Coping with a Newborn

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So you have been dreaming for months of what your new baby will look like. The day arrives, and after a serene, natural and pain free labour you are finally able to hold him or her in your arms….wakey wakey!

Oh my gosh, I have this baby, and I don’t know what to do with it. It’s crying! Is it hungry, is it wet??

We all assume that becoming a mother means we will be overcome by our maternal instinct and will know all the answers, immediately and with the click of a finger. Sorry to spoil the dream and hit you with a reality check – it doesn’t always work out like that.

A new baby is a great yet challenging experience that will drastically alter your life. Are you scared yet?!

Seriously, nothing compares to the overwhelming feeling of love you feel when you first hold your newborn in your arms. Being a parent is a great responsibility and it can feel like it’s turning your life upside down. It can feel like it's never ending with nappies, feeding and very little sleep. Caring for your new baby can leave you with little time to recover from the transition of pregnancy to parenthood, or to recuperate emotionally and physically from the exhaustion of labour.

When home try the following tips from experienced Mums;

· Rest as much as you can. Yes this can be tricky when your baby is sleeping 2-4hrs at a time, but when the baby sleeps you should try and sleep too. Ignore the chores, no one will really care about how long ago the hovering was done, or how dusty those shelves are. The only things you should worry about are your baby and you. · Eat sensibly. Think healthy- especially if you are breastfeeding, you will need as many nutrients as you can get to help fight the tiredness and give you more energy.· Exercise is also very important. We’re not talking about running a marathon here! Although you will feel very tired you should try to do a little each day like a gently walk around the block with baby in the pram. This will help you to feel refreshed and energised and also help regain your pre-pregnancy figure.· Relax! Easier said than done we know. Try to set aside a little time for you, 15 minutes reading a book or magazine. · Make time for your partner. Schedule regular time — even just 15 minutes a day — for you and your partner to be alone and talk.· Talk with others in the same position. You’re not the only new mum who’s going through this. There is so much support out there to help you cope with this life changing task.· Join parenting clubs in your local area. Here you can meet others going through the same as you and develop a great network of friends and support not only for you, but others too. You can begin to share your worries, experiences and advice with others.· Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Remember, Wonder Woman is fiction. Ask your partner, friends, and family for help. Jot down small, helpful things people can do as they occur to you. When people offer to help, check the list.

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