Stupid things I need to know about looking after a baby

[goldbraids]

How do I get me and baby into my car in the morning if it's icy and I need to defrost it?

Any other general helpful tips would be gratefully received!

Turn the car on and let it stand for 10 mins?

Put the baby in and then de ice it. As long as you're there that's fine.

Get a car sheet

Turn the car on 5 mins before you go out, keep a fleecey blanket on the radiator and wrap baby in that once in their car seat then you can scrape the car if needed! The hardest thing I think is bringing the shopping in, and getting it put away with a crawling baby, 3 kids down and I still struggled with that one hahaha

I am going to switch to supermarket shopping delivery, I think. We live in a flat so can't really just nip out and heat it up.

Know that if you’re breastfeeding it is completely normal for your baby to want to feed constantly. That’s what builds your supply. You have enough milk and your baby isn’t starving. The feeding will reduce. All the very best to you.

Unless the baby is literally a tiny tiny newborn they’ll be fine with being cold for a couple of mins while the car heats up.

Baby in car seat. Put a nice cosy blanket over baby after they're strapped in to the car seat while you de-ice the car. Once you're done see if the car is warm enough to take off or reduce the blanket thickness and you're on your way.

I stick her in with the blowers on straight away while I de-ice it.
There won't be many frosty mornings left now anyway.

Put baby in car seat inside your flat. No coats or squishy snow suit type clothing in the car seat. Cover with a cellular blanket. Carry downstairs and strap baby in car seat into their seat. Turn engine on and heaters then de-ice the car.

It is completely normal for babies to have no idea about day or night when they come home. And also normal for them to wake in the night for a feed and cuddle. It doesn't need fixing.

Different brand nappies fit differently. If you're getting lots of leaks, try a different brand or one of the plus sizes (which are more absorbent, not bigger).

If you're getting lots of leaks, try a different brand or one of the plus sizes (which are more absorbent, not bigger).

I really didn't know that, thank you.

Ok- cosy car blanket on the shopping list. Baby is due in the autumn, all going well.

I think most of these posters probably have drives and gates.

Could you bring the car seat in the house with you the night before so it is warm. Or depending how old the baby is, could you bring them out in a moses basket with blankets and leave them in there until you are ready to pop them in the car seat and go. Then bring baby and moses basket with you when you get home.

My tip is get them used to noise and milk that is room temperature if you are formula feeding. Hoover etc when they are awake and they will be more likely to get used to it. Room temp milk means you will never be stuck with a hungry baby and no acceptable milk when you are out

Could you bring the car seat in the house with you the night before so it is warm.

Must find a place for the car seat to live!

A few tips passed on to me op..

That's the sort of idiot proof guide I need! I love a cuddle but I've never done any of the practical things.

I live in a flat. Depends how old the baby is. I put my baby in her high chair glued to the TV to quickly poor warm water on my car door as it was so icy I couldn't even open the door and then I turned on the heater to defrost the car. Otherwise I put the baby in the carseat and use de icer.

All babies need burping, even the breastfed ones.

If car needs de icing, put the baby in the car with a blanket on. Don't put them in big winter coats in car seats.

Turn the car on with heaters and screen heaters. De ice car.

A wrap sling is amazing for taking a baby around the supermarket.

Living in a flat, I suggest getting a sling for going in and out, a big rucksack for your stuff and later on when a toddler one of those walking backpacks for a toddler.

Buy a light weight pushchair that can be folded and unfolded with one hand. (Best to transfer baby to sling)

Getting a baby, a toddler, a double pushchair and a bag up the stairs is possible with some planning.

I preferred to keep the pushchair in the car boot and would recommend that if it's a safeish area.

Thank you all so much.

I was going to keep the pram in the boot, so that's good. I also really want a sling or carrier.

This. Current breastfeeding my second newborn and yes it’s so much but my God it’s easier than constant bottle making (for me) it’s not this much forever.

And yes, pop baby in the car with a nice blanket - you don’t want them wearing any more than a thin layer in a car seat for safety, definitely no snow suits etc - and then de-ice the car.

Not advice but something I didn't know until we brought the baby home....

Babies are so noisy when they sleep! It's completely normal lol.

We lived in a tiny 2 bed when DD was born. Some space saving things:

• get a pram that has a carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping. Potentially buy a better mattress for it. Also get a moses basket stand. The carrycot can then double up as a moses basket so you don't need to buy (and store!) both.
• stokke foldable bath was great, or you can bathe baby in the (clean) kitchen sink.
• we also had a foldable baby crib although DD hated it so not used that much.
• the ikea antilop high chair is brilliant and the legs come off for easy storage. A lot less bulky too than standard highchairs.
• you don't need a changing table. Just buy a changing mat and change baby on the dining table/bed/floor.

Definitely get a carrier. But do your research (join some baby wearing groups on Facebook) as the most widely sold aren’t necessarily the best