Don’t worry! Many new mothers experience feelings of emotional insecurity and vulnerability just after giving birth. It can be a major upheaval to come home with a newborn baby and realise that the responsibility is now all yours. So don’t be afraid if you feel a little overwhelmed. There are so many new and powerful emotions to cope with, that it can become a little too much. You can easily feel let down over minor things, or doubt if you can live up to the expectations of being a new mother. Tears and mood swings are quite normal. Nearly all new mothers experience some form of depression shortly after giving birth, and most off them pass quickly. Peace, rest and coping with visitors The best thing is to be aware that this is perfectly normal, and ensure that you talk to your family and friends about it. It’s also very important to take time to rest, relax and get to know your baby during the first few days. You will have to accept that you can’t do much more than breast feed, change nappies, look after baby and sleep. You won’t have a lot of energy to cope with visitors. It can be hard to turn anyone away who wants to see your new baby, but try and spread visits out over several days and at times that will allow you to avoid serving food. Coping with visitors is often more tiring than you think, and you will only begin to notice it when they have gone.