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Give me your top tips

7 replies

Lilkat · 06/01/2020 17:15

I'm a new mum with a 7 week old little girl and I know some of the women in my family have brilliant tips that you don't find in the baby books. Sometimes the little tips make all the difference so I thought it might be nice if some experienced mums shared their top tips?

My lo will puke if she's put down within 30 minutes of finishing a feed, but she also has a habit of doing a poo midfeed. I've started to prop her up on pillows and changing her that way - she doesn't puke and doesn't cry over a dirty nappy. Probably obvious but until a few days ago I didn't know how to deal with it!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Ricekrispie22 · 06/01/2020 18:03

Sleep when your baby sleeps. I’m sure you’ve heard this tip before, but it really is important. You might think that when your baby is asleep is the only time To get anything done. I guarantee that you will still find time for the other stuff. (Just the important things… You need priorities when baby is tiny). If you are getting more sleep you will be able to think clearer, feel more rested and have more energy! It will be easier to get everything else done quickly.

Use white noise to help your baby sleep longer and more soundly.

When changing a nappy, put a new one under the old one BEFORE pulling the old nappy out. A nurse at the hospital showed us this when my first was born.

If your baby has just pooped, give them a good five minutes to clear anything else out. Trust me–we had too many times where we changed her right away (like good parents should), and ended up getting pooped on.

Keep an extra outfit in your car for both the baby and YOU.

Wait until they are sleeping to cut fingernails. Wait twenty minutes after naptime or bedtime and check on them. If you can lift their arm without them tensing this is a perfect time!

Most babies get gassy. Gas is pretty painful, so gassy usually means fussy too. Move their legs in a bicycle motion to help relieve it.

Take showers with your baby. The skin-to-skin contact is good for building your relationship.

If your baby has a special cuddly toy or pacifier, get a spare now while it’s still being sold. That way if you lose it or need to wash it, you’re sorted!

LoisLittsLover · 06/01/2020 18:08

Try and make friends with a mum with a baby a few weeks/months older than yours - playdates at their house are fab for working out what toys yours may enjoy next

Don't get into competition with your partner about who is more tired

Lilkat · 07/01/2020 08:04

Love these! Thank you!

I know I should make mum friends but I don't know where to start! I'm not a big fan of organised group activities so the usual baby classes don't really appeal to me. Plus I don't have much time to actually go to them because I'm trying to finish my degree Confused

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Modestandatinybitsexy · 07/01/2020 08:18

I'm on my second mat leave and groups have saved my sanity this time around with a toddler and a baby. Like you I didn't really get on with some of the groups but my favourite one is a stay and play, just a room full of toys and the parents just mill about chatting. It's in my village which helps with feeling less isolated.

Feeling a bit useless atm so can't think of useful tips for you. Hopefully I'll learn something from someone else!

Andersonx3 · 07/01/2020 08:56

Following please! My DD is also 7 weeks and these tips are brill!

Youvegotafriendinme · 07/01/2020 09:07

There’s so many things I’d do differently if I was doing it again first time but my two main ones would be to stress less and myself be led by baby. I also wish I’d found friends sooner. I found mush when DS was about 5/6 months old (hes 3 now) and I’ve got some really good friends because of it. Its definitely worth a try

Lilkat · 07/01/2020 09:35

@modestandatinybitsexy I'm glad you found a good group, I can imagine it being harder with two. I'm lucky in the sense that my in laws live nearby and have kids from 2-10, but although they're lovely we're not quite mates.

@Andersonx3 congratulations on your wee one! How are you finding things?

@youvegotafriendinme I'm trying very hard to be less stressy. I'm quite type A personality, I need to know everything and have plans and back up plans - and that just doesn't work brilliantly with newborns!

What's mush, I haven't heard of it before?

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