Dear Cat, I, like Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, am expecting my first baby in the next couple of months.  I am sure she will cope brilliantly, despite the eyes of the world being on her, just as she did on her wedding day.  What is her secret? How can I make sure I am a calm and content new mother too? Do you have any top tips?  Thank you very much, Melissa.Kate, Duchess of Cambridge

Dear Melissa, thank you for getting in touch.  I agree, Kate Middleton on her wedding day showed the world how to stay calm and serene under pressure, she looked radiant and care-free, despite the eyes of the world watching her every move.

Here are my top tips for her, and any new mother on how to stay calm and content.  I hope you find them useful. Good luck and best wishes, Cat x

1) Be gentle on yourself.  Labour and giving birth is exhausting.  Restrict unhelpful visitors and don’t try to be ‘super-mum’.

2) Accept help from close family and friends so that you can have a bath, a proper meal, or get some sleep, you need taking care of, as well as the baby.

3) Don’t compare yourself to ‘expert books’ or other mums, every mother and baby is unique, no-one else has the right to say what is ‘best’ for you, listen to opinions, but, in the end, your own opinion is the most important.

4) Don’t forget about your husband or partner – talk to him about how you are feeling, let him be as involved as possible and listen to how he is feeling.  Take some ‘time out’ together, and separately, if possible.

5) Eat healthily; get fresh air and moderate exercise.  Don’t obsess about losing any baby weight. It took nine months to put it on, and it may take at least that long to lose it.

6) Let go of all well-laid plans and great expectations.  This is the ultimate opportunity to “be in the moment.” It is the job you can’t call in sick for, the beginning of your love affair with the funniest, smartest, most beautiful and aggravating person you’ll ever know. Listen, observe and be respectful of this visitor. She or he will be small for a nanosecond and you won’t realize just how short that time is until it’s over.

7)  Talk with other mothers at the same stage as you, they are the ones most likely to understand how you feel.

8)  Set a Bedtime Routine – as soon as you can, usually around 3 months. It  will make your life and your child’s life easier.

9)  Stay Calm by believing in yourself  – a baby’s insecurity comes from sensing yours. Believe in yourself, and the baby will be calm.

10)   Have fun with your baby.  This is the one tip to follow if you can’t follow any other.

Best wishes, and let me know how you get on! Cat xx