Kate Hodson pens creative and helpful ways to cope with the ups and down of early motherhood.

If you're a new mum (or a new mum for the second or third time), you might be suffering from emotional overload. Love for your sweet, small child, and sheer amazement that your body produced such a perfect being, can sometimes go hand-in-hand with the stress of adapting to your new routine.

Here are some tips to help survive those first few weeks and months:

Take a power nap

Being a mum gives you the ability (and the excuse) to take power naps: 20-minute bursts of pure de-stressing sleep. As long as you are not behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, nor in sole command of an infant while in an upright position, almost any time and place can provide a power-napping opportunity.

Make time for Dad

Never forget that the time your partner spends with his baby is time you can spend unwinding in a hot bath of luxurious proportions. Encourage Dad to enjoy a daily 'mum-free baby hour'. Suggest some fun activities for the pair of them, like reading a book, taking a walk or even bonding over the sports' section of the newspaper. You'll be surprised at how well this subterfuge works for scoring your own alone time.

Overcome forgetfulness

Memory can be a problem in the weeks after childbirth. It's partly hormonal, and partly because your brain is full with new things (and people) to think about. But if so-called 'baby brain' is stressing you out, here's how to give the appearance of being on top of your game:

• Make a to-do list each day and keep it short. Limit your commitments to one per day
• Return phone calls and email messages immediately
• Carry a mini-voice recorder for when inspiration strikes and replay every evening
• Always write everything down on a notepad small enough to carry on your person
• You'll be amazed how quickly you'll get back up to speed (and stay there).

Test the water

As a new mum, you'll spend about half your time holding your baby and the other half trying to put him/her down so that your arms can take a break.

When you've cycled through the bouncy chair, the car seat and the stroller, you may feel like throwing in the towel. Don't. Instead take that towel, run a warm bath and settle down for a pleasant soak with your newborn on your chest. Okay, you're still holding your baby, but at least he/she'll feel lighter. And you both get clean in the process.

Believe in yourself

At first, motherhood can be as baffling as nuclear physics and way more complicated. Everybody feels this way. Have faith in yourself and you'll feel better. Write down three reasons - sensible or silly - why you're well-equipped to be a parent. Add to your list whenever you need a confidence boost.

This is an edited extract from The New Mom's Survival Kit by Kate Hodson, published by Chronicle Books, distributed by Hardie Grant Books. RRP $17.95.

Blackmores has qualified health experts on hand to answer your health questions at http://www.blackmores.com.au or you can call Blackmores' Naturopaths on 1800 803 760. A 40 week email guide, pregnancy timeline, due date calendar, belly gallery and more can be found at www.blackmores.com.au/pregnancy.