The First Week With A Newborn: Tips For New Parents

So you have a baby, what now? Here are five tips for the first week with a newborn.

Getting home from the hospital with a baby can be a bit of a shock. You're still dealing with the after-effects of childbirth, probably sore and a little bit sleep deprived, hormonal and then all of a sudden you're expected to get on with life with a baby.

Here Are 5 Tips For The First Week With A Newborn:

1. Restrict Visitors

This is entirely up to you, but while you're settling in and establishing feeding it might be better to restrict the amount of visitors you have. Or at the very least, keep the visits very short! There is a lot to deal with during your first week with a newborn, so it might be easier to get your head round everything without the added extra of entertaining people when all you want to do is sit around in your maternity bra eating cake.

2. Take It Easy

Try and do as little as possible - stay in bed or on the sofa. Stock up on box sets and do an online food shop. Don't feel you have to be out and about as soon as possible. But at the same time, if getting out of pyjamas and going on a short trip to a coffee shop will make you feel better, then go with that.

3. Make Sure You Eat And Drink Enough

It's important to eat well and make sure you drink enough water in the first week with a newborn, especially if you're breastfeeding. Accept all offers of food from kind friends or stock up on pre-prepared meals or easy snacks. Keep a water bottle by your side every time you sit down to feed.

4. Get Help With Feeding, If You Need It

For some people, breastfeeding can be the most natural thing in the world. For ,many others, it can be tricky and tough and the source of a lot of tears. In the first week with a newborn you will have regular visits from a midwife, so make sure you get all the help from them that you can - don't let them sign you off till you are happy with everything. The NHS website also has some good breastfeeding advice.

5. Know You're Going To Be Emotional

The first week with a newborn can be an emotional time. Midwives will tell you that you are likely to fee a bit weepy from around day three, which is when your milk comes in and there are a lot of hormonal changes in your body. Sleep deprivation and the enormous responsibility of having a newborn can also have an affect.