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?

Babies cry from tiredness more than hunger (certainly after very first few weeks, probably before too). When you are head of state you can make it law that it is a defence in law for eliminating relatives that insist you always feed a crying baby. Especially if that baby has colic and or reflux!

Did anyone say about stopping breast feeding? Get the breast flow bottles in at 6 months, show Wills how to make a bottle up - the nanny will help - and go stay at your mothers for a couple of days of pampering or you will be rubbing lemon juice on your nipples when the little blighter's over 2 to get them off.

Don't even THINK about an exercise programme until AT LEAST after your six week check...

When you run into the inevitable competitive mum, whose 10 month old can play grade 8 violin whilst riding a bike without stabilsers, then state at het very hard and say "Yes, but my son is going to be King".

Don't make tea for visitors, get them to make it. And don't use nap times to do housework - only sleep! Even a couple of mins of sleep here and there helps.

When you want to make life easier now, by say singing baby to sleep, pause and think 'am I happy to be doing this in years to come?' If so, carry on. If not, reconsider?

Now you've had experience of how important good care in childbirth is, don't spend £100K on clothes next year; give it to childbirth charities.

Make sure you tie your hair back when he gets bigger. Those tiny little cutesy hands have a surprisingly strong grip when pulling long hair!

Enjoy every single day, it goes past all too quickly.

Don't change George's nappy in any room with carpet on the floor (best to get rid of all carpet now, it's easier in the long run) and NEVER if his bottom is pointing towards your best Sanderson floral curtains.

Talk to him about everything that you're doing, even better make up your own songs for him. And enjoy every moment with him, watching him explore his world, as you will never have such luxury with no.2 !

If baby is hard to wind, sit him on your knee or a cushion, hold him under the arms and circle his upper body, from the waist, in an anti-clockwise direction
Most babies love the leopard/lion hold. You can probably Google it, but roughly baby's head goes in the crook of your arm, facing out, his body tummy down along your forearm, and your hand between his leg. Daddy's bigger forearm is usually better.

Don't feel pressed to adopt one baby book/method or reject them all. Many have lots of wisdom or good ideas to.try, or give you a sense of a good rhythm to your day, and you can pick and mix what works for you. good luck

Put him in tights. They look like leggings and when I think of the billions of lost socks from DS compared to the ease of tights with DD I could weep.

Haven't had a chance to RTT, but would like to add (just in case no-one else has) something that has got me through some rough times -

'This too will pass.'

Think of your next three months as the fourth trimester. He may be out in the world but all he really wants to do is be close to you, eat and sleep. Sleep when he does, let him set the rhythm, eat lots of cake, and give hims lots of cuddles.

my only advice would be....

dont listen to any advice (except that advice)

Don't read the newspapers or baby magazines. Or trashy ones either. Especially after you've been spotted going anywhere. You will probably get the rage..

whatever idiotic gossip.columns and trolls say, the vast vast majority of fellow mums know you are doing your best for your child and feel nothing but empathy and admiration. We don't have a public voice to tell you, so read it here