Mumsnet users share the things they wish they'd known as a first time parent with ALDI Mamia

[YanaMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed.

With a lot to learn and a complete change in lifestyle, becoming a parent for the first time can feel overwhelming. Learning from the experiences of seasoned parents can make things a little bit less scary, so ALDI Mamia would like to hear about the things you wish you’d known as a first time parent, and would share as tips for those expecting their first child.

Here’s what ALDI Mamia has to say: “The goal of our award-winning Mamia range is to help mums navigate all stages of their baby’s first years. One way we do that is by making our amazing, top-quality nappies affordable for families. But now we need you! This is your chance to help future first-time mums by sharing all the things you’ve learnt over the years. Maybe you’ll pick up some new tips for you next one while you’re at it.”

Do you wish you’d been warned beforehand about how emotional the experience would be? Is there anything you wish you’d been told you didn’t really need? Perhaps you wish you’d been told of the things you could save money on without compromising quality for your baby? Is there anything you’ve learned since your children were born that would have been helpful while you were expecting?

Whatever you wish you’d known as a first time parent, share it on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 ALDI voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

[BristolMum96]

That there is no need to ever wake a sleeping baby!

[voyager50]

With a newborn, if you have a choice between getting things done around the house whilst the baby is asleep, or sleeping yourself, take the sleep option every time - you never know when the next chance will come!

[tinseltitsandlittlegits]

Lol I wish I'd know that vicks Under your nostrils makes even the most explosive nappy change bearable 🤣

[Tracylm85]

I wish I’d known not to stress about the small things like housework and not feel guilty for cuddling my baby for naps

[Gibbus]

There is no such thing as spoiling a baby, enjoy those cuddles they're only little once. Also, most baby vests can be pulled down over the body to get off, saving getting the contents of an explosive nappy in baby's hair

[rosiebaah]

That I didn't have to change a nappy as soon as the yellow line turned blue! We were in hospital for 5 days and it was only on day 4 when the midwife checked him over and as I was putting his nappy on, the line turned blue straight away and I started changing him again and she gently told me I didn't need to and he would be fine for an hour or two. I dread to think of what ridiculous cycle of never ending nappy changing I would have been in if left to my own devices

[rosiebaah]

That I didn't have to change a nappy as soon as the yellow line turned blue! We were in hospital for 5 days and it was only on day 4 when the midwife checked him over and as I was putting his nappy on, the line turned blue straight away and I started changing him again and she gently told me I didn't need to and he would be fine for an hour or two. I dread to think of what ridiculous cycle of never ending nappy changing I would have been in if left to my own devices

[Sextioned]

How many times a day a baby poos to start with. Poor DS had a sore bottom as we were always caught unawares not realising how frequent they would be.

How OTT protective I would feel and how to deal with that with other people without showing my neuroticism. Hormonal I guess and nothing I could do about it but I would have liked tips for handling it better.
Also just being aware of what worries I might have in advance - NCT was useless for that (thankfully we got a good bunch to make up for the lack of helpful preparation!)

[AllNewThings]

I wish I'd known just to trust my instincts and not feel I had to take on everyones advice and do everything by the book. Such a lot of unnecessary stress and pressure. I was so much more chilled with our other DC.

[JellyJean]

That during a nappy change you can lift up the vest and popper it over one of baby's shoulders to keep it and other clothes out the way and secure during the change - complete game changer for us when we realised it!

[LittlemissAWOL]

That everyone does things differently and if you follow everyone's advice you will drive yourself insane. What works for one family may not work for yours.

[LittlemissAWOL]

Oh and that 99% of the prefect parenting you see on social media is bullshit!

[m0jit0]

Worry less about keeping the house clean, enjoy the newborn cuddles (especially with child number 1 as with child number 2 there won't be the time to lie in the sofa with them sleeping on your chest as you will be looking after number 1!).

[Theimpossiblegirl]

I wish I'd known that other mums felt lonely too. I was quite isolated with my first and lacked the confidence to start up conversations at baby groups etc.

[yellowmelon]

That I didn't need to be scared. Also - putting a poo screen up behind the changing table is a good idea.

[MumC2141]

That some babies just don’t sleep well and you have to do what works for you and them, which might not be the way you had intended the sleeping arrangements.

[Fancyateapottea]

How much I was going to love it!!

Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t the easiest ride, but I really love being a Mum! I was so worried when I was pregnant and hearing all about PND, Sleepless nights and never ending responsibility, that I worried I’d made a mistake. When my son was born I knew straight away that I hadn’t and I wish I hadn’t worried so much!

[lymphopenia]

That you'll starting doubting yourself over the silliest things only to then give in and stop caring what others think and just roll with what works for you all as a family!

That and that the epidural was not as painful as I expected it to be and so so worth it

[mamamemmmer]

That you could take a vest off without going over the head (saved me from some awful poo explosions!).

[PickledChicory]

That a nappy disposal system is just a bin with plastic wrapper and not the panacea I thought it was.
You should try your fancy travel system in your boot first to see if it fits
When they are ready to toilet train they do it themselves...This is rubbish. You cant make an omelette without cracking eggs and you cant toilet train without some wee on the floor.

[Gin4thewin]

Babies do everything at their own rate and you shouldn't compare them to other babies the same age and then worry if your baby is behind.

[1moreRep]

there is no problem switching brands of nappies/ wipes/ shampoo and that price is not an indicator of quality

[StonersPotPalace]

How much kids injure you 🤣

[vampirethriller]

That other people's opinions don't matter because it's your baby not theirs. That if you're doing your best then that's all that matters. And I wish I'd known about SPD and how it can go on being a problem long after the baby is born.

[StillThatBitch]

That the shoulders of vests fold down so you don't have to pull poo explosion clothing over your baby's head.

That I wasted months trying to get my first to sleep in his crib for naps...just sod the housework and snooze together. The years really do disappear and I regret not making the most of those snuggly times.

That my second wasn't just screaming through colic/'one of those things' and I wasn't just a paranoid mother as my GP implied - she actually has a dairy allergy and was screaming with the pain! Wish I'd found out before she was 16 months though as they were some rough sleepless months.

That I didn't need to rush out and sign up for every class in the world. The sensory ones are a waste of time and money before 3-4 months, swimming could have waited til much much later, and they shouldn't advertise these things as from newborn. Some days relaxing at home are important for you and baby too.

A swaddle really helped when my first couldn't sleep due to an extra sensitive startle reflex, he needed it for quite a long time. I wish I'd known about them before buying a mobile, white noise machine, countless sleeping bags and blankets etc etc.