All you need to know about life as a mum
Mums give their top tips about how to deal with life now that you're a parent
Keeping fit with a baby
“Not long after our son was born two friends announced wedding dates for later that year, and as I’d put on 2½ stone action was needed! I started slowly but now go to two exercise classes and the gym each week. I’ve organised it so I don’t miss bath time and it also means three nights a week Jacob has extra time with his daddy. It takes a bit of planning, but you can do it girls!”
Briony Ross, 27, from Lanarkshire, mum to Jacob, 1
For looking after stitches
“After the birth of my son I had an episiotomy [a cut to help get the baby out], which took a long time to heal. To help I put aloe vera gel on a sanitary towel, which kept the area cool and refreshed, and helped with healing.”
Anne-Marie Carlin, 34, from Surrey, mum to Joshua, 2
For choosing a nursery
“I’ve found other parents usually give the most honest accounts of nurseries. Also, check Ofsted reports (www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports) and visit anywhere you’re considering – just turn up, then you get a true picture. If your gut feeling says it’s not right for your child, then it probably isn’t.”
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Kate Fever, 25, from Devon, mum to Gemma, 3, and Jacob, 18 months
For compromising on a baby name
“We knew the sex of our baby before I had him so my husband and I managed to get it down to two names and then decided we’d see what he looked like when he arrived. In the end we flipped a coin.”
Briony Ross, 26, from South Lanarkshire, mum to Jacob, 4 months
- How to have a fitness routine with a baby
- How to help your stitches heal after birth
- Your newborn's very first scans and checks
For surviving the first few days
“To get through those early newborn days, I made the most of my visitors and pre-warned them that I might ask for help with jobs like putting washing on. But don’t be bullied into letting lots of people descend unannounced.”
Gemma Holland, 30, from West Midlands, mum to Alfie, 3½, and Charlie, 21 months
For mummy rest times
“When I had Deshoney I was worried about getting enough sleep as I already had two under 2. Most days I changed and fed them before putting them down for a nap, and tried to have one too, no matter what was going on. It helped in the beginning as I got so much rest when I suddenly had three to look after.”
Bontle Mmereki, 20, from Northampton, mum to Deonte, 3, Donell, 2, and Deshoney, 4 months
For stress busting
“When you become a mum everything changes, but I’ve found it’s so important to relax and not get stressed. With my first child I tried to do everything by the book, but with my second child, Robyn, I’ve really just gone with the flow and she is so much more laid-back. Robyn does have a routine but if she takes her nap in the pushchair rather than her cot occasionally, I now realise it’s not a big deal!”
Michala Dominey, 31, from Hampshire, mum to Ella, 4, and Robyn, 7 months
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