Energise yourself

Take up all offers of help
It might seem like more trouble than its worth to hand over the reins to someone else when you're trying to get into a routine with your baby, but do accept all offers of help to give yourself a break.

If a friend or family member offers to look after the baby when what you really need is a hand with the ironing, for instance, then say so. Get a neighbour to pick up a few groceries for you; ask your partner to take the baby out for a drive while you relax with a favourite TV programme; work out a lying-in rota with your partner for weekends. Above all, let a little dust gather rather than sacrifice any precious resting time, at least for the first six weeks or so. Being a new mum is a full-time, 24-hour, unpaid job. Is it really reasonable to try to take on anything more other than rest, rest and more rest?