Share your tips on life with a new baby with Philips Avent and you could win £300! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

At Philips Avent breastpumps they understand the importance of preparing to become a parent and the need for a product you can rely on, therefore they'd love to hear your top tips on coping with a new baby - on everything from cooking, looking after yourself and getting out of the house to establishing sleeping and feeding patterns. What things helped you through those first weeks/months? And if you could share any advice with expectant parents, what would it be?

Here’s what Philips Avent say, “our range of breastpumps help new families feel comfortable and relaxed when expressing. We know life certainly is never the same again once you become a parent for the first time. For such a small bundle, babies can take up a lot of time, energy and emotions. How can you prepare yourself for the huge changes welcoming a new baby involves? And is it possible to?".

Add your top tips below and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for John Lewis.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

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PS: Do check out loads of advice and support on the MN pages sponsored by Avent on preparing for life with a newborn here

Do what seems right at the time - and that can change from day to day. Nothings forever.

Invest in a co sleeping crib! And if you have to use a breast pump don't accidentally try to sterilise it in the microwave at 2am without water as it will melt and may be, irrationally, one of the most upsetting experiences in your life.

Even as first time parents, you know what's best for your baby. As long as they're loved, fed and cuddled, the rest is up to you. Advice from others is great but trust your instincts and you won't go far wrong :) enjoy the crazy, wonderful journey!

Don't get too hung up on the latest guidelines and advice, over the years lots of it has changed since I had my first and most parents did fine back then even though it is the complete opposite of what is the 'right' thing to do nowadays!

Trading stories with other new parents can be a great source of support but always remember that babies all develop at different paces and it isn't a competition. Also everyone has differing ideas of 'sleeping through the night' - for one set of our NCT friends who boasted they'd reached this nirvana at a v advanced stage this actually meant sleeping from 1 until 4 in the morning!

Babies want loads of time and cuddles not loads of stuff.
Have short napa when the baby does that way you'll recharge your battery's but still get stuff done.

If you're breastfeeding, pay no attention to the "feeds every 3 hours" bollocks. If baby is crying and can't be easily soothed any other way, offer a boob. Has made my life so much easier with DD2 to not get so hung up about feeding times, and just go with the flow.

Forget about all but the essential housework. Use the time when baby sleeps to get sleep in the bank for you, not cleaning!

Be prepared to do A LOT of sitting around just feeding for the first few weeks/months. Seriously, you won't believe how much. Get Netflix or some good boxsets and enjoy the peace, quiet and rest.

Remember that every phase (good and bad) passes more quickly than you think it will.

Sleep when the baby sleeps at the start, no matter what time of day. Let people help you and admit when you are struggling.

Food shop online. Trust your own instincts.

If you can, sleep in shifts with your partner. I would sleep 7-12:30/1am and then he would sleep through to 6/7. That way we both got a solid block of sleep. If your breast feeding, this also gives your other half chance to feed baby/bond using expressed milk.

Don't take too much notice of advice as everyone has an opinion. Don't be afraid to say no to visitors. It can be very tiring having a stream of people visiting especially when you are feeling sore and tired.

We also found it useful to sleep in shifts and have DH give a bottle of expressed milk while I slept.
Accept any help you can get. E.g. my mil brought individually frozen home cooked meals for the freezer, they were amazing.
I also say try to get out and about regularly so you don't feel too isolated stuck at home.
And don't beat yourself up about getting into "bad habits". It's all just a phase, so do whatever you need to do to get by.

Do whatever is easiest.
Let guests make their own cups of tea.
Accept help.
Don't worry about routines and timetables.

Read trashy novels whilst bfing - stops you getting bored but my baby brain allowed nothing heavier!

I bought an avent pump with dd2 - it was hundred odd quid but worth every penny. Wish I had one with dd1. I expressed from 6 months so dd2 could be on her own with her dad for much longer periods and eventually overnight. It was s godsend

If the baby will only nap on you, watch those movies you missed in the cinema, the box set that people have been harping on about. Babies need a bit of noise to sleep and also it helps if they don't get used to the quiet so you're not tip toeing around when you can put them down to nap

I batch cooked when I was off, pre-baby arriving and that made a huge difference when my husband went back to work and we were too tired to cook. And this time round I bought a sling, which has been utterly brilliant as means I ahve 2 hands available to deal with the toddler.

Trust your instincts; accept all the help you're offered; give all the cuddles you want to.

1. Express so you have a stash of breastmilk for emergencies. I'm just recovering from a nasty bug and my husband doing the night feeds with my expressed milk gave me the chance to rest and recover.
2. Batch cook and store in freezer. Ask friends to bring food instead of baby clothes!
3. Get out and about early. It'll build your confidence quickly and everyone loves seeing a newborn, I felt like a celebrity!
4. Don't compare yourself. Sure, ask for advice, ask other mums how they're getting on. But be kind to yourself. You know you, you know your baby, go with your flow.

Ignore advice from other people.

Everyone will be keen to compare your new baby with their experience. Every baby is different and comparison leads to feeling inadequate.

Cabbage leaves, stems gently crushed to release goodness kept down your bra helps mastitis
Small note book- write it all down, feed times, who fed which side and when, nappy changes, sleep times, errands to do, saves having to remember things
Small rucksack packed with snacks and water bottle with hose, so you can eat and drink in middle of night whilst feeding babies without spilling anything/disturbing anyone else.

There is a huge amount you can buy for a newborn and you won't use half of it. Save yourself money by only buying the essentials to start (there are tried and tested lists out there) and then see if you need/want anything else.

Don't try to change things drastically. A stable environment is what's best for your child but most importantly YOU are what's best for the child.

Babies are so defenceless! Being in charge of someone so vulnerable can be terrifying. It's normal to feel overwhelmed by this at times.

Get out of the house. No matter how long it takes and regardless of where you go, everything is easier when you've had a change of scene.

Having a baby can be the most amazing time of your life! But it can also be overwhelming, anxiety inducing and just a bloody rollercoaster of hormones yes, I cried at any advert with an animal/child/old person in it
If you are struggling seek help, whether it be from your support network or from medical professionals.

On a happier note, watching your child smile and laugh for the first time is when you truly know what love feels like. You will make every sound under the sun and use every expression that you can possibly think of in order to get just another chuckle. Bliss.