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

Terms and conditions:

-To enter the competition answer the question above
-To enter, you must be:
a) A UK resident; and b) 18 years old or over at the time of entry and c) a registered member of Mumsnet
-Competition closes at midnight on Thursday 21st January 2016
-Entries posted after the closing date will not be considered
-One winner will be chosen from all winning entries
-Mumsnet will choose the winner at random after the closing date
-Mumsnet will contact the winner privately to organise delivery of the prize
-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)

Don't compare yourself to others, just try to focus on you and your child and getting through each day enjoying your time together while they are a baby. Take things at your own pace and don't try to present as anything other than yourself - too much pressure on yourself leads to stress.

Relax and enjoy the times you are stuck sitting on the sofa feeding baby. Those months actually pass so quickly.

"Your children survive in spite of what you do not because of what you do"

Said by a health visitor after my four month old fell off of the sofa (who knew she could roll )

We still live by that now with baby no 2.... Who incidentally did not fall off of the sofa.... He did fall off of a bed...

Don't take advice from me I think I am a bad parent

Trust your instinct more than any doctor, if you think something is wrong then act on it. You are the voice for your baby.

Remember when the going gets tough that it probably is just a phase and you will eventually be out the other side of it.

Things are always more stressful and upsetting when you are sleep deprived, just do your best -as long as your baby is getting fed, changed and getting lots of cuddles you are doing great !

Go with what you think is best. As a new parent accept any help you can and rest!

The old adage "Sleep when your baby sleeps" really is the best advice. Take naps together and go to bed early to ensure you have the energy to enjoy your baby. AND don't be afraid to ask for help = let visitors make you a cup of tea and forget the mess - who cares - your visitors are here to see the baby and not check you are keeping up with your housework!

The whole process if learning to be a parent is the learning part. It takes time for you to know what todo and when.You a nd your baby have to get to know each other

Try and relax as much as you can. Accept help if it is offered but ultimately find your way of doing things and make your own routine as you will know what works for you

Never be afraid to ask for help.

Try to ease into a routine but don't force it. When you get there, things will feel easier, however a routine does take time to establish, so don't beat yourself up if it doesn't happen as quickly as you hoped. Persevere, don't give up

don't listen to too much advice and trust your instinct. You're the parent and the child is your responsibility.

You and your baby will bond and that means that having taken all the advice offered you will know if your baby is happy with it.

Nobody loves a martyr!

Go with your gut feeling your mothers instinct is always right :)

Don't be afraid to seek help for post-natal depression from your Doctor. Sooner , rather than later can help so much. Also confide in friends who can help in many ways.
Enjoy time with your children while they are small. Housework is secondary. An important piece of advice helped me - if the house looks fairly tidy, a bit of dust won't be noticed.

accept all help offered, trust your own instinct and get plenty of rest

I really think the best bit of advise is to trust your instincts but if you are not confident then ASK - really - there is no manual when our little ones come into the world and almost EVERY situation is unique so there is no shame in asking - there are many many people that will offer advise and no question is a silly question BUT ask who YOU think is the best person to ask - would you ask a dentist about tummy upset? Pharmacists and Health Visitors are brilliant professionals for general advise.

Two things which I was told by paediatricians which helped calm my first-time parent nerves:

1. The paediatrician would ALWAYS listen to a mother's instincts - those instincts are there for a reason.
2. Our ancestors were designed to survive falls out of trees. Don't beat yourself up the first time your baby falls off the bed/sofa.

Make certain there's someone to talk to, if necessary - family, friends, or professional. Your experiences are unlikely to be very different from those of countless others.

Praising your children even for the littlest of things will help build their confidence massively

My advice is to not worry about taking on all the advice you get. The moment you have a baby, everyone is an expert but what works for them may or may not work for you. So relax and trust your own instincts as they are normally spot on!

Talk to other mums - you will never be the only one who has a particular problem. There is no such thing as a perfect parent and forget about what other people might think- its your child and you must bring them up in a way that is comfortable for you both.

The best piece of advice I can offer is: Try not to be stressed and just go with the flow. Babies sense stress, and this will upset them.

You will be given lots of conflicting advice and opinions by well-meaning friends and family members... You will quickly fall into a routine yourself, so do what's best for you and your baby!

Don't be too proud to accept help, it's not a sign of weakness.