How Do You Raise A Future Monarch?
Updated: 4:29pm UK, Monday 22 July 2013
By Annabel Karmel, parenting expert and author
In a career spanning more than 25 years, Annabel Karmel, parenting author, expert on feeding babies and mother of three, offers her advice to the royal couple as they begin their journey to raising a future monarch.
:: What should they be doing just after the birth?
Their baby is likely to be really alert for the first few hours, so this is where skin to skin contact is really important.
Like any mum, royal or not, Kate is likely to be overwhelmed at the beginning of her journey into parenthood. The day you take your baby home is such a momentous occasion: the responsibility for this tiny fragile creature you are bringing into your home can be quite a shock; it certainly was for me.
Those first few days can be a bewildering experience as you learn to do all these new things. I couldn't get over how much laundry and mess one baby could produce! For me the biggest change was having this little person completely dependent on me for everything.
:: How else can Kate and Wills bond with their baby?
Baby massage is also a great way of bonding with baby and has lots of other therapeutic advantages. It is also something that the royal couple can both do together.
It will be important for the wider royal family to give them some breathing room in the first few days. Having a stream of well-meaning visitors doesn't always help in the bonding process.
:: How will Kate cope with 24/7 feeding?
Babies sleep a lot in the first few months, often up to 17 hours a day, but these are never for long stretches as their small tummies will mean they need frequent feeds. This pattern of sleeping and feeding could dictate Kate's every move for the first few weeks.
If Kate is breastfeeding, she could express her milk so that William could help feed the baby. Not only will this allow the Duchess to catch up on her beauty sleep, but dad will feel included too.
:: How should they cope with sleep deprivation?
Keeping healthy by eating well and taking some gentle exercise every day is so important during this exhausting time. I have no doubt that Kate is used to eating well, so this will help with her long term energy and wellbeing. Here are a few handy tips:
- Nap when your baby naps
- Realise that sleep deprivation will mean you will feel more emotional and overwhelmed, and much more likely to get irritable.
Despite being a Duchess, I'm sure Kate has her moments. They key is to ensure plenty of family and friends are on hand to take the baby for a few hours.
:: The couple are reportedly not planning to use nannies, how will they cope?
I have no doubt that they will be hands-on parents. They will want to experience everything that other parents do - nappy changes, night feeds, weaning.
When it comes to feeding, it is important to establish good eating habits early on to stop them becoming fussy eaters.
:: Importance of good diet if breastfeeding
If Kate is breastfeeding, she will need to include more calories and nutrients in her diet - but it's important to be sensible about this. Follow a balanced diet, but include a few more of certain nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and omega 3.
:: Tips
- Keep fluid intake up: if breastfeeding your fluid requirements increase dramatically. Kate should be drinking lots of water, herbal teas or unsweetened fruit juices, and keep a bottle of water handy when she breastfeeds.
- Try to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and include plenty of fibre. You can get this from fruit and vegetables as well as wholemeal breads and pasta and whole grains. After childbirth women often suffer from constipation, and soluble and insoluble fibre can help with this.
- Eat lots of iron rich foods, such as red meat, pulses such as lentils or dark green leafy vegetables.
- Eating little and often can help with energy. Keep healthy snacks handy such as mixed seeds, oat cakes or crackers in your handbag so you always have something when you are out and about to avoid going for something unhealthy.
- Avoid processed sugar. Treats are ok, but frequently consuming sugar will give you "sugar highs", which are swiftly followed by lows. Eating sugar will not sustain your energy; it is also believed to exacerbate anxiety.
:: Bonding time with your new baby
There has been lots of research highlighting the importance of skin to skin contact with your baby, particularly soon after they have been born. Baby massage is also a great way of bonding with your baby and has lots of other therapeutic advantages. It is also something that mum and dad can both do.
It is important to give you and your family some breathing room in the first few days, and having a stream of well-meaning visitors doesn't always help. Encourage friends to phone before visiting and arrange a time.
Annabel Karmel's latest books include Quick and Easy Toddler Recipes and Eating for Two.
For more information visit www.annabelkarmel.com
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