by Alicia Sloley

Created on: January 02, 2011   Last Updated: January 04, 2011

Being a single mother is not an easy thing at all for anyone to have to do, but here are a few tips that may help to make it a little easier.

When being a single mother you will be doing all the things that would normally be shared by a couple, which will make you become very tired and a little stressed if you do not plan your time. You will need to from the very start after giving birth, get yourself and the baby into a routine.

You have a new baby to look after, but you also have look after yourself and this is very important. If you tire yourself out too much, you are not going to have the energy to deal with the demands of a new baby.

Also some mothers suffer with what they call the baby blues a few days after birth and some postnatal depression which as a new mothers you will need to try minimise this from happening as you will be dealing with a baby on your own.

When a baby is first born if breast feeding for the first time, it can be quite stressful time for a new mum, worrying if they are doing it right ,or if the baby is getting enough feed. Most new mums all feel the same when breast feeding for the first time. If it should so happen that you feel the baby is not getting enough, you can always top up the babies feeds with a bottle until you are able to produce enough milk yourself. In some cases you may not produce enough and may have to consider bottle feeding permanently.

You should in no way get yourself upset as this happens with many new mothers.There are very good formula milks on the market these days that are just as good as breast milk, so in no way feel that you have failed your baby in any way being unable to breastfeed them.

Next thing to do is get yourself into a routine of when the baby is fed and settled, try and do the things that you need to do for yourself in the way of taking a shower or bath, maybe doing the laundry or a bit of cooking but do not over do it.

When babies are young most will tend to eat and sleep mainly, so don't try and do everything in one go. You must get your rest. Being tired can make you feel stressed and a baby will pick up on this,so get as much rest as you can.

New babies will tend to wake up through the night for various reasons such as for a feed, diaper changing, winding or just a cuddle, so use some of the time during the day when the baby is sleeping to take a nap, this will help you to deal with the demands of the baby through the night.

Although you may be busy with the demands of a new baby it is also important that you eat well to enable you to keep up your strength with the demands of a new baby.

Most of all enjoy your baby, and be proud of yourself and your achivements of doing all these things on your own and you will have a happy baby and you will be a happy mum.

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