Forever Postpartum
A reflective series exploring the tender, transformative seasons of motherhood, nourishment, and what it means to care for ourselves and others.
This month, we’re speaking with Steph Campbell, mother to Ari (9), Clover (6), Stella (4), and Boston (6 months), and founder of Clover Ferments.
Steph’s journey into fermentation began in response to the challenges of early motherhood. What started as a way to support her daughter, Clover, gradually grew into a practice that nourishes others, blending traditional methods with the lived wisdom of her own family experience. In this conversation, Steph reflects on how motherhood has shaped her approach to care, her understanding of nourishment, and the everyday rhythms that sustain her creativity, resilience, and wellbeing.
Clover Ferments grew from a very personal postpartum experience. How has stepping into motherhood influenced the way you care for others through your work today?
Motherhood has deeply shaped the way I care for others through my work today. Before kids, I had a pretty idealistic idea of how that season would look, but the reality was so much more unpredictable and challenging than I expected.
That experience has made me a lot more gentle and less judgemental in how I support people now. I don’t come in with expectations of what things “should” look like- instead, I really try to meet people where they’re at and hold space for whatever their experience is.
It’s definitely made my approach feel more human and grounded. I care in a way that’s slower, more understanding, and shaped by having been through it myself, which I think helps others feel more seen and supported.
Balancing four young children and a growing business can feel all-consuming. What are the small practices or moments that help you reconnect with yourself on challenging days?
Balancing four young kids and a growing business can definitely feel all-consuming, so I really lean on a few small practices that help me come back to myself.
The first is movement- nothing intense, just something to shift my energy. It might be a walk in nature, a gentle yoga or pilates flow, or even jumping on the trampoline with the older kids. It always makes a big difference in how I feel.
The next is meditation. I keep this really flexible- sometimes it’s just focusing on my breath while feeding baby Boston, or if I’m up early, I’ll do a short breath or mantra-based meditation.
I also try to have a little one-on-one time with each of my kids every day. It’s not always easy (they all want to be part of everything!), but those moments feel really special when I can make them happen.
And honestly, the most important one is practicing non-attachment- letting go of guilt if none of it happens. Some days are just full, and that’s okay too.
So much of postpartum wisdom is felt before it can be fully understood. How do you translate those intuitive lessons into the way you create, share, and guide others through your work?
So much of what I’ve learnt postpartum was felt long before I could put words to it. It taught me to slow down, tune in, and trust my body instead of always trying to push through or figure everything out.
Over time, that’s really shaped how I support others. I’ve learnt that Plan A isn’t always the plan that works- and that’s okay, we just move to Plan B. I’ve moved away from rigid structure and more into flow, both in how I work and how I guide people. I don’t come from a place of having all the answers- I’m there to listen and support people on their own journey.
I’m not an expert, just a mum who’s been on a big gut health journey - both myself and for my children. I genuinely love supporting others on a similar path and helping them feel a bit less alone, and more hopeful along the way.
I’ve learnt so much about food and healing, and how to nourish my body in a way that actually feels supportive. I’m really about nourishment over restriction- I’m always thinking about what I can add in, rather than take away.
Since slowing down, listening to my body, and focusing on whole, nourishing foods- eating with the seasons and including lots of warming meals (the fourth trimester meals have been so comforting)- I honestly feel better postpartum this time around (after baby number four!) than I have before.
Our Clover Ferments have also played such a big role in that. I genuinely can’t imagine not having them as part of my routine. The Turmeric Kvass has felt especially healing post-birth with its anti-inflammatory support, the Beet Kvass has been incredibly energising (and has such a long history of being used to replenish the body after birth), and the Blend Kvass I love for helping keep things regular postpartum.
Like I said, it really comes back to adding things in rather than restricting- and the ferments feel like such a simple, nourishing, and supportive addition.
Your work is deeply informed by your own experiences. How do you bring that knowledge into your offerings in a way that feels approachable and supportive for other mothers navigating similar journeys?
I genuinely love connecting with other mums—whether that’s through emails, DMs on Instagram, or voice messages- especially those who are really in the trenches, like I once was. If I can offer even a little bit of support or reassurance, it means a lot.
I remember that season so clearly, and having people to talk to who truly understood made the biggest difference for me. That’s something I really try to pass on now.
Now that I’ve had four babies, people often say “I don’t know how you do it,” but honestly, it doesn’t feel that different. Before kids, your focus is on yourself, and once you have children- whether it’s one or four- it naturally shifts to your kids and your family. That shared experience is something I think connects so many of us, and it’s why having that support and understanding matters so much.
Lastly, what does the idea of “forever postpartum” mean to you?
To me, “forever postpartum” is the understanding that becoming a mother isn’t something we just move through and leave behind- it’s something that continues to shape us over time.
Each season has new and different challenges and I think there’s something really powerful in recognising that we’re always evolving within motherhood.
It’s not about “bouncing back” or returning to who we were before, but about honouring who we’re becoming.
For me, it’s a reminder to keep moving gently, to keep listening to my body, and to give myself grace in every stage- not just in those early postpartum days, but in the long journey of motherhood.