Top Tips for Surviving Your First Week of Parenthood at Home by Kendra Leaver-Rylah

That first week is completely life altering as your newborn comes into the world, it’s going to be sleepless, emotional and all hands-on deck. You can read all the books, attend all the classes but the key to survival is in the preparation. Here are four unfiltered tips to surviving those first couple of days and nights.

Tip No. 1- Take Care of Your Breasts

Remember, just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s always easy, but the journey is incredible and emotional. From the moment your little one arrives into the world they will be pushed straight on to your chest to encourage feeding. It’s a new skill for you and your little one, so take advantage of the help in hospital from your midwifes and at home care offered by the NHS who are incredibly skilled when it comes to supporting feeding and latching correctly. Should you want help with breastfeeding The Elvie Pump is the best in the business. Quite often babies will drop their birth weight (by at around 10%) so on top of the stress of feeding, lack of sleeping, you need the easiest possible solution and once you have it £250 is not a lavish expense for a light weight, utterly direct and comfortable product. You will also find you are quite sore (this often passes) but to begin with go for some Bosoms Bosom Buddies Breastfeeding Oils for some instant comfort to help your breastfeeding journey. And finally, leaking (it’s a thing!) the best option is to go for cotton breast pads as they are reusable, organic and the most environmentally friendly choice.

Tip No. 2 Sleep, Eat, Feed, Change, Repeat.

At the beginning those sleepless nights start to blur into this beautiful hazy mist of excitement, overwhelming love and a sickness feeling of over tiredness. Your hormones will help get you through the first few weeks, but sleep is so important and a lack of it will really affect you emotionally and physically. Buy the Sleep Solution Book. This book really breakdowns and simplifies techniques to help you and your little one get through this tricky phase (and remember it is a phase!) Next – welcome The Sleephead the savior for those babies who just don’t want to fall asleep anywhere but in your arms. It’s also brilliant if you are travelling, for daytime naps and around the house. And you, oh so important, you need to sleep while the baby sleeps but sometimes you are so wired and worried you need a little help, so Sleepy Mamma is exactly what you need.

More than ever we are conscious about the impact we are having on our planet, and never more than that moment you become a parent. With studies showing that the average nappy taking 500 year to decompose it’s time to get smart with how you care for your little one. These Mum & You wipes are brilliant and 100% biodegradable, alongside these Baby Beaming biodegradable nappy bags with probably the most natural nappies that are plant based beauties Eco by Naty.

Tip No. 3- Wear Your Baby

Initially your brand new baby carrier will be too big for your little one to fit into, and at times you’ll wonder how people ever manage to get a glass of water, eat a slice of toast even go loo without a total meltdown from your sleeping babe. Amazon do these brilliant t-shirts which act as a little kangaroo pouch that are brilliant for bonding and getting around the house. When it’s time to move on, nothing is more functional that the new Baby Bjorn Air or if you want something a little more fashionable Artipoppe are the insta fabulous.

It may seem like the hardest thing in the world but try try try to get out of the house and get some fresh air as soon as you can. It feels overwhelming but it’s the most important thing you can do because the more you do, the easier it is to unravel all those little things that start off very overwhelming but, in a few weeks, will seem like second nature.

Tip No. 4 - Look After You

The first few weeks are a physical and emotional rollercoaster, at the beginning you need to roll with the ride – when your baby sleeps you sleep and make sure you delegate with your partner. If you’ve had a c-section or had a natural delivery, care for your stitches. Use the Mama’s Moments Maternity Kit Gift set that has every little essential item for you because you are just as important as your little one and the quicker you heal the more you have to give to your baby.

Food is also key, if you are breastfeeding you’re going to need to keep your energy levels up but it’s often impossible to find time to cook a meal so make sure you prep lots of delicious meals to go in the freezer so you can just pop them in the oven or if you aren’t a whiz in the kitchen, stock pile on deliveries from Cook.

And the final thought? Talk to other mothers and ask for help. From your antenatal group, friends and family and the NHS midwives - they will be the best confidants, someone to talk to at 3am, and your best aid for surviving those first wonderfully magical week.