If you could send yourself a message in those first weeks of motherhood, what would it be? Win a £100 voucher and a Premium subscription to Calm!

[geemumsnet]

What do you remember of the very early days of motherhood? If you could send a message or share one piece of advice or encouragement with yourself at that time what would it be?

According to Calm's recent survey of over 2000 UK mums, nearly half of Mums are kept awake with stress and anxiety. That’s why Calm has teamed up with Mumsnet to support maternal mental health in the run-up to Mother’s Day.

We know motherhood can feel isolating at times (especially during those long, sleepless nights) but having a supportive community can make all the difference. That’s why we’re inviting you to be part of this conversation.

Plus, as a little thank you, everyone who comments on this thread by Friday 25th April will be in with the chance of winning an £100 VEX voucher and a Premium subscription to the Calm app. Four lucky runners-up will each win a Premium Calm subscription in our weekly prize draws! We'll be announcing winners each week. Our insight T&Cs apply .

So, if you could send a message to your past self in those first few weeks of motherhood, what would you say? Drop a comment below to share your words of encouragement and support with fellow mums!

Take each day at a time - tomorrow may be better, but you can do it.

When someone offers to take the baby for an hour or two whilst you rest - take it, you are not failing if you accept help - sleep is just necessary when it is so precious.

Try to walk baby outdoors, get sunlight and fresh air - being indoors all day really lowers your mood and energy levels. The sleep you get will be deeper and leave you more able to cope with the hours ahead.

You’ll feel like you will never get a normal nights sleep again. But you will. And I wish I had those early days back.

This much crying isn't normal. Don't let the GPs fob you off and get his reflux and eczema treated asap.

It gets easier!

run

Really ?!?

Don't try to do too much, and don't be afraid to tell visitors no, when you are just too exhausted to entertain and let family see baby - it's your time.

my bad humour😂

Do what suits you and your baby not what other people think you should be doing.

Take all the photos (this applies to all ages though!)

accept help with housework

dont be afraid to say no to visitors

stop stressing about pumping and creating a “stash” of milk (because our freezer ended up breaking and we lost it all anyway)

Stock up on breast pads, sleep when baby sleeps - and turn your phone off when you do this.

Accept help, when offered.
A happy mother equals a happy baby.

It truly does not matter if your breast feed or bottle feed. The baby being fed and you being calm and content matters much more than an idealised version of feeding / parenting.

Don't be afraid to just not go to baby groups if you don't gel with the other mothers or you are too exhausted. (Although rhyme time can be fun!)

And as my midwife said to me once; 'It's much harder to put them back'.

The phone number for an IBCLC that would come out to the house.

You’re doing brilliantly.
My best friend said this to me every time I saw her - whether it was true or not. She never questioned what I was doing or made suggestions as to how I might do things better. She just told me I was doing great. It built my confidence so much as a new mum and I make sure to pass it on to any new mums I know.

You can't follow someone else's exact routine. Use it as a starting point and find your own.

Insist someone hydrates you regularly and otherwise just drink in the baby

Be kinder to yourself, the baby doesn’t have standards!!

Every stage lasts such a short time, you will find the solutions you and baby need as you progress through each stage. Your love will make you a brilliant mum! And if that much crying persists, take baby to see a cranio-sacral specialist for an adjustment.

You are doing an amazing job .

Do whatever you need to do to get through sometimes minute by minute, sometimes day by day.
No guilt, no second thoughts, do what you’ve got to do to get through.

The days are going to be long but the years will be so short. Allow yourself to just pause, breathe and enjoy the moments.

Be honest about your mental health. There is so much support out there. You only need to reach out