Advice from a mum

[PicaK]

I've just been reading through pages reminding myself what it's like to be pregnant. I've just taken on being a newsletter editor for my local not branch so i wanted to make sure i was in the zone.

Fwiw - my one bit of advice would be to get multiple copies of the birth certificate when you register the birth.

It means you can keep the original safe and sound and gleefully carry around a copy for opening bank accounts and posting off either passport applications etc.

Agree entirely!

It's one everyone goes on about but it's invaluable.

BATCH COOK, BATCH COOK & BATCH COOK SOME MORE

When I had DD in march the freezer was full of curries, chillies, casseroles, spag bols, chassuers and they have been invaluable. Dd is 7 wk now n we only have a couple of these ready meals left. I'm shocked at how little time I have & yesterday was the first time I've been able to cool a tea!

Fresh soup

When DH went back to work, I had a carton of fresh soup for lunch everyday - gives you a big hit of veggies, is warm and comforting and most importantly can be heated up one handed and then drunk from a mug in case you can't put the baby down.

My advice would be, nearing the end of your pregnancy, to go out and buy yourself some brand new pj's, the softest ones you can find, and dressing gown and slippers! Because you'll be living in them for a good few weeks! Well, I did anyway...

And never be without a sling :)

Would second the stocking up of consumables like washing powder, liquid, pet food, drinks, tins, toiletries-anything that's heavy and use a lot of.

Your first shopping trip will then be just for essential perishables and won't have loads to get and carry.

If your super organised, have a small box downstairs, upstairs and in the boot of your car of essentials. And keep your baby bag topped up.

In car bag and baby bag I have couple of nappies and sacks. Wipes. Small sudocrem. Calpol and syringe. Terry towel. £10 in change. Baby vest and gro. Raisins. Bottle water.

And in the car I keep a small blanket too.
In baby bag I always carry a banana, milk for baby and two or three small toys.

Might sound extreme but I've ran out of things on loads of occasions. Or nipped out etc with baby and no bag and ended up needing something.

Get a quick reading thermometer too.

TENA lady pants for lochia - can be used with a maternity pad inside at the start, then on their own. Much more comfortable than maternity pads which feel like a big lump when sitting down, and no leaks.

Maternity pads are really rubbish.

Literally like a rolled up towel between your legs!

Don't know about tena, but I just used always. The one for the heaviest period and night time ones.

But for the first 12-24 hours I'd use a mat pad.

If you find yourself feeling bogged down by everything get out of the house! Put baby in sling/pram & post a letter or buy your milk in pints so you HAVE to get out. The fresh air always does you good & often the change of scenery calms a fractious baby. When you get back home things will seem much brighter.

Burt's Bees nappy cream is the best thing for nappy rash in the known universe.

Online food shopping has saved my life! (not literally)

1. Batch cooking- invaluable
2. Definitely go out every day with the pram. I was a regular fixture at Booths cafe- one mile trip each way. Did me the world of good
3. Yes to having multiples of everything- little sudocrems, changes of clothing etc. Means you are never caught short when you go out
4. Lots of TV shows in box sets- keeps you sane through those hours of boobie feeding. I watched about 4 series of Dexter in those early days. Not sure how much of an impact it had on Thomas though...
5. Try and have a shower every day and try and have some "me" time. Even if it just painting your toe nails or putting on a face pack. It really keeps you feeling like you.
6. Take up a baby massage class, if it is offered in your area. I started when Thomas was 4 months old. It was fab

These are my tips from being a first time mummy. I enjoyed it so much, I'm doing it all again in September

I love this thread My first born is 7.5 and I've forgotten everything, so this thread is brilliant!

OK lifesavers here for all of you expecting no 2...
Get a ''safe spot'' in your main living area where you can plonk baby down out of reach of the toddler, when the doorbell goes, loobreak, dash upstairs etc. I was given a GRACO Contour electra travel cot with a changing table and a ''napper'' (newborn attatchment basically a tiny little cot that hangs off the cot side next to the changing table) We all agreed that this was the BEST THING EVER!! All the baby stuff nappies clothes etc could be stacked underneath in the proper travelcot keeping things clutter free, baby was safe in the napper as toddler couldnt reach and the changing table was fab. Cant recommend it enought. Baby no 3 due shortly and the Graco is back out in the front room!
Honestly any travelcot or small cot will do, you will be grateful for anything. Even a playpen where you safetly can plonk baby out of reach will be a lifesaver!! Even a playpen for toddler and a travelcot for baby means you can plonk both kids away safetly out of harms way when you dash off for a wee! (sorry TMI, but believe me you will dash everywhere for a quick this and a quick that...)

Thanks MP&DP that's really useful. I'm expecting no2 in November. Nervous

Exactly what fotheringhay said (except I'm due in 4 weeks. Eek).

My tip would be to enjoy spending the whole day in your PJs for the first week or two, but then start getting yourself dressed at the very first chance you get. As in, presentable-enough-to-pull-on-your-shoes-and-face-the-world dressed.

This is because getting out of the house becomes an olympic event, what with the ongoing pooing, puking, hunger and crying cycle, not to mention getting all the stuff together, and when you've also got to get yourself ready somehow in the middle of all that, there are days when it just becomes insurmountable (which are usually the days when you really would benefit from getting out for a bit).

It also makes me feel more awake and on top of things, but maybe that's just me :)

Oh dear, i'm expecting no. 2 in november aswell and didn't even think of that! Travel cot shopping at some point then!

What brilliant ideas!