In theory, we all know what to expect from a newborn, but in practice it’s just plain overwhelming.

It’s all well and good to think about ‘sleepless nights’ and ‘baby blues’ in theory, but come practice it’s just plain overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong – this last two weeks since our baby’s birth have been the happiest of my life, without a doubt. The highs have been soaring, even though the lows can be a little hard to take. Both extremes are part of the whole experience.

We welcomed our baby boy Harry Cooper a few months ago. Taking him home from the hospital in the car three days after he was born was the most nerve wrecking car ride I’ve ever had. Since then Harry & I have spent time getting to know each other and there have been tears, smiles, frustration, exhaustion and heart pumping joy.

http://ivillageau.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/files/iStock_000051672516_Small.jpg "Breastfeeding is not easy, and that’s something people never tell you."

Breastfeeding is not easy, and that’s something people never tell you. Your boobs will hurt, a lot. In the first two weeks, every time my bub latched on I wanted to scream the house down. It turns out that was an issue with him not latching onto my breast properly, but once we sought help for that it improved. When you first get your milk it’s super uncomfortable and leakage becomes the norm – wearing three nursing bras to the supermarket (to buy breast pads!) and still having milk seep out through all that material is just peachy!

But leaky boobs are just the beginning. So, here are my tips for the first few weeks:

http://ivillageau.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/files/148389080.jpg "Get out at least once a day."

What’s really important is to get some perspective. With poo under your fingernails, pee in the face, no sleep and milky leaky boobs, it can be hard to see the light. But try to understand that the first few weeks are a small snippet of what is an amazing and never-get-back time of your lives. Painful and gory yes, but beautiful all the same.

What's one tip you would give to help someone get through the first few weeks of being a new mum?

Like this? Try these: How soon is too soon to visit a newborn in hospital? 9 things to never say to the parents of a newborn.

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