Tips for Kate: which invaluable piece of new-mum advice would you pass on? Please share it here, or Tweet to #tips4kate

[HelenMumsnet]

So, the royal baby has finally arrived ? congrats, Will and Kate!

Anyone with even moderately republican leanings should probably look away now ? and, by look away, we mean from everything: internet, telly, newspapers, billboards, the works. The next few weeks are set fair to be a veritable fiesta of regality.

Which is ironic, in a way, because there are surely few experiences more levelling than that of giving birth and its immediate aftermath. No matter how much money you have, or how many attendants dancing errm attendance, at the end of the day, it's just you and your baby.

With that in mind, let's offer a helping hand to a fellow new mother ? indeed, to all the new mothers out there. What would be the single invaluable piece of advice you'd share on the early days ? and long nights ? with a newborn?

Post it on the thread, or better yet, Tweet it with the hashtag #tips4kate. We'll make up a book of our favourites, and pass it on to her ? and we'll ensure that your suggestions are given a permanent home on the site, too.

So go on, share: what helped you through?

Make sure you've had a wee, picked up a drink and commandeered the TV remote before sitting down for a nursing session :o

Anywaaaaaaaay....

I don't think Kate really wants a thread of our in-squabbling. Back to the tips.

I concur TheDoctrine but a conspiracy theory was more fun.

Get yourself a large 'swing bin of doom' for the first few weeks, bung any dirty nappies, breast pads, maternity pads in it and empty it daily. We had one in our landing and it was just so much better than trying to cram stuff in to a tiny bathroom bin.

Ignore anyone who tells you to get your DS in to a feeding regime - feed on demand, and cuddle on demand. You cannot spoil a baby!

They're meant to roll off a bed once. That's natures way of letting you know it's time to start child proofing.

After the 150th witty reference to the baby having more hair than William you no longer have to pretend to laugh and are legally allowed to bludgeon them to death with a brick filled nappy bag.

I don't think the Duchess has to worry about people not emptying the tiny bathroom bin before it overflows.

But that is a good tip for we mere mortals.

[imagining enormous MNHQ lever and Justine shouting 'REVEAL THE THREAD' while Olivia and Rachel leap up and heave it down together]

Equip yourself with some earplugs (for you) and ear defenders (for the baby) if you're at all concerned re church bell/21 gun salute racket.

Don't in any way be focused on 'getting back to normal' in the early weeks and don't give in to the Daily Mail pressure to be doing so. I like the '4th trimester' idea. Get used to your new normal.

Make sure you don't tell everyone straight away, but keep your baby to yourself for a good few private Mummy-Daddy-baby cuddles.

Oh, you've done that! Well done.

Just let the baby sleep on you if you have to. Sleep's sleep and you need it.

If bf'ing and it starts rocky, stick at it and get expert help. It's the best thing I've ever done.

Many congrats.

And, if you call him Tyler, I will be your servant for every...

Yes I did think that Dondrapers, but put it anyway for the mortals - it was one of the most useful items in the house for that messy post partum stage!

Take sleep when you can, take advice with a pinch of salt and take lots and lots of everday family photos. They grow up so very fast, faster than you can possibly imagine today, so enjoy every second and record as much as you can And when you are not enjoying it, let your mum take over and you have a good cry, very cathartic.

When baby wakes in the night, try BFing lying down with him. You'll be asleep in minutes and he will too once he's had his fill.

Following safe co sleeping guidelines obvs.

Baby will want to be near you (on you) all the time so just go with it. Slings and letting him doze on you make for a happy baby.

You can't spoil a baby

You cannot spoil babies by holding them. Hold him. Cuddle him. Love him.

Trust your instincts. He's your boy and if you think it's the right thing to do, it probably is.

Congratulations my love and welcome to the best adventure you'll ever have.

It's not making a rod for your own back, they are a beautiful, helpless little baby. Do whatever you need to make sure YOU are happy and as un exhausted as is possible with a newborn and let routines and general life slide as long as the baby is loved, safe and has his needs met. It's natural to struggle and be prepared for a drop in adrenaline and a 'I gave birth to a BABY? My life has been changed forever? Can I swap it for a gerbil?' type moment and if you can't cope- seek help. Don't be a martyr, enjoy childhood and make sure childhood is enjoyable for your son.

I demand an answer from MNHQ .

Aftenoon nap.

The nights aren't quite so painful if you get a couple of hours in the afternoon.

Pelvic floor exercises.

FOREVER!

It's OK to stare and stare at your beautiful baby for hours on end...

No-one ever, ever looks back and thinks "wow, I wish I had made more cups of tea/tidied up more/worn make up 3 days post birth".

Many new parents may look back and think "I wish I had cuddled them more when they were tiny."

Cuddle your baby. Your son.

You are allowed to say "Can I have him back now" if someone is having a cuddle. They can make the tea.

Log yourself onto mumsnet and kiss the next five years goodbye

enjoy your lovely boy!

Whoever said Lansinoh - I agree 100%