Newborn tips

[MissBax]

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

Yes to car seat practice run. I was in hospital the week before DS's birth and was a sweaty stressy mess on the ride home.
Have a packet of the next size up nappies in the cupboard

Agree with the car practice run and make sure the car works ok. You don't want to leave the house for an induction at 42 weeks and find that the car doesn't start and you have to speed walk to the effing hospital to make the appointment. .

Currently on day 3 with DC2. Accept all reasonable offers of help (by reasonable I mean 'we'll take DC1 out while you rest', as opposed to 'we'll hold the baby while you make the tea'!)

If you have a downstairs loo, stock it with maternity pads and lanolin to Dave excessive trips up and downstairs.

Ruffles definitely out with nappies!

If it's a boy, try putting an inco sheet partially under the changing mat and pegging the other end to your top. It will serve the dual purpose of saving your clothes and saving you having to clean wee and/or poo off floors and furniture at 4am!

If breastfeeding always have a towel underneath you in bed. Both times with my last two I was soaking a sheet and mattress protector due to breastmilk leaking everywhere. Changing sheets everyday is the last thing you need , a medium sized towel underneath is a godsend just swap it at 4am and back to sleep. Well hopefully.

Breastmilk is also great for sticky newborn eyes or sore patches of skin, much better than anything you could buy.

Google "tiger in a tree hold" it is insanely effective at soothing a baby with trapped wind.

Also baby massage is great both mine loved it from day one. My little girl still rubs her feet now with moisturising cream it's very sweet.

Try and get five minutes for yourself every day. Even if that's just a quick shower and a bit of body lotion.

Fresh air. Brilliant for newborns and you even if cold jut wrap everyone up and get out of the house. It will feel like a faff but you will feel so much better.

Good luck. It's a full on but really special time. My third is due at end of October or beginning of November..l. Bring own the madness!

I've got a box downstairs with nappy change stuff in including a few changes of clothes for baby and me and I have the same upstairs next to the cot so I have everything to hand when accidents occur.

If baby has a poo explosion pull the vest down from shoulders and arms it stops the poo spreading worse.

Cover a boys penis to control any pre fountain they like to share but with little girls have the changing mat so the top with the edging is at the bottom it's stop pee running off and possibly onto you.

Pillowcases make brilliant mosses basket mattress covers and are less faff to get on and off.

Thanks all for the updated comments - I'm starting to feel a little more prepared for it all now :)

Not much more to add practically apart from:
If your baby likes white noise - instead of buying one of the expensive 'sleep sheep' type things, we got a rechargeable bluetooth speaker which had an sd card slot - loaded the card with whichever sounds he liked (there's loads you can download) and it was enough to last all night. My son would always wake up after the auto shut off after 20-40 mins on the other ones!

Also - if in doubt, feed - I was amazed how frequently newborns feed.

Not sure if it's been mentioned but get yourself a travel mug. My bodum one was a god send!

It means you can still have a hot drink after you've inevitably fart arsed around for 2 hours feeding/winding/changing baby just after making a cup of tea.

Learn how to breastfeed lying down. Good videos on YouTube or ask the Midwife/bf support group. After a few weeks you should be able to rest while you feed. Do make sure you follow all anti-SIDS safe sleeping guidelines.

I also second the person who suggested nipple shields - for us it was not that my nipples hurt but that DS had trouble getting the hang of latching. Shields helped him work it out and we were then able to bf without them within a few days. You may not need them but they are worth a try if all else fails.