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?

[NonnoMum]

Have a go with the washable nappies by all means, but if you do get fed up with leaky explosions all over the royal christening gown chose to go for the disposables, Lidl's are by far the best value...

[DameFanny]

Don't use cotton wool on boys - it shreds on their scrotum and you spend ages picking bits out. Just use a damp cloth. Cashmere perhaps.

[PenelopeChipShop]

Listen to your instincts. Cuddle, snuggle, love.

Forget the waiting world. At the moment you're first and foremost a mum and the centre of your son's universe. Nothing else matters now.

[OliviaLMumsnet]

@joanofarchitrave

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

No cheeky spies in the Lindo wing or anything.
Was nothing like as exciting as a golden easel something a bit like this

Anyway, my tip to Kate is: rock your baby, cos babies don't keep.

The best days are when babies come.

[Pawprint]

Don't listen to +bitches+ like my SIL who bossily told me to get my baby into a routine from birth. Fuck 'em.

[BikeRunSki]

Stay in hospital as long as you want!

[WafflyVersatile]

When you get visitors and they ask if there is anything they can do, take them up on it. Get them to fill the dishwasher or clean the bathroom.

[Turnipvontrapp]

Hairdryers on full blast (cold setting) work a treat for colic. DH and I had one either side of the bed and took it in turns turning it on and off throughout the night. DS stopped crying the second it was switched on - magic!

[NorksAreMessy]

Come and join MN, somebody has the answer to every problem or worry at any time of day or night.

[Turnipvontrapp]

Ha ha, just picturing when the Queen visits, asking her to clean the loo or empty the bin. Bet she would too, after the Olympic parachuting with James Bond, she seems up for anything!

[WafflyVersatile]

She did her time in the Wrens, fixing jeeps in the war, Turnip.

[WafflyVersatile]

Ha, yes.

Join MN. We have great advice for dealing with overbearing matriarchs-in-law
#tipsforkate

[WafflyVersatile]

Don't let breastfeeding stop you from getting out and about, just wear easily accessible tops for feeding on the go.

[Sharptic]

Congratulations!

No-one told me that a new baby did not know when to sleep and doesn't understand tiredness.

I didn't k
now that a newborn needs to sleep at least every 1 - 1.5 hours, any longer will lead to an overtired, unsettled baby.

Look out for your tired baby and help them sleep whichever way you find works for your baby. Then enjoy cuddling and looking at that sleeping baby in your arms because that is precious and he will be at school before you know it!

[WafflyVersatile]

Try to avoid performance parenting in Waitrose unless you want another thread about you.

[WafflyVersatile]

Try not to get offended when Phil tells you the baby looks common and must get that from your side.

[angelfire]

Enjoy your baby
You will know him better than anyone else so don't let others tell you what to do

Congratulations - this is such lovely news

[WafflyVersatile]

Just seen about you making it into a book.

Mine aren't going to make the cut, are they?

[HoneyDragon]

Whoops. Will I get beheaded for the bald comment?

I didn't know this thread was meant to a present!

[Turnipvontrapp]

Didn't know that Waffle, she has gone even higher in my estimation. She can fix the hair dryer when it breaks from overheating (and then empty the bin).

[WafflyVersatile]

all-that-is-interesting.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-serves-as-a-mechanic-during-world

[catkind]

My top tip has to be
Stretchy wrap slings = sleep. They think they're back in the womb, it's like magic. Baby in stretchy wrap on dad = nap time for mum too!

[Jimanis]

If breastfeeding, get an app for your phone to remind you how long he fed for, when feeds are due & on what side etc. It's amazing how you can forget with everything else going on.

[Crabbypink]

Don't worry. You're doing a good job. It isn't about perfection, it's about loving your child.