Jo Frost says, 'Make mornings with children work for you'

If you’ve got a baby

Keep breastfeeding

If you’re breastfeeding your newborn, there are no preparation situations for baby’s breakfast so you’ve already got one less job on your list. If you’re bottlefeeding, make sure you get the bottles sterilised before bedtime so you don’t have to face a sink full first thing in the morning.

Start a routine

With a baby, you don’t really have the pressure to get ready and get out of the door first thing. It’s not vital that you get out of your pyjamas at the crack of dawn if you don’t want to. However, you must try and be a little firm with yourself. Getting back to ‘normality’ with a baby after those first few weeks is like going back to work after the holidays – you’re a bit tired and out of shape with routine and anticipating what’s ahead. Wake up to a pleasant alarm noise to bring a sense of routine to your day even if you don’t have somewhere to be.

Make time to shower

There’s nothing wrong with giving your baby a feed, and once fully burped and happy, placing her into her bouncy chair while you pop into the shower. Place the chair by the open doorway so she can hear you talk and sing while you take an invigorating shower.

Be brave – ask for help if you need it

Reluctant to meet your baby’s needs and demands? Hormonally feeling challenged and overwhelmed? My question to you would be, ‘Are you and your baby getting the sleep you need?’. Or could early signs of PND be surfacing? Talk to your health visitor and midwife when these situations are identified and they can be resolved.