Happy New Babies!

Happy New Year!

Have you had your baby over the last few weeks or are you due in January?

These chilly January days remind me of my first weeks as a new mum two years ago. How the chants of ‘Ugh January!’ or ‘What’s your NY resolutions?’ fell silent and life became fixated on one tiny baby. January’s short, dark days added to the feed, change, sleep repertoire and it was very easy to lose sight of what exactly I had achieved that day or what day it even was!

Some mantras that were really important looking back:

• Be present: in the words of a fabulous woman (@downwardblog) ‘there’s nowhere to be … nothing to achieve’ – sit on that sofa, wrap up in a soft blanket, feed your new baby, have your tea and snacks within reach/shouting distance, listen to or watch something feel good, or just stare into space and bask in that stillness with your baby in your arms. This is key healing time for you postnatally and gorgeous times of connection for you and your baby. These moments – as long-lasting as they might feel now – really are so fleeting in the wide scheme of things.

• Stay fresh: little things go a long way to help rejuvenate a new you who is managing on very little/ broken sleep. Simple daily tasks … at a minimum brush your teeth, splash your face, fresh pyjamas, open the curtains and the window ajar! Mark the start and end of your day – even if those times are 10am and 5pm. Your baby is another day older and you’re another day along.

• Leave your home: take your time, this might be a week or two in, and do not rush but when it feels right – get out! It can be a 10-minute saunter along your road, a road test of your pram or a coffee on a park bench. This helps in so many ways – vitamin D, fresh air to breathe in, reconnecting to the world that’s still around you, gentle exercise. It helps shape the day, gives you a sense of achievement and offers a mood-boosting change of scenery.

What's the best advice you've heard or received about managing those early postnatal weeks?