Candice Olson, working mom and host of W's Divine Design shares her top 5 tips for new moms.

“Congratulations, you’re pregnant!”

At first these words are very exciting. You immediately imagine the stork bringing you the perfect little smiling baby swathed in baby pink or blue. In this dream sequence you are the June Cleaver of motherhood all done up in your frosty pink lipstick, heels and pearls. You stroll your little addition through the neighbourhood and everyone is astounded by how completely beautiful and together you are after giving birth. Your baby is perfect, you are perfect and your family is perfect.

As your due date gets closer and you start to feel more like the Michelin man and less like good old June, this perception of motherhood might start to blur. You will see real “little people” things go into place (it was the baby seat in the car for me) and quite frankly you might start to freak out. You might start to play the “what if” game and that’s not good for anyone. So take a deep breath and keep reading. Here are a few answers that might make you feel better.

1. What if I can’t handle childbirth?
Guess what? You have no choice. The baby is coming and you will be having it. The good news is that there are some fantastic drugs out there. They’re free and they’re legal. The other consolation is that once all is said and done and you have that beautiful little child in your arms you will be so happy that all memories of birthing will be erased. It’s Mother Nature’s way of tricking women into having more.

2. What if I want to put my baby in the dryer and not on the dryer?
All babies cry. Some cry more than others and some of the time nothing consoles them – not even putting Junior on the dryer for a little distracting warm, soothing movement. What you need is a list of phone numbers by your phone. You know all those people that said “If you ever need me to baby sit …” at your baby shower? Well, take them up on it. Nobody has the mental strength to deal with a screaming child for hours on end. You have to take a break and you have to be the one to leave the house. Take a walk. Go get a coffee. Just sit on a bench and cry - whatever it takes for you to get the mental break that you need so that you can be a good mom again.

3. What if my baby doesn’t get the whole breastfeeding thing?
Most people think that a newborn baby just naturally latches on to the boob for nutrition. Well the truth is sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they will in the beginning and then forget how to later on. Sometimes they won’t latch on at all until they are kind of coaxed into it. My point is that you and your little cherub may need some help in this “natural” process and that is all right. Lots of people do. So at the first sign of frustration, get in to your doctor because they can give you a list of clinics or groups that can help you out.

4. What if my baby pukes on my Betsey Johnson?
Well sister, I think that you may have to pack away your designer wardrobe for at least two years and consider investing in very durable and washable clothing. It is inevitable – you will have milky white spots on various spots of your clothing. Who knows? If enough of us mothers are wearing it we could put polka-dotted denim on the runways of Milan.

5. What if the Fisher Price colour scheme doesn’t go with my living room?
You love your baby. Your family loves your baby and your friends love your baby so that means tonnes of baby gifts. Most of them will be large, plastic and colourful brain-forming toys that will turn your once minimalist designer living room into the ultimate baby playland. Don’t worry. This look will only last for about 18 years. If it is driving you crazy then I suggest storage -- and lots of it: baskets, bins, units and containers to hold and hide all of the baby’s loot. To make this new storage look more unified and less cluttered, buy the same type of container.