Some sound advice for first-time mums

By Cambridgeshire Agenda on August 23rd 2011

Local mum Katie Morris has some words of wisdom for pregnant women and new mothers everywhere – relax and enjoy it…

‘SLEEP lots now – you’re going to need it.’ If I had earned a pound for every time someone said something along these lines when I was pregnant with my daughter, I would be a very rich woman.

Almost every person I spoke to, some of them not even parents themselves, offered these pearls of wisdom. As a person who needs a lot of sleep, I was nervous. Just what was I letting myself in for? Was I about to give birth to a nocturnal terror? Was I destined to never get a full night’s sleep again?

My beautiful daughter arrived into the world at 9.35am on Christmas Eve 2010. No one can describe the feelings you experience when you meet your child for the first time. The long nine months of waiting are over and you get to take your baby home in their specially bought going home outfit. The first few days are a blur of photos, visitors and cuddles. But what happens when the visitors have stopped and the beautiful new presents have been put away in the drawer?

Being a first time mother, I was worried what would happen when my husband went back to work and I was left with daughter on my own. How would I cope? What if she cried all day? Would I go insane in the house on my own?

What was reassuring was to know that every new mother goes through these worries, so to all the pregnant ladies and new mums out there: It is the best thing in the world. You will cope. And you still get sleep!

Meet your local mums

I found a huge amount of support at local parenting groups both before and after the birth, and if I could offer one piece of advice to any new mum it would be to join these invaluable groups. There are lots to choose from: I did antenatal classes when pregnant with the National Childbirth Trust and since having my daughter have attended free weekly dro- in sessions at my local Sure Start Centre. I have met many women from many different walks of life, who all have one thing in common - they are first time mothers.

We talk about everything, from baby poo to sore nipples, from labour through to weaning, and they have all been a massive support to me. These groups are a great way of getting out the house and meeting like minded people. Now my daughter is six months, she also really enjoys going to the groups and playing with the vast range of toys they have on offer.

Of course, parenthood isn’t always easy. You worry about your baby getting too little milk, too much milk, throwing their milk up and spitting their milk out. You worry about their being too cold, so you put a blanket on them, and then worry about them being too hot. You worry about worrying too much! But you soon get to know your little bundle of joy, and become more confident as a mum.

Nap with your baby

There are times when you’re shattered but it is not as bad as you might have expected. Newborn babies sleep. A lot. You can nap in the day when the’are sleeping, and no one cares if your house isn’t spotless or you don’t answer the door in a full face of makeup. And the tiredness is soon forgotten when you get up in the night and see those tiny little eyes staring up at you wanting a cuddle. 

Take it from me, the newborn stage doesn’t last long. My daughter just recently started weaning. Soon she’ll be going out on dates with boys and going to university. So try not to worry, and enjoy it. It is the most rewarding, exciting, fantastic and incredible journey I have ever been on, and I am loving every single moment of it. You will too.

• Have you got any advice for new mums? Or experiences as a new mum that you’d like to share? Tell us about it – email agenda@archant.co.uk, or upload your comments here.

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