Parents, it’s totally normal to feel a little (or a lot!) overwhelmed when you bring your new baby home for the first time. After all, babies don’t come with instructions!

If you can relate to feeling a little anxious as a new parent, then we’re here not only to reassure you but also to help you know exactly what to do during those first few days and weeks.

What should I do during the first few weeks of my baby being home?

Get help from others where you can. There’s no shame in asking for help as a new parent. In fact, it’s better to accept that you need help than try and do everything yourself. Remember, looking after a newborn baby isn’t a walk in the park, especially when it’s your first time! So, get comfortable asking close relatives for assistance when you need to. They’ll probably be delighted to be asked.

Only have visitors over on your terms. Having visitors over during your baby’s first few weeks of life can be tricky and overwhelming for many parents. After all, this time is supposed to be about you and your baby. So, be prepared that people will want to come over and meet your little one; however, always have them over on your terms. This means asking people to leave when you think they’ve stayed for enough time, asking them over for a specific amount of time, or postponing visits until you feel more comfortable.

Sleep when you get the chance. Always try to get moments of sleep in when you can, as you’ll need your rest to look after your baby.

Postpone all normal tasks for a few weeks. Life doesn’t stop when you have a baby, as you’ll know. However, it's completely fair enough to postpone your normal, everyday tasks until you’ve settled into parenthood. For example, don’t worry about tidying and sending out birth announcements for a good few weeks. Just enjoy this time together and get comfortable first!

Establish who does what jobs early on. Being organised is really important when you bring your newborn home; it will make things run a lot more smoothly and help you feel less stressed! So, assign jobs where you can. For example, your partner could be assigned the jobs of doing the shopping, cleaning the house, and doing the laundry, while you could prepare a few meals while your baby is asleep.

Eat meals you have already cooked and frozen. Ensure that you have food to eat that you can reheat quickly, so you don’t have to bother with cooking three times a day.

Stay in bed a lot. You’ll be exhausted, and getting as much rest as you can is important. It will help you to have all the things you need to change your baby’s nappies and clothes in one place.

Have lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby. This is particularly important for breastfeeding mothers.

Stay in your pyjamas for at least three days. Get cosy and comfy! This time is about relaxing with your baby and getting to know each other.

What do I do when I get home with my newborn?

On our Unii Newborn Journey, we share advice on what to do after you and your newborn are discharged from the hospital.