Expecting baby

kadison

I don't have kids but these are snippets based on what I've learned from friends or from buying for new parents:-

• Have lots and lots of babygros and nappies to begin with, about 14 babygros at least to allow two changes a day for a week or possibly more.
• In the first few weeks, there's no such thing as having too many clean nappies. I've been told Asda own brand are far superior to Pampers and much cheaper.
• Encourage friends (when buying clothes for the baby) to buy not just for newborn but for later months as well/instead.
• Two things you must NEVER buy second hand are car seats and cot mattresses, whoever they're from.
• Don't wake a sleeping baby except in an utter emergency, it's a bad BAD idea!
• If you have a cat or small dog/other animal, keep them out of the child's room and fit a guard to the cot just in case, some animals can snuggle up to a child's head and block the nose/mouth.
• Baby gro-bags are a fantastic invention but if you want to use a blanket, place the child with their feet at the bottom of the cot, put the blanket (unfolded) up as far as their chest and tuck the excess securely under the mattress.
• You don't need all the latest toys, a few toys that are clean, safe and that stimulate them is more than enough.
• Car seats should only be used for travelling, not as travel beds as they can cause the baby to stop breathing if used for an extended period of time. This is rare but something to be aware of.
• Never leave the baby unattended in water, however shallow, in any circumstances.
• You won't drop the baby.
• You can say pretty much anything to a little baby, so long as it's a soothing tone it won't matter if you're reading from a car magazine or a nursery rhyme, so save reading the boring kids stories for when they're older, read them what you want to read!
• The calmer you are, the calmer your baby is so try your best not to fret and fluster, this is easier said than done of course.
• Accept that your own body clock will have to change with theirs, at least to begin with.
• IKEA is a god send! If you have one, get down there!

Most importantly, remember that no-one is ever truly ready for parenthood so don't break your back trying to get every little thing done in time, it's far more important to pay attention to your partner and new baby.

Plus most of the above is common sense, don't use something for any purpose other than what it's designed for and don't leave the baby in an unattended room unless they're sleeping safely in their cot.

It's also a good idea to read up on post natal depression, a lot of women suffer from PND and it's always good to catch the signs early.

You should also be able to go to parenting classes to learn other things but just try to relax, you will be absolutely fine :A

FreddieFrugal

GwylimT wrote: »

Most people need no supplements during pregnancy.

ALL pregnant women should be taking Folic Acid + Vitamin D.

Folic acid especially as it reduces the risk of the baby developing a neural tube defect such as spinabifida or anencephaly.

400mcg is the standard amount, however if there's a history of neural tube defects in your family then this is increased to 5mg