Conscious Mothering with Saasha Burns of BEAR

First of all, congratulations on your new son! How old is your baby boy Atlas?

Thank you so much, it’s been such a special time with our beautiful boy – he’s four months old. His whole face lights up when he sees us in the morning, it’s the best start to the day. His gummy shark smile is infectious, he’s so curious, loves being out in nature and brings so much happiness into our lives.

Can you tell us a little bit about your pregnancy and how you kept well throughout – did your diet change, did you do more or less exercise, etc.?

I loved being pregnant and really embraced all the changes to my body. We found out I was pregnant the day we left for a four month trip to Europe, which was such an exciting start to the journey. I think traveling and a full work schedule helped distract me in the first trimester, especially as I was a little anxious after an emergency hospital visit while in the Algarve, Portugal. We found a wonderful obstetrician in London, who I saw for regular appointments, and we really resonated with his relaxed approach.

Overall I didn’t change my diet, but I was conscious not to consume soft cheeses, deli meats, raw seafood. We always walk everywhere when traveling, which was great to keep up my fitness, but I also tried to rest as much as possible. The last few weeks of pregnancy were my favourite, as we were so close to meeting our baby bear. I swam in the ocean most days, nourished my body with plant-based foods from our local farmers market, spent time reading, and enjoyed a balanced approach to wellness.

What makes BEAR so special as a brand – how does the line differ from other supplements?

Our collection of modern wellness essentials are carefully formulated by our team of naturopaths, compounding pharmacists, medical professionals and microbiologists to support a holistic wellness journey. As an Australian brand based in the coastal town of Byron Bay, we take great pride in sourcing the highest quality ingredients from around the world and are committed to ensuring our products are free from genetically modified ingredients (GMO), sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances and colours, glycols, silicones, PEG’s and phthalates. All of our products are vegan, not tested on animals, and proudly made in Australia. Our Essential Daily Vitamins are certified as a listed medicine by Australia’s regulatory authority, the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA). We only use ingredients of the highest quality and therapeutic nature, to deliver optimal bioavailability and ensure nutrients are readily absorbed by the body. 

BEAR is driven to be more conscious of our impact on the planet, innovate and create positive change for a brighter future. We are 100% carbon neutral and fully offset our carbon emissions each calendar year by supporting the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor, the first Australian project certified by the Gold Standard to help minimise our impact on the environment. The Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor is a native reforestation project that aims to re-establish the natural landscape of a 200km corridor in the northern wheatbelt of Southwest Australia. It removes 1.897 million tonnes of carbon in a region where over 90% of the woodland has been cleared. Since the launch of the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor project in 2008, 30 million trees and shrubs have been planted restoring over 13,000 hectares of land. Trees are the world’s single largest source of breathable oxygen and play a vital role in maintaining safe levels of carbon dioxide and addressing climate change. 

As a certified B Corporation, we meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. We also donate a fixed dollar amount from each product sold to Australian conservation movements WildArk and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to help protect and conserve the wonders of the natural world and the wildlife that inhabit them. We hope to make a significant difference to species protection and conservation projects worldwide in the years to come. 

Specifically when it came to vitamins and supplements, we know you were taking BEAR throughout. Can you tell us which items and why you would recommend them during pregnancy?

All of our products are are of the highest safety and efficacy, and able to be taken throughout pregnancy. As part of a clean and all-natural skincare routine I applied BEAR Wonder Essential Daily Face Oil each morning – a single-origin luxury face oil that contains 100% cold-pressed prickly pear seed oil. The nutrient-dense lightweight oil is rich in natural antioxidant vitamin E to help protect against free radicals and improve microcirculation within the skin. Linoleic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid, increases cell turnover, encourages new collagen production, and acts as a natural anti- aging treatment. Powerful vitamin K helps brighten the skin for a youthful and radiant complexion. I took BEAR Explore Essential Daily Vitamins each morning, formulated for optimal energy, immunity and to promote healthy hair, skin and nails.

I also loved mixing a tablespoon of BEAR Nourish Essential Daily Superpowder into my muesli or daily smoothie. It’s a multi-fibre prebiotic and contains one of the world’s richest sources of resistant starch from green Australian Lady Finger bananas. Nourish helps support a healthy digestive system, immune system, nervous system, and is naturally high in antioxidant vitamin E and minerals including phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.

We have two women on the REV team who are pregnant now and wanted to ask about your approach to the fourth trimester, when you’re body needs additional nourishment as you are giving so much to the baby and you need to rebalance everything, including hormones. How did you approach this time and was it any different from the rest of your pregnancy?

Ah that’s so exciting, congratulations to you both! I read The First Forty Days – the Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou when I was pregnant, and it opened my eyes to the notion of the fourth trimester and helped me understand the importance of rest and recovery as a new mother. I eat a mostly whole food, plant-based diet and consumed nourishing bowls, salads and soups filled with cruciferous vegetables in the fourth trimester to help restore my energy, rebalance my hormones and strengthen my immune system. I always have a full fruit bowl at home, and loved drinking pure coconut water to help stay hydrated and to provide much needed electrolytes. Self-care is also so important during this time, especially with sleep deprivation. I find even a few minutes in the shower each morning is incredible for restoring mental clarity. Similar to pregnancy, be gentle with yourself, welcome support from others, and try to take a nap when your baby sleeps during the day.

And postpartum, have you continued to take the same vitamins / supplements or something new?

I continue to take BEAR Explore Essential Daily Vitamins each day, with a large glass of water when I wake up. Explore contains powerful antioxidant vitamin C, at it’s highest therapeutic form ascorbic acid, that is readily absorbed by the body to help promote improved immune function, stimulate collagen synthesis and assist in antioxidant protection against UV-induced photo damage. Explore contains adaptogen rhodiola rosea to support cognitive function and relieve symptoms of stress. It helps restore the skin, improve microcirculation, and enhance its natural radiance. Explore also contains vitamin E that acts as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant to protect against cellular damage, and turmeric that contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Explore has a strong vitamin B complex with B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 to support energy levels and nervous system function, assist in wound healing and provide essential postpartum nourishment for the skin, hair and nails.

How has your style evolved as a new mother? Do you have any tips for mothers or mothers to be on how to dress sustainably when your body is changing?

I didn’t even consider that I might need a postpartum wardrobe, especially pieces suitable for breastfeeding. I couldn’t fit any of my jeans and none of my summer dresses were suitable for maternity bras. I realised so many pieces I owned were dry clean only and completely impractical with a baby. I would recommend investing in a few comfortable loungewear pieces that are loose fitting and easily washable. I love wearing oversized tees and jumpers, tops with lots of buttons or wrap styles, pants with drawstring waists, high waisted boyfriend jeans, and a pair of sneakers. I’d also invest in a few pairs of quality linen pyjamas, as you will be spending a lot of time in them.

How has life changed for your wellness and beauty routine with a new baby in tow?

I’m a beauty minimalist and my skincare routine is clean, all-natural and very simple – perfect with a baby. I cleanse once in the morning, then apply a few drops of BEAR Wonder Essential Daily Face Oil followed by a light mist of BEAR Harmony Essential Daily Face Mist. I rarely wear any makeup and love the feeling of clean skin. I also love spending time outdoors, going for morning walks with Atlas for fresh air and the therapeutic benefits of heliotherapy.

Any wonderful sustainable baby brands you can recommend to us?

I search for pieces that are sustainably produced with longevity in mind for Atlas, that can be treasured and passed down. I also love supporting local Australian brands and we are conscious to avoid plastic. Our WORN bassinet is handmade from natural woven cane and is free from any toxic treatments, chemicals or sealants. As a local Byron Bay brand, they harmonise their environmental impact with Trees4Trees where one tree is planted for every item of furniture sold.

Atlas sleeps in Illoura essentials, an Australian brand based in Gippsland, Victoria with designs mindfully made using 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton, to ensure the highest standards of ecologically and socially responsible production of organic fibres. I’ve also fallen in love with Danish brand Bonét et Bonét and Atlas loves his Ewii and Eddie sweater from 100% baby alpaca wool, hand knitted by female knitters in Peru. They work with GOTS, FairTrade (SA8000) & WRAP Certified factories to ensure the people behind their products are treated fairly and with respect.

Finally, what does sustainability mean to you?

Hope, for a brighter future for our children. We need to work together as a community to change our habits, no matter how inconvenient that might be. Our way of living is no longer sustainable. We need to be regenerative and explore new ways of creating real and meaningful solutions to climate change. If we are in a position of privilege that allows us the means to make choices, we must consume responsibly. We do not have infinite natural resources. We need to live in harmony with nature, as we are one coherent ecosystem. It is an ever evolving journey and I’m constantly learning. I hope to stay curious, live with empathy for nature, help educate others, and positively influence change. We all have a responsibility to fight for climate justice and protect our planet.

Imagery from Saasha Burns