Pregnancy is a daunting time for all mothers, but this can be especially true for younger mums-to-be. You may feel isolated by your pregnancy, or be worried about your finances, but rest assured, you’re not alone as a young mum-to-be. If you are young and pregnant, you may have many questions, and we can answer some.

Am I ready to be a mum?

Whether your pregnancy was planned or a surprise, you will probably still worry about whether you are ready to be a mum. Most pregnant women worry about how they will adapt to life as a mother, this is a normal pregnancy concern whatever your age or lifestyle. By preparing for the birth and motherhood, you can help yourself mentally prepare for being a parent.

How will I cope financially?

It may seem that there are lots of things to buy before the baby arrives, and even more to purchase once she gets here. Try not to worry though, there are ways to bring the costs down. Shopping around, buying second-hand and borrowing what you need can help you to stick within budget.

What about my career?

Having a baby while you’re still young may delay you progressing on the career track for a couple of years, but that doesn’t mean your career has come to an end. Take some time to enjoy your new role as a mother, and then refocus your work ethic to progressing your career once you feel settled at home.

Feeling left out

If you are the only person expecting in your social circle, it’s easy to feel left out. You may worry about missing out on the fun, being left behind while all your friends leave home, or being seen as ‘boring’ now that you’re a parent. Of course, there’s no guarantee that your friends will stick around, but chances are the true ones will. Try to get them involved with the baby, and make sure you still allow yourself to have fun and socialise with your friends.

Feeling judged

You may worry that you are being judged by your age. Chances are, your own worries and insecurities are bubbling to the surface. Your age doesn’t mean you will be a bad mother, you may be a better mum than someone twice your age. Only you get to decide what sort of mother you will be.

Feeling isolated
It can be hard to get out and meet other mums, but it’s important to have a support system in place. Baby groups and new mum meet ups are great places to meet other mums in your local area. There may even be a group for young mums like yourself, so that you can socialise with people who know exactly what you’re going through.

Are you a young mum? Do you have any concerns about the pregnancy, or are you feel ready and excited to begin your new life as a mother?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Becoming a parent for the first time is a bit like somebody picking up your whole life, giving it a good shake and then tipping it out onto the floor. You know everything should still be there but can’t quite find the things you need. It’s life changing and will take you quite some time to adjust to. Becoming a parent doesn’t have to completely change you, though, it’s possible to be a good mama and still be you. Here are five things you should keep doing as a parent:

1. Date night

Now that you’re parents, your relationship is more important than ever before. You have probably already noticed you have less time and energy to spend together and that can quickly start to impact your relationship. To keep things good between you, it’s important to prioritize your time together. A weekly date night is a good way of keeping the magic alive. In the early days, you don’t even have to leave the house on date night. Enjoy a nice meal together (takeaway will do) and snuggle up in front of a movie, just the two of you. Of course, your date night is likely to get interrupted for the first few months, but in time, you’ll be able to use a sitter and head out of the house to escape the demands of family life.

2. Your hobbies

Everybody has things they do that make them feel at home. It might be a weekly sewing club, a political blog or morning yoga. Whatever it is, you should give yourself permission to still enjoy it. You don’t have to give up the things that make you ‘you’ just because you’re a mama. In fact, it could be argued that these things are now more important than ever – they’re the sanity savers that will come in useful when you’re sleep deprived and touched out.

3. Putting yourself first

Babies are pretty dependent on their parents and that means that, at least for a little while, you’ll be coming in second. Some days you won’t even get to pee or eat when you want to because you’ll be so busy looking after that gorgeous little baby. It’s rewarding but exhausting and sometimes you need to take a little something for yourself. To be the best mama you can be, you need to have all of your needs met sometimes too. When you can feel yourself getting burnt out, hand the baby over to your partner and take some time for yourself. You’ve earned it.

4. Exploring

Some people seem to think that having a baby means your life is over, but it’s definitely not true. Having a baby may change your life, but it doesn’t have to restrict you. You can still travel the world and explore places you’ve never been. Sure, you might pick out different destinations or consider different transport options with a baby in tow, but you can still travel the world with a baby. And what a lucky baby, how many babies can say they’ve been to the far side of the world just to explore with their parents?

5. Investing in your friendships

Friendships come so easily to children, but they can be hard to maintain when you get into adulthood. When you’re busy with work commitments, family life and have to think twice before agreeing to a night out of city break, it becomes harder to maintain those friendships. They are, however, important. Your friends are the people who will listen to you moan without judgement, help you out when they can and always be there to cheer you up. Make time for them and make sure they know you love them, even when you don’t have time to spare.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

When you’re caring for a newborn – or even chasing after a toddler – maternal nutrition may be the last thing on your mind. But taking care of yourself needs to be a priority so you can in turn care for your family. Good nutrition can help moderate some of the fatigue new moms feel, and can help you keep up with the demands of being a mom.

Instead of three meals a day, try for five or six smaller meals and snacks to keep your blood sugar steady and your energy up. This will also keep you from getting overly hungry and binge eating whatever you can get your hands on!

Make every food count nutrient-wise. The most filling meals and snacks will be a combination of a protein, a carbohydrate and a fat. Choose fresh foods with little processing, if possible.

Keep your cupboards and refrigerator stocked with foods that you can grab and go (bonus points if you can eat them one-handed while holding a baby in the other arm). Consider these convenient, yet healthy, choices:

• Yogurt: The probiotics in yogurt will improve your gut health, and the protein will fill you up. Opt for low fat and organic without added sugar, if you can. Pre-made smoothies are a great convenience food to invest in for the early days at home with a newborn.

• Fruits, such as bananas, apples, pears, grapes: Keep a bowl of cleaned fruit within reach on your table. Having it in sight makes it more likely you’ll grab a piece when you’re feeling hungry. The fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants will provide you with a nutritional boost.

• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts and other tree nuts are nutritional powerhouses, full of healthy fats, protein and heart-healthy minerals. Add some dried fruit and seeds for trail mix goodness. Breastfeeding mothers whose children have a high risk of developing an allergy, may want to discuss with their healthcare provider about eliminating foods such as dairy, nuts, eggs, and fish from their diet. However, so far there is no clear evidence that a breastfeeding mother’s diet will have any effect on whether her baby develops an allergy.

• Vegetables like baby carrots or celery sticks: Just like fruits, the added vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables will keep you healthy and the fiber will keep you feeling full. Having pre-cut choices in the crisper will make it more likely for you to grab a handful when you’re hungry.

• Cheese sticks / string cheese: Cheese makes a fantastic snack, and the ease of prepackaged cheese sticks or string cheese make them a likely choice for a busy mom. A part-skim mozzarella stick contains protein and calcium while limiting calories – grab some whole-grain crackers to go along and you’ve got a complete snack.

• Granola bars / whole grain cereal bars: While these easy snacks come in an amazing variety of choices, be sure to choose brands with less sugar and more fiber. Protein bars also make a good choice for moms who are having difficulty fitting in meals.

In addition, keep water by your side throughout the day, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches and more. Make sure you’re drinking about eight 8-ounces glasses of water each day to feel your best – more if you’re breastfeeding.

What are your favorite snacks to have on hand?

Written by Michelle, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.