First time mum, need help!

[ChloeR12]

Hey guys. I'm due in 2021. This is my first baby. Me and my partner are moving to live nearer his work (he's in the military) which is two hours away from any family (any family we have as I don't have a mum or anything, only his who isn't the most helpful)

I'm abit worried really, I've got no one to ask for advice etc... I'm worrying about things such as, what milk to buy? How long will one of those tins last usually? How do you dress your new born baby depending on the weather, what sterilizing bottles means? How to bathe them and when! You all get what I mean hopefully. Basically I'm a complete newbie and won't have anyone to ask any of these questions! Does anyone have any books? I literally feel like I need a step by step guide! Lol

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks all :)

I googled everything! U know you need bottles, a steriliser & milk. It'll tell u on the side of the tin how much your baby will need based on their weight & it'll last depending on that. Tbh, someone who had their babies a while ago is likely to have forgotten exactly anyway as it'll change as the baby grows. Have a separate basin for keeping bottles in so u can wash them in one go & put them in the steriliser. You need a special brush for the bottles. You can buy pre made bottles for the first couple of days (normally called starter kits) to ease you in & you can also buy milk in liquid form (more expensive but easier). Some people make bottles up in advance and store them in the fridge for 12 hours and then heat them by standing in a jug of boiling water. Others make bottles fresh before use and then have to cool them. I test the temperature on your wrist. U can buy a bottle prep machine but look at reviews etc first. In terms of which milk to buy, I went with sma because I remember my mother using that for my sister. I also heard suggestions to buy whichever is always in stock in your closest shop. If you're not familiar with babies, google everything (you will always find a forum with advice) and watch YouTube videos of newborn routines etc before u buy anything. You can then work out what you need for your house and how best to organise yourself. If you need an antenatal class, it'll probably be online. I got given an nhs one but tbh it was more about domestic abuse than looking after a baby. The baby academy do offers. Personally the book I'm reading is by Penelope leach and is quite old but there's so many on amazon. Just make sure you get a uk based one, assuming your in the uk. There's lots of lists of things to buy online, make your own based on a few & either run it past a friend who's had kids or mumsnet and they will tell you straight!! Good luck

You will be fine we don't live near any family either and tbh it works for us, I don't need people tellin me how to raise my child, u will find ur own way of doing things that work for u. Like pp said don't worry to much about milk, I wouldn't buy more than one tin to start off with if baby does like that type or u may end up breast feeding or expressing or combi feeding. And the same with bottles just buy one or two and if baby gets on with them then easy to pick more up.
Google is a god send. And like pp said look on Amazon for books think I had one called first time parent or along those lines, just buy a couple and get reading.
Maybe look at local nct classes they are a bit expensive thou.
Newborns not don't to need to much stuff:
Car seat
Pushchair/ travel system
Some where to sleep ( needs to be in the same room as you for the first 6 months) I would recommend something like a next to me crib
Grow bags are good or can use blankets
Food either bottle or breast ( then depending on what u choose will need a few added bits )
Clothes: vest, baby grows, hats
Nappies and wipes ( cotton wool and water when baby brand new)
Muslins cloths
And a swing (not a must but helpful)

You can make the list a lot longer but think that's most of the basics.

You got this ! don't worry you will find ur own way and their is always help from midwifes and health visitors if needs be xx

www.amazon.co.uk/What-Expect-When-Youre-Expecting/dp/1471147525?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

The bible... I hadn't a clue what to expect with my eldest, 19 years ago. My youngest is 6 and it remained my bible, my all-you-need/go-to guide.

Congratulations!

With regards to clothing baby should always have one more layer than you are wearing. But to be honest when they are little, vets, babygrows and cardigans. Maybe a warm snowsuit for going for a walk. If you can definitely try and do an antenatal class they will show you things like how to bath a baby. And don't be afraid to ask your midwives in the hospital. They will be able to help you.

The best book I read was www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B003GUBI4I/ref=ya_aw_dod_pi?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8 - told me everything as I didn’t have a clue either.

Remember your midwives and health visitor will be good for specific questions too. There is a lot of hate for HVs on mumsnet but mine is brilliant and is always available for a phone chat.

@ChloeR12 are you moving into a Married Quarter near his base? There will be lots of other families around if you are, so you will make mum friends. Look up your nearest military wives choir if you want an instant friendship group - you don’t have to be any good at singing!