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!

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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!

It might not feel like it now but you will feel like yourself again!

I’d say ignore the MIL and her dreadful advice (I did) and definitely do not make the rhubarb crumble she demanded I make for DH the day after I gave birth, just because she’d dropped off some very muddy rhubarb.
More seriously though, cherish every minute - I say this as the DM of stroppy teens now, waiting for them to be loving again.
Also, take videos of DC with you and with grandparents. One day they’ll not remember you well when you were young, and they might not remember grandparents well or at all. My DC only really remember my parents as unwell, and I wish I had more videos so they could see them with their grandparents in better times.

The exhaustion will not last forever, enjoy the tiny little life you have produced, watch them grow and change and don't be afraid to tell visitors no

Don't book that holiday - it's NOT a holiday with a 3MO - despite your parents wanting to help and pay for it.

Don't give up breast feeding at 6 weeks, I always regretted this because of poor decision making and feeling exhausted, bottle feeding was much more time consuming and took up so much space in out kitchen. Breast feeding came easy - but when I gradually stopped - I could cry.

Do not put the father on the birth certificate, even if you're currently married 😂 (joking, I know you have to)

Don't worry, no need to feel guilty about breastfeeding. Doesn't matter one bit no matter what the bf crusaders say. Organic feeding, wrapping in coton. Sanitising the swing. Lol. Ten years later you'll have much more important things to think about.

I would say- it’s absolutely fine to stop breast feeding and bottle feed the baby. You will be happier and the baby will be totally fine. Don’t feel guilty and don’t worry. Everything will be okay. You’re doing so well.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. Every time.

Get out for a walk, and enjoy the sunshine. It massively helped me doing that daily.

Don't scrimp on your food shopping - I know money is a worry right now, but your health does not have a price - so full your basket with fresh fruit and vegetables - a veggie lasagne will last you days with a salad - and you can make it in stages around baby.

I'd say, tell them the truth. They're here to help and the anxiety will get better much quicker if you do.

Tell them to stick their centiles where the sun don´t shine and HER that DD will start potty training when both ready. No rush.

Go to bed.

Dust on the side board vs a Power Nap when baby sleeps - nap as much as you can.

Follow your instincts (not whatever parenting fad is the gospel truth that month) and prioritise your wellbeing far more than you think you should.

I’m a first time mum, 8 weeks pp and sleep deprived as both me and baby have been unwell the last few days. I just want to say thank you for these posts as scrolling through and reading them has made me feel so much better.

(Apart from the - “one day you with burp your baby and it will be for the last time” comment which made me (in my sleep deprived state!) cry my eyes out!)

You are doing an amazing job, it doesn't feel like it now but these nights will go by so fast and before you know it, you'll have a toddler, a pre schooler, then they'll be at primary school, secondary school and before you know it Uni, Work and on our into the wide world to live their own lives. Soak everything in mama. Take any help that is offered and remember you are doing an amazing job!

Learn to say no to visitors - give them a time when YOU are ready.

Take it one day at a time - some days you'll be exhausted, others will be better

This will soon pass.

Dear me
Congratulations on creating a beautiful baby, enjoy them and rest with them.
Listen to everyone waffling on, be pleasant and filter out the bits you’re not interested in, remember everyone means well.
Take all the help you can and trust your instincts, but make sure you reach out if you need help.
Its a roller coaster journey with mountains and craters, but each moment and phase passes quickly.
Go to some baby first aid classes, mum groups and book a massage treat in the diary.
You will all be fine xx

It’s 50% instinct and 50% common sense. As long as you have a decent helping of each, you’ll be fine!

You'll be trying your best. You'll make mistakes. Babies won't remember most of it!

A mixture of "cherish these moments" and "don't stress too much, as you will end up on the sidelines ultimately" : 25 years from now, they will both live in different parts of the world, they will have their own partners and lives, and you won't hear from them often. One loves you, but just has a lot going on, the other finds you irritating.

As a first time mum I had this weird view that the baby would slot into my life while I carried on as before! I know.. ! So my advise would be work around the baby, the baby will not work around you. Life will be on their terms and better to roll with it, rather than fight it. You will lose! And enjoy the magic of them, time is short and precious. One minute you’ve got the most precious tiny thing that relies on you completely and smells of magic and fresh beginnings! The next moment you have an 18-year old, that still pretty much relies on you for everything, but it all comes with a sardonic critique….. and as for the smell!!!!!