Top tips/secrets needed for new parents

libbydoll

don't compare your baby to other peoples babies. It'll drive you mad. I have a friend who is constantly worried that her baby isn't as big, as active, as intelligent, doesn't have as many teeth, hair, clothes!! as other babies the same age............who cares!!!! they are all different and will do their own thing when the time is right. Just love them for being yours.

emma_b_4

im not a mummy yet (will be sooon!) but was a nanny for years and learnt that babaies and toddlers dont need so many toys, they want to play with all the "real" things. ask your health visitor about treasure baskets, or google it. basically its a collection of real objects for baby (eg, pegs, nail brush, whick etc) in a basket. cheaper than the latest flashing singing thing that they grow out of in a week
keep your "baby bag" stocked, replace nappies and wipes that you have used and then when your in a rush you dont have to start packing a bag.
love this thread x

Bun

If it gets too much, leave the room and count to ten.......

Hapless_2

Don't feel guilty if you can't breastfeed. If the breastfeeding nazi's have a go, ignore them, you do what is best for you and the baby.

TheWaltons_3

Hapless wrote: »

Don't feel guilty if you can't breastfeed. If the breastfeeding nazi's have a go, ignore them, you do what is best for you and the baby.

I agree with this - I breast fed my first for a few weeks but was stuck in all day everyday with my baby at my boob, getting very fed up and unhappy as I couldn't get a bath... do anything at all!

Do not be made to feel bad.

When putting sudocrem on, use a small amount of baby oil too - it makes the sudocrem spread easier, last longer and baby has lovely soft bum!

Sarahsaver

Frequent local independent charity shops as you will often find they give you a few 'extras' as a valued customer. They got more back anyway as I gave them my kids' baby clothes when they had finished with them. Also ask around friends, I have a sort of hand-me-down chain going on with friends' kids

TheWaltons_3

Check out your library - they have toys there that you can use.. like the library.. but you get toys instead!!

Don't waste money on Gimmicks - like bottle warmers, nappy bins that wrap the nappies for you...

dianadors

If you are out and about with no where to warm a baby bottle, shove it down your cleavage for 10 mins!
Dont let the Health Visitors get you paranoid. I had the most useless HV's in all the land! Every question I asked received a response that started with " Well the book says........" I ended up just getting the book. They told me I didnt have enough milk to breastfeed, when infact the problem was that I had too much (baby wouldnt breastfeed because it was pouring down her throat) I ended up expressing and feeding via bottle for 6 months. They got me paranoid about her eating, when it was just normal for her.
Muslin Squares - a god send. Lie your baby girl on these when changing her so that the piddle doesnt run up her back and soaking her clothes. Have one handy when changing your baby boy so that you can throw it over him if he "sprays" to save your clothes from getting soaked!

vik6525

Dont feel pressured into buying loads of 'stuff'... Babies dont need half the stuff we're told they do... and chill. like really chill. I was SO uptight when i had the ginger nipper that i forgot to enjoy a lot of it. something i really regret now.. yes they cry, yes they keep you up at night, yes they can be blinking annoying at times, but kids and babies are absolutly amazing.
Oh, and theres no 'right' or 'wrong' way to do anything... just do whats right for you...

nej

Becles wrote: »

Sorry - had to comment.

You should never put a child in second hand shoes.

Childrens feet bones are very soft and easily damaged. Many children have quirky walking habits - such as walking on their tip toes or the sides of their feet, and the shoe moulds to the foot. Sometimes the damage to the shoe is not obvious.

If you put your child in second hand shoes, you can cause damage to their feet which will last them a lifetime.

If Clarks and other brand name fitted shoes are too expensive, learn how to fit shoes yourself, and buy from cheaper shops like Asda.

Thanks for the tip, Becles, I'll have a look around some other places.