When you’re planning on bringing home a baby you spend months if not years making the preparations mentally and physically but when it comes to bringing home a puppy it can often be done on a whim. This means that there is no preparation in place and you find yourself playing catch up for the first few weeks or even months. 

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Even simple things like the lack of a crate, puppy pen or puppy training pads can make housetraining impossible and stressful. 

A clever dog owner-to-be will but a lot of effort into their pre-puppy preparations. Not only can it add the excitement and allow you to prepare as a family it also means you are giving your puppy the best start with any introductions into your home.  

The preparations you need to make fall into three categories: 

• Equipment and Supplies

• Sevices

• Routines and House Rules

Let’s have a look at them in more detail below: 

Supplies and Equipment

You may think it’s as simple as having a food bowl and a dog bed before you bring home your puppy, however, there is a lot of things you need to source in order to keep your new puppy comfortable and happy while he learns and becomes part of the family. It’s a good to source everything you need before you bring them home, this way you won’t be left making a mad dash to the store and risking not being able to get what you need. Places like Time for Paws have everything you need all in one place. 

Some items to add to your list include: 

• Crate

• Puppy pen/exercise pen

• Tether

• Collar, ID tag, leash, and harness.

• Seat belt

• Clicker

• Treats

• Longline

• Toys

• Balls, interactive toys, fetch toys.

• Grooming tools

• House cleaning tools

Services 

Before your puppy even arrives with you, it’s a good idea to research all the nearby puppy service requirements. This way you are well informed and organized for things like arranging puppy training or their first trip to the vet. Have a look at references, take recommendations from friends, and find the right services for you.

Some to consider include: 

• Vets

• Grooming 

• Puppy Classes

• Socializing 

House Rules and Routines

Routines and rules are important in your household, especially if there are children living there. In order to integrate your new puppy to your home it’s important to create a set of rules and a new routine that includes the care and attention that the new puppy is going to require. 

Think about things like: 

Your regular routine, getting up, working hours and bedtime, etc

Feeding times 

Grooming schedule

Daily exercise 

Veterinary trips 

Weekly puppy class

Always remember that you new puppy will need to fit into your routine as well as you ensuring you have the time to provide the care that they need. If you aren’t likely to have someone at home for the majority of the day then introducing a new dog may not be the right thing to do. 

It might sound like a lot to think about, however, with some careful consideration and planning, you should be well on your way to being ready to introduce a new puppy to your family home. Have you introduced a puppy to your home? What did you do to prepare? 

When everyone’s at home, kitchens see a lot more action than normal. Having a huge family kitchen is the absolute ideal, but relatively few of us have that luxury. Finding ways to make a small kitchen work for all the family can seem impossible, but is less of a challenge than you may think.

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Clear the Worktops

Worktops are the kitchen’s prime real estate, yet we tend to clutter them up with all kinds of equipment that rarely gets used. From food processors to bread makers, if you’re not regularly using a piece of equipment in your kitchen, pack it away and put it somewhere else. If you decide you don’t really miss it, you could consider putting it all into self storage and make clutter-free counters a permanent feature in your kitchen.

Having an uncluttered expanse of counter space gives you more room for food prep and cooking, as well as space for writing shopping lists or more creative activities. Meal preparation is an especially good bonding activity for families. Having space for children to help with simple tasks or for partners to share the veg chopping makes meal times more of a fun event. But don’t forget to get them to help with clearing up and washing dishes too!

Clear the Cupboards and Cabinets

Dig deep into kitchen cabinets and get rid of everything that’s either out of date or that you know isn’t going to get eaten. If you have spare storage tubs, decant the contents of bulky boxes into them. Foods such as cereals, rice, pasta and flour all store more compactly when they’re in stackable tubs or containers. They stay fresh, plus you can see at a glance when you need to replenish supplies.

As well as food storage, certain items of crockery such as mugs can be stored elsewhere. If you have hooks, consider hanging them beneath the wall cabinets to free up more cupboard space. 

Do you keep some dinnerware for best? The stuff that only gets used for special occasions or celebrations can be kept safe and pristine in a self storage unit. Put it to one side and research your storage options because in a small kitchen, the space you have is best used for everyday items.

Find Hidden Storage Spaces and Use Walls

Some of these spaces exist in all kitchens, but we don’t always think of them as storage areas. They include:

• The ends of cabinets. Install a narrow shelf for small bottles and containers or cookbooks, or just a rail for tea towels or oven gloves.
• Inside cabinet doors. Paint them with chalkboard paint for quick todo lists or shopping lists, or put up a magnetic notice board for cut-out recipes and other paper clutter.
• Install pan lid holders so you don’t have to rummage among the saucepans for the right lid. While you’re at it, put aside the pans you either never use or only use infrequently, such as turkey roasters or massive jam pots. Those things are ideal candidates for self storage lockers or rooms as they take up lots of space for little everyday return.
• As well as cabinet ends and doors, use your walls. Hang a pegboard to hold utensils, or use it as a decorative feature to hang small plants or to pin up the kid’s artwork.

All of these ideas will help you make the most of your space and create a more airy feeling. With a little ingenuity and imagination small family kitchens can be just as much a central family hub as larger ones. 

There’s no-one who would deny that a parent cares deeply about their child’s education. However, there are many who simply don’t know how to best represent their child’s interests and intervene, when necessary, to make sure that they’re getting the best education possible. As such, here are a few tips to help you be your child’s advocate at school if you’re feeling a little lost.

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Understand how the school runs

Schools run on budgets, they run on curriculums, and they run on a limited amount of time and ratio of teachers to students. As such, it’s a good idea to get involved with parent-teacher meetings as run by PTA.co.uk, both to better understand how the school uses the resources it gets, to have a say in that, and to help raise the funds that can improve school life not just for your child but for the whole school. Being more closely involved with aiding the school helps you build a collaborative relationship with them, rather than a combative one.

Get to know the department personally

You cannot get an accurate picture of your child’s education simply by seeing what homework they bring with them and what they say about the school. Every parent should make an effort to learn what they can about the department educating their child and to visit it personally, as recommended at Leicesterhigh.co.uk. That way, you can see the kind of education environment they are in, the culture amongst the students (such as how polite and energetic they are), and get to meet their teachers personally.

Make sure they have the space to continue at home

Homework is the part of the education experience that sees the student continuing their learning in their own time. It should be given as much focus and importance as it needs. It’s not just a chore for them to do when they get home, it’s essential to their education. As such, make sure your child has all the time, space, and support as they require to do their homework and be there to help them engage in it better if possible. Just make sure you don’t end up doing it for them.

Be prepared for meetings

Don’t simply go to parent-teacher meetings expecting to hear a report on your child. If you’re paying attention to their education, prepare your own questions. Be ready to ask about their progress, what difficulties the teacher has identified, and if there is anything they can recommend you do to help at home. It’s a good idea to bring a partner or a friend with you, especially if you’re meeting multiple teachers at once, as it can be pretty daunting. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a little support.

The vast majority of teachers in the vast majority of schools do have your child’s interests at heart. It would be a miserable job for them if they did not. However, as the parent, it’s your responsibility to speak up when necessary too.

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Communication has long played a vital role in human society. Without this simple but effective tool, it would be impossible for people to organise in groups of thousands, and even harder for a connected world to keep moving forwards. Of course, though, the challenge of speech and communication is often a much more personal one than something widespread. A lot of children find it hard to speak and get themselves understood, but this is something parents are able to change, and this post is going to show you how to do it for your own child.

The Source

Finding the source of your child’s challenges will be one of the most important parts of this process. If they simply haven’t learned enough words, for example, you can begin by teaching them words which they haven’t seen before. In other cases, challenges with communication can be much deeper, with conditions like autism often presenting communication issues in children. It’s crucial that you understand the source of your child’s communication struggles, even if this means taking them to talk to professionals.

New Ways To Communicate

People often only think of speech when they are considering human communication, though there is a whole lot more which goes into this than simply making noises. Facial expressions, hand signals, and even writing can all be used to communicate, and this makes it worth teaching your child about things like Augmentative or Alternative Communication. While this won’t improve their speech, it will give them a much better understanding of communication in general, ultimately making them better at communicating with their peers.

Challenge Them

Many parents ignore the fact that they have the chance to improve their child’s communication skills as they grow up. It is far too easy to change the way you speak to make things easy for your child, never giving them a challenge and making it feel like communication is always easy. In reality, though, challenging your child can be one of the best ways to overcome issues like this. You can ask them normal questions in weird ways, use words which they won’t understand but will be able to break apart, and give them plenty to read which is above their level. These challenges shouldn’t be impossible, but they also shouldn’t be really easy.

Be Honest

While it might be cute when your child struggles to get their point across, it won’t help them very much if you ignore this sort of issue and simply live with it. It’s worth being honest with your child, telling them when you think they have things to improve, and correcting them when they make big communication errors. This can also be helpful if they have issues with other children, with the whole process making them into better communicators.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of helping your child to communicate as best they can as they grow up. Many parents struggle with this, only to find that the steps they need to take are easier than they thought.

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A beach holiday is perfect for families. Whether you choose to have a seaside holiday in the UK or you want to escape to somewhere warmer, taking your kids to the beach gives them lots of things to do. From eating ice cream to playing in the sea, you can visit the beach every day, and the kids won't get bored. There are various types of beaches, although most people want a sandy beach, especially when visiting somewhere with a lot of sunshine. If you've decided that a beach holiday is ideal for your family, take a look at these tips for planning your trip.

Choose a Resort or Go Freestyle?

With a destination in mind, deciding where to stay is the next step. In most beach locations, you will be able to find resort accommodation, or you might want to have more control over your surroundings, activities, and more. Staying in a resort can give you the option of an all-inclusive holiday, which might help you to save money. However, it can also mean you have to stick to what's on offer in the resort, from the beach to places to eat and drink. You can also book a hotel or self-catered accommodation elsewhere if you want to have a less structured holiday.

Look for Fun Activities

It's easy to make your own fun on the beach with children. Buckets and spades for sandcastles, nets for exploring rock pools and balls, bats and rackets are fun are all good things to take to the beach with you. Of course, you can also spend time paddling and swimming in the sea. But if you want some more activities, look for some things that you can book or join in with when you arrive at the beach. Lots of beach resorts will offer a range of activities, but you can also find independent providers for activities and events.

Think About Safety in the Sea and Sun

Staying safe on the beach should be a priority for everyone. You need to consider protecting everyone from the sun, as well as ensuring everyone is safe in the sea. One thing that can help with both is getting wetsuits for the kids. Flyer Diaries recommends the best kids wetsuits for both surfing and playing in the sea. You can check out their post for ideas on which ones to buy. Sunscreen is a must to protect everyone's skin, and you should also cover up to prevent sunburn. If you claim a spot on the beach, create some shade with a parasol or shelter. As for spending time in the sea, pay attention to beach flags and signs, and choose a safe beach. Some beaches will have lifeguards during busy months.

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Getting Comfortable on the Beach

The beach can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a little uncomfortable sometimes too. Setting up a comfortable spot on the beach can help to make your holiday fun each day you visit. Large beach towels or a blanket is perfect for sitting on, or you might want to consider chairs to sit on too. As mentioned above, something to create some shade is helpful if there aren't already shaded spaces on the beach. You should also think about staying hydrated by taking plenty of water with you, as well as whether you might need to take food with you.

Find Fun Off the Beach

Even the most enthusiastic beach fans probably don't want to spend all of their time on the beach. There are things to do away from the beach too so that no one will get bored. Just finding places to get food and drinks can help to mix things up, but there are other things to do too. What's available will depend on where you decide to go on holiday and perhaps what forms of transport you have available too.

Packing for the Trip

Packing for a beach trip can involve more than you might think. There can be a lot to take to the beach when you're packing for your whole family. You need to make sure you have everything to keep everyone safe and happy on the beach, plus all of the usual holiday essentials. It's a good idea to start off with a list of things that you want to take with you to make sure you pack it all.

Your family can have fun on the beach every day when you plan your holiday perfectly. Think about everything you might need but also how to make it fun for everyone.

There is nothing more that you need to do as a partner than be supportive. You are together, a pair, a twosome: your partnership is that which is filled with love and understanding, kindness, and fun. What makes for support for one couple will not be the same for another. The main idea is that through your love, you lean on each other when you need to, and you provide a shoulder to cry on when they need you. 

Not only do you have to provide long-term support, but you also have to consider the type of support that you can offer each other day to day. There are always times you may need to go above and beyond for your partner, just as there are times you need to seek outside help if you cannot provide the support that they need. Sometimes, partner support counselling can be everything that you both need, and this is the type of support that can be invaluable. Below, we’ve put together some of the ways that you can be a supportive partner.

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• Always check in on your partner, even if it’s to ask if they ate that day. The small things can really make a massive difference in the way that you interact with each other. Those little interactions throughout the day can help your partner to feel secure in the knowledge that you care about their general wellbeing.
• Over time, you’ll get to know what makes your partner tick, and when you do, you will get to know what they need from you to feel supported. Sometimes simply asking them what you can do when they’re in need can be everything. Ask what they’d like and how you can make them feel good. If you know what will make them feel happy and secure, you will be able to deliver that. 
• Living with stress is the hardest thing that you could do, so creating a stress-free environment for your partner can be the kindest thing that you do for them. You know what will make them feel calm, from running a hot bath for them when they come in from work to ensuring that they have time with you just to be a couple. Support comes in so many ways, and sometimes you just need to let them know that you are there for them.
• All you have to do to be supportive sometimes is sit and listen. Let them vent to you and make them feel okay with their venting. You are their safe place, and sometimes, you need just to be quiet and listen to what they have to say. They don't always need you to jump in with a fix, not when being present is more than enough.
• Lastly, remind them that you love them. Sometimes, counselling can be fantastic for a couple, and if you ensure that you are working together, you can make counselling the essential thing that you do together. Tell them you love them every day!

Whenever your little one falls sick or feels under the weather, it can be a really difficult experience both physically and emotionally to look after them properly. Children find it much harder to express the pain that they are experiencing, so sometimes this means that they cannot even explain why they are feeling so bad. Providing the best care and support that you can to encourage them to heal as fast as possible is so important, and it really doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. So, if your little one is feeling poorly and you’d like to find out more about how you can deal with the situation in the most proactive way, then read on to uncover some of the best top tips and tricks that you can make the most of today! 

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Choosing The Right Medicine 

Choosing the right medicine is the most important step you have to take, and you simply cannot trust the internet by searching for the various symptoms they are experiencing. Book an appointment with a medical professional as fast as you can, and listen to all of the advice that they offer. It’s likely that they will offer a prescription, but they may simply recommend that you purchase a child safe alternative to an average painkiller or paracetamol substance. There are many over the counter options that you may be comfortable exploring, with various child friendly products that you can explore at nurofen.com.au to help your little one feel a little relief from the symptoms that they are currently suffering with. Always read the label before you allow them to consume any medication, as it may clash with other products they use or cause some side effects that you may not want to experience. 

Make Them Comfortable 

It’s so vital that you can make an effort to help them feel comfortable, as they no doubt are experiencing all kinds of physical and emotional pains during their illness. If they can see that you are stressed about the situation, it can encourage them to also feel a sense of panic and anxiety, so it’s important that you can stay calm and motivate them to heal instead. If they have to have some time off school, then it’s a good idea to set them up downstairs close to the action - leaving them on bed rest can be so dull, and their boredom will soon bubble over and cause all kinds of extra problems. It’s ok to give them a few treats whilst they are poorly, as they can provide a much needed distraction from their current situation. 

Dealing with poorly children has never been so simple when you are able to make the most of the top tips and tricks detailed above! Always head to a medical professional before you decide to follow any online advice, and do your best to make your little one feel as comfortable as possible to promote fast and happy healing.

Infacare baby bath is soft and gentle on babies skin, but it's not just for babies, it's for bigger kids too! My 3 and 7 year old use it and it's lovely!

The massive amount of bubbles you get is absolutely amazing my two were so happy in the bath, thultra mild night-time bath is lovely, it smells lovely and is so relaxing and gentle on babies skin.

The baby bath is PH balanced with a powdery fragrance that's been recommended by hospital midwives and healthcare professionals, the Infacare bubble baths have been clinically tested and developed to promote natural levels of acidity and alkalinity in skin and hair. 
Reassuringly, both the baby and nighttime bath are designed to prevent irritation, and mums say it helps with allergies too!

Because we love Infacare baby bath so much we're giving some away to one lucky winner!

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Now we're always searching the Web for great deals and there's so many sites to find them but this site, Sign Up Offers has the best tips for free stuff, money off and free food! We're always looking for a bargain or two and this site is no different.

Simply visit the site and click on whatever takes your fancy for example sign up to McDonald's to receive a FREE burger! And your done! Time for food! You simply sign up to receive the offer you desire and get said free item or subscription.

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New offers appear every few days and they'll always be something to take your fancy, some offers like amazon prime or netflix offer a free month but do ask for your payment details for once the month is up, so you can either continue paying for the service or cancel.

TOP TIP: put the date your subscription date in your phones calendar a day or so before it's due to renew so you can make the decision to cancel. 

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Personally I love getting money off and will gladly take a free trial of netflix instead of paying £12 a month! Or even a free snack on my lunch break! It all helps and you can save loads this way, think of it as money back in your pocket!

So, take a look today and see what you can save with these amazing offers!

As a parent, you can’t imagine not spending all of your time with your children. Can there be anything better and sweeter than cuddling up all day with your baby? Every mom and dad will agree with you on this point. 

Unfortunately, having children comes at a cost. Do you remember the adage: time is money? Your time, precisely, is what can help you to build a second source of income for your household. And there goes your dream of spending the whole day with your children! Bye-bye dream, hello harsh reality. 

Making time to make money is one of the impossible equations of parenthood that nobody can solve. On the one hand, you know your role as a parent is to be there for your child. But on the other hand, you can’t afford to ignore financial matters. How do you cope with the need to build a stable income and your desire to be as present as possible as a parent? 

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The wakeup call: Last-minute panic

Unexpected invoices are the worst kind! But, unfortunately, they are a frequent occurrence for new parents. Let’s put things that way: you’ve got so much to think about as a new parent that you might, accidentally, forget about your energy bill, your TV package, or your credit card invoice. These things happen. After all, new parents are often exhausted. You get barely more than a couple of hours’ sleep each night, so it’s easy to get forgetful. Therefore, you may not be prepared when an unexpected invoice reaches you. When you forgot to plan for necessary costs, you need to look for solutions that can help you pay the invoice as quickly as possible. For all those last-minute bills, you’ve got no other options than to free up money fast. Savings and family are your best bet. But when you’re on your own with no emergency funds, you need to think outside the box, for example, borrowing money from a company such as Buddy loans, direct guarantor loan lender. As a parent, you’re likely to encounter a lot of these last minute expenses as you figure out the best way to care for your children. Don’t panic; you’re still learning how to get your family budget under control. 

How to make time for your work life

Ideally, you should plan for a stable income rather than rely on same day loans. However, as we’ve said before, accidents happen and there’s a place for payday loans too. But, you shouldn’t rely extensively on these to get by. As a parent, you need to ask yourself an important question very early in your parenting journey, namely, how can you free up time to work? Reaching out to a babysitter is a fantastic solution because it lets you schedule your working hours accordingly while your child boosts their social skills. Ultimately, it’s crucial for your child to meet new people and learn to get comfortable with other adults and children. A babysitter can be the best thing that happens to young children, as they learn how to make new friends. As for you, you can focus on your work with the knowledge that your child is in good hands. It’s a win-win situation for parents who worry about making ends meet. 

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What if I want to be around my child?

Not everybody is ready to let go of their children. Perhaps, your expertise enables you to find alternatives to work directly from home. Work-at-home-moms need to juggle between parenting and working responsibilities, which isn’t always easy. But if you prefer to stay with your child, you can find flexible jobs and freelancing opportunities that allow you to be a working mom at home. It’s also a neat solution to boost your household income while reducing commuting and child maintenance costs. 

Preparing a family budget like a pro

When do you know whether a home-based job or an office-based job is the best solution for your household income? Future parents need to manage the uncertainty of building a family from the start. You need a budget. Having children impact on your finances; therefore, you need to make a list of all the costs you will need to tackle. You might even be entitled to receive benefits for your children, which can ease the financial situation. But, more importantly, setting your budget from the start helps to understand not only how much income your household will need but also whether you need to work. 

As a parent, you need to figure out how to tackle recurring and one-off costs. Budgeting for your family can help you decide on the best work approach. Additionally, you can also establish a routine to manage both your work and your parenting time. Finally, accept that you also have to handle last-minute costs from time to time. 

When you have a baby, people like to tell you all about how magical it’s going to be. They talk to you about the first smiles and the smell of your baby - how you’ll breathe them in. Sure, they’ll talk about the lack of sleep, but it’s mostly in a way that dismisses how little sleep you’ll get because it’s so worth it. 

You’ll be told all about the new baby equipment you’ll need and you’ll be told about what to look out for when your baby has a cold. If you’re lucky, you’ll be well-advised on breastfeeding and bottle feeding. They'll tell you the dangers of cot bumpers (a good thing) and the dangers of leaving your baby in a car seat for too long. If you hadn't already realised, much of the warnings you’ll get about pregnancy and your new baby are to help you to be safe. They’ll make you feel excited about the new bundle about to come into your life. 

What they may fail to tell you is just how hard it can be to be a mother. We’re holding our hands up - it’s not easy. Yes, you get used to the lack of sleep, but if your baby has colic or reflux, you’re pretty much never going to get a chance to rest. It sounds brutal, but as you scroll this at 3am while your two week old baby kicks his legs and screams his lungs out, you’ll get it. You’ll understand. And Mum, we see you. We see you struggling. We see your tears and we see how desperate you are to both attend to your baby’s needs while simultaneously begging him to just relax and sleep. We know that this is not easy - and we see you.

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The hardest part of motherhood is the lack of sleep. It’s torture, to be honest, to not be able to have any decent rest. A baby is designed to wake up frequently, of course, and in the fourth trimester - those first precious weeks where they are getting used to the outside world - it’s especially hard. However, it doesn't mean that you can’t complain. You can love your baby and be grateful for their tiny presence in your life while wishing them to go to sleep just for a while so you can rest. 

A baby only cries when they are lacking something. Whether this is hunger, discomfort in their nappy or exhaustion, babies will cry because it’s their only way to communicate with you what they need. They also cry when they’re in pain. You may not have breastfed your baby, but even a breastfed baby can scream and cry because of reflux. If you’ve ever had acid reflux, you know exactly how painful it can be to feel the acid rise up at the back of your throat. Imagine being a newborn and feeling that burn but not being able to tell anyone about it? That is your baby right now.

Speaking to your doctor, they should be able to diagnose reflux - especially if your baby is particularly prone to spewing up after every feed. They’ll prescribe Gaviscon infant and hope for the best. With silent reflux, it’s a little different. Your baby may not throw up after every feed, but they’ll still be in pain, and that’s much harder to diagnose. You can practice paced feeding with the bottle to see if your baby is dealing with silent reflux, but ultimately your sleep is still going to be disturbed. The fact is that you should speak to your doctor about any lengthy screaming, as there could be something that you can do about it. 

It’s not easy to deal with sleep deprivation, but your baby doesn't need sleep training. So many of the older generation will tell you to wrap him up and let him scream, but the research has shown time and again that leaving your baby to cry has an adverse effect on them long term. You wouldn't want to be left crying and sad if you were upset, so you won’t want to do the same. The sleep deprivation - thankfully - will pass. Get the right help from your partner or your family. Don't sit up and cry at night alone, because there will always be someone who can help you. If you’re on your own and parenting, you can keep reminding yourself that these long nights feel endless, but there is a day right ahead of you where this will end and your baby will settle and you will reclaim your sleep once more.

Until then? We see you. We support you. We know you can do this.