Please or to access all these features

Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Tips for Kate: which invaluable piece of new-mum advice would you pass on? Please share it here, or Tweet to #tips4kate

142 replies

HelenMumsnet · 22/07/2013 14:55

So, the royal baby has finally arrived ? congrats, Will and Kate!

Anyone with even moderately republican leanings should probably look away now ? and, by look away, we mean from everything: internet, telly, newspapers, billboards, the works. The next few weeks are set fair to be a veritable fiesta of regality.

Which is ironic, in a way, because there are surely few experiences more levelling than that of giving birth and its immediate aftermath. No matter how much money you have, or how many attendants dancing errm attendance, at the end of the day, it's just you and your baby.

With that in mind, let's offer a helping hand to a fellow new mother ? indeed, to all the new mothers out there. What would be the single invaluable piece of advice you'd share on the early days ? and long nights ? with a newborn?

Post it on the thread, or better yet, Tweet it with the hashtag #tips4kate. We'll make up a book of our favourites, and pass it on to her ? and we'll ensure that your suggestions are given a permanent home on the site, too.

So go on, share: what helped you through?

OP posts:
angelfire · 22/07/2013 23:20

Enjoy your baby
You will know him better than anyone else so don't let others tell you what to do

Congratulations - this is such lovely news

WafflyVersatile · 22/07/2013 23:13

Try not to get offended when Phil tells you the baby looks common and must get that from your side.

WafflyVersatile · 22/07/2013 23:12

Try to avoid performance parenting in Waitrose unless you want another thread about you.

Sharptic · 22/07/2013 23:11

Congratulations!

No-one told me that a new baby did not know when to sleep and doesn't understand tiredness.

I didn't k
now that a newborn needs to sleep at least every 1 - 1.5 hours, any longer will lead to an overtired, unsettled baby.

Look out for your tired baby and help them sleep whichever way you find works for your baby. Then enjoy cuddling and looking at that sleeping baby in your arms because that is precious and he will be at school before you know it!

WafflyVersatile · 22/07/2013 23:10

Don't let breastfeeding stop you from getting out and about, just wear easily accessible tops for feeding on the go.

WafflyVersatile · 22/07/2013 23:08

Ha, yes.

Join MN. We have great advice for dealing with overbearing matriarchs-in-law
#tipsforkate

WafflyVersatile · 22/07/2013 23:06

She did her time in the Wrens, fixing jeeps in the war, Turnip.

Turnipvontrapp · 22/07/2013 22:56

Ha ha, just picturing when the Queen visits, asking her to clean the loo or empty the bin. Bet she would too, after the Olympic parachuting with James Bond, she seems up for anything!

NorksAreMessy · 22/07/2013 22:51

Come and join MN, somebody has the answer to every problem or worry at any time of day or night.

Turnipvontrapp · 22/07/2013 22:48

Hairdryers on full blast (cold setting) work a treat for colic. DH and I had one either side of the bed and took it in turns turning it on and off throughout the night. DS stopped crying the second it was switched on - magic! Grin

WafflyVersatile · 22/07/2013 22:46

When you get visitors and they ask if there is anything they can do, take them up on it. Get them to fill the dishwasher or clean the bathroom.

BikeRunSki · 22/07/2013 22:43

Stay in hospital as long as you want!

Pawprint · 22/07/2013 22:23

Don't listen to +bitches+ like my SIL who bossily told me to get my baby into a routine from birth. Fuck 'em.

OliviaLMumsnet · 22/07/2013 22:18

@joanofarchitrave

[imagining enormous MNHQ lever and Justine shouting 'REVEAL THE THREAD' while Olivia and Rachel leap up and heave it down together]

Blush No cheeky spies in the Lindo wing or anything.
Was nothing like as exciting as a golden easel something a bit like this Grin

Anyway, my tip to Kate is: rock your baby, cos babies don't keep.

Crown The best days are when babies come. Crown

PenelopeChipShop · 22/07/2013 22:17

Listen to your instincts. Cuddle, snuggle, love.

Forget the waiting world. At the moment you're first and foremost a mum and the centre of your son's universe. Nothing else matters now.

DameFanny · 22/07/2013 22:13

Don't use cotton wool on boys - it shreds on their scrotum and you spend ages picking bits out. Just use a damp cloth. Cashmere perhaps.

NonnoMum · 22/07/2013 22:11

Have a go with the washable nappies by all means, but if you do get fed up with leaky explosions all over the royal christening gown chose to go for the disposables, Lidl's are by far the best value...

necklaceofraindrops · 22/07/2013 22:09

Whoever said Lansinoh - I agree 100% Smile

FunnysInLaJardin · 22/07/2013 21:45

enjoy your lovely boy!

GobblersKnob · 22/07/2013 21:45

Log yourself onto mumsnet and kiss the next five years goodbye Grin

FishfingersAreOK · 22/07/2013 21:42

No-one ever, ever looks back and thinks "wow, I wish I had made more cups of tea/tidied up more/worn make up 3 days post birth".

Many new parents may look back and think "I wish I had cuddled them more when they were tiny."

Cuddle your baby. Your son.

You are allowed to say "Can I have him back now" if someone is having a cuddle. They can make the tea.

NonnoMum · 22/07/2013 21:42

It's OK to stare and stare at your beautiful baby for hours on end...

AtYourCervix · 22/07/2013 21:39

Pelvic floor exercises.

FOREVER!

AtYourCervix · 22/07/2013 21:34

Aftenoon nap.

The nights aren't quite so painful if you get a couple of hours in the afternoon.

MissStrawberry · 22/07/2013 21:31

I demand an answer from MNHQ GrinCrownGrin.