1st time mum -help

[Cherrychops100]

I've got my little one due in September, I know nothing about babies, so please...
Tell me everything I need to know about how to care for a newborn, any tips, tricks, advice, anything Thank you in advance x

congratulations! this website here has loads of information on the basics of things like sleep and feeding etc.
there are lots of ways to get free products for your new dc, if you go to the 'baby box university' website and complete the short course, you get a free baby box (contains 24 nappies, wipes and a muslin cloth). the box is used as a bed for your dc until they outgrow it. the cow and gate baby club is worth joining since they have a 24/7 helpline, which is reassuring since you can get advice when you need it.

all the best x

Sign up to the Start for Life emails - they're really helpful.

The best advice I can give though is to trust your instincts and gut feeling. If something is working for you and your baby, go with it and ignore what others might say or think. We're all winging it and making it up as we go but hoping for the best!

Congratulations

My first bit of advice is dont underestimate how much will come naturally to you. You'll be guided by your instincts for most things

Likewise, dont put any pressure on yourself to have things running perfectly smooth. Your newborn will not be ready for anything that resembles a routine for several months, your house is not the priority right now and health visitors dont give out gold stars because you lost the baby weight in 4 weeks

Days 1-5 You'll probably think you've dropped lucky and been given the easiest baby. They dont cry much and sleep easily. On day 6 they will suddenly change to a screaming cholicy bundle of fury who will not sleep for anyone. This stage also where the baby blues kick in (not the same as PND)It passes I promise.

Most of all I think just enjoy it, keep them safe and fed and cuddle as much as you can x

Agree that a lot will come naturally.
I read Baby Calming before I hadn't second and really wish I'd read it before having my first.

The Baby Book is excellent too.

If you are thinking of BFing, I'd avoid the formula companies like the plague. There is some useful information on BFing on Kellymom.

If you are looking at the internet or books, I'd always try to go for information that is evidence based. So sites like NHS, Kellymom, Start4Life, NCT..

This on getting to know your newborn should be useful too

Oh and make sure you join the MN Ante-natal board for the month you are due, there's bound to be some MNers in there who have already had DC

@JiltedJohnsJulie Thank you for the tips, I'm planning to breastfeed. When you say avoid formula companies, what do you mean, in what sense? x

Other than...following your instincts and go easy on yourself.

Sorry I should have been clearer. Formula companies will offer you incentives to join their baby clubs so that they can give you offers and incentives. Much better to get your information from the NHS or Mumsnet as neither of those make a profit from how you feed your baby.

If you are planning on BFing, I'd also put the BFing Helpline Numbers in your phone and use them whenever you have a query, don't let problems build up