Don’t put pressure on yourself
It's natural to feel a bit overwhelmed at the beginning. Remember, it will get easier once you get used to your baby’s routine. So for the first few weeks focus on your baby and you. Don’t try and do too many things and ask for help - you’ll probably have a stream of people ready to lend a hand so don’t be proud!
Getting advice
If you need advice talk to your partner, family, friends or health care professional. It’s also worth finding a mum and baby group in your area where you can swap stories and have a bit of time with other mums in the same situation. You'll probably find they feel exactly the same way.
Getting confident with the basics
There's no need to get too hung up on whether or not you're doing things right either. As long as you're using your common sense, you'll be doing just fine. We can provide you with guidance on the practical things like how to hold your baby, feeding your baby, how to change a nappy and lots of other practical help and tips.
Let people help you
Don’t try and do everything yourself - let friends and family help you. Many people are only too willing to lend a hand but they might not know what they can do to help, so don’t be afraid to let them know. Here are some suggestions for organising your helpers:
-
Instead of rushing around to find the tea and biscuits when family or close friends drop round, point them to the kitchen and ask them to put the jug on. If you’re lucky, they might even make you some lunch too!
-
Grandparents and any broody friends are often dying to hold the baby and have a cuddle. Make the most of this and let them spend time and fuss over your new family member. Of course you should use your own instincts to know when baby has had enough cuddles and its time for you to say no and to let your baby rest or sleep without disturbance.
-
Shopping with a baby can be a bit of a job so why not ask others to pick up a few things for you while they’re at the supermarket or when they’re in town?
Looking after mum
Many mums forget that looking after a new baby takes a lot of energy so make sure you look after yourself too. You need to make sure you’re getting the right mix of sleep and exercise so your mind and body are ready for the challenges of the day.