Melissa Suffield

“Stop obsessing over milestones. He’ll talk in his own time (no really, once he starts, he never stops), and you’re missing the now. Stop worrying about tomorrow and enjoy today. You made a really good one, and you’re doing a really good job. He’s going to continue to amaze you and you’ll wish you’d never spent so much time stressing about it.”

Melissa Suffield shares empowering body confidence lessons via @the.confidentmama on Instagram.

Anna McNuff

“I wish I could tell my younger self that motherhood is the greatest transition she will ever have to navigate through.

“The changes are monumental. There’s a societal pressure to ‘not let kids change you’, but that’s ridiculous because they change everything. Your body, your sense of self, your friendships, the relationship between you and your partner. Every. Single. Thing.

“There will be a lot of grieving for your past life, and for the person you were before tiny humans came along. You will wonder if that person is ever coming back, because you miss her. But I’d assure her that this is all part of the journey, she just needs to sit tight and know that she will find herself again one day. And that motherhood ‘you’ will be more badass and wise than ever. Because she is a goddess.

“Above all, I would look my younger self in the eyes, hold her hands and say, ‘You’re doing a fantastic job.’ Because that’s what every new mum needs to hear.”

Anna McNuff is an adventurer, endurance athlete, author and the frank voice behind the Restless Mumma Substack.

Jo Morey

“Stop rushing and slow down. Nothing lasts very long on the parenting journey, even the most difficult and tearful moments. It all shifts faster than you will ever fathom, so stop trying to control everything (or anything) and just try to enjoy the ride.”

Jo Morey’s debut novel, The Night Lagoon, is out on 3 July.

Laura Whitmore

“Don’t listen to all the unwarranted advice – shut out the noise. Your maternal intuition is stronger than you think.”

Laura Whitmore, presenter, author and stage star, is currently appearing in Apex Predator at Hampstead Theatre until 26 April.

23 brilliant women reveal the parenting advice they’d give their younger selves