Whether you're showing off family snaps or debating the latest celebrity baby names, social networking can be a new mother's best friend.
In fact a survey by Telstra found that three quarters of mums use Facebook every day and more than one in 10 use Twitter at least once a week.
But could the time spent on-line be better spent on your baby? Here's how to make social networking work for you and your family...
Facebook
Tanya Cooke, author of Help! I’m a Facebookaholic: Inside the Crazy World of Social Networking (Blake Publishing) says technology is a lifeline when you've had a baby, as Facebook helps keep you in touch with a network of friends and family.
Cooke Says "But where do you draw the line? 'Me time' is important, but not to the detriment of your children, so be mindful of the time you spend on the site."
Also, be mideful of the photos you post and make sure you have set your privacy settings high so that only friends can view family photos and posts.
Online forums
Yes, the internet is a great source of information and forums offer practical advice, but always consider the reliability of the source.
Although always check with your early childhood nurse or GP before acting on health advice for yourself or your baby from other mums. There are plenty of professional services that can help give you the quick response you are after (read Parents helpline for contact numbers).
Twitter
With Twitter, suddenly you can share your thoughts and even your birth with the world. Twitter's perfect for mums who want to read snappy updates by their favourite childcare experts or celeb mums, but it's also important to turn it off when you’re with your baby. So, instead of having it on constantly, give yourself a Twitter session when bub’s asleep and answer everyone’s tweets in one go.
Email
Between smartphones, laptops and tablets, it's never been easier to email your mummy mates, anywhere and anytime. But beware of non-stop inbox checking which can become addictive. It's good to create boundaries for yourself, such as setting a time to check emails, or answering them all at once, so your children get your undivided attention when you're with them.
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