Which aspects of looking after a baby did you just not *get*?

Definitely how to put nappies on.
I just got it now I think and dd is 16 months.
How to spot reflux/colic.
Winding techniques.

Oh and yes for poonami aid.

The difference between a baby sucking on a breast and actually drinking from a breast! DD did a great impression of breastfeeding for a few days - had me (knew nothing) and midwives (knew a bit more!) totally fooled for a few days.

Napping I did realise how important they were and spent ages rocking an overtired baby to sleep as hadn't recognised the signs for tired and frequency of naps needed!

I think a guide to the most common physical effects of childbirth and what you can do about them/how to avoid them would be really useful. GPs seem to take little interest and NHS resources are (understandably) focused on older people. I had only minor problems post pregnancy and c-section - hips and back slightly out of alignment (chiropractor fixed it), sore wrists from toting baby, heavy car seat and buggy up and down lots of steps (worked out my own system involving buggy folded in car boot at road side, transferring baby in sling, staging shopping in, and much use of mail order) and both DH and I hurt our backs from lifting DD in and out of cot. DH and I have now got a system where he lugs DD down the steps in the morning while I bring bags etc. However, my best friend has had serious problems which have taken years of surgery and physio to fix (partially). We both think now that everyone about to be responsible for a baby should get mandatory 'moving and handling' training. There are also products that can help such as that amazing lifting blanket thing (can't remember the brand name) which I found out about too late. In London and elsewhere a lot of people live in flats without lifts, which compounds these physical issues.

how to make formula safely, and ways of doing it when out and about
signs of tiredness

How to make up a bottle and how to steralise them. I remember standing in the kitchen with my mother going over and over it. I just cudnt get my head around it.

If you are going to do a video on swaddling then please, please, please do a hip friendly swaddle. legs must be free to come up in a natural foggy position.

agree with basic interaction stuff, a video showing how even a tiny baby can begin to mimic facial expressions would be fab and could really encourage people to interact more with their baby and get over the "all they do is eat, poo and sleep"

basic colic massage routine and leg cycling for constipation. stuff that is difficult to talk people through.

How to breastfeed lying down and also, how to use either breast without having to move the baby.

I got the hang of this with DD2 in the co sleeper cot. I get more sleep when there is less faffing about at night.

Another one voting for different breastfeeding positions, I still haven't got my head around the rugby hold! Agree with different breast shapes and sizes, all the photos tend to be of reasonable sized, lovely perky breasts and mine definitely aren't that.

Also, tips on how to sit when breastfeeding with appropriate support/cushions/etc, to minimize back ache and master no-handed breastfeeding so you can play on the PS3 at the same time.

Some sort of warning to the effect that a really happy, placid baby can become a screaming, inconsolable baby within a matter of seconds when teething.

I get that this isn't technically looking after baby.

Agree with plonky about the postnatal body - I ended up with DVT 6 months after DD was born. Went back to work, hit the ground running as you have to - and thought my body had recovered from the stress of a 'normal' birth/pregnancy. Turns out body was far from recovered and then came the DVT.

I was also told to suck it up by a GP - my heavily swollen leg/ankle was passed off as being 'fine' until the day I staggered into the physio unit at my hospital as I could no longer walk. They took one look at me and rushed me in, making me sit in a wheelchair. Scariest day of my life.

Nobody tells you this could be caused by pregnancy.

Sleep.

How long babies are supposed to nap, at what times each day, what time they're supposed to get up and go to bed each day.

I just couldn't get my head round how you're supposed to make a baby do all this when you want them to. It didn't help that DS would not sleep anywhere but on someone. Anyone actually.

In the end we just muddled through and thankfully we're out the other side now.

Thumb he's 16 months, hips did eventually right themselves but I was quite worried at the time. Otherwise yes, an osteopath would've been the right way to go.

Getting a raincover on a travel system buggy. It's a nightmare and you usually do it for the first time in a rush.

Oh yes, spanky! DS1 and DS2 were both little pot-boilers - I was at risk of overheating DS1 because people kept telling me to wrap him up, but he would get so hot! And sweated through his head (they both do, as do I) to quite an alarming degree, especially if you then google it - there is still an old school of thought that babies don't sweat unless there's something wrong with them so I had the Fear that he had a heart issue or something. Bollocks of course; he was just a hot baby!

Plonkysaurus - how long ago did you have your baby? Have you considered seeing an osteopath to get straightened out again? I would heartily recommend it - mine kept me going through pregnancy with SPD, and sorted out my hyper-flexed sacrum after DS2, as well as straightening up my pelvis and fixing my sciatica etc. :)

How hot they can be. Ds1 was like a hot water bottle! Feed on demand too. My mum insisted that ds1 should be fed every 4 hours. Rubbish! Blowing raspberries with food in the mouth. So many times I was covered in ds2's food.

Something on how claustrophobic it can be having a baby in your personal space all the time. I love my son, I think I'm an adequate mother, but sometimes I just need my personal space back for 10 minutes!

Adding a piece on how to breastfeed discretely in public would also be helpful - this seems easy for those who are small of nork, whereas I feel like I've just been heaving a massive boob out for all to see! Having never seen any family or friends do it previously its been a bit of trial and error and much embarrassment.

When changing a boy baby's nappy, let the air get to his willy before removing the nappy or you'll get sprayed. Same with getting out of the bath, get the nappy on quick.

When it's actually ok to start weaning. Waiting rigidly until 6 months even if they're sitting up and grabbing your toast (hard stare at ds) might not be great. Obviously guidelines exist for a reason, but the distinction between a guide and a hard and fast rule is understated. The importance of letting your baby lead you can be misunderstood by first time parents.

All the milestones in the red health book that you're supposed to record. I had to guess, since I don't know the difference between "baby did it once then lost interest for a month" vs "I think baby did it but actually I'm looking for the wrong signs" vs "this is what a pediatrician would actually consider meets that development milestone".

Yes Bertie! IMO buying a car seat more complicated than buying the actual car...

I agree with a car seat one. In fact there could be a few... how to tell if your child is too big for their current car seat (it's different for different kinds) how to tell if they're big enough to go into the next one. How to check your car seat is fitted securely. (It's not always obvious.) How to check the straps are done up tightly enough. General safety tips like checking in the manual whether the handle is supposed to be up or down - it does matter - and avoiding bulky coats and any after market products which aren't specifically tested. Maybe about the different kinds, especially at Group 1 - you've got extended rear facing, impact shield thingies, combination seats with Group 0, combination seats with Group 2 and 3, special swivelly ones, ones which recline, side impact protection, etc etc. Baffling amount of choice.