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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-Competition closes at midnight on Thursday 21st January 2016
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-The prize is £300 Love2Shop vouchers
-Full terms and conditions here

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)

Learn to live in and ignore all the mess around you.

my advice is to go with your gut feeling if your worried there is no harm in taking baby to the doctor or phoning your midwife even if it is to put your mind at ease :)

Don't expect too much of yourself for the first few weeks and months. Cancel everything you possibly can to make it easier on yourself.

Trust yourself & only listen to welcome advice - ignore any you don't like or feel comfortable with!

trust your instincts. you know your baby better than healthcare professionals. their advice is for the "average" baby, but no baby is average in everything. some babies do things earlier, some later. Some take to solid food easily, some don't, etc. Don't fret if other people say that someone else's baby is doing such and such at a certain age and yours is not.

Find friends with children of a similar age. Take a day at a time and never be afraid to ask for help or advice. No stage lasts forever especially the sleepless nights.

Forget the housework... enjoy a cuddle.

The first few months are the hardest and will push you to the edge and you will feel tired and then you will get rays of sunshine so bright you will wonder if you're dreaming.

6 months? Blimey, there are still moments when I don't feel confident and my DDs are now 11 and 14.

When they are ill is the worst. You just have to try and relax, use the information you have to make the best decision you can.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Lots of people will give you advice often when you haven't asked for it! Listen to your instincts and only do what feels right for you. Most importantly enjoy it. I have a 16 year old, 3 year old and 7 month old and I have learnt to cherish the moments because even when your dead on your feet from being woken a number of times at night be sure that it doesn't last for ever.

Nothing can prepare you for having a baby, no amount of advice or reading of books as when they arrive it will go out of the window.

Best bit of advice is just to go with it, you will know best, weirdly you'll just know what to do. :)

Never ever feel like you are being silly for thinking a certain way. We are learning, and the only way to know something is to ask. Especially when it comes to your baby, the most important person in your world. Only you know your baby so if you feel their is something wrong, just seek advice. It's far better to be safer than sorry. The most important thing to remember is that we have all been first time mums once, we are all learning, we have all been there. =)

Start buying nappies as soon as you know your pregnant - you will need lots of them .
Listen to YOUR guys - not others .
Don't let others bully you to do anything you were not thinking of doing yourself.
Every child is different - don't compare them .

Delegate as much work as possible, so you can give baby the time for care only her mum can give.

Everyone makes mistakes as a new parent so don't worry!

Don't listen to random advice; go with how you feel and seek trusted advice when you want it! Oh and sleep as much as possible! ;)

Enjoy each day. Tomorrow is another day.

Don't be afraid to ask for help, very easy for new mums to feel isolated, alone and inadequate, especially those Mums who are used to be working and having colleagues around for advice and help

Listen to advice it is given with good intention, but if your instincts tell you something is not right a trip to the nurse or doctor is the right thing to do.

Thanks for all the tips and tales: am pleased to say ButterflyOfFreedom wins the £300 voucher - well done!

Trust you instincts and relax