20 things to do on your first day of being a mum

You're a brand new mum and have spent the last nine months waiting for this day. But now what?

Mum bonding with her newborn baby

1 Smile. You and all around you won’t be able to stop yourselves.

2 Indulge in a glass of champagne to toast your newborn’s safe arrival. Bet you’ve forgotten what it tastes like.

3 Change your mind about newborn nappies – they used to look tiny, but now your baby’s here they look huge.

4 Convince yourself your baby really is here. Go on, have another peek.

5 Have lots of skin-on-skin contact to help your baby get used to your scent.

6 Keep a camera handy, ready to take lots of pictures. And make sure you’re in plenty of them!

7 Sleep. Whenever and wherever you can. Trust us, you can’t get enough sleep right now.

8 Let your man take over some of the baby duties. The sooner he learns to change a nappy, the better.

9 Indulge in all the attention you’re deservedly getting…

10 …or delay telling everyone the news until you feel ready to face them all.

11 Lounge about in your comfy clothes/pyjamas. Today is not the day to catch up with all the friends you’ve missed over the last nine months.

12 Sleep some more. It will make the world of difference.

13 Be bossy – and lazy. You don’t have to do anything for all the wellwishers who’ve descended upon your home.

14 Eat a banquet fit for a queen, including all the favourite foods you’ve avoided in pregnancy. Anyone for a cheese platter?

15 Try to get the knack of breastfeeding your baby. Without wincing.

16 Er, did we mention that you should try to sleep?

17 Give your man a hug. You’re a family now

18 Pore over the baby-name book – does he really look like an Arthur?

19 Look down at your feet. Yeah! You can see them now.

20 Be very proud of yourself. Look at the gorgeous little thing you’ve brought into the world.