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How do I deal with the baby blues?

One of those little discussed secrets about having a baby is that it can be a bit of a sticky wicket. On one hand you love and cherish your new baby and want to spend time with them. On the other hand, you still want to party with your friends, spend the night and linger in bed the next morning with your partner, work out at the gym, curl up and read a good book, and everything else you enjoyed before the arrival of your baby. And now, it seems like every waking second is occupied with nappy changes, feeding and comforting your baby. You're probably feeling a little overwhelmed by just being a parent.

You needn't feel deprived of fun activities just because you're a parent. Try to schedule a fun activity that you can do with baby. Sign up for a baby class where you can meet other new mums. Take the baby in a carrier and go hiking, check out an art gallery, or hit the shops.

Get back into having fun without the baby. You can schedule a semi-regular or regular date nights with your partner. If you feel that you are unable to a babysitter just yet, leave the baby with a relative or a good friend. Perhaps there are other new parents who you can barter babysitting duties with.  Every now and then, leave baby with dad for an evening out with friends. It’s a perfect opportunity for dad and baby to bond. If you’re breastfeeding, teach the baby to take a bottle. You’ll feel less constrained once you know that baby won't starve if you are away for a few hours.

Remember, it will get easier in time. Every month that passes, motherhood will become more manageable, and you will discover ways to work the pre-parenthood fun back into your life. And you just may find some new kinds of fun along the way.

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