SUPPORTIVE advice for new mums

[Mississippilessly]

There have been some really upsetting threads recently. I'm only 20 weeks in but so far I have learnt:

1. Every baby is different. Comparing yours to someone else's doesn't lead to anything good.
2. They change on a sixpence. If yours is a bad sleeper next week it might be a good one again.
3. You will probably lose your evenings for a long time. Your life will change unrecognisably. But that's ok. Going with it makes it so, so much easier.
4. Try to avoid googling stuff. It will make your brain implode. The advice I have got to help my DD sleep is give him more naps, give him fewer naps, feed him more, feed him less, co-sleep, don't co-sleep.
5. It is fucking fucking hard. Do whatever you need to to get by. If that means ready meals, do it, if it means cleaning less frequently do it. None of it really matters.
6. HVs, GPs, midwives - they dont know everything.
7. People will give you advice. Smile and nod.
8. Whatever you are going through- it will pass.

This is what I wish I had been told.

Yes to point number 8! To expand on that - yes there will be times when baby is screaming and you can't settle them and you will feel at your wits end BUT hold onto the thought that you will be relaxing with a cuppa very soon!

Do whatever gets you through the nights (within reason).

The days are long but the years are short.

This too shall pass, and then you'll probably wish it back again.

You don't have to 'cherish every moment' - quite a lot of it can be shit, but hold on to those moments that are precious, drink them in and store them up for the future.