and more realistic for a busy mum. Aim for achievable fitness goals that fit your lifestyle.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to how you feel. Rest when you can and ease into exercise to allow for a proper recovery after birth.
Include your bubs: Pram walks and baby-wearing workouts help you stay active while bonding.
Schedule it in: Treat workouts like appointments to try and stay consistent.
Find a community: Surrounding yourself with like-minded mums can keep you motivated and accountable.
Enjoy the journey: Embrace the process of getting back into fitness as a part of self-care, not just a goal.
Overcoming Breastfeeding Challenges
Like many mums, Leesh faced challenges as she navigated her new normal as a mum of twins and business owner. “Pumping and feeding two bubs felt like a full-time job.” and something that Leesh is super proud of today. It was a challenge but she made it work for her and her bubs. Leesh is routine driven, it’s what helped her through some of those early days as a new mum of twins, but she was also forgiving knowing that some days just wouldn't go as planned, and that’s ok.
Her biggest game-changer? A hands-free portable breast pump.
“Investing in a good portable pump allowed me to keep moving, work, and still provide for my babies. It gave me freedom and flexibility.”
Bondi Mums: More Than Just Fitness
Aleesha’s business, Bondi Mums, is more than a training program—it’s a community for mothers to connect, move, and support one another.
“I founded Bondi Mums because I needed a support system in my postpartum journey. It’s a space where mums can strengthen their bodies while feeling supported mentally and emotionally.”
Celebrating Strong Mothers
Aleesha’s story is a testament to the resilience and determination of mothers everywhere. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognise the incredible journey of motherhood, fitness, and self-care.
#IWD2025 #EmpoweredMotherhood #BreastfeedingOnYourTerms