So mother love might literally ‘come with the milk’ 72 hours after birth. Or it might take longer and develop more gradually. What is important is that you don’t worry about it.
I’m feeling guilty about not keeping on top of things…
You can only do your best and it’s important that you put your own health and well-being high on your list of priorities. After the delivery you will have very little stamina and will become easily exhausted. It may take … Read More
I don’t have time for myself or my partner. What can I do?
You may feel frustrated at just how much work there is to do, and at how difficult it is to “have a life” outside of babycare. Fortunately, there are plenty of coping strategies, and it DOES get easier! Make sure … Read More
How should dad bond with his new baby?
Soon after a baby is born his father should hold him against his skin by taking his shirt off so he gets accustomed to his specific smell and learns to equate it with comfort and reassurance. He should also speak … Read More
How do I bond with my baby?
This is part of the process we call ‘bonding’ which starts going on in the first 72 hours of your baby’s life, and goes on for years. Don’t see bonding as pressure to fall instantaneously and ecstatically in love with … Read More
When is the right time to have a baby?
When I was at medical school the obstetrics professor used to tell us there was no right time to get pregnant because something else always came up in a couple’s professional or domestic life. But in many other ways there’s … Read More
What are the financial costs of having a baby?
But there are also hidden costs such as heating, transportation and what you may give up for your children – meals out, holidays and perhaps some of your ambitions. No-one can pretend there isn’t a financial implication to parenthood. But … Read More
Should we plan for pregnancy?
This may sound obvious, but often couples do not plan for pregnancy with the same care as other important life events. The ideal of course is that you want to have a baby and have planned for it but even … Read More
Should we get married?
One of the reasons commonly given by prospective parents for marrying before the baby is born is that it ensures the father is the legal parent of his child. The legal situation varies from country to country so formal marriage … Read More
How will having a baby affect relationships in my life?
Most women no longer expect to be the sole childminder, and many couples agree that parents should be equal partners. When you decide to have a baby you and your partner should view it as a contract: a contract that … Read More