Hints and tips for a new mum?

clw1

Buy Lansinoh nipple cream if breast feeding - it's the best one !

Use a sports cap water bottle for drinks while feeding as you always end up just too far away from a side table to pick up / put down the drink.

The first 8 weeks are really hard but it does get easier - you eventually get more sleep and you understand a bit more about how to care for the baby.

For at least the first 6 months you'll be so tired that you would pick a full nights sleep over a night with Brad Pitt - it's normal to feel like this !

Online shopping is brilliant for times when you don't want to or can't get out.

Ask for help and accept it when offered, if you feel bad about asking people to help with housework write a 'to do list' and then let them pick something from it.

You will be offered lot's of advice (often when it isn't wanted !) pick the bits of it that you like and ignore the rest.

Trust your instincts.

Buy lot's of dry hair shampoo for days when you don't have time for a shower before leaving the house.

It's quite normal in the first 3 months to still not be dressed at noon, and often to still not have managed it by 5pm !!

Let your partner help with the baby, yes it's prob faster and easier to do it yourself but he needs to learn how to do it all too. And you can use the time to have 5 mins to yourself.

Try to fit in some "me time" at least once a week away from the baby - go to the gym, have a massage, see a friend, lie in the bath with a book etc - you'll feel better for it.

pisces_cat

Make sure you get out the house, even if it is just a walk around the block/ garden. Fresh air will raise your spirits, help avoid PND and help baby recognise the difference between day and night

Don't speak to baby at night or be even slightly interesting - nothing happens at night except sleep (is the message, baby will get it eventually)

Write evrything down - first smile, first tooth etc you think you will never forget - but you do

Don't fall into the trap of doing everything yourself - if you are the only one who puts baby to bed you could end up being the only one who can put baby to bed - take turns with OH/ friend/ mother - otherwise you could end up not being able to have a night out til baby is over five!! Trust me, I know.....

If breast feeding make sure you drink lots and eat plenty - fennel tea can help milk supply

Baby doesn't care about fancy clothes and will be more comfortable in a sleepsuit - sleepsuits are not just for bed they are for all the time!

And for parenting in general - grown up children will not remember that the house was always dusted, but they will remember that you always had time to play.

babyshoes

Take lots of photos!

jb131

Remember there is no one "right" way to raise a baby. Ignore any unwanted advice! (which you will receive a lot of....)

If you plan on breastfeeding go to a breastfeeding cafe beforehand and make a note of the phone numbers of helplines (NCT, LLL, etc) in case you need some help

SDG31000

Oh, one I forgot earlier....write everything down in the baby record books as it happens. I ended up with 3 each for my two monsters and none of them are complete. Filling them in later doesn't work as you are so sleep deprived that you can't remember what day it is now.

honeypop

I started a thread pretty much the same a few years back, lots of helpful and handy tips on there:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/453214=

ema_o

emsywoo123 wrote: »

Good Lord we should all a write a book :rotfl::rotfl:

I would buy it!!

I can echo the "Sleep when the baby sleeps" advice. OH's sister did this and she wasn't sleep deprived at all!!

Also if friends want to visit say "you are welcome to bring dinner / come over and make us dinner if you want", my friends OH did this to everyone who visited. I was delighted to be asked actually cos I was wondering what I could do to help

hitatotatus

Don't waste your money buying millions of toys, teething rings, beanie babies, clothes. Save your money for when they are older and need piano lessons, karate, swimming, extra tuition, school trips, sweets and treats, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.............. neverending. :eek:

clairec79

As far as the baby is concerned however you do things is the way they should be, so you put on a nappy back to front he'll think that's the way they go. You put the babygro on upside down (and think how nifty it is that they com with built in mittens but need socks) and they'll think it's a fault at the designers not with you.

Also it's why baby's can't talk - so they can't tell tales on you! Every new parent makes minor mistakes but babies are tougher than we give them credit for and you won't break them

elfen

If your bfing and baby latches onto OH, you are more than allowed to laugh at the look of pain and terror on his face as he realises how much it must hurt you sometimes!