Share your advice for first time parents to help build their confidence with Nurofen for Children - £300 voucher prize draw! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Research by Nurofen for Children shows that, on average, it takes a first time mum an average of six months to feel confident as a parent(i). With that in mind, they'd like to know what words of wisdom you'd pass down to a first time mum to boost their confidence.

Here's what Nurofen for Children says, "Becoming a mum is a wonderful life changing experience, and a huge learning curve. Nurofen for Children understands seeking advice from other mums is an important part of feeling confident in the decisions you make for your new baby, so we’d love to know your best advice for other first-time mums".

Maybe you'd share something your own parents told you that helped when you were embarking on parenthood. Or something you wish you'd been told when you were a new parent. You might have a nugget of advice that you think would really make a difference, and we're eager to hear it.

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one mumsnetter will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks

MNHQ

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Nurofen for Children 3 months to 9 years Orange / Strawberry. Nurofen for Children Orange / Strawberry 3 months to 12 years (weighing over 5kg). Contains Ibuprofen. For relief of fever. Always read the label.

(i) Survey of 2,000 mums by One Poll, commissioned by Nurofen for Children (October 2013)

Don't fret over what if's or maybes. Go with the flow. We all make little mistakes as first time parents and enjoy being a new parent. Baby and parent will learn from each other and friends and family are always there to give you good tips and advice if needed.

If you need to give medicine, use a syringe and squirt small amounts into the side of their mouth towards their cheek. Prevents them gagging on it.

I will advice new mums to go to the local baby group, you will meet loads of new mums. You can talk about your experience, your worries or joy of being a mum, you don't feel judged and everybody is at the same level. I met loads of friends that way. great boost for confidence!!!

Follow your instincts! Remember we have been having children for thousands of years - before self-help books, before the internet, before electricity etc. Some days can be tougher than others, but love and patience will see you through.

You can do this and do it fabulously in your own way ;-)

try to relax and go with your instincts, rather than listen to other peoples conflicting advice

Its not actually that bad! Love and attachment take over to protect :)

If in doubt always see your GP. Always better safe than sorry, especially with little ones.

Always trust your instincts!

The best advice I got was when my Mum told us to cut up and old towel into strips and pop one on baby's private parts as soon as nappy was taken off to stop them from weeing!

Your a mother so trust your own instincts if you think something is wrong and your child is ill, you are more then likely to be right, so if you don't get the help you need the first time, go back for a second opinion

I'd say ignore other peoples advice do what you feel is right. There will be lots of conflicting advice or people who know better ignore it all and do your best the way you want to do it

Everyone (literally everyone) will share with you their experience and advice, whether you want it or not. You probably will have to listen but you don't have to follow it - do what's right for you and your baby.

Try and enjoy it - soon you'll be waving them off to school, long sleepless nights forgotten and wondering how 5 years has passed!

Always trust your instincts no matter what your GP says. So many times I've had the GP tell me there's nothing wrong only to discover it's a bit more serious. They're called motherly instincts for a reason!

'I'm only brave when I have to be. Being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble' - Mufasa (The Lion King)

trust your instincts.

WHen you have your first baby you often find people (especially women) looking at you with the baby. Often you assume they're judging you and your mothering skills. Really mostly they will be feeling sympathy for you, envying you a bit and remembering their own experiences with tiny babies. You don't get them very often.

You’re wiser today than you were yesterday. We all make mistakes along the way, but that’s what makes parenting an art form. The things we’re worrying about today are generally not the things that were a really big deal a year ago. Children grow up, we figure things out, and we move on. That’s why grandparents tend to have a more relaxed attitude about raising kids – they have the perspective (and selective memory) that only time can provide.

Baby is happy to stay in a babygro and doesn't need putting into day clothes, particularly if you're at home.

Don't stress yourself out trying to fit in with the parenting books, just trust your instincts. Oh, and take photos and videos, but not so many that you're always behind the lens rather than enjoying the precious moments.

Parenting is a learning curve do not stress about things

Don't stop being YOU! Don't cut your hair into a more easy to manage style, wear more easy wash clothing, just be yourself.

Never be afraid to ask for advice and don't feel intimidated when you feel silly for not know things!

Try not to google things and compare your child to others, every child is different and mummy always knows best!

prevention better than cure. Whilst expensive nappy rash creams work .
On advice from HV i used vaseline every nappy change as acts as barrier from wetness and mess and just one when my son had very poorly tummy did he ever have nappy rash

Believe in yourself and do not get too stressed. There will be good days and difficult days! Embrace them all as when you look back on it time will have gone very quickly and you never have that precious time again.