Millie Mackintosh is instantly recognisable to most millennial women. After appearing on Bafta award-winning Made in Chelsea, the 33-year-old amassed a huge online following where she inspired her audience when it came to style and wellness. Since becoming a mother, she has used her large platform to connect over parenthood and launched her podcast Mumlemmas & More with Millie & Charlie alongside Charlie Boud, with new episodes weekly, every Wednesday.
Now in its second season, the pair have welcomed the likes of nutritionist and author of Get The Glow and former Grazia Fashion News Editor turned author Katherine Ormerod onto the podcast to discuss mum life, releasing full video episodes of the podcast and behind-the-scenes clips every Sunday on Youtube.
Taking time out of her busy schedule to speak with Express.co.uk over Zoom (looking glowing, as expected) she discussed the podcast and her best mum hacks. Millie explained she was inspired to begin the podcast to address the reality of parenthood in a departure from her social media perfection, she explains.
“On Instagram it’s such an edited version of your real life,” the descendant of the wife and husband team of inventors behind Quality Street said.
“There isn’t that much space there to really have these more in-depth conversations.
“I started sharing more openly when I was pregnant with my first daughter Sienna about three years ago and I started talking more about how I was feeling and what was really going on, rather than just posting pictures of my outfits and lovely views. I started to talk more about the ups and the downs, rather than just the perfect moments.
“The podcast is an extension of that, a place to have these kinds of real, unfiltered conversations.”
The former reality star, who also posts regularly on her TikTok account @milliemackintoshofficial, is passionate about her parenting community and giving back, and so will be partnering with some of her favourite brands to give listeners the chance to win some goodies this season.
READ MORE: Giovanna Fletcher’s children’s favourite budget meal is pesto – mum’s healthy recipe
Millie has two daughters with her husband Hugo Taylor, Sienna who is two, and Aurelia, who is coming up to her first birthday. Parenting two young children is not easy, as most parents will attest, but thankfully Millie has shared some of the “hacks” that help her.
Millie Mackintosh’s parenting hacks
Using a carrier to soothe fussy babies
She explained how wearing her babies in a front carrier when they were small allowed her to multitask.
“When I found that when the babies were quite small, I would just wear them in the front pack a lot like they were being fussy and they would sleep, Millie said.
“Just wear them in a baby carrier while you’re kind of doing things around the house. I feel like they find the motion really comforting. Then the baby would nap and I could still cook and get things done.
“When I’ve had fussy babies that had reflux or colic or were teething, I’ve really relied on babywearing.”
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Using a clever product to freeze meals
Millie told Express.co.uk she relied on baby food freezer storage to save money and time on baby and toddler food.
She said: “I think anything that saves time is definitely a bonus. When I was weaning, I would do a lot of batch cooking and freeze stuff. I found that really helpful.
“You can get these silicone moulds that you put in the freezer, kind of like an ice cube tray but bigger, and they make toddler-size or baby-size portions.
“So you can just up vegetables or fruit, or whatever it is, and just freeze it. Then whenever it’s mealtime you just take it out and defrost it.
“I did that a lot when I was weaning and you want to kind of have something ready to go.”
Accept help where you can
“Accept all the help that you get offered,” Millie says. “It really does take a village and it’s really hard. There’s nothing that can really prepare you for (parenthood) and it’s okay to need a break and to have that little recharge for your own.”
She went on: “I’m going to be honest – and I think it’s really important to be honest because it’s really easy for someone to look at social media and be like, how do you do it all the time?
“I have a nanny and I wouldn’t be able to work if I didn’t have a nanny during the week. I also have a great team that I work with.”
Millie also credits having a close circle, such as family and friends to rely on, for helping her through her parenting journey.
They are crucial, she says, on “the odd occasion childcare falls through. You can’t predict these things.”
She goes on: “I can’t take credit. If I didn’t have that help I definitely would not be leaving the house looking polished. I probably wouldn’t even be dressed. I’m very, I’m very thankful. I feel very privileged that I’m able to have that help.”
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