Mothers who have a cesarean section, whether it’s by choice or not, you carried your baby for a long time, gave them all the love in the world and here they are earth side – and you are probably very sore, but they are here and that’s all that matters. You are a good mum.

Mothers who had a vaginal birth, you just laboured for hours on end, whether or not you took those painkillers, you are powerful, strong. Your baby is here. That is what matters. You are a good mum.

Mothers who don’t want skin to skin right after the birth, that is fine. It’s a very overwhelming experience and you’re probably exhausted – the midwife will clean your baby, wrap him up and then you can have a cuddle.

You just gave birth, regardless of if it was vaginally or through a cesarean. You are a good mum.

Mothers who want skin-on-skin and to give your baby a feed right away, that is also fine, you’ve just spent hours labouring, I don’t blame you for wanting your child directly on your skin, it’s exciting to finally hold your little one. You are a good mum.

Mothers who choose to breastfeed, that’s really great. It is so hard to get the hang of; I promise you at the end of the rough patch, it’s worth it. Not to mention the cuddles you get. You are a good mum.

Mothers who formula feed from the get go, good on you. You have your whole family to help you out when you need to, especially when you’re tired. It’s hard work getting up in the middle of the night every few hours to make a bottle, but you do it anyway. You are a good mum.

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Mothers who use a pram, aren’t they great? There is so much storage under that thing, and your baby looks so cosy asleep in there. You are a good mum.

Mothers who baby-wear, it’s like a big cuddle all the time, isn’t it? You’re hands free all of the time so you can get things done without having to worry about your little babe. You are a good mum.

I could go on, and on – but I am sure that you get the picture now.

The thing is, as women we know there is a lot of pressure on being a mother, there are articles coming from left, right and center about what is best for your baby.

YOUR baby. YOU know what is best for YOUR baby, not the people on the Internet, on your Facebook page or in your mother’s group. Every doctor has a difference in opinion or knowledge. Everything is trial and error. None of us are perfect, but we are unique in our own ways.

Don’t let anyone pressure you in to doing something you don’t want to.

Take all of the advice you’re comfortable with. It doesn’t matter how, but as long as your child is fed, safe, loved, clothed, bathed and warm – YOU are a good mum.

Do not let yourself or anyone else think otherwise.

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