To ask your best baby tips?

[BroodyTroody]

A Christmas tips thread has just got me thinking...

What is your one golden nugget of genius advice for a new mum, either something specific I should do, or an invaluable item I should by?

Thank you!

[BroodyTroody]

Oh for god sake- something I should BUY!

[HaveToWearHeels]

Your baby has not read the books, go with what makes you and your baby happy.

[gordyslovesheep]

all uninvited 'advice' is just criticism in disguise - ignore it

[HellsBellsnBucketsofBlood]

Try to leave the house at least once per day - if only to go into the garden/sit on the front step. It is not good to be cooped up all the time.

[Writerwannabe83]

My tip : Move to Asia.

Apparently over there they discharge mums from the hospitals (after birth) with a bottle of light sedative to 'help the baby sleep'

This came straight from the mouth of an Asian mother who gave birth over there

[CailinDana]

This is said a lot on MN but I must state that my dh thought of it before I ever read it on here - vests have an envelope neck so that they can be pulled down as well as up. Avoid pooey hair for your baby!

If you're bfing learn to feed lying down as soon as you can. More sleep!

[arethereanyleftatall]

Throw away every parenting book, and do whatever you think is best.
Oh - can I do two please?
Don't potty train until they're ready. I have no idea why people do it sooner. Then, there's no training involved, they just do it.

[Stinkyminkymoo]

^^ this about the vests! Dd is 15 months and I only just discovered this how I wish I had known all those months ago!

[Brandnewmamma]

White Noise App

Babygro's that button the whole way down

A baby bath with a thermometer in it

Insulating bag for bottles

If getting a moses basket.. get the largest you can.. use pillowcases instead of special sheets

water wipes are handy for when you're not at home

bouncer chair and some children's CDs

lots and lots of bibs and muslin cloths

storage boxes and a label maker - to organise clothes into ages as you get gifts / pick things up in sales etc.. this is my one best tip aswell as a notepad for thank you cards on the fridge

[AnythingNotEverything]

More child rearing in general than baby specific, but don't let the guilt in! As mum to a teenager and a newborn I can honestly say there isn't a day goes by where I don't feel guilty for something. Don't let it eat you up! We can only do our best.

[Weasleyismyking]

Babies don't need bathing every night.

Best item we bought was a travel cot pop up tent thing that can also be used as a sunshade (although we never have). It folds down really small and is so much easier to deal with and transport than normal travel cots.

[RaxacoricofallapatorianCatpuss]

Firstly, listen to everyone's advice, mull it over and then do exactly what you feel is the right thing to do.
Secondly, NEVER say "my child will NEVER" or "I will NEVER allow"... It will ALWAYS come back and bite you on the arse! Always keep an open mind.

[MsVestibule]

Pretty much nothing is indispensable! We didn't need a Moses basket as the carry cot sufficed. We used Milton tablets rather then a steamer steriliser (or whatever they're called, can't remember now).

We lived and breathed baby books for the first few weeks - it helped us feel as though we had some sort of control over the situation! Eventually we settled on the Gina Ford routine although she is the devil incarnate for some.

But probably the best tip is don't be too hard on yourself. I used to beat myself up because I didn't read to DD when she was only a few weeks old - I read an article that they should have visual and mental stimulation from a very young age and was worried I was failing her!!! Really, I should have been congratulating myself on ensuring we both survived the day.

[Weasleyismyking]

Well I never knew that about the vests!

brandnewmamma apart from the bibs and a few Muslins we didn't buy or need anything on your list. Not saying you're wrong or I'm right, just showing how many different ways there are

[Truffkin]

Best one I learned is to button sleepsuits up to the crotch before hanging them up to dry as it's much quicker to dress the baby than faffing about trying to match up the poppers once it's on!

[bluecheeseforbreakfast]

Cuddle them all the time, it's lovely and the baby relaxes :)

[shezzle]

Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, do what feels natural and enjoy every second you can with your baby. Master surface cleaning and bunging things in cupboards so you have more time to play! It took me three babies to actually follow the advice of have a nap when your baby naps, even half and hour helps when you have had a long sleepless night. As your baby grows a little older they may choose to wake repeatedly in the night to play,try to make it 'boring' and keep the lights low, this is supposed to encourage them to go back to sleep. Worked like a dream with my first two. My third however defies any advice I have ever been given- yet I am more relaxed if a little dishevelled One more little thing, you do not have to leave your baby to cry to teach them to sleep if you don't want to. Having a whinge for a short time before dropping off is quite normal for many babies but sobbing themselves to sleep is not good.

[UrethraFranklin]

Yes yes yes HaveToWearHeels agreed. Babies will not abide by the books

Assuming you are pregnant? Don't have a huge plan set up for how your labour will be. I had the plan of a nice natural labour with minimal pain relief in my head. I wasn't far away from an emergency section

First few days - definitely nap at any given oppurtunity (kept me sane). If someone offers to take the baby so you can sleep, take them up on it - amazing to have a peaceful sleep.

My one must buy would be my angelcare monitor but that's just because I'm very paranoid and PFB

[Fakebook]

My newborns have all cried when changing their nappies. I mean really scream, so to quicken the whole process I put a clean nappy under the baby ready in position and then take off the dirty nappy, quick wipe, take it away and just close the new nappy. Takes seconds and baby doesn't end up screaming.

Take loads of pictures and videos of your baby during those first days. They grow up too quickly!

[Twattyzombiebollocks]

My best advice for any new parent is be prepared to wing it. Parenting in the first 6 months is about 80% making decisions in desperation, and the following 6 months is dealing with the fallout.

[Twattyzombiebollocks]

Oh, and the sleep when the baby sleeps thing. I didn't do it the first two times, 3rd baby is nearly 10 months and I'm still having a lovely nap with her in the morning :0) wish I had done it with previous babies, I would have been much less frazzled.

[bellybuttonfairy]

I like the advice of cuddling them all the time. Its a great excuse for demanding other people do things for you as you cant possibly move. The baby is fast asleep on my chest after crying for
ages so could you get me a cup of tea/remote control/cheese and pickle sandwich.

[BoffinMum]

I spent 60p on a baby sleep app on iTunes with DC4 and was amazed how well it worked.

[Dollybird86]

twattyzombiebollocks i love this! my dd is almost 3 weeks old this is what my life consist of currently.

My advice would be make meals and put them in the freezer but make things you can eat with 1 hand or dont taste awful a bit cold my dd will not be put down she will just look at you with a why are you not cuddling me face and then scream until she is picked up!

Oh and invest in a big thermal mug! Luke warm coffee just doesn't do it after 3 hours sleep.

[LittleBearPad]

Be kind to yourself.