Even if you’ve read every baby book
cover to cover and visited lots of websites,
parenting can still be a daunting prospect.
Here’s what to expect, and how to make the
most of those precious early days
Don’t worry too much about the state of your tummy. It takes about six weeks for your uterus to completely return to its normal size.
Breastfeeding helps speed up the process. You’ll need a hefty stock of maternity pads to absorb the lochia postnatal bleeding that can
last anything from three to six weeks. And if you’re feeling a bit tender down below from a tear or stitches, doing your pelvic floor exer-
cises helps restore tone and sensation. If you’ve had a C-section, you’ll be feeling sore and will need to take it easy for six weeks, so
draft in some support from friends and relatives. Plus, check with your insurance company about the rules on driving while you are
recovering. To avoid irritating your stitches while feeding, use a support pillow or a specially designed caesarean belt, available at
Mothercare, which helps soothe and relieve swelling.

the baby blues

Day four is when the ‘baby blues’ can strike. As prolactin kicks in for milk production, you
may feel weepy or helpless for a few days. For some mums the baby blues can last
longer and develop into postnatal depression, which either shifts on its own once things
settle down or requires treatment from your GP. Don’t suffer in silence - tell your partner
or midwife if you experience any of the following symptoms for more than a week:


•  Sleeplessness/lack of appetite •  Confusion over simple tasks •  Feeling angry towards yourself or the baby.
 
•  Heightened anxiety •  Feeling ‘flat’ and despondent
 

As a tired new mum, you may experience some or all of these symptoms, so don’t
panic, and talk to someone you can trust.
 
Over the past nine months you’ve probably been focusing entirely on pregnancy and the birth. ‘Why didn’t I bother to ask anyone how to look after a baby?’ is the lament of many a new parent. The truth is that nothing can fully prepare you for the joy and exhaustion of life with a newborn. 
First things first. No one is going to judge you if you feel a
bit helpless as it dawns on you that you’re now responsible
for the health and wellbeing of a new little life. Scary? Too right it
is - but hugely exciting, too. You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t
a little daunted at the task ahead. But remember, you won’t be left
completely to your own devices. Once you’ve left hospital, you’ll be
visited regularly by your midwife, who will be on hand to give
advice on everything from feeding to bathing your baby.
If family are coming to help,
decide in advance how
much you want them to be
involved with the baby.
Steer any well-intentioned
carers towards housework
instead, reasoning that you
and your partner want to
spend as much time as
you can bonding with your
baby.
Some new dads
can feel a bit left out,but
there are ways your
partner can help - try
putting him in charge of
bathtime.
For more advice on postnatal depression, call The Association for Post Natal Illness on 020 7386 0868 or visit www.apni.org