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

Babies are tiny for such a short while, never worry about the hoovering when there are cuddles to be had.

Feed, change, burp, cuddle and repeat.

DS is 7 weeks old now, and I still use it as a checklist when he starts crying.

Take the pressure off yourself. Do what you and your baby need to do at the time. Enjoy the moment, if you can, and take advice sparingly, but offers of help willingly!

Never turn down the offer of help from friends and family to shop, cook or clean for you.

If you are exhausted, sleep when the baby sleeps if you can, rather than trying to get things done.

Don’t worry if other mums or dads are saying their baby sleeps through the night already and yours still barely sleeps 3 hours at a time or if their’s is sitting up but yours is only able to roll over - babies develop at different rates so don’t compare your child to others of the same age.

Follow your instinct...do whatever is good for both you and baby...plus sleep when baby sleeps you need the energy

You WILL get your life back no matter how unlikely that seems when faced with your tiny baby. Life will be different but it will still be amazing.

So trust your instincts and go with the flow, enjoy those early days as much as you can because they don't last very long.

Make sure you get out of the house every day - even if it just for a short trip to the shops or walk round the block. It means you have to get dressed, look vaguely presentable, gets you fresh air & exercise and probably means that you will see / speak to another (adult) human being!

Don't worry too much about the housework. If you have a visitor they will be coming to see you and your new bundle, not checking how clean the bathroom is!

Make the most of your time breastfeeding - it is a perfect excuse for sitting, watching trashy TV, and eating chocolate!

Go with the flow! Relax.

Before you sit down with the baby grab a pint of water and some snacks. Then you're prepared when you get stuck feeding for two hours.
Put the baby down somewhere safe so you can pee/grab some food. Nothing awful will happen if the baby cries for a few minutes whilst you sort yourself out.

Online shopping!

If you have a colicky baby or one that has any kind of frequent discomfort that seems constant hard to relieve (trapped wind, eczema, reflux) it is so distressing. When my son's reflux was at it's worst, I sometimes felt that he spent more of his life uncomfortable and unhappy than not and felt guilty about giving him a horrible life. Having a slideshow playing on the phone, tablet, laptop or television of photos showing him looking happy, excited or content made such a difference to me when I had to spend hours trying unsuccessfully to comfort him, especially before we realised what was wrong and how to help.

It was also amazing how particular music would soothe him when nothing else seemed to.

Having a breast pump really helped me with feeding. Observing when the milk came out well and also when it didn't in different positions made me understand how best to help my son to get the milk out as he seemed to struggle sometimes, which I think was due to the weight of his head distorting my breasts.

Get some you time when you can.

Enjoy it, but hold your noses at nappy-changing time!

Don't worry about a routine. Even if you get into one, it'll stop working 3w later, things change constantly.

Don't worry about bad habits. Pretty much anything can be reversed, just let the baby sleep on you, an overtired baby is best avoided!

Sleep when baby sleeps otherwise you'll soon become a zombie

We hadn't much money so we bought a lot of second hand equipment which saved us loads.
When we were weaning our son we froze pureed food in ice cube trays and defrosted when needed.
Trust your instincts.

Dont be too proud to ask for help from family or friends, Dont overdo things and think that you have got to be supermummy. Rest as much as you can, and dont be afraid to say no to visitors if its not conveinient to you. People will understand.

Your life for the first two years will feel similar to a constant hangover. Don't worry though and just go with it and even try to enjoy it! Remember it will get better. Don't listen to the advice gurus that use the principles of puppy training... the ones where you have to open the nursery curtains at 8.23am every day. Respond to your baby's needs when required and give them all the love you can manage through your constant hangover. Social life? Forget it!

Try to be organised and set a routine, AND sleep when your baby sleeps a power nap will see you through the L O N G E S T Night!!!

Take a nap whenever you get the chance.

my best tip is relax when breast feeding and don't rush, it's not always easy but keep trying and ask for advise

Sleep when you can

for the first week or so if the new baby is your first, try and nap while they are sleeping, you will feel more rested and able to do the other household things, but always remember the rest can wait you need to look after yourself and the baby for the first few weeks until you get into a routine

That envelope neck vests are designed to be pulled down over the body and legs when there is a poo explosion. You don't need to cut them off or pull them up and get said poo explosion in baby's eyes, hair and face.

forget the tidying up it can just wait. the time flies by so quickly when they are little and i can guarantee you won't be looking back reminiscing about your tidy house.