Surviving the first month with a new born

A few of my amazing girl friends have recently given birth. So this got me thinking about having a new babe (not yet but still got me thinking) The amazement, the pain, the stress, the confusion, the I have no idea what i'm doing......

Nothing can ever prepare you for the whole birthing and newborn experience! It doesn't matter how many books you read, or the amount of Googling you do. Trust me i spent so much time Googling, although i would never tell my husband that, because I am forever telling him not to Google diagnose!

It's all well and good to think about 'sleepless nights' and 'baby blues' in theory. But in practice its just so overwhelming. Don't get me wrong the first month is the hardest! Once you know what your doing it all calms down.

Bringing Brandon home from hospital was the hardest part! I actually told my husband after an hour of being home that we where going back to hospital and we where just going to live there! Completely ridiculous now i think about it and i actually have a laugh! We went from being in special care and getting alot of help and advice to being sent home and being completely on our own! All i could think was how are we meant to do this on our own without help?? We survived!!! And you aren't on your own there is so much support!

Now breastfeeding is not easy, that's something people just don't tell you! I was very lucky when it came to breastfeeding my milk came in thick and fast and i learnt fast with all the one on one help with every feed in special care!

When your milk first comes in its super uncomfortable and leakage is just the norm! I wore breast pads from 20 weeks! I had a really awkward leaking breast at work one day! I had to walk around with my jacket done up just to cover it! But really leaking boobs are just the beginning!

So here are a few tips i found useful!

• Don't go more than 3-4 hours without either feeding or expressing. This will stop any engorgement.
• Get out atleast once a day-even if yo just walk around the block.
• Connect with the outside world! Call a friend or just a send a txt.
• Join a mothers group. That support is exactly what you need as a new mum!
• Don't have too many visitors.
• Take LOADS of photos!
• Don't get too hung up on a routine! I am only just getting a routine now and my little guy is 8 months.
• Some people just say let the washing pile up as house work can wait! In my experience its more stressful leaving it. So i made a solid effort of making sure the washing was atleast done.
• If someone offers help take it! Even if they bring over a hot meal for you!
• Eat well! This is especially important if your breastfeeding! Yes breastfeeding burns calories, but if you want to get the weight off sooner rather than later fresh and healthy is best
• Breathe! When your babe is crying it can be extremely stressful! Take some deep breaths. If you have to put your babe in their cot walk away for a moment catch your breath and try again. Babies feed off your stress and anxiety!

With poo under your nails, pee in your face, milk leaking boobs. It can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But honestly it does get easier! Once you know what your actually doing you will survive! Once you get through the first month it gets easier!