If you've been around babies at all, you know that eating, pooing and sleeping is about all they do for the first part of their lives. When you are a new mum, those are the things you will be concerned about, for your baby and for yourself. Eating nutritiously when you are a new mum is important, you just went through a big ordeal and taking care of a baby requires a lot of energy. When you are nursing it is even more important to eat a balanced diet, so that your baby gets all the nutrients it needs. The best way to tell if your baby is getting enough to eat is by the number of dirty nappies your baby has. A new baby should be having at least 3-4 dirty nappies a day, and be gaining weight. As far as sleeping, newborn babies can sleep up to 20 hours a day! You may be thinking, what are all those sleep-deprived mothers complaining about then? The problem is, those 20 hours come in spurts; a baby can sleep for one to two hours and then wake up for 20 minutes to eat. The best advice you can get as a new mum, and you will hear it again and again, sleep when the baby sleeps! Don't think about the laundry or the dirty dishes; call in the reinforcements and sleep. Your body needs time to heal, and the only way you are going to have enough energy to take care of that new baby is to get as much rest as you can.

Welcome Help

You may not want your mother or mother-in-law hovering over your newborn, telling you that you're doing everything wrong from the moment you get home, but if they offer to help, don't refuse! When someone offers their help, think of the things you really need help with, such as dishes, laundry, meals or running errands and ask if they would be willing to do those things. If they really want to help, they will be more than willing to help out with those jobs in exchange for some cuddle time with the new baby. Even letting them cuddle with the baby can be help to a worn out new mummy who just needs a nap. If you are feeling that they had their time with your new little one though, just use the excuse that the baby needs to eat, and close yourself in your room. Use the new daddy to shoo away guests and visitors that outstay their welcome by saying that you and the new baby need rest.

The best advice you'll probably hear though, is to trust your own instincts when it comes to taking care of your baby, as soon as you become a mother, you are the best one to decide what your baby really needs. Relax, take a deep breath, you can do this.

by Rachel Goodchild

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