Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

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:
TheMagicKeyCanFuckOff · 22/07/2013 21:30

It's not making a rod for your own back, they are a beautiful, helpless little baby. Do whatever you need to make sure YOU are happy and as un exhausted as is possible with a newborn and let routines and general life slide as long as the baby is loved, safe and has his needs met. It's natural to struggle and be prepared for a drop in adrenaline and a 'I gave birth to a BABY? My life has been changed forever? Can I swap it for a gerbil?' type moment and if you can't cope- seek help. Don't be a martyr, enjoy childhood and make sure childhood is enjoyable for your son.

Limelight · 22/07/2013 21:26

Trust your instincts. He's your boy and if you think it's the right thing to do, it probably is.

Congratulations my love and welcome to the best adventure you'll ever have. BrewThanksWine

AtYourCervix · 22/07/2013 21:25

You cannot spoil babies by holding them. Hold him. Cuddle him. Love him.

SoYo · 22/07/2013 21:23

You can't spoil a baby

DeeLighted · 22/07/2013 21:23

When baby wakes in the night, try BFing lying down with him. You'll be asleep in minutes and he will too once he's had his fill.

Following safe co sleeping guidelines obvs.

Baby will want to be near you (on you) all the time so just go with it. Slings and letting him doze on you make for a happy baby.

MalcolmTuckerSwearsBy · 22/07/2013 21:23

Take sleep when you can, take advice with a pinch of salt and take lots and lots of everday family photos. They grow up so very fast, faster than you can possibly imagine today, so enjoy every second and record as much as you can And when you are not enjoying it, let your mum take over and you have a good cry, very cathartic.

mrscog · 22/07/2013 21:20

Yes I did think that Dondrapers, but put it anyway for the mortals - it was one of the most useful items in the house for that messy post partum stage!

BonaDea · 22/07/2013 21:19

Just let the baby sleep on you if you have to. Sleep's sleep and you need it.

If bf'ing and it starts rocky, stick at it and get expert help. It's the best thing I've ever done.

Many congrats.

NonnoMum · 22/07/2013 21:19

And, if you call him Tyler, I will be your servant for every...

NonnoMum · 22/07/2013 21:19

Make sure you don't tell everyone straight away, but keep your baby to yourself for a good few private Mummy-Daddy-baby cuddles.

Oh, you've done that! Well done.
Grin

joanofarchitrave · 22/07/2013 21:18

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

Equip yourself with some earplugs (for you) and ear defenders (for the baby) if you're at all concerned re church bell/21 gun salute racket.

Don't in any way be focused on 'getting back to normal' in the early weeks and don't give in to the Daily Mail pressure to be doing so. I like the '4th trimester' idea. Get used to your new normal.

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 22/07/2013 21:17

I don't think the Duchess has to worry about people not emptying the tiny bathroom bin before it overflows. Grin

But that is a good tip for we mere mortals.

HoneyDragon · 22/07/2013 21:16

They're meant to roll off a bed once. That's natures way of letting you know it's time to start child proofing.

After the 150th witty reference to the baby having more hair than William you no longer have to pretend to laugh and are legally allowed to bludgeon them to death with a brick filled nappy bag.

mrscog · 22/07/2013 21:15

Get yourself a large 'swing bin of doom' for the first few weeks, bung any dirty nappies, breast pads, maternity pads in it and empty it daily. We had one in our landing and it was just so much better than trying to cram stuff in to a tiny bathroom bin.

Ignore anyone who tells you to get your DS in to a feeding regime - feed on demand, and cuddle on demand. You cannot spoil a baby!

LostInWales · 22/07/2013 21:15

I concur TheDoctrine but a conspiracy theory was more fun. Crown

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 22/07/2013 21:15

Anywaaaaaaaay....

I don't think Kate really wants a thread of our in-squabbling. Grin Back to the tips.

ouryve · 22/07/2013 21:15

Make sure you've had a wee, picked up a drink and commandeered the TV remote before sitting down for a nursing session :o

WorraLiberty · 22/07/2013 21:15

Ahh that makes sense Grin

TheDoctrineOfAllan · 22/07/2013 21:14

But no one else posted till 2040 so I assume it was written but not published [deerstalker]

DeathByTray · 22/07/2013 21:13

They've found a way of hiding the thread from us all until after baby was born.

WorraLiberty · 22/07/2013 21:11

But it was posted at the time in the OP wasn't it?

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 22/07/2013 21:11

MNHQ were just being prepared!

TheDoctrineOfAllan · 22/07/2013 21:10

I think it was written earlier but posted later!

WorraLiberty · 22/07/2013 21:09

I thought the baby was born at 4.20pm or something? Confused

DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper · 22/07/2013 21:09

Think of the next three months as the '4th trimester' and just do what you have to do to get through them. Do not worry about forming bad habits or making rods for your own back; it won't happen.

Just do what you need to do to get through them, and to keep baby warm, fed and loved.