Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Newborn tips

59 replies

MissBax · 11/07/2017 17:20

I'm 34 weeks now and just wondering whether anyone has any tips for me for getting home with newborn? I'm the first of my friends to have a baby and am the youngest in my family so already a little anxious at having to just know what to do once I bring her home! TIA

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
SelfObsessionHoney · 11/07/2017 17:29

Easy food in the house, DS is 2 weeks and things like noodles, tuna pots, fruit, anything you can make and eat one handed is good.
Rest. Fuck the housework, delegate that shit to someone else. Schedule visitors. I was thrown by just how tired I was and having a houseful of people made me feel stabby. Plus they're little for such a small time, take that time to bond as his mother.
Day 3-5 were scary in regards to hormones. I would look at DS and think I didn't love him. My hormones were lying to me. It was hard, but the hormonal fog is lifting.
Skin to skin, get your top off, get baby in his nappy with a blanket over the top and just cuddle. Sniff them.
If you're planning on breastfeeding look up local support networks, we really struggled and the support was invaluable.
Pack your baby bag the night before, makes getting out the house easier.
If you have a little boy he might like weeing on his face like DS does, put a muslin on his willy during nappy changes and he can wee into that rather than on his face, on the wall, on me etc. Washing piss off your face at 4am is never fun.
Have a drink and a snack on your bedside table for night feeds.

Original poster
MissBax · 11/07/2017 17:51

Thanks self :) and congrats on the arrival of your DS! Hope you're feeling better re the hormones, it's something I'll definitely look out for! I was thinking of making some food to freeze over the next few weeks but will also get some noodles etc in as well then!

OP posts:
TopKittyKat · 11/07/2017 18:07

If you're planning on breastfeeding, start putting lansinoh cream on your nipples once a day now. It really helps to prevent painful nipples in n the first few days. I did this on the advice of a friend and had no problem with sore nipples.

Don't buy too many newborn clothes, as if you have a larger baby (mine was 8lb13oz) then they will only be in them a few days.

Good luck! It's a rollercoaster but it's a blast Grin

SelfObsessionHoney · 11/07/2017 18:16

Oh and if you don't have space for a changing table thingy down stairs have a box of stuff. We call ours the bum box! It's got a travel change mat, 15 or so nappies, wipes, nappy bags, bum cream, few bibs (DS is bottle fed) full outfit change and spare muslins. We were given one of the johnsons boxes of baby toiletries and we keep the box by the front door, sling the bagged up nappy in, keeps smells in and means I don't have to go out to the wheelie bin every two minutes.

Superfinch · 11/07/2017 18:37

Some great advice from self there. Drink as much water as you can if you are breastfeeding and if any visitors ask if you need anything say yes to any food you can eat easily with one hand or a fork.

Trust your instincts. As long as the baby is cuddled, warm, dry, fed and clothed that's all you really need to do to begin with. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself and be kind to yourself. Recovering from the birth can be tough on your body so take it as easy as you can physically. If you have a partner get them to help you as much as possible and make sure you support each other through the first few weeks. A few words of encouragment go a long way when you both are wondering if you are doing the right things!

You'll be absolutely fine and congratulations Smile. Enjoy bonding with your baby.

SheepyFun · 11/07/2017 18:48

Lower your expectations of what you'll achieve. Then lower them some more. If you manage to bathe, you're having a good day - I think I managed about once every three days for quite a while.

Focus on doing what's absolutely essential - feeding yourself and baby, changing baby, cuddling baby. That's about it. This wasn't an issue for me, but some of my friends had to teach their DP's how to use the washing machine...

TheSlowLoris · 11/07/2017 18:50

When you're changing a nappy make sure you pull out all the ruffly bits at the sides.

Also you may find you try a few brands before you find the one that suits your baby.

Don't be surprised if you go home feeling like you've been hit by a bus. It gets better!

BellyBean · 11/07/2017 18:55

Don't expect your LO to want to sleep anywhere but on you or your OH for the first week or two (or more), if they do that's a bonus.

BellyBean · 11/07/2017 18:57

If you're planning to breastfeed Get a couple of boxes for snacks and a couple of water bottles and keep them stocked so you have easy access during the day and at night.

Nothing worse than realising you're stuck under a feeding newborn and you're staaarving.

ItchyFoot · 11/07/2017 18:59

If you're breastfeeding rubbing breastmilk into your nipples helps relieve any pain and helps toughen them up.
Baby vests with the envelope necks can be pulled down in case of poo explosion. Saves cleaning poo from their hair!

ifigoup · 11/07/2017 19:10

I would disagree with the poster above and say tuck IN all the ruffly bits on nappies.

Get a box or basket and put in a bottle of water, snacks, breast pads, phone charger, book, TV remotes and anything else you might want to hand while you're stuck under a feeding or sleeping baby. Keep it by your sofa or chair within arm's reach.

If you can, batch cook and freeze meals before the baby comes.

When people ask if they can help, give them specific instructions like "Please would you hoover the lounge?"

Do a supermarket shop/delivery and get in plenty of loo roll, washing-up liquid, etc. Yes, you can get these things fairly easily afterwards, but it's nice not to have to think about it for a while, and having good systems in place will make a big difference.

SelfObsessionHoney · 11/07/2017 19:22

Yes to giving people specific instructions. DP's family have sorted and cleared our back yard as DS came early and we hadn't had chance to do it. Felt cheeky asking but people wanna do stuff to help you out.

Crumbelina · 11/07/2017 19:29

Great tips above! Get people to buy you a huge tin of shortbread. Smile

Flisspaps · 11/07/2017 19:32

Ruffles on nappies definitely out.

Don't bother with nipple cream now. Save it for IF you need it later, it's a waste using it beforehand.

YY to lowering your expectations and then lowering them some more

crazypenguinlady · 11/07/2017 19:36

Haven't read above and can only post quickly but try not to out too much pressure on yourself! Trust your instincts and don't worry too much about naps/routines/etc. Also, if batch cooking, don't make soup. I made a shit ton not thinking about the possibility that my baby wouldn't like being put down and was constantly hungry so breastfeeding whilst eating soup wasn't ideal HmmGrin go for easy food that you can eat with one hand!

Enjoy your baby OP and congratulations Flowers

Original poster
MissBax · 11/07/2017 20:33

Aw wow thank you for all these wonderful replies and ideas ♥ I can't reply to each one individually but they're all great. Thank-you for the advice re soup as that's what I'd planned but actually hadn't thought about how tricky that would be whilst holding a baby. Also particularly like the idea about the little box of snacks/books/water next to the couch, that's a great idea! Thanks again everyone!

OP posts:
Superfinch · 11/07/2017 20:42

Ah yes...soup! I batch cooked loads too, then realised i couldn't actually heat it up and eat it hot as my little one was either breastfeeding or superglued to me all the time. Hovering a spoonful of hot soup over your tiny baby is not a good idea!

Banania · 11/07/2017 20:45

You put the soup in a mug and drink it like that Wink

Banania · 11/07/2017 20:45

You put the soup in a mug and drink it like that Wink

TheSlowLoris · 11/07/2017 20:49

The ruffles are supposed to be out so that the elastic sits on the skin to prevent leaks. It even says so on the Pampers website.

Superfinch · 11/07/2017 20:53

Banania why did no one tell me that? It's so blindingly obvious now you mention it. Haha.. feel like a right idiot.. less Superfinch, more Stupidfinch Grin

Original poster
MissBax · 11/07/2017 20:56

Banania - ahhhh of course!!!! Yay, I can now continue my soup plans.

OP posts:
EsmesBees · 11/07/2017 21:08

6 weeks in with dd2 here and I'd forgotten how many nappies you go through in the early days. So get a few packs in.

Check if you have a sling library near by, definitely worth a visit once the baby is here. My first slept in a wrap sling better than anywhere else.

NapQueen · 11/07/2017 21:12

Encourage people to ring ahead before visits and dont feel bad at all for saying a certain day or time doesnt work for you.

Fresh air is like food for the soul. Dont be afraid to take the baby for a short walk to the shop even a few days old.

Dont feel bad putting the baby down somewhere. Lots of babies prefer being held but some are perfectly happy in a bouncer or moses basket etc for short periods. Thats ok too.

Mottofor getting through the day:- everybody fed and nobody dead. Anything else is a bonus.

feelingblue123 · 11/07/2017 21:15

Marking place as these are brill. Will write them down. 14 weeks to go...