What to Expect When You Are Expecting

I know there have been many books written about this subject but speaking from personal experience I don't think you know what to expect until you have actually expected!

This is a not a practical article from the sense of giving birth, but more some food for thought about what to expect during the first few weeks after your baby is born.

There is no doubt the first few weeks of a new baby's life is such a steep learning curve for new parents. There are no manuals to follow and you have such a lot of new tasks to master. Sleep deprivation also does little to help your progress. You basically learn on the job and as you get to know your baby, the job gets that little bit easier. The first few weeks with a newborn are undoubtedly a testing time but everyone gets through it, usually with the help from your partner, friends and family. After the first 6 weeks have passed, new parents begin to have a sense of achievement and pride with regard to what they are doing. Things slowly start to fall into place, your baby starts to sleep a little longer, you now recognise the different cries for hunger, tiredness and you, yourself are getting more rest and can now maybe take a shower in peace! Life starts to become enjoyable and normal again and you feel like you are doing a good job.

During the first few weeks it also helps to talk to friends and family about how you feel and are coping. There is a lot to take in and you can become stressed, tired and overawed by the whole experience. People are only too willing to listen and help so new Mums, please don't feel you have to do absolutely everything for your new baby. There are no right and wrongs when it comes to bringing up a baby, just experiences which we can enjoy and learn from. Everyone has their own ideas on how to do things and it is important to respect others views and opinions, even if they may be different from your own. Avoid comparing yourself with other new Mums. Sometimes, this can be hard as everyone wants to share how they are doing but sometimes new Mums place extra stress on themselves worrying if they are doing things right and being a good Mum.

Perhaps, the most important thing to remember and the one most new Mums often forget is to look after you. Sometimes, as new Mums we are so pre-occupied with the new baby, we neglect ourselves.

In my opinion, a happy Mum means a happy baby.