For those that have been Mummies before.....

[Letsallscreamatthesistene]

.....whats the best piece of advice you have, or were given for us newbies for labour or babies?

This site has so much knowledge and im sure there are some gems of advice out there!

The best piece of advice I got...

You can read all the books about what to expect with a new baby, but the baby won't have read any of them!

As a worrier/ perfectionist it really helped me to go with the flow and lower my expectations. Not saying I didn't have my wobbles (I did), but it helped me to remember that she isn't going to do something just because I want her to or because a book says she ought to.

Life will feel like it's been turned upside down and inside out, but when that little baby looks up at you everything will melt away. Always trust your instincts, no one knows your baby better than you.

You soon get into the swing of things. Enjoy every moment it goes so fast x

Do sleep when you can. Accept help. Don't be scared to ask for help.

I did a load of batch cooking before baby arrived and froze it. It was an absolute lifesaver. Lasagne, 40 mins from frozen. Same with Chille, Bolognese, curry , cottage pie etc.

As for labour, remember you are in control. One contraction is closer to baby. It won't last forever.

All the best to you. It's an amazing journey

When hospital staff say they'll be back to see you soon or at x time don't wait up. Chances are they won't be back. Get the sleep.

Take time to enjoy the early days. You might feel like you want to get the house organised and get out there but don't put stress on yourself just relax and hold the baby as much as you can because they grow up so so quickly. Also babies cry! The cry will go right through you but just try to stay calm and not get stressed.

Keep a stock of things in the bathroom cabinet. The kinds of things that, when you need them, you’ll need them immediately and won’t want trek out to the shop to get. Things like calpol, teething granules, pile cream etc. No one wants a trip to Tesco with a screaming baby.... or a sore bum!

Dont plan your birth, wait and see.

Do what you need to do during newborn stage. Don't take too much notice of the official advice (within reason) , be prepared to use your own initiative and do what you think is right for you and your baby.

Don’t have any expectation of sleep or routine in the first couple of months, as much as you can go with the flow, honestly really try to nap with the baby ... it took me too long to get my head around that ... I am
Now back at work and miss them.

Pre cook and freeze meals that someone can put in the microwave .... stock any grab and go food that you can ... quick is key.

If you are not breast feeding share the feeds with partner , even so far as going into another room to grab sleep ... every instinct will scream not to let baby out of your sight ... but sleep makes for a happier mummy, or if you breast feed let partner settle baby ... again you may not want that to
Be the case but do it .

That may be just me but that’s how I was .. though I can only see how crazy I was looking back 😂

Being a mum is amazing but I found the new born part hard ( but also had pnd ... my head was all over the place )

When labour starts do not dash into hospital. Take 2 paracetamol, get some sleep or have a simple meal. Relax and trust in your body.

I second always trusting your instincts as a mother. They are very powerful and you will know what's best for baby.

Also, try and view the first 3 months as the baby's 4th trimester. All they need is you so don't try and do too much if not up to it. Days in your pyjamas just bonding with and feeding little one are the loveliest.

Best wishes! X

@Newmumma83 yep!! my OH did the nightshift with our 2nd baby as soon as we left the hospital. He stayed downstairs at night feeding and keeping track of milk and nappies. He did a better job than I could have lol. I went to bed with my 1yr old did at 7-8pm and got a solid sleep.

@LetsallscreamatthesisteneLabour advice I'd say do not be afraid to poo 🙈 that held me back during my first labour, i didnt push effectively AT ALL and his poor head was shaped like a cone so awfully from being stuck. I knew how to push properly 2nd time round .
Try and enjoy the lazy newborn bubble. Take pics and write down your thoughts, enjoy your time together

Do what feels right for your family, not what other people tell you that you should do. There is so much I wish I'd just relaxed on with my first but everyone is so keen on telling you what to do, you try and please them.
You will not make a rod for your own back. Babies have phases, they pass, do what works at that time and worry about them not sleeping in their cot or only whilst you are singing in the future.
Sleep! Everything and everyone else can wait. There is such a fine line between sleep deprivation and pnd and it is such a shock with your first baby.
The first 6 weeks are hard! Babies give nothing back in those first few weeks, breastfeeding is hard, lack of sleep is hard, your life changes, its lonely. But it gets easier and more enjoyable after 6 weeks.