The most beautiful images of Jana Pittman’s life as a twin-mum!
"Being a mum of many and especially twins has been my greatest challenge yet"
In March 2022, Jana Pittman added twin-mum to her long, long list of accomplishments when she welcomed boy-girl twins, Quinlan and Willow to her brood at just 35 weeks gestation.
The darling duo, whom she shares with husband, Paul Gatward were born on Tuesday March 22, 2022, bringing her cute kid count to six!
As the beloved star of SAS Australia, an Olympic champion, a medical doctor, an egg donor (more on that below) and a mum already, there is nobody better equipped to handle the challenges that being a mum of multiples presents, wouldn’t you say?
Scroll down to see all the best images of Jana’s life as a twin mum.
Jana is a busy, BUSY mum
Jana had her first child, 16yo Cornelis with former English athlete Chris Rawlinson, whom she married in 2006.
Cornelis was an only child for some nine years before Jana was diagnosed with CIN3 – abnormal cells in her cervix, which can become cancerous. She ended up having part of her cervix removed as a result.
The diagnosis led her to pursue the decision to have more children via sperm donor, in case she lost her ability to have more babies in the future.
“All of a sudden I was there, a single mum already, and thought, ‘Why not look at the options of having children on my own’,” Jana said.
Jana took her son to look at donors, and they picked one with a strong resemblance to themselves, so that the family would all look similar.
Via the sperm donor, Jana gave birth to 7yo Emily, and then her second daughter, 6yo Jemima a little later.
Emily and Jemima are full-blood siblings, and Jana confirmed that further down the track the girls will be given the opportunity to meet the sperm donor and get to know him.
Baby number four, 2yo Charlie, was born to Jana and her second husband, Paul Gatward.
Then along came the twins! Take a look at Jana’s life as a twin mum in the gallery below …
The most beautiful images of Jana Pittman’s life as a twin-mum!
Making memories
A trip to Queensland with the kids is all about making memories for Jana. Willow and Quinlan are living their best lives, with their big siblings.
“Life long memories created!”
“The simple pleasures…”
Slowing down and appreciating a sunrise breakfast on the beach with her babies… so good for the soul!
“I really needed this break. It’s so important to stop, recognise and acknowledge the busyness; and then reset!
“We even saw dolphins surfing the waves”
“Happy Mother’s Day to all the hard working mums”
Jana posted fantastic familly photos on Mother’s Day with the caption:
“Happy Mother’s Day to all the hard-working mums, aunties, nannie’s, grandmas, solo dads and anyone that helps us make being a mother doable!
“I feel so blessed by my brood.. but I know there are those still trying to make this dream a reality.. hang in there and share your journey.. having had four miscarriages my myself is probably the reason I kept saying ‘ok just one more’. Thinking of you today”
Skin to skin for the win!
Taking care of a sick little one is no fun and Jana makes the most of shower time to give baby Quinlan some extra TLC.
“Even as they are getting older they power of skin to skin when they aren’t feeling well is magical.
“A lovely warm shower and a cuddle helps so much.”
Jana’s easter bunnies
Quinlan and Willow are nailing these pictures with their gorgeous big siblings. Matching PJs for the win!
“She can walk”
Sharing this adorable picture that raditates happiness, Jana posted that Willow is up and walking – at 14 months of age.
Watch the cute video above of the twins walking…
Looking for first birthday ideas!
Ahead of the twins’ first birthday, Jana put a call out for suggestions for theme ideas.
Ideas came in thick and fast from Bingo and Bluey, to Thing 1 and Thing 2, and Mickey and Minnie. The winner was TWIN-kle TWIN-KLE Little Stars!
Quinlan and Willow start childcare
“Big few days in our household!” shared Jana.
“The twinnies started early learning with educators (great new term for childcare). So happy with the place we chose. Wonderful people and great environment 👶🏼👶🏼 🥰”
Jana’s twins sleep through the night – for the first time!
Jana took to Instagram to share an exciting milestone and one that any sleep-deprived mama would welcome.
She writes: “Feeling so blessed. My twins slept through the night for the first time ever in almost 10mths!!
“I have had lots of support from friends and even a few fabulous online sleep specialists reached out but I am terrible at getting my own kids to settle myself 😅and I was dying from sleep deprivation!”
Jana goes onto credit a sleep trainer for helping to get her twins into a new routine.
“A week ago the amazing Anna reached out via Insta and asked if I needed help. Must be the tired eyes in my photos! A few days later she arrived on my doorstep with a swag of ideas and the patience of a saint.
“She gently undid some my bad habits and helped me teach my little ones to self settle (they both love a bum pat haha)”
Jana says, “She is remarkable and I am so very grateful to her. Fingers crossed for the next few nights….”
Debunking some of the thoughts around sleep training, Jana says:
“Sleep training is so different from what most of us think it is. It doesn’t have to be tough for you or your babies, you just sometimes need a little help. I had a wonderful women Gene help me with my kids and break that taboo years ago. These angels are truly gifts to motherhood!!”
Jana finishes the post by encouraging other sleep deprived mums to reach out for help:
“So if you are in the same boat as me.. tired and struggling, or maybe even a toddler or tween who is finding sleep difficult, maybe it’s time to get a helping hand. Yet again it takes a village. Know your strengths 😘”
In the swim!
With such an atheletic and energetic mum it makes even more sense that Quinlan and Willow are heading to the pool for their first swim at just after six months of age.
“First time for a swim!!
Love my babies.. 👶🏼 👶🏼”
Twinning IS winning
Dressed in matching his ‘n’ hers knitted onesies, Willow and Quinlan are adorable!
The proud mum’s simple caption read: “Getting bigger 🥰🥰”
Dressed to impress
The Olympic star dressed up in fancy frocks with four of her kids to support Frocktober.
“It’s coming to the end of Frocktober!!
“This year’s theme was ‘Life’s too short for boring’! My girls and (Charlie for one) frocked up to say “frock you” to ovarian cancer.
“Five Aussies are diagnosed with Ovarian cancer every day and one woman every eight hours loses her battle, making Ovarian Cancer the most lethal female cancer.
“Right now there is no early detection test so raising funds to find one could save the lives of more than 8000 Australian women over a decade.
“Let’s frock up and help save our mothers, sisters and friends. The next generation of women deserve better.”
QT with her eldest
In October 2022, Jana decided to take up mountain biking with her eldest son, Cornelis, so they can get some guaranteed quality time together.
“Started a new hobby.. MTB.. trying to keep up with my eldest Cor 🚵♀️🚵♂️
So nice to have quality time with my main man 🥰 BUT I suck at this 🤣😅”
Half a year old!
We’ve loved following Jana’s twin mama journey so far and it’s hard to believe her babies are already six months old. Seems like Jana can’t quite believe it either!
“Incredible that 6months has past since the first day I held you in my arms. So grateful to be your mum 👶🏼👶🏼
“Being a mum of many and especially twins has been my greatest challenge yet. A huge thank you to all those that stepped up and held me afloat these last few months”
Work-life balance
When twins Willow (Lolo) and Quinlan hit six months old, Jana returned to medicine – what a challenge!
“What a week and it’s only half way through!
“Officially back at work on Monday.. the second picture of Lolo depicts how I feel 🤣
“Love my job but def had a few teary moments. It doesn’t get easier the 5th time off mat leave! Miss my kiddies
“Off to Dubbo today for a speaking gig but not before we did our family walk to school and Mima found the most perfect ‘make a wish’ dandelion, my fav photo 🥰”
Sibling love, brotherly love
With 13 years between her firstborn son Cornelis and little Charlie, it’s no wonder that the nearly 2yo is in awe of his big bro.
“Just two dudes going for a walk to the bath hand in hand. So blessed having an older son that helps with the little ones…
“thinks his big brother is the absolute 💣”
Making time for baby number four
When you have more than one child spending quality time with them is a juggle and you can feel guilty about not being able to give each of them all your time. BUT their lives are enriched by having siblings.
Jana snatches the opportunity when ever she can, like here, with Charlie.
“Just two happy faces. Smile at a stranger, it can go along way to brightening their day, as you never know what challenges they face.
“Pic: Coffee with my 4th born today 😁”
School walking train
Who needs to get the community involved when you can form you own walking train?
Jana shared this sweet snap of the school run on a clear day.
“What a beautiful day to walk to school.. yes it takes some wrangling to get all 6 kids out in time but now my exercise is done for the day. Thanks @cornkid33 for taking this cute pick of your bros and sisters
Tip: carry the toddler on your back for a little extra resistance 🏋️♀️”
Number one son!
Jana is quick to thank her first born, Cornelis and give him big brother shouts outs. The genes are strong here – what a gorgeous mother-son photo.
Jeans for genes!
Medical mama Jana got on board the Jeans for Genes day by dressing up little beauties Quinlan and Willow in their coolest denims.
“Let’s get behind @jeansforgenesau and raise funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute. Help our scientists find cures for genetic diseases, including cancer, and other serious conditions affecting 1 in 20 children 👧🏼”
Frequent flyers
It’s tricky for a breastfeeding mum to leave her babies at home when she’s got to be on the road – or in the air – for work.
“At the airport again… on route to another speaking gig 🎙
Twins are becoming frequent flyers. Thanks to my gorgeous mum for coming with me 🥰”
“I don’t know how she does it!”
Which mum of many wouldn’t love a helpful, hands-on grandma to help out!
“I get asked how I manage travelling to speaking gigs with twins.. this amazing woman makes it all possible.
Plus it’s a bit of fun as we are both obsessed with #wordscape and compete against eachother.. today she had an advantage of sleeping Quin but I had the most beautiful distraction 👶🏼”
Iso buddies
Jana has been battling COVID and says these two are the “Best iso buddies ever 👶🏼👶🏼” but admits it was “hard to even lift them on day 1… very humbling”.
Fortunately the twins have avoided catching the virus so far.
Super six!
Who says a large family is harder work?!
“How good are my little helpers!” Jana captioned this cute family shot after calling out for “Ideas for entertaining my six please 👦🏻👧🏼👧🏼👦🏼👶🏼👶🏼 ??” on another rainy Sunday.
“So in love with my little pair … “
Little Quinlan and Willow have hit three months and made the 5kg mark.
No rest for Jana!
The impressive mum has been presenting her research on Uterus Transplantation at the #TSANZ conference (transplant conference).
“Twins in tow we flew to Adelaide (with my mum of course) for a 5min preso 🤣” said Jana.
“Considering how much public speaking I do.. I was shaking like a leaf and my heart was pounding. I guess the nerves just mean I am passionate about the topic.. Uterus transplant is exactly what it sounds like. It gives women who have no uterus (either born without one or who required a hysterectomy) a chance at carrying their baby 🥰”
Bath time!
Sharing a series of images to Instagram, smiling mum, Jana confessed that her favourite way to bathe the babies is to hop in with them!
“I love a bath and skin to skin snuggle! With twins takes a few extra hands to be safe but we love it!” she shared.
“My pair are now starting to stay awake a little more which is lovely. Their personalities are already showing.. Quin is so serious and Willow is my smiley one!”
“Special extended family ❤️”
On top of all of her other proud accomplishments, Jana Pittman is an egg donor!
Her exposure to the world of obstetrics led her to want to help others, and Jana decided to donate an egg to her close friends who were in a same-sex relationship.
The couple gave birth to a daughter, Màili, via a surrogate in November, 2019.
“I’m known to Màili as Auntie Jana.”
Flying with twins
A flight with her new babies inspired Jana to share some travelling tips after her experience.
- arrive super early before flight!
- baby carrier or two when bigger
- don’t pack too much (we did.. big error).. especially hand luggage!
- cheap feeding pillow (Kmart $25) so you don’t damage your good one, used to feed on plane and put baby down on to change/rest/wait etc
- feed on take off for their ears
- heaps of water or extra bottles as they seem hungrier!!
- pee before take off as when they are finally asleep on you.. you don’t want to move! Same goes for snacks!
- Bring big plastic bag for any infant extras to avoid damage and dust
- get a maxi taxi and forget taking car seats.. maybe fine if you have 1 baby but if double trouble like me.. too hard as 99% of hire cars don’t fit you, babies and luggage!
- Biggest Tip… take your own mum 🤣”
Made for this!
Jana looked radiant just weeks after the twins arrival as she settled into life as a mum of six.
Boobin’ along
Jana helped normalise the struggle that some mothers face in the early days of breastfeeding by sharing her own journey.
Alongside a series of black and white images depicting her feeding her new babes, the new mum shared: “I have shared my story on this before.. the struggles with poor supply and mastitis. The tears, the frustration, the guilt around being told your baby is ‘failing to thrive’. I know I am not alone…
“I am so very happy and proud to say my beautiful twins are now fully breastfeeding with no top ups needed!
“It wasn’t easy. As premies they needed NG tubes, so I put them to the breast as often as possible but they def needed top ups. At this point we started ‘triple feeding’ = offered breast, then bottle/tube with expressed milk, then bottle with formula. Then I expressed! Guys it was around the ⏰.. so very tiring (and so many bottles)! This lasted 3-4wks.
“Then we dropped the formula and only gave expressed bottles. Then dropped the bottles.. then dropped the expressing! Amazing!!”
Introducing the new family members
Jana shared her concerns that her older children “don’t feel displaced too much” by the arrival of the double trouble.
It was advice from her own mum that helped make the transition smooth.
“My own wonderful mum gave me some great advice many moons ago.” she shared.
“Make them ‘their’ babies and get them really involved!! So as soon as my tummy started to blossom it was ‘Charlie’s babies’ for the little guy and to the girls we talked about how essential they would be in looking after them..”
A safe arrival
Jana shared the details of her birth with her 60k plus followers.
The girls arrived safely and naturally just 11 minutes apart after concerns that a c-section might be required for her second twin who was breech.
“So yes my birth was a little more medicalised but it was incredible and I felt empowered and safe throughout the whole process!” she shared.
Too busy to share!
It was three months post-partum that Jana finally had time to share a series of incredibly beautiful maternity images from her twin pregnancy.
“Hard to believe these were taken three months ago but I didn’t have time to share them before the twins arrived 👶🏼👶🏼 Time has literally flown!!” she shared.
