Having a baby come into your life is a wonderful experience for most.
However, it also comes with it's own challenges and tribulations.
Being a first time mother myself, I know how hard it can be to adjust to a newborn in your household.
The first few weeks are especially difficult but there are a few tips that you can follow to help you get through the early stages: 1.
Don't try and be a supermom: Ignore all those magazines showing celebrity moms looking glamorous! They have access to nannies, make up artists and personal trainers - resources which us normal mothers don't have the luxury of.
Today's society puts mothers under immense pressure to handle it all - work, the baby, family, keeping the household running etc.
No one can do it all and if they say they can they are lying! 2.
Take things one day at a time: Don't try and cram too much into a day.
If you get through each day in one piece you have made it! The most you should do is to try and achieve one thing a day - it can be anything from doing the washing to getting your haircut; but only seek to achieve one thing a day.
That way you won't feel overwhelmed by everything.
3.
Get plenty of sleep! Seriously - sleep deprivation causes all sorts of problems.
It can make those difficult times even more difficult.
Sleep when the baby sleeps and don't feel guilty about it! 4.
Get out and about: in the first few weeks it may be difficult to leave the house, but try and make an effort to go out and get some fresh air when you can.
Take the baby for a stroll or even pop out to the shops.
You will be amazed how much of a difference this makes.
5.
Take some time out for yourself: This can be as simple as having a shower - yes, I know how hard it is in the first few weeks to even find time to have a shower but you need to take care of yourself.
Taking of care of yourself means you are in a better frame of mind to take care of your baby.
6.
Write everything down: if you make a list of everything that you need to do/remember it helps with de-cluttering your mind.
Remembering things seem to become almost impossible once you have a baby to take care of! A pocket diary will become your best friend.
7.
Join a mother's group: it helps when you know other moms that are going through the same issues that you are dealing with.
Even if they are dealing with different problems, just talking about your experiences, fears and questions is extremely cathartic.
Raising a new baby is difficult enough, without mothers feeling like they need to manage everything else.
Follow the above tips and hopefully motherhood will become a joy rather than a chore.