25 tips to help a new mum

by Tara King

Nothing can prepare you for the intense high of your first baby. It's the biggest change and challenge a woman will face. These tips will help you make the most of the first few months of motherhood

Be self-indulgent 'Spend the first week being as self-indulgent as possible - this is the one time in your life when you should let everything else wait - this time with your baby is so precious and will be something you both remember for the rest of your lives,' advises Maggie Howell, trained Doula specialising in natal hypnotherapy - www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk
Beating the tiredness You will probably miss a night's sleep in labour and then your newborn gives you little chance to catch up. The interrupted sleep can be gruelling. Sleep when your baby sleeps. Domestic work can wait. Napping in the day will make the night feeds easier too.
Breastfeeding 'The key to successful breastfeeding nearly always rests on good attachment of the baby on the breast. Sit back in a chair with your knees slightly higher than your thighs. Hold your baby firmly around the back of his neck and shoulders with the opposite arm to the feeding breast. Make sure his head and body are in line and his neck isn't twisted. His bottom should be under you elbow in a 'cross cradle' hold. His head should be able to flex back - so no head holding and there is usually no need to hold the breast either, - it's not going anywhere! His chin should always be at the breast before the mouth leaving a slight gap for his nose. For qualified breastfeeding help contact ABM 0870 701 4411, www.abm.me.uk, www.ilca.org www.earlynurture.co.uk.' Pam Lacey IBCLC
Burping You'll be amazed by the loud and rather rude noises your baby makes. If your baby seems unsettled when feeding, take her off the breast or bottle and gently squeeze or rub her back to help her burp. Once winded you can offer her the other breast or bottle again or put her down for a nap.
Spontaneous sex is out of the window with a newborn to look after. Plus the trauma of birth, tiredness and breastfeeding might leave you feeling nervous and not in the mood. Wait until you feel ready for sex again. Don't worry, you will regain your desires.
Avoid baby wipes and bathe your baby in plain water for the first month advises midwife and baby skin expert Sharon Trotter. 'At birth, the top layer of your baby's skin is very thin and absorbent. This means it is more sensitive to damage from germs, chemicals and water loss. Gradually introduce baby products after a month. By this time the skin's natural barrier will have developed. These products should be free from sulphates (SLS and SLES), colours and strong perfumes.' For more advice go to www.tipslimited.com
Do kegels 'Start practising your pelvic floor exercises as soon as possible after the birth. The sooner you get started the sooner you will be in better shape in more ways than one,' says Doula Maggie Howell.
The speed a baby grows and changes in the first year is phenomenal, so it's no wonder a newborn baby will sleep for 15 to 18 hours a day. Getting a baby to settle and sleep well at night is every mother's goal. There's so much advice out there, it's enough to send you to sleep (if, only!). Just remember that the broken nights won't last forever as the majority of babies are sleeping through the nights by six months.
Motherhood is a messy business Baby sick seems to spurt everywhere and if you're breastfeeding you might suffer from a few leaks. Pack away your cashmere jumpers and stock up with bibs, baby muslins and breast pads to mop up all the spillages!