What are your top tips for caring for a newborn?

[Nellybell]

I'm expecting no.2 and wanted to gather MN experise and advice on caring for a newborn. Last time I muddled through but created a few bad habits along the way I think. What are your tips on things like avoiding colic, where newborn should sleep, how to settle them, feeds and daytime naps and anything else that I should know..?
I'd be grateful for all the tips you can give me!

It's all totally random because every baby is different, feed the baby, keep the baby warm and dry and you'll be fine. There is no set way that will work for every baby, sorry!

swaddling is brilliant

if you have a colicy baby, a sling is a lifesaver

i am great believer in following your LO's sleep and feed cues rather than trying to stuff them into a routine

if you don't like GF -get this

From my very limited (1DC) experience: Go with the flow. Be flexible. Don't worry about bad habits - honestly, with some babies you just have to do what you need to do. I also think that if you meet their needs quickly when they're tiny they're probably less anxious and therefore hopefully less uptight about moving on from habits as they get older. [hopeful emoticon]

Wrap slings are the business, but whatever seems to keep your baby happy is the right thing to do. Agree that following cues seems kindest to a baby who has no concept of hunger, loneliness etc.

You didn't create bad habits - honestly. You can't.

My top tip is to remember that they are not mini grown ups or even mini children, they are little instinctive animals. If you think of them like that they are less likely to wind you up because it stops you expecting too much of them. You wouldn't expect a puppy to go to sleep exactly when you want it to. Well, it worked for me!

One of the ladies at my bfing group, whose baby is very colicky, said that lots of skin to skin contact is great for colic! Just spend some time cuddles up in bed together.
I don't think it is possible to cuddle a newborn too much
I wouldn't stress to much about getting into a routine, I admit do sometimes (ds is 6mo), but I've not tried hard to get him into a routine but we seem to know when he is hungry/sleepy and he is starting to sleep better at night!

Well, I swear by co-sleeping, carrying in a ring sling, lots of cuddles

Message withdrawn

Buy in as much help as you can. Make everyone else do the housework and cook you delicious meals. And never ever let go of the remote control. Enjoy your new baby.