jamie lynn spearsFamily and friends of Jamie Lynn Spears have said they’re in no doubt that the 17 year old actress will be a good mum to newborn daughter Maddie Briann.

Jamie-Lynn gave birth to the 7lbs 11oz baby girl yesterday morning (local time) and contrary to reports of a Caesarian section, OK magazine has confirmed that the Zoey 101 star gave birth naturally and without complications.

A spokesperson for Jamie Lynn said yesterday: “Both mom and baby are healthy and happy.

“They are surrounded by their close relatives, including Jamie Lynn’s older sister Britney, mother Lynne, father Jamie and brother Bryan.”

More distant relatives and other people from around their family’s hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana have been speaking to the press about the arrival.

A family friend told People magazine: “We’re so excited for her. She’ll be a great mom. She’ll be awesome.”

Distant cousin Margie Busby added: “She’s awfully young to be a momma. But that’s what they make [grandmothers] for. They have to help. That’s the way it is with our circle of friends.”

On new dad Casey Aldridge’s side of the family, a cousin explained that the couple will be well and truly relieved that the birth is over: “It seemed like this day would never come. They’ve been getting ready, but everything was pretty much done by last month. So they just had to wait.”

Another source claimed that Jamie-Lynn became increasingly stressed as the birth approached, worrying about how she would cope during labour, but soothing words from her mum and big sister helped calm her down.

For Casey though, his nerves kicked in after the birth: “He was so scared when the midwife handed him the baby for the first time - he was convinced he was going to drop her!”

Jamie Lynn and baby Maddie are expected to stay in hospital over the weekend.