You are home with baby and, whether it’s your first or your fifth, this is the most precious time of your baby’s life. At this most magical stage of life – before eyes can really see and before words make any sense – this is the time of bonding between mother and baby.

This is where you spend those dreamy hours simply staring into your beautiful baby’s eyes as you feed them, nourishing as much with your loving touch as with the food you choose.

Wonderfully fulfilling
Breastfeeding is the natural choice – easy, accessible and perfectly suited to your baby’s needs. If approached in a relaxed manner, without undue stress surrounding it, breastfeeding can be wonderfully fulfilling for both mother and baby, especially at 2am when you are hardly awake!

For those who may choose not to breastfeed, or have other demands on them which mean sole feeding is impossible, there are arrays of formulas available to ensure your baby is well nourished. You will always choose what works best for you and your circumstances.

Everything we do impacts on our children
The most vital aspect of all feeding, though, is the bonding. The eye contact, the physical closeness, the loving touch. In these quiet hours of babyhood, your baby will begin to connect with the energy of those around them. The closer you are, the more often you soothe and comfort them, and the more they will grow accustomed to this and believe themselves worthy and lovable.

So much of our self -belief, self -confidence and personality is built upon these delicate foundations, and though in the past people believed ‘they are too young to understand’, today we know differently and can be assured of one thing – everything we do impacts on our children, and helps them become fully rounded individuals. We are training them from the moment they are born, and they will grow up as we have raised them. A loving child is raised in love and makes parenting so rewarding.
If you are struggling, or feeling overwhelmed in these early stages, it’s important that you reach out and ask for help. In accepting support from others, you will find the inner strength to truly be the parent you want to be. The last thing you want to do is become some kind of ‘super mum’ who thinks they can do it all on their own. You don’t need to – you are not alone.

It takes a village
It takes a village to raise a child – and a lot of the village are supporting mum whilst she focuses on her young. This is as it should be. Please make use of your local health visitor, talk to trusted friends, ask for a hand now and then, and please tell someone if you start to feel bad!

The first few months with your baby can be the best and worst of times – so most importantly, do it your way, be happy to be good enough and remember, there isn’t much that a cuddle can’t fix. You’ve got this!