Bachelor In Paradise star Tara Pavlovic-Shepherdson has opened up about wanting more kids “sooner rather than later”.
WATCH Tara Pavlovic leaves the hospital with her newborn son
Four months after welcoming her son Paddy with husband Nick Shepherdson, Tara exclusively spoke to WHO about navigating first-time motherhood.
The 31-year-old former nanny said she felt like she was “made to be a mother”.
“Obviously some days are harder than others depending on how Paddy is. If I have four nights of no sleep I’m a nervous wreck. I’m a rollercoaster of emotions. Some days I’m like ‘I got this,’ other days I’m like ‘what am I doing?’” she said.
Tara revealed Nick, who she tied the knot with last September, sometimes feels guilty that he can’t be as hands-on with Paddy’s feeding schedule.
“He’s definitely giving it his best shot. I think he feels bad sometimes that he can’t feed Paddy and he goes ‘I wish I had boobs, that would be handy’,” she laughed.
“Nick wants to feed him and I think that’s something that’s really hard for dads – they really want to do their bit but in the first 12 or so weeks there’s not much the dads can actually do.
“For me to be able to pump to give nick a bottle to feed Paddy is really good for them both so they both have that bonding time.”
Tara has teamed up with Philips Avent for World Breastfeeding Week in the hopes of getting rid of the stigma around mothers nursing in public.
“I’ve been really open on my social media about my breastfeeding. Philips want to encourage mums to feel comfortable with their breastfeeding journey,” she said.
“I’m confused as to why we’re having this conversation in 2021. I’m lucky in the sense that I don’t care and good luck to anyone who does come up to me and say anything.”
When nursing Paddy in public, Tara admitted she sometimes notices the odd judgmental look from other people.
“It doesn’t bother me but I know it would bother people who aren’t as open as me. I know a lot of people are a bit on the shier side,” she said.
“I know the looks I get would make other people feel awkward. I’m just happy that I’m able to brush it.
“Women’s boobs are meant for breastfeeding, that’s why men don’t have them. Its something we’re born to do and babies need to eat.”
Tara said she isn’t willing to feed Paddy in a parents’ room just to appease the public.
“That’s something you learn to do as a mother. I’ve definitely spilt food on his head at times,” she laughed.
The mother-of-one also revealed she “100 per cent” wants more kids in the future and hopes Paddy and his future sibling have the same age gap as her and her brother.
“My brother and I are a year and half apart and we have the best relationship. I really want that for Paddy,” she said.
“I’m hoping sooner rather than later for number two.”
Tara said Nick wants four kids, but admitted she isn’t sure if that will be feasible due to his hectic work schedule.
“I don’t know if he knows what five days a week at home with babies is like,” she laughed.
Tara first rose to fame after coming third in Matty J’s season of The Bachelor in 2017. The following year, she found love with Sam Cochrane after he proposed to her on Bachelor In Paradise.
The pair never made it to the altar and endured a messy, public split in June 2018.
She then found her happily ever after with long-term friend Nick Shepherdson, who she has known for more than 10 years.
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