Motherhood isn’t just about nappies, night feeds or never-ending to-do lists. It’s also about something quieter and more powerful – the slow, steady shift in how you see the world and yourself. This transformation has a name – matrescence. Much like adolescence, it marks a period of profound change. But rather than something to push through, it’s something you grow into. Below, in partnership with Aptamil Advanced Follow-On Milk, we take a closer look at matrescene – including how it's affected three mothers from our podcast series.

With three children under five, Laura Jackson has spent the last few years oscillating between pregnancy, birth and caring for newborns. Here, she talks us through the changes she’s experienced and why she’s keen to spread the word about ‘matrescence’…