Bump birth!

Bump's recommended Maternity Nurse, Ann Leech provides tips on how to manage the early days with a new family member:

- Take your time to get to know and understand your baby. Talking, singing a familiar song, shushing in the ear and gentle patting can help to calm your baby.

- Some babies are more reluctant to settle to sleep than others. If this is something you are experiencing try swaddling.

- Babies with lots of hair may cry for no apparent reason - if this is the case, check that they are not pulling their own hair.

- Massaging your baby can be soothing for both them and you.

- A nice warm bath followed by a quiet feed in the evening helps to signal the end of the day and help the baby to settle for the night.

- Wind your baby well after feeding ensuring their back is straight and their head is supported.

- After a few weeks your baby will be more wakeful. You may find they are happy for about an hour and then become noisier - this usually means they are telling you they are tired.

- Keep visitors to a minimum to allow you and your baby to settle calmly at home.

- To help prevent feeling overwhelmed and isolated have a support network which suits you whether it's friends and family, NCT, your health visitor etc.

Remember that babies do not come with a set of instructions. You will be given conflicting advice. Take what is useful to you and your lifestyle and disregard the rest.

For further tips and advice on how to care for your new baby please visit www.amlbabycare.co.uk

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