Seven tips to help you cope with those first few weeks as new parents

6 June 2019

You have spent what has felt like a decade being pregnant and imagining life as a parent but what can you actually expect from those first few weeks once your bundle of joy has arrived? Victoria Jennings is a mum of three and runs the award-winning Bloom baby Class franchise, providing music and song to help parents bond with their little ones. Here are her top seven tips to coping as a new parent in those first few weeks (just like Meghan or Harry).

Parenting on Female First

Get a support network

It is perfectly ok and normal to ask for help and chances are people will be looking forward to helping you out every now and then. Whether it is spending some time with your new baby while you rest or even watching the baby while you have a date night with your husband or partner. In-laws, aunties and friends will all be more than happy to help. Accept their help but also accept that they may not do things precisely the way you might, but are doing their best.

Say goodbye to sleep

And hello to coffee! The lack of sleep can cause a sense of brain fog and forgetfulness. A morning cup of strong coffee is every new parent's best friend.

Share the tasks

There can be an intense feeling of overwhelm in the first couple of months. The ever-growing laundry pile and household chores can add to those stresses, so if you’re able to share those domestic chores between each other or better still get a cleaner, it can make the long days slightly easier.

Sleep when the baby sleeps

This is the one tip that you hear so often and ignore. My advice looking back would be to forget the washing but to try and catch up on some rest when the baby does. A short nap can give you the energy you need to see yourself through the rest of the day.

Join a local baby group or playgroup

Getting out and about with your new baby can feel daunting in those early days but there are lots of benefits to attending a local group for both parents and babies. It also means you can get to meet new people who are going through just the same experiences as you. You never know you may make some friends along the way too.

Make sure you get some you time

It’s so important not to feel guilty or have people make you feel guilty for that matter, about getting a much-needed break. Whether it be a coffee with a close friend or a pamper at a spa, it’s really important for your mental health to keep a little bit of you around. This goes for Dads too. Everyone needs a break now and then.

Be realistic

Did you always say to yourself that your baby would not have a dummy or you would breastfeed for at least six months? When it comes to parenting, you have to realise that sometimes what we envisaged isn't actually that easy to follow through with. Ignore the advice gurus and respond to your baby's and your own needs first. No one is perfect and it's fine not to be.