Top tips/secrets needed for new parents

squashy

I did it differently with both of mine. With my first I went all "Gina Ford" and tried to ignore the crying, minimum cuddles, strict feeding routine, battling to get baby to sleep alone etc...and looking back it was a pretty rough time as I felt I was failing when i couldn't master the techniques.

With my second I discovered the wonders of co-sleeping, that way my baby could be breastfed sleepily on demand with minimum disturbance, baby was happy, mum was happy- we were generally more relaxed even though we were feeding more often than GF et al recommend, becuase I wasn't watching the clock constantly or wondering if I was breaking the rules. Someone else said it- you can't make a rod for your own back with a newborn baby. Instict is instict so both of you should be led by it IMO.

LilMissEmmylou

dont listen to people when they try to tell you how to do things - its your baby and you will find your own way of doing stuff. e.g. controlled crying may work for some, but if its not for you dont feel pressured into it - and as for Gina Ford as mentioned above - chuck that book in the bin lol her book drove me nuts lol.

get lots and lots of cotton wool! its cheaper than wipes and lasts longer.

if u use reuseables, wait till after the black poo is done coming out and then use them (and if ur not thinking about reuseables, give them a though they honestly are fab!)

dont let people tell you when to wean your baby - it drives me nuts too! do it when you know your baby is ready.

buy minimal clothes for when baba is born. Im talking at most 7 vests, 7 baby grows. You will be amaized how much you will get!

if u breastfeed, it can be hard, it can be uncomfertable but if you work at it it can save so much time making bottles (although i can remember crying my eyes out at the start) and dont be affraid of nipple shields, nipple confusion is a pile of twaddle if u ask me

dont be affraid to accept offers to clean ur house, put ur washing on etc - people really dont mind and it will really help u.

try not to get frustraited at how much more you do in comparison to hubby.

Horasio

It is nearly 20 years ago since I had a baby but it is like yesterday.

Feed on demand. If you breast feed, your body tends to match the demand. I don't advise letting babies cry too long but you don't need to jump up immediately every time (so long as you think they are safe!) Colic can be frustrating and all you can do is to let them cry it out:(

Don't let health people fob you off if you think your baby isn't well, goto A&E if in doubt!

Also, put a towel or cloth on your shoulder when you let them rest their chin on your shoulder, should they spit up all over the back of your top.

When they are babies they sleep so much, that you can rest in between feeds or if you have energy, resume your life at home.

Sometime they cry if you stay too long when you go to see them. He wouldn't stop crying, so we left him to it - it stopped immediately!:D

My son was a good sleeper, so was able to keep on top of the chores etc. It was a great time:)

The hard work begins when they can walk!

janiedoll_2

Hi Honeypop - this is a REALLY good idea!

If i was to do it again (but i prob won't) this is what I would do differently:

Accept all the help you can get! I was really clingy with my newborn and my sister had to rescue him one morning at 2am when I insisted I wasn't too tired to feed him and almost fell off the bed with exhaustion!!!!! Scary!

Let your baby get used to being with other people. I'm convinced that my 5 year old is so sociable and such a clear speaker because he spent time with other people (mostly adults for a while). He has hardly ever been clingy with me (unless he is ill) so I don't feel guilty about leaving him with my friends or relatives if I need to.

Give yourself treats. I notice someone else mentioned how long a newborn sleeps for - make the most of it! If you know at the end of the day (or whenever u can fit it in) that you can have a nice soak in the bath with a glass of wine, it will keep you going for the rest of the day! We all need things to look forward to.

Socialise. I didn't go to any mother and baby groups at all and I feel I missed out! Mind you, I had the wisdom of my mum (I miss you mum) to fall back on then - it's annoying how many times she was right!

THE_MIDDLEMAN

vaio wrote: »

If they get a cold and get stuck to the pillow with snot warm water will dissolve it

I have been reading this amazing thread (at work - tsk tsk) for 30 mins now.

I love it thank you all - I am really nervous but excited about becoming a Dad for the 1st time.

But the post above made me laugh so much - mainly due to the fact I could see myself standing there with baby in arms and pillow stuck to his / her face not knowing what to do ...lmao

Thanks to everyone

alwaysonthego_2

as a other poster said it is not a good idea to put a child in second hand shoes but second hand clothing can save you loads

Snaggles

If your baby has dry skin, massage them with ordinary vaseline or olive oil, both work really well.

Justie

This is a great thread - thanks to the OP for starting it off and for all the contributions :T

lady_noluck

1. When you sneeze you suddenly find your legs look like twigs in a golden Niagra Falls.

2. You can squirt milk 40ft across a crowded room, dilute your tea without leaving the sofa and drown a man by lying on top of him.

3. Baring your nipples in a gentle breeze is like dipping your breasts is sulphuric acid.

4. You feel like you've sh*t a melon, then you realise your flaps are so far apart you could smuggle 4 out of Tesco and still have room for an apple.

5. Your rectal area looks like a Fench vineyard minus the beautiful evening sunset.

6. You can achieve a JLO bum just by tucking your excess belly skin into the back of your well padded undercrackers.

7. Instead of having a bath after the birth, take a blow torch to your lady garden. The pain is the same but you don't have the worry of drying with what feels like steel wool afterwards.

8. Advise the "sperm donor" to wear protective clothing during the birth as you will want to crush his "babymaking bags" with your bare hands. His advice of " that's it honey, just breathe" is grounds to maim him with whatever's to hand incuding a large pair of forceps.

9. Invest in shares in Kleenex. You'll cry so much over the first few weeks you'll lose half your body weight through your eyes, even if you're just watching Deal or No Deal.

10. The biggest secret of all!! You'll forget all of this after about 6 weeks until you hear the words "yep, that's definately 2 blue lines".................:eek: :eek: :eek:

Justie

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: