The first week of breastfeeding your baby is a crucial time for both you and your little one as you establish a strong breastfeeding relationship. Understanding the different stages of breastfeeding post-birth can help you navigate this emotional, challenging and rewarding journey.

1. The Early Days
In the beginning, you and your baby are just getting to know each other. Your newborn may feed frequently, often every 1-3 hours, as they work on establishing your milk supply and their own feeding rhythm. It's normal for your baby to feed for varying lengths of time during each session.  Colostrum is the first milk produced by the breasts after giving birth. It is rich in nutrients, antibodies, and white blood cells, providing essential nourishment and immune protection to newborns. Colostrum is thick and yellowish in color and is low in fat but high in protein and carbohydrates. It acts as a natural laxative to help the baby pass meconium and clear out their digestive system. 

2. Engorgement and Adjustments
Around day 3-5 post-birth, (although it will vary) your milk supply may increase, leading to engorged breasts.  This is when your "milk comes in", it can be uncomfortable but is usually temporary. Ensuring proper latch and feeding frequently can help relieve engorgement.  At this time, colostrum transitions into mature breastmilk, which has a higher fat content and continues to provide important nutrients for the baby's growth and development. The composition of breastmilk changes throughout your breastfeeding journet to meet the evolving needs of your baby, making it a unique and powerful source of nutrition.

3. Cluster Feeding
Cluster feeding, where your baby feeds more frequently for a period of time, is common during the first week and again when your baby has a growth spurt. This can be exhausting but is your baby's way of increasing your milk supply and meeting their growing needs.

4. Seeking Support
Breastfeeding is bloody hard work and let's not forget that as a new mum you've also just given birth, are quite likely sleep deprived and adjusting to life as a new parent.  It is intense which is why it's important to ask for help .  You can reach out for support from a lactation consultant, breastfeeding support group, or your healthcare provider. They can offer guidance, reassurance, and practical tips to help you through any challenges you may face.
Remember, every breastfeeding journey is unique, and it's okay to ask for help when needed. Stay patient, trust your instincts, and cherish these precious moments bonding with your baby during their first week of breastfeeding.

Burnout is not just something that be associated with your career, it can happen to any part of your life and it's also possible to feel burnt out from motherhood.  Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and can affect anyone.  Burnout can impact your mental health and lead to depression, anxiety disorders and other serious conditions.  It is unfortunately incredibly common in teachers, but how do you tell if you're experiencing it?  Here are five ways to tell if you might be experiencing burnout:

1. Chronic Fatigue

Beyond the tiredness of night feeds do you struggle getting out of bed in the morning? Chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of burnout. It's not just about feeling sleepy; it's more like an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that doesn't go away even with rest.    If your fatigue seems unrelated to any underlying medical condition like sleep apnea or chronic fatigue syndrome and has been ongoing for weeks or months despite sleeping well each night then it may be related with burnout and it might be worth talking to your GP.

2. Lack Of Motivation

Do things that once excited you now seem tedious? Have tasks become mundane even when they were previously interesting? A lack of motivation is another sign that could indicate an individual is experiencing burnouts.There are moments where we lose interest in activities we once enjoyed due various reasons but if this continues over time then something serious than mere boredom should be considered as a possibility.

3. Difficulty Concentrating

Burnouts can disturb cognitive functions which leads us find concentration challenging.Even simple tasks require more effort,distractibility increases resulting in difficulty focusing on work.This often leads decreased productivity which further aggravates our mood.The brain finds itself unable comprehend information at the same pace as before which leads to frustration and agitation.

4. Mood Swings

Burnouts affect our behavior patterns leading us to have mood swings.We may find ourselves becoming more irritable,angry and anxious even when the situation does not warrant it.There are also instances of feeling down or depressed due to a lack of interest in daily activities that once brought joy leading us down a path of negativity.

5. Feeling Detached

Over time, burnout can lead individuals become detached.  This means that they feel disconnected from projects they once enjoyed or relatioships with which they previously valued and this can lead to feelings of isolation.

The Bottom Line

If you're noticing any combination of these symptoms,it could be time take a step back and assess your mental health.Taking breaks, self-care routines such as exercise, meditation or therapy can help turn around the effects caused by burnout.  A healthy body needs both physical and mental well-being so if you suspect something isn't right seek assistance immediately.Speak with family, friends, your partner or a professional who will support on this journey towards betterment .Don't let burnout rob you of your life x

While milestones can be a useful guide for what to expect during the first year, every baby is completely different so they're not an exhaustive list of what "should" be happening for your baby at specific times. They can be helpful to know roughly what to expect and when and remember you can always chat to your health visitor, childrens' center or GP if you're concerned.  Milestones often take the form of physical milestones as well as cognitive and social milestones.

1 Month:
- Responds to sound
- Can briefly lift head, often to help find a breast to latch on and feed
- Can recognise your voice

2 Months:
- Begins to smile
- Can follow a moving object with their eyes
- Can make cooing sounds

3 Months:
- Can hold head up for longer periods
- Has discovered their hands and can grasp and shake toys
- Begins babbling

4 Months:
- Some babies may start to roll over, although this can come later for other babies too
- Begins putting hands in mouth
- Begins to laugh

5 Months:
- Can sit with support
- Begins to show object permanence
- Begins to imitate sounds

6 Months:
- Can sit without support
- Begins teething
- Begins to recognize faces

7 Months:
- Begins to crawl
- Can pass objects from one hand to the other
- Begins to understand "no"

8 Months:
- Begins pulling themselves up to stand
- Starts to develop separation anxiety
- Can say simple words like "mama" or "dada"

9 Months:
- Begins to "cruise" along furniture
- Understands object permanence
- Begins to point at objects

10 Months:
- Can walk with support
- Begins to develop pincer grasp
- Starts to wave goodbye

11 Months:
- Starts to stand unassisted
- Begins to develop sense of humor
- Begins to understand cause and effect

12 Months:
- May begin taking a few steps unaided
- Begins to use simple gestures like waving
- Starts to say simple phrases like "bye-bye"