Being alone with your baby for the first time can be quite frightening. This is it, you are now a parent and there is no turning back. The realisation of the responsibility can seem really overwhelming. 

The first few weeks really can seem so daunting with so much to learn, some new mums really take everything in their stride, for others it can take longer. 

How to cope 

• Make your baby your priority – don’t worry about the housework, cleaning or worrying about things, it can wait.

• Don’t feel like a failure to ask for help– ask your partner, your mum or friends for help. Get them to do a shop for you, make a meal or simply make you a cup of tea.

• Ask visitors to give you time to settle – having lots of visitors all arriving in a continuous stream can be stressful with all of them wanting to see and hold the baby. It can be unsettling for your baby and put added pressure on you. Get them to visit when you are ready.

• Get as much sleep as you can – when your baby has a nap, have a rest too. Twenty minutes sleep will have you feeling refreshed and ready to carry on with the rest of the day.

• Get a friend or partner to keep you well stocked up with some nutritious snacks – they will keep your energy levels up and stop you from filling up on junk food.

This stage doesn’t last forever, it can be hard but it will get better. In a few months you will look back and wonder why you it seemed so difficult!