“How do I cope as a teen mum”…..A short useful account of how any new mum can get through the first few weeks after birth.

Article written by Sheila Sudlow of Cheeky Chums

“How do I cope as a new mum”Said Rebecca my daughter. She gave birth to Elizabeth last Christmas 2005, I delivered her on my brothers living room carpet with the help of the 999 lady at one end of a phone and a newly qualified ambulance driver who had never delivered a baby before…

Well Rebecca I replied, For some mums with no family it can be very daunting but with support from your midwife in the first few days and continued support from your health visitor a new mum can get through it.

Rebecca lived next door to me.Even after being a nursery nurse for over 20 years I was not prepared for her problems she would encounter but gave her support anyway in the few weeks that lay a head.

She planned to breast feed which she struggled with in the first couple of weeks and gave up and put Elizabeth onto a bottle. She looked tired and worn out as she was used to sleeping quite early in the evening. She wasn’t prepared for the many hours of waking up to feed her in the night, the frequent crying of her newborn and the everyday tasks of housework. thus she started to neglect herself. She would forget meals for herself. Not wash or dress. Leave soiled nappies everywhere plus she had a baby that needed feeding every 2 hours by evening she was exhausted..

So I helped her to get into a routine…

Some of you may be wondering how can you get into a routine when you are so tired of looking after a baby that hardly sleeps and wants a feed every couple of hours or so. Well here are some tips you may find useful if you are to become a firs time mum or a new mum after having a break for a few years.

1.                  If you are a mum without a family for support make use of your health visitor once you have been discharged from the midwife, they can put you into contact with other mums and support groups etc which can be very beneficial for both advice and socially..

2.                  A routine means nothing more than being consistent with when you feed and put your baby to bed. Some parents prefer a fairly strict routine throughout the day with all naps taken in the cot at the same time. Other parents prefer to be out and about during the day, but stick to a regular pattern of bath, feed and bed at the same time in the evening. What sort of routine you go for is up to you, but the key is to be consistent, particularly in the hour or so before they go to bed for the night.

3.                  Take a nap when you can after your baby is born you’ll probably find it will be some time before you get a decent night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can make you feel bad-tempered and anxious, so you should make every effort to sleep when your baby does during the day., but it may help to restrict visitors in the first few weeks and to try not to worry too much about the housework. If you have older children then enlist the help of a family member or trusted friend to take care of them.

4.                  Some babies cry more than others, and coping with continual crying, or ‘colic’ can be exhausting. If you’ve gone through all the usual checks – hunger, tiredness, too cold, not well, needs changing – and can’t find a reason for it, the only thing to do is to comfort your baby.Plus talk to your health visitor Good luck with your new baby - Sheila at Cheeky Chums

Teen mums with children, coping with responsibility.

(Note from editor) written by Sheila Sudlow of Cheeky Chums

 (Please copy and print off this information article to anyone who may be in need of it)

Being a parent is not just feeding, changing baby, making tea and washing.

It’s about taking responsibility for the home environment too. If you are lucky enough to be living with your parents you will not find out totally what responsibility is all about. You may have it cushy being able to go out when you want and have a ready made baby sitter on tap being your parent/s or brothers or sisters, but eventually there comes a time when you will take full responsibility for becoming an adult.

You will learn about what responsibility is really about when any adult finally leaves home and owns or rents a house for the first time.

Whether you will be paying a mortgage or paying rent you not only have that to think about that payment but all the other payments you have to make on a regular basis and of the upkeep of the home environment.

Here are a list of essential bills and possible bills which need to be sorted and how to go about finding the correct information you need when you move into a property to sustain its upkeep.

 Renting a Property.

1.                  Workout your income and make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. Enquire at your local benefits office or Jobcentre. If you or a partner you will be living with are working did you know you may be able to get working tax credit?

2.                  Have a calendar or large diary to mark up 4 days before each bill is due so you can pay all bills on time.

3.                  Set aside chores to do around the house share jobs with a partner if you have one.

4.                  Keep all gardens/yards tidy and cut grass regular if you have a garden.

5.                  Make sure your waste is collected each week with the local authority and don’t let rubbish mount up in the back garden. It will attract pests and will be unpleasant. neighbours will complain and you could lose your house if you don’t keep it clean.

6.                  Respect your neighbours but do not become too dependant on them, falling out isn’t good which can sometimes happen if you become too close, but friendly is ok you never know if you get good neighbours they can come in handy if you have a cat to feed whilst you go on holiday or keep an eye on the house if you are away.

7.                  Keep the house in a clean condition, untidy is ok if you have a few children, but when it’s dirty it will become a problem not only to your health but the whole family. you can wash cushions regular keep windows open during the day whilst you are at home to help avoid the build up of bacteria in the rooms at home. Remember to change the sheets and bedding regular, wash up after every meal to keep on top of things.

8.                  Freshen up the place now and then with a good lick of paint, fresh curtains wallpaper. Rearrange the furniture it will give you a really good feel factor when you have finished. Hoover carpets regular to keep dust mites to a minimum, keep bathrooms and toilets clean.

9.                  Keep in touch with friends by letter if you cannot get out and about the same try new hobbies and keep your brain active if you spend a lot of time at home.

10.             Avoid debt, do not change utility suppliers too often, many are on a commission basis and will talk you into a sale when you feel you have no choice especially in this current UK credit crisis. Do not be pressurized no matter how good the deal seams.

11.             Put these payments in order of priority, you need a roof over your head first and foremost important. Pay the rent/or mortgage first.

12.             Use the chart below as an idea of what needs to be paid and what you don’t need to pay for.

URGENT BILLS NEED TO BE PAID FIRST ARE ONES WHICH COULD LAND YOU IN COURT/PRISION.

Pay these first….

RENT.COUNCIL TAX, GAS, ELECTRIC, WATER, TV LICENCE.

INSURANCE.

Then food and household bills such as phone, bus fares to work, school meals, window cleaner.

Put away money for items such as Shampoos and other washing/cleaning materials i.e. washing up liquids, birthdays and clothing.

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