TIPS FOR MUM!

1. Eat well, stay hydrated 

2. Sleep when the baby is asleep

3. Establish a morning routine 

4. Look good, feel good

5. Exercise and fresh air

6. Cook easy meals 

7. It’s okay not to be okay

Imagine for a moment that you have been abducted by space ship to a distant planet, and you are surrounded by giant strangers whose language you do not speak. Two of those strangers take you under their care. You are entirely dependent on them for the satisfaction of all your needs - hunger, thirst, comfort, and - especially - reassurance that you are safe in this strange place. Then imagine that something is very wrong - you are in pain, or terribly thirsty, or in need of emotional support. But your two attendants ignore your cries of distress, and you are unable to get them to help you or to understand your needs. Now you have another problem, more serious than the first: you feel completely helpless and alone in an alien world.

SELF CARE BEFORE BABY ARRIVES!

Do Some Fun Things Before Baby Arrives

It’s never a bad idea to do some fun things – Just for you, before baby arrives. It will help you feel refreshed and ready to welcome your little one into their new world.

Babymoon - Going on a babymoon has become more popular than ever before, and why not take this opportunity to travel before giving birth? Treat yourself before your little one arrives. Make sure to consult with your healthcare provider about when it’s OK to travel and whether traveling while pregnant is right for you.

Pamper Yourself - pregnancy aches and pains can take a toll on your body, and it’s important to care for yourself. A relaxing bath, or even a nap are great ways to pamper yourself.

Decorate the Nursery - Preparing the nursery may help keep you busy and away from worry and anxiety of what’s to come for the birthing process.

Join a Parenting Community – Friends, close family or even a community of parents who share similar experiences can help answer some of those questions you sometimes don’t want to ask aloud.

 Have a Date Night – Yes, it is important! One thing you might want to do before your baby arrives is a date night with your partner. Your lives are about change and get very busy. 

Want to create a strong attachment with your newborn? These parenting tips can show you how to respond to your baby’s cues and ensure they have the best possible foundation for life.

When my son was born, my husband and I were 3,000 miles away from our families and the first in our group of friends to become parents. Try as they may, no one could offer the type of support that I needed quite like another mother. If you are home with a new baby and are having a difficult time making connections, I hope some of these suggestions lead you to find a few new friendships.

I was recently asked how to hold a baby. This is an interesting question, because it's a reminder of how far we've come from intuitive parenting. If we could travel back in time to the Stone Age, and were to ask mothers and fathers this question, I'm sure they would be quite perplexed. Judging from historical trends and from modern-day observation of newly-discovered Stone Age tribes, these parents would be spending so much skin-to-skin time with their babies, they would have a first-hand knowledge of their baby's needs moment-to-moment. They would have even known (as many parents in so-called primitive societies still know) when their baby needed to pee! When asked how they know this, they are baffled, and ask in return, how do we know when we have to pee? Some modern-day parents are rediscovering this kind of beautiful awareness of their baby's needs, through elimination communication training.