The anticipation when you know the baby is coming sets your anxiety and excitement levels soaring. You’ve dreamt of this day and waited so long to see your child face to face for the first time.

You’ve spent so much time researching names for a baby, decorating the nursery and now the moment has arrived.

When he or she arrives, you’re consumed with emotion and sometimes even confusion. The latter is going to be elevated even more once you get the all-clear to take your newborn baby home.

New mothers are right in being somewhat anxious; after all a delicate new life is in their arms. Your hospital experience will affect how calm you feel as a new mom. While many hospital births are straightforward some mothers prefer the more detailed attention of a private maternity suite, such as Guys & St Thomas in London.

However you arrive home it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. The first few months of any new mother’s life will always be the most difficult. You’re new to this, so no one expects you to be perfect. And yet you might have a tendency to judge yourself, whether you’re doing something right and or if your baby is safe with you.

Competency and your ability to read the signals your child gives will sometimes have you guessing. This is natural and there are so many little moments which make the initial months particularly difficult for some mothers.

Whatever age your children are a postnatal check up or Mummy MOT is always a good idea. As is listening to your body and mind and trying some of these things if you identify with how overwhelming the first few months can be.

It's important to rest

Despite your strong love for your baby and desire to be all things to him or her, you’re aren’t superwoman. You will need to get up in the middle of the night for feeding, burping, checking up on your baby etc. So during the day when you can, you must get the appropriate amount of rest. However, you need to time your naps carefully. The general rule of thumb is when the baby is sleeping, the mother is sleeping too. Easier said than done you might say. You’re right to have some reservations with this mode of thinking.

Getting the food ready, washing clothes, making sure hygiene levels are kept to a good standard, and a whole host of other things have to be done as well. So time management will need to become a skill that you become familiar with too. There are lots of online time scheduling guides, advice and tips for new mothers, that help with sort of thing. Find a balance that works for you.

When you get up at night for a regular feed, see if you can do one chore before you head back to bed. This could be loading the laundry machine, getting a little ironing done, making fresh batches of milk or food for the next feed etc. Therefore during the day, when you get a chance you can then nap for a while. Rest is incredibly important as it will keep you alert and sharp to the changes of your newborn.

Treat yourself

It’s very easy as a new mum to put yourself last. However, if you want to make sure your mental health is taken care of, or if you want to support a new mum and spoil her, there are some items she'd truly appreciate.

Treats such as raspberry or white chocolate truffles, bath salts, relaxing candles, great skincare products. All of these give you a little lift or if you are buying for someone, just show you care, and you are thinking of them. Choose from these gifts for new mums so they prioritise themselves and their mental health.

Adapting the diet

What a newborn consumes is one of the most important things a new mother has to worry about. The child is in the absolute early stages of its bodily functions and capabilities. Babies cannot just simply eat anything as regular children and adults do. There are definitely limits to what can be fed to a newborn baby, so approach the situation with a little educated caution.

A mother’s milk is by far the most nutritious and minerally rich food the baby can receive. However, there is a chance that either you or the baby will not be up for this. Some women have trouble producing enough milk, some have issues with the quality they produce, and some are simply unable to do both. On the other hand, even if you’re able to do these things, your baby might not be able to accept the natural milk. This could be due to taste, unwillingness to feed, unable to digest the milk for some reactionary reason etc.

Whether this situation is caused because of issues producing milk or your baby not being able to accept natural milk, it always comes to a point where you must find quality and harmless alternatives for your baby. There are a lot of baby formulas you can opt for, but take it slow and try to test with a few portions in order to understand if it is okay with your baby. Cow milk is a common ingredient in most baby formulas, but approximately 3% of babies are allergic to it. Cow milk protein allergy in babies can cause symptoms such as itchy skin or runny nose, congestion, and coughing.

If this is the case with you, take a look at The Milky Box who make a goat milk based formula for stage 1 infants. This is the category for babies in their first six months of life. At such a young age it's understandable to see why some babies might not be able to suckle their mother’s teat just yet. The product has the same minerals and nutritional compounds such as various vitamins inside it. It isn’t a replacement product, but it great for interim feeding so your baby does not miss out on feed that will help him or her to grow and become strong at such a crucial time.

Psychological understanding

It's no longer a taboo subject and actually quite well catered for in terms of health care. Postnatal depression is a very serious mental state that many mothers go through. Most simply experience it for a matter of weeks, but some mothers find their new status as a mom somewhat difficult to come to terms with.

Getting psychological support to understand why you feel this way is essential to you and the baby. There are many reasons why postnatal depression can set in. It could be because you feel you’re incapable of looking after your child and are doing them harm because of it. Not feeling confident when left alone with the baby is something that can cause mental shutdown too.

It might also be because you’re dealing with your own parental issues or other problems besides being a mother. Feeling shame for having any of these insecurities can lead you to do things that are not normal for your personality and character. Regardless, it's pivotal to seek help when you know you need it and not suffer in silence.

The first few months of being a mother for the first time will test you in ways you can’t imagine. Adapting to whatever situation you’re presented, whether it be to deal with personal issues of confidence or physical concerns will be your saving grace.

Allowing your baby to feed properly even whilst you may not be up to the job yet, can be done with goat based milk formulas. Getting a good night’s sleep as well as naps during the daytime should be a priority to help you keep on track.

Knowing when to ask for help and not staying silent on any mental health concerns you have, requires the ability to recognise and accept what you’re experiencing so you can reach out.

**This is a collaborative post.**