Are you a mum with a newborn? Here are some great tips

Bringing home your newborn can be one of the most exciting, and scariest times of your life. Often you’re so worried about messing up and ruining your child for life, that you can forget to relax and enjoy the experience of having a tiny baby in the world that you made.

Here are some great tips to get you through the newborn period:

Get some sleep

It may seem obvious, but you’re unlikely to be your best version of yourself if you’re not getting enough sleep. Here are some tips for getting through those long nights:

• Swaddle your baby. From the time they’re born until they’re around five month sold, babies continually feel like they’re falling due to their startle reflex. These causes them to make jerking movements and wake themselves up. Instead, keep a tight swaddle on your baby to make them feel more comfortable.
• Limit day naps. You may feel like a bad mum, but if your baby is sleeping for more than two hours at a time, wake him up, feed him, entertain him, and then let him have another nap. By breaking up the daytime sleeping he’ll sleep better during the night.
• Use white noise. A white noise machine or fan can help drown out the noise of adults moving around the house or any other children, allowing them to sleep for longer. You can also try a baby swing that has music capabilities built into it to lull your baby to sleep. 

Know what to buy

You’re probably going to be given a lot of gifts for your new baby, particularly if it’s your first. Wait until your baby is born before you do your final newborn shop, to ensure you don’t double up.

When it comes to bath time, your best bet is to choose organic products. These include organic baby lotion, natural baby wash, and newborn shampoo. Babies have incredibly sensitive skin, so avoid using any harsh chemicals near them.

Fed is best

Often women have problems breastfeeding for various reasons. New studies have shown that women with higher levels of testosterone during pregnancy (something that’s associated with PCOS) are likely to find it harder to produce enough milk. Many woman also deal with latch issues, so remember, it’s not just you who is learning how to breastfeed- your baby is learning too! Try breast shields which can help your baby learn how to latch. And if all else fails and your baby is losing weight or continually sucking but not getting enough nutrition, switching to formula does not make you a bad mother.

Remember dad is there to help

Often mums can get so overwhelmed by having a newborn that they forget that dad wants to help too (and may be feeling helpless). Sure, he can’t breastfeed, but if you’re pumping or formula feeding he’ll also be able to bond with the baby and give you some time away to go to the gym, grab some groceries, or even just take a shower.

Babies need to learn that dad is there to comfort them as well, so let him do his part.