Just at the point when a new mum may start to find that she is disappointed that she can’t keep her home as spotless as she would like, relatives and friends may have thought that they should stop visiting and give the new family some space to themselves. Of course, there is a lot of truth in this and it would be most thoughtless to keep interfering when not wanted, but it may be that there is something you could do to help.

Offering to help with the boring but necessary tasks of household work and shopping might be just what a new mum needs to restore her sense of comfort. It is easier and more pleasant to look after a baby in a home that feels ordered and fresh so this is something you could offer to help with, so that the mum can get on with spending time with her baby, or just taking a break so that she can regain some energy.

Most mums with babies find that they simply can’t fit everything in, and many find it hard to understand why, with all the time that should be available, but they are not taking into account how much hard work they are putting into the baby. Your help with some of the other jobs may be just what is needed.