Becoming a mum for the first time is an exciting, life-changing experience. But it’s also challenging and can come with its fair share of ups and downs. New mums often experience a mixture of emotions: from happiness to exhaustion, contentment to stress. The sleepless nights, constant feeding and the stress of adjusting to new responsibilities can be challenging to cope with at times.During your first six weeks as a mum you will probably feel like you are doing everything wrong. From finding noise incredibly annoying to worrying if something is wrong with your baby all these feelings are completely normal. As every mother knows, nothing is as it seems in this new world of motherhood, but all moms eventually find their groove again and become confident mums again. But how do you do that? Here are 10 tips that will help you through those first six weeks:

Don’t compare yourself to others

First-time mums have a tendency to compare their experience to other mothers’ experiences – especially if they are on social media or have friends who are having babies as well. But this is a mistake. Everyone’s experience is different, and there is no right or wrong way to be a mum. What is important is that you know what is right for you and your baby. And you are open to advice and tips from others if needed.

Try not to be too hard on yourself

Your baby will probably sleep through the night and never feed from the breast again. You will get used to the sleepless nights and the constant feeding. You will also get used to the fact that you are producing milk and that you are breastfeeding. Really. If you are struggling with breastfeeding and feeling like a failure because of it – do not be too hard on yourself. Breastfeeding is challenging for most women, and it takes time to find the right technique and rhythm. Your baby will also find her feeding rhythm. Newborns don’t come with an instruction manual – they come with instinct. So be patient and gentle with yourself.

Be gentle with your body

As soon as you realise you are pregnant, you will probably start thinking about what you can do to make your pregnancy and birth as natural as possible. But if you have given birth recently, you will know that your body has gone through a lot and will need time to heal and recover. In the first six weeks, you will have had a major operation, and you will probably have stitches from your c-section. You will have experienced a lot of blood loss, and some muscles will have been stretched. Your uterus will be contracting back to its normal size, and you can help this process by resting more. Be gentle with your body and give it time to heal, and it will help you get back to full strength soon.

Be aware of what makes you feel good and what does not

Everyone responds to the hormones of new motherhood in different ways. Some women feel happy and content, and others are more sensitive. If you are feeling a bit more emotional and sensitive than usual, don’t worry. This is quite normal. You might feel tired, stressed and overwhelmed with all the changes in your life. You might find it hard to sleep or might find your partner’s snoring super annoying. You might find breastfeeding challenging. You might worry that something is wrong with your baby. All these feelings are completely normal, and they will pass. And you might find that they come in waves. You can feel great one day and more emotional the next. That is completely normal too. So be gentle with yourself, and be aware of what makes you feel good and what does not.

Ask for help when you need it

You might feel like you are doing everything wrong when you are a new mum, but this is unfortunately normal. You will find your groove again soon. You might feel overwhelmed by breastfeeding. Your baby might be losing weight. She might be crying a lot. She might be sleeping a lot. But there is no need to panic. Most of the time, this is all normal. If you are worried about something, ask for help. If you feel like you need a break from breastfeeding, ask for help. Your partner and your midwife (if you are breastfeeding) can help you with advice and support. They are there to help. You are not alone.

Give yourself time to recover physically and emotionally

Becoming a mum is a life-changing experience. It is normal to feel sad, overwhelmed or even depressed after having a baby. But this is actually a good thing. It means that you are human, and it gives you time to adjust to your new life. Give yourself time to recover physically and emotionally. You might feel sad, tired or tearful in the first six weeks after giving birth. And that is completely normal. You might also feel happy, excited and content. Again, normal. Your feelings will change as you get used to motherhood. Your baby will help you find your groove again in her own time. Give yourself time to heal and recover from childbirth and become the confident mum you want to be.

Stay connected to the outside world

As a new mum, you might want to stay at home and never leave your baby again. But you should try to stay connected to the outside world and plan a few outings with friends or family. Having a break from all the new mum stuff and regaining some distance from your new role is good for you. It helps you relax and recharge your batteries. It also helps you stay connected to friends and family, and it allows your partner to take a break from baby care as well.

Take care of your physical and mental health

As a new mum, you will probably forget about your own health for a while. That is normal. But you need to stay healthy and fit to be able to take care of your baby. Eat well, get enough sleep and exercise regularly for starters. It might sound like a lot, but it is doable. And when you get into the groove, you will feel energised and happy again. New motherhood is challenging, but you can and will get through it. You are strong and amazing, and you deserve to be taken care of too.