Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To make new mum life easier?

814 replies

Animallover87 · 17/07/2023 16:08

Due my first baby next month.

I know it'll be a huge life change and I'm keen to try and protect my mental health as far as possible by taking steps to make life a bit easier.

For example, I'm not going to try and breastfeed. I've bought a prep machine and was considering just using ready made formula for out and about to avoid faff.

Having a planned c section which most people seem to recover fairly quickly from and allows me to feel a bit more in control of what's going to happen.

Next 2 me on my DHs side of the bed so he can do the lifting baby etc during the night if I'm struggling with movement after c section at the beginning.

Any other tips, even if unpopular, to make life easier for myself as a first time mum?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
leatherboundbooks · 24/07/2023 15:55

Which formula? All formulas on the market have to contain the same nutrients and there is no evidence that any of the medical claims made for them actually make any difference and none of the claims are backed up by research
For unbiased information take a look at the first steps nutrition info sheet
https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/parents-carers
Basically go for the cheapest. Unless obviously your baby needs a medically advised specialist formula
Midwives I've known have said that often when a baby goes through an unsettled phase, as all babies do at times, mothers think it is the particular formula they are on, and try different ones. The formula that the baby is on when the baby moves on to a more settled phase is the one that gets the credit, but it is just a coincidence.

Infant milks for parents & carers — First Steps Nutrition Trust

https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/parents-carers

ICanFeelItComingInTheAirTonight · 24/07/2023 19:54
  1. Even if you are not breastfeeding you will still leak colostrum, so buy breast pads.
  2. Your uterus still contracts back to size, even after CS, and it hurts, so stock up on pain relief.
  3. As early as possible, try to get baby used to room temp milk, because if you can't warm the bottle up one day for some reason baby might fuss because it's "too cold" (one of mine was like that lol!)
  4. Arnica tablets have already been mentioned but my god do they work!
Good luck, and congratulations!
leatherboundbooks · 28/07/2023 15:18

One tip I wish someone had suggested to me is it's ok to change your mind when your particular baby arrives
I found myself changing my mind when my previous pre birth ideas seemed to be the harder option when it actually came to it. I got over it eventually , but still remember how disappointed I was when my plans were , when it came to it, not the best thing for me

YeahIsaidit · 28/07/2023 15:59

MyPurpleHeart · 17/07/2023 16:17

Food

Batch cook/stock the cupboards/arrange family and friends to come and cook

In the first few weeks you will not have time to cook and will resort to eating junk or takeaway. Eventually this makes you feel sluggish and crap, get some good quality food in ready. My DH did all the cooking for two weeks and when he went back to work I lived on toast and fruit as it was quick and convenient. When family and friends ask if you need anything ask them to bring a meal or come and cook for you. It's not cheeky, they won't mind Smile

It is cheeky to ask people to cook for you...

Toddler101 · 28/07/2023 16:35

YeahIsaidit · 28/07/2023 15:59

It is cheeky to ask people to cook for you...

Show quote history

Since when is accepting a favour (that has in all likelihood been offered without parameters, a la 'is there anything you need/anything I can do/anything I can help with?') considered cheeky?

astarsheis · 16/08/2023 22:06

How are you doing @Animallover87? Hope all is going to plan for you.
Was wondering if your baby has been born yet.

Original poster
Animallover87 · 17/08/2023 22:00

@astarsheis baby is here! C sec went so well, I am SO glad I chose it, baby was out in 5 mins and it was such a lovely and calm experience, honestly one of the best experiences of my life. Recovery has been fab, apart from a bit of discomfort the first 2 days I've recovered really well and by day 5 I was going out walking every day.

Bottle feeding again fab, me and DH can both do it, we use the ready made bottles at night and prep machine during the day. I've been out for lunch/dinner a few times with friends without baby and its so nice to have the freedom to do that and not be tied to bf/pumping.

Sterilising bottles really isn't the hassle some posters made it out to be, it's a few mins in the microwave.

Honestly I feel more secure than ever in the choices I made before baby was here and I am enjoying being a mum so much, I love this little person more than life itself, I don't know what I was so worried about ❤️

OP posts:
Toddler101 · 17/08/2023 23:16

Congratulations @Animallover87 and so pleased everything is working out wonderfully for you 🥰

2mummies1baby · 18/08/2023 06:28

What a lovely update! I'm so happy for you. Xxx

astarsheis · 18/08/2023 06:55

Congratulations @Animallover87. So good to hear that your birth experience went as you wanted and that you are settling down well with your new baby. Good Luck for the future XX

MsFrog · 18/08/2023 07:23

Awww really lovely to read your update, OP. So pleased you made the right choices for yourself and are feeling so happy and confident 😊

LittleMonstera · 18/08/2023 09:36

Congrats op! Lovely to hear both baby and yourself are doing well x

Anonymouslyposting · 18/08/2023 16:39

@Animallover87 congratulations! So glad everything went well and you’re happy! x

LimePi · 13/09/2023 08:56

Congratulations!!!! :)))

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread