Best advice for new mums

Hmmm.. see I never used an app (I think writing things down constantly seems stress inducing), didn't get sore nipples for some reason, and dislike eating in bed!

It really is so personal.

I wanted to co sleep and both my babies breastfed constantly, day and night. It worked well for me and felt v natural.

My sister just had a baby and BFing didn't work for her, and the thought of co-sleeping appalls her. She's happy, baby's happy!

I'd say to trust your instincts, to listen to advice but tomake the decisions that sit right with you. Also, remember that Everything is a phase.

I think we tend to over complicate things and we're biologically primed to be mums, so should go with our feelings. We know our baby best.

All that said, I'm a mum of a girly with severe food allergies who was fobbed off for the 1st year of her life as she developed horrible eczema, reflux and experienced anaphylaxis several times.
So, my advice would be to push back if ever ignored by health care professionals and to treat any eczema early and aggressively (as it is now thought that eczema and a damaged skin barrier causes food allergies in the 1st 6 months of life).

1. find a local IBCLC and see them as soon as possible (if wanting to bf)
2. get a private tongue tie check as soon as possible just to rule out any issues early on
3. dont let anyone who visits leave without making and then washing up their own cup of tea! (Edit to add - and to make and wash up yours as well!)

It’s so personal. Don’t get too much stuff beforehand. A Moses basket was invaluable to me, but didn’t suit others.

Yeah same as PP only the snacks would have helped me from your list OP.

The advice I got that turned out to be relevant and helpful:

• get an epidural

This. A lot of advice is well meaning but so personal.
For example, I absolutely despise co-sleeping and it just didn’t work for me or my baby. The next to me cot was fab and we got plenty of sleep.

so my advice would be understand all the options, and work out what is best for your family.

See, aside from the bedside snacks none of the advice given so far would have worked for me for either of mine. Gave up on huckleberry after day 1, nipples were fine, both babies slept in the next to me so didn't need/want to cosleep.

My advice would be to listen to advice but ultimately do what works for you/your baby/your household (unless it's safety advice eg around car seats/safe sleeping which should be followed).

Don't even bother with a cot or moses basket. Just put a mattress on the floor away from the wall, get an adult slumbersac suit and bedshare safely. And if breastfeeding, feed lying down so you can doze while they feed. No crying, no stress, more sleep for everyone.