Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

best bit of advice for a very soon to be first time mum!

165 replies

Nursee007 · 10/02/2012 10:32

Hello lovely ladies...
I'm due in 2 weeks and am a first time mum, though have a lot of experience with babies and children in a professional manner as am a paediatric nurse. Whilst the actual 'looking after' bit of the baby doesn;t worry me, as I can bathe, swaddle, change nappies etc with my eyes closed, the idea of being responsible for this tiny life and how to cope with the first few hours/days/weeks is slowly but surely beginning to terrify me. I've had severe SPD since week 21 and am on crutches, so mobility post birth is also a worry but thats by the by.
Anyhoo, was wondering if those of you who are already mummies would be kind enough to share the best snippets of wisdom you were given when you became mums for the first time.....any support, serious or otherwise, much appreciated :) thankyou :)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
pressingbuttons · 10/02/2012 23:36

Best advice I received in those early hazy days and nights...one parent tired = ok, both parents tired = not ok. Try to have one a little more rested than the other as coping is better when one can be 'stronger' and more rational!
Also; if you BF; don't forget that what you eat; the baby eats. Don't overdo it on the licquorice allsorts... our DD ruined husband's shirt during a nappy change. Projectile what not - all over the place. Blush
Congrats.

Shushshessleeping · 10/02/2012 23:40

I agree with Whatever Works. Before my baby arrived I thought to myself well I'll do this and that, and definitely not that! However I ended up trying everything. You just don't know what kind of baby yours will be and until you meet the you can't possibly know what will work and won't.

Perfect your nod and smile when people ask " ahh how old? 2 weeks? Wow he should be on solids now surely....."

I found white noise a life saver
I accidentally coslept the first night and still love it 5 months later ( he sleeps mostly in his cot but sometimes he wants a bit of extra cuddles)
Breastfeeding does hurt for the first 2 weeks ( mu midwife called it toe curling) but after that it's brilliant.
Try to get a network of new mums or you may feel incredibly lonely around month 3 when the adrenaline starts to wear off
I find having one thing to do outside the house a day gives me something to look forward to.

Sorry if thats a bit depressing, I don't mean it to be, it does get a little lonely with just a baby.

devonshiredumpling · 11/02/2012 00:03

my advice is to go with the flow you will know your baby better than anyone. HAVE A JUG OF WARM WATER BESIDE THE TOILET AND WHEN YOU PEE POUR THE WATER OVER YOURSELF AT THE SAME TIME (TAKES THE STING AWAY FROM YOUR FANJO IF YOU HAVE STITCHES) mainly enjoy this special time and good luck

Matou · 11/02/2012 00:42

Hello Nursee and congratulations on the impending arrival of your baby.

I am sorry to hear you have SPD, that is tough. Someone here mentioned getting good equipment to save your back. I think it applies in all cases. The evening we got back from the hospital after DS1's birth, my husband got a cot top changer (thank god for late opening hours) as both our backs were killing us. We also have a sling (Kari-Me) and a little towelling deckchair for the bath. A sturdy breastfeeding cushion is definitely a god's send.

I was all geared up for the birth, but of course it did not match the birth plan. Try not to be disappointed.

After that, I struggled to get breastfeeding established: I was plagued by sore nipples, poor milk supply and terrible thrush.
So I second advice above: be strict about latch, you need to teach your LO how to do it, and the sooner the better. This will help your milk supply, but don't hesitate to get your midwife to prescribe domperidone if necessary. Using a breastpump is not ideal IMO to stimulate milk production.
Get some privacy until you have the hang of it. After that, you won't give a damn. Wink
If you feel any pain at all in your breast tissue, it could be thrush or a blocked duct so get it checked IMMEDIATELY. Don't worry about sounding silly, better safe than sorry. And if you find your GP is clueless, get a second opinion, do your homework (breastfeeding network, Dr Jack Newman, etc.).
It is true BF can be difficult in the first few weeks but it is so worthwhile in the long run. Think of it as breaking in a pair of really good walking boots.
BF is convenient: always ready, no washing/sterilising, cheap, etc., but it is also very good for your confidence, it is such a reliable tool to meet needs, soothe and relieve pain. I have always viewed it as a continuation of nurturing my baby during pregnancy and it helped me get over the end of the pregnancy.
I guess it works for the baby too. It is comforting to hear the mother's heart beat, feel her warmth (and vice versa) and smell her scent.
Drink fennel tea to help with baby's digestion.
Hair clip on bra strap to remember which boob you used last.

Once you are back at home, try and lie down as much as possible for the first 6 weeks. I know it's easier said than done. Give your body time to recover. Arrange a long visit from your mum after the end of paternity leave.

Sleep: my DS2 just wouldn't put up with the moses basket so he slept with me for the first 3 months. I kept my babies close at night for 6 months+ so I could just pick them up, bf them and pop them back. Bf whilst lying down is great, and don't hesitate to go back to sleep, you will not squash your baby. Nap if/when you can: how else can we survive?

Who cares about a little stain here or there? And I mean baby clothes as much as housework. Those who care can clean them for you. This is said with hindsight. After the 1st birth I remember manically scrubbing the bathroom tiles and doing the book keeping. Much easier to relax second time around!

A good piece of advice I got from the NCT teacher: babies are tougher than we think; if they can survive isolated for a week after an earthquake in Mexico, they can cope whilst you have a pee! However I think they do need a fairly quick response to reassure them.

I made the mistake to think I was still the boss. Your life will now centre around a little being who needs your help to meet his/her needs. Lots of cuddles indeed as this can be frightening.

It may seem like a huge responsibility and you may feel out of your depth. Don't think you're crap. If you do, especially if you think of leaving or harming yourself, get yourself seen by your GP IMMEDIATELY, as you may be suffering from post-natal depression.

Getting used to not being the centre of your own life, as said before, can be difficult. So try and find some time to connect with yourself, to limit the resentment. I find a craft activity works better than TV.

Read What Mothers Do etc as recommended before.

Other practical tips:

Get hold of little saline solution bottles to squirt into baby's nose to loosen boggies, suck them out with a nasal aspirator of some description and use olbas oil.

I still put my baby on a bath mat on the bathroom floor whilst I have a shower.

We also indulged in having a bath with our DSs. Definitely a good job for Dad to help bonding.

DH also loved carrying DS1 and DS2 in the sling (sometimes on his bare chest to do skin-to-skin, bless him) and taking them to the park. He worked out DS2 liked leaves very early on, much better than I did. Everyone's got a role to play. (My brother-in-law played ping-pong whilst carrying my nephew in the sling. Hmm)

A pedicure will always make you feel like a million dollars.

Outings: I vividly remember the 1st one in the car with DS1 in the back, it seemed so difficult! Have a go, it will get easier.

Get a tumble-dryer for mother's day.

Tinned soup.

Online supermarket order: oh yes.

Get used to eating cold. Don't bother with tea, just stock up on nice smoothies and fruit juices.

Cranial osteopathy for both of you.

Baby massage, mum and baby yoga.

Lots of photos. Keep a diary.

titferbrains is right: don't bother to look at your watch. Take it off anyway as you will need to wash your hands a lot. Time works differently: you need to take it slow and at the same time you will find you seem to have no time at all.

Enjoy! Smile

anonymosity · 11/02/2012 01:06

In short:
1.sleep when they do
2.take a bath/ shower every morning
3.after a few weeks - go and get a hair cut

  1. don't allow any hostile in-laws anywhere near you til you're ready
  2. teach your husband the child-care basics that you know.
and, GOOD LUCK!
BebeBelge · 11/02/2012 01:30

Wow! I wish I had some of this advice before I had mine! I am pregnant with no. 3 so here is my words of advice for what they're worth (btw couldn't bf dc1, but did manage with dc2):

-Go to the loo before you sit down to bf even if it means that baby cries for an extra few seconds and even if you don't think you need to. Chances are he'll fall asleep while feeding and you won't want to move for fear of distrubing him and this is not happy if you are sitting there trying not to think about your very full bladder!

-Def have remote control, big drink, phone, Kindle beside you too.

-Agree to start making extra big meals and freeze leftovers now.

  • If you want to stay in jammies, fine but it really helped me to get a shower every day. Then I knew I could just put dc in buggy and head out the door if I neeeded to. Sometimes even 5 mins of fresh air can really perk you up.
  • If you go on to have other dcs you will never have the same amount of time to just lie on the bed beside your LO staring at them and stroking them and being amazed and full of love so do it now with your first and don't feel guilty about lack of housework/cooking etc. Your partner needds to step up and do all this. I made the mistake of thinking that DHs life should not change too much ie. he should still get his sleep, not have to do everything at home because afterall I was the SAHP now but, realistically you can't do everything at first - ask DP and anyone for help. People will be so glad you trust them enough to ask for help and will genuinely want to help you but maybe didn't know what to specifically offer until you asked!
  • Finally: babies start smiling at 6 weeks. DC1 didn't crack a smile until 8 weeks and I was getting really down about it and wondering if she was ok. DC2 smiled at 4 weeks. Both are very, very happy children.

Good luck!

JanePlanet · 11/02/2012 07:53

It's a bit like advice on loosing weight. A lot of people have made a lot of money making it overly complicated (eat less & exercise more) The simplest ideas are nearly always the best, with a new baby it's do what works for you and go with the flow. With regards to cranial osteopaths

Oeisha · 11/02/2012 10:46

I'm 'the other side' at the moment. DD is err....older than yesterday...18 days old:

  1. Your memory will be terrible
  2. If you're lucky you will automatically love your baby. If not (like me) you won't. This is normal. Whilst it's highly stressful and upsetting, you won't be the only one feeling like this. Watch out for PND and use the MW/HVs/GP, tell them how you're feeling. They will (if any good) tell you this is all normal and help you keep an eye on your mood...some Mummies just need to get to know their babies before all the gooey love flows.
  • this is what I'm repeating to myself at least. It does help to hear I'm not a freak however.
notcitrus · 11/02/2012 11:14

re spd - never managed to use a sling with ds, but ordered a maclaren xt few days after birth. blankets were vital - i always put him down on one and then could drag him over to me and lift out of bed without straining pelvis much. dd born 3 days ago, spd again, and blankets again dead handy!

Order an internet food delivery so when you have dc can log in, hit favourites and organise delivery again in under 5 min.

i found getting out vital for mental health as well as demanded by spd physios. look up now where baby groups and nice cafes for you and baby are, bf help, etc. ask gp or hv if you cant't find much. be warned half the groups will have changed date/time since publishing info so call a couple first!

good luck!

Yummymummyyobe1 · 11/02/2012 11:26

Wow this is a really useful thread I have 11 weeks to go until DS1 is born and have been wondering what is next. xx

MelangeATrois · 11/02/2012 11:34
  1. I second having a nice box of nappy stuff, breastpads + second changing mat in the living room rather than traipsing upstairs
  2. (If you get on OK with the breastfeeding), I like to do it at the dining room table with the computer tuned to mumsnet, rather than on sofa etc. Passes the time and better for your back, I think.
  3. I totally forgot with my first baby that my life from then on would not always be nappies, crying, no sleep etc. I literally thought for a bit that I had ruined my life forever! It did not occur to me that my baby would grow up and become independent. But they do and it happens very quickly. 2nd time round I am more aware of this and enjoying every second of babyness.
  4. Online shopping is your friend.
  5. Certain brands of nappy leak more than others. Try 'em all.
  6. The stretchy vest (pulls down) + baggy top (pulls up) system of dressing for breastfeeding is also your friend when out and about..
nickelDorritt · 11/02/2012 12:34

yes, we have got a box of nappy stuff/spare clothes in our bedroom and two boxes in the sitting room (one of nappy stuff and one of clothes), so we don't have to keep going to her bedroom for stuff.
we can get 3 days worth of clothes in the clothes box.
nappy box: nappies, outers, liners, grippers(we do cloth), nappy cream, cotton wool, oil, hand towels (the baby will wee after you've taken off the nappy, so lay her on a towel), baby wipes (for baby after 6 weeks and for washing your own hands to start with), lansinoh (is great for nipples and for red bottoms)
clothes box: cloth bibs, muslins, vests, babygrows, socks, cardigans.

Glimmerberry · 11/02/2012 14:02

6 months in with my first and the main thing I'll remember for next time is that it's our job to show baby the difference between night and day. Seems daft but I didn't realise this at first. Thought it would happen naturally! Once I did, after 3-4 days of a different day/night routine he started to sleep through and has done ever since.

We did this:
Day: generally we are bright and chatty with him, in well lit rooms, feed every 2-3 hours, change nappies when soiled, read/sing etc etc...
Night: fed in dim room, minimal talking just quiet shushing, don't change nappy unless there's a poonami, no play/singing, put down quietly after a feed...

...and faith that after a few days of this he'd just learn to settle quietly at night. Took a bit of patting and shushing when he stirred at first but was a few nights effort well invested.

alana39 · 11/02/2012 14:34

I'll pass on the best advice I was given - 2 fairly inexpensive things to have to hand:

  1. A bottle of lactulose (replaced Gaviscon as favourite tipple) started as soon as the baby was born to avoid any constipation and the havoc it causes with tears / stitches etc.
  2. A microwaveable wheat bag to use if you have bad afterpains, sore breasts, back pain (or just feel a bit cold!).
flamingtoaster · 11/02/2012 14:51

I second what Glimmerberry says about making day and night different. With both of mine right from the beginning daytime naps were in a carrycot downstairs in normal daylight, normal household noises about, talked and sang to them when they were awake/being changed. Nighttime was low light, very boring mummy, all needs met including cuddle but absolute minimum of noise and light. They very quickly started sleeping longer at night than they did during the day, and also cluster fed in the evenings.

funnyperson · 11/02/2012 15:56

being a mum is very very very very different to being a paediatric nurse.

be prepared for people wanting you to go back to work when you are not ready . your child is as important as all those other children.

more important because all those other children have mums, but your child only has you.

LaCiccolina · 11/02/2012 16:18

That everything I thought I would worry about regarding having a baby I didn't once we had her. It came more naturally than I ever thought it would.

Trust your instinct. Avoid others opinions. By all means ask advice but then let your instinct choose what to follow and what to ignore. And thats from everything from feeding, sleeping, eating, teeth, being ill and all sorts.

SilentMammoth · 11/02/2012 18:11

Give birth in school hols. That way you can get going with the 15 free hours of preschool straightaway rather than having to wait until September for them with a May birthday .

aquafunf · 11/02/2012 18:43

take lots of photos. UPLOAD them to a variety of different computers. do not store them on a phone/camera that then gets stolen.

mrsred · 11/02/2012 18:49

Congratulations, very exciting times for you. So much great advice above, including trusting your instincts, taking it easy etc etc...
Enjoy your maternity leave pre baby, my ds arrived almost four weeks early, so my expected five + weeks of chilling out was seriously curtailed, luckily i have fabulous dh and mum who did all the things i had planned to, e.g buying car seat, making meals for freezer, doing shopping etc...
I have a few things i'd suggest you buy, lasinoh is great, use it as soon as your nipples feel sore. Tesco do good breast pads which are also really cheap, and when my milk came in blimey did i need them!
Bulk buying nappies is a good idea when you know which works for you, but bear in mind if you have a quick growing one, you'll scoot through size one very quickly!
Lastly, i agree entirely with the coincept that you should chill out at home for first week, two or three, enjoy the newness of it all and then when you do venture out, take back up. When you get confident, try to get out to see other mums, i loved our local nct baby talk group, had a lovely time chatting to other mums and ds loved it too, probably partly because i was happy and relaxed and as he got older he loved seeing lots of other babies!
Thank you for starting this thea, i've loved reading it!

PunkyBubba · 11/02/2012 19:16

Don't know if someone has already suggested this as I haven't managed to read whole thread but best advice given to me was to get a really good TV series on your iPod for night feeds.. easy to turn on and whack earphones into ears.. and minimum light to disturb baby. I started watching the West Wing from Series 1 when DS was born, and enjoyed watching them so much that when DS woke for a feed at night I would think "Yey, more West Wing".. so the night feeds didnt bother me so much!

As far as coping, you just will.. I don't know anyone who hasn't had a few tears in the few months after the birth through lack of sleep, and feeling inadequate but you will be amazed at what you just end up doing naturally.. including getting by on little or no sleep..

As a paeds nurse you will probably be more clued up on this than I was, but for any other first time mums reading this for advice I would ask you to watch out for 'Flat Head' syndrome.. I thought I was doing everything right, and when my baby developed a bit of a flat head on one side at 2 months old (from lying him on his back for sleeping, pressure on head in car seat, etc) my Health Visitor fobbed me off saying all the babies she sees have flat heads.. so i thought it was fine.. Then at 3 months old when bathing him I noticed from above his ears were not aligned.. The pressure on one side of his head was mis-shaping his head. This is far more common than I ever thought, and takes a long time to correct once the damage has been done.. It turns out my DS had mild neck problems from birth which were not picked up so he always preferred looking to the left, which is why the flatness is to one side.. So anyway, just keep an eye out from the top of the head (as we all tend to stare into our DCs eyes rather than top of the head when they are so young), and if you notice it looking a bit flat follow all the repositioning advice you can find on the internet as much and as soon as possible!

lookout · 11/02/2012 19:57

Someone said to me shortly after the birth of ds2: 'make the most of those middle of the night feeds when it's just you and him. You can never get those back'. Now, when I'm exhausted and having to get up again to night feed, I remember her saying that, I snuggle down to feed and it makes it a little bit easier. Wish someone had said this to me before ds1! Good luck!

NewYearsRevolution · 11/02/2012 20:37

Yes yes yes to reading the Naomi Stadlen book.

Oh, and for the first week or so, if you have guests who you suspect may sit back, coo over the baby and wait to be 'hosted' and waited on, make sure you are wearing your pjs. It strongly conveys that you are not in hostess mode. If you don't know the guests well enough to be seen in your pjs, they shouldn't be in your house until some weeks later!

lottielou39 · 11/02/2012 21:06

My biggest tips to you as a Mother of 3 from 2 months old to 11:

1)EVERYONE will want to give you advice when the baby is born. Some of it will be helpful, but always be wary of advice you haven't asked for!
2)EVERYONE will be a bloody expert.
3)The age your baby reaches certain milestones is meaningless. If s/he crawls/walks/talks later than your friends baby, it doesn't mean your friends baby is smarter. All of mine are 'late' with so called developmental milestones and they are super bright.
4)If your baby cries lots, it is NOT YOUR FAULT. I've had a baby who cried pretty much constantly and one who doesn't cry at all (seriously, we sometimes forget she's in the house!) and didn't do anything differently.

5)The tiny baby stages pass in the blink of an eye. Remember this when you're up at 4am doing night feeds. It will feel as though this is your life forever, and you may even have a 'what the hell have we done?' moment, but worry not. This stage passes very very quickly.

6)Little outfits are cute when you visit people, but for day to day wear, all in one sleep suits are soooo much easier.
7)You don't need a changing unit, a nappy bin, a special baby bath etc..
Isofix is BRILLIANT and saves lots of hassle.

8)Don't buy a big bulky expensive pram. You'll only end up going out and getting a compact folding pushchair when she/s bigger. Get something like the Maclaren XLR- you can get the carrycot which goes in it, then it transforms into a lovely compact buggy for the next few years. So no need to buy 2 pushchairs!
9)If your baby cries, it's fine to hold him/her. It won't ever spoil them! You cannot spoil a baby.
10)Try to relax and really savour every moment because it really does go sooooo quickly and it's only now I have an 11 year old and a new baby that I realise this.

mslucy · 11/02/2012 21:13

you will love your baby more than you can possibly imagine - even when he/she is screaming his/her head off.

You will imagine that it's impossible to love anyone more than your baby - but if you have another one/two/three you will find reserves of love you didn't know you had.

Love is infinite xxx