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

When your baby has a nap, have one to as a tired mum is not a happy one.

Go with your feelings and gut instinct. Accept help from others but do not let anyone interfere - it is YOUR baby!

Get your head down as often as you can because you need all the energy you can get.

My number one thing is actually a breast pump, expressing milk helps so much, from having some time to nap to nipping to the shops.

I also pre- made some curries and popped them in the freezer.

Tried to think ahead and used the freezer as much as possible.

I also have 2 changing bags, 1 is always in the car with a bottle, nappies, change of clothes, paracetamol, etc just in case and saves you packing up every time.

Babies are all different, so don't be too influenced by advice from others.

Get your mum to help - she has been through it and will be delighted to give advice and help you cope. She can give you some 'me time' when you need to chill out for a bit

Don't tiptoe around your new baby, make noise! That way they grow up being able to sleep through noise rather than waking at every sound. My youngest can sleep through almost anything!

Accept as much help as is offered. Listen to advice but trust your instincts, nobody knows baby as well as you.

Trust your instincts! You know if they are well, meeting their milestones and happy! Also a hot water bottle warming the baby's bed before you put them down to sleep was a winner in our house!

Housework can wait.....snuggles wont

don't feel you have to have visitors around straight away. Take time to get to know your baby before being swamped by visitors. Try and get a routine in place as soon as you can, it will help so much down the line

Enjoy your little miracle and don't put too much pressure on yourself to introduce routines. Always give bottles at room temperature so you don't have to worry about heating when your out and about!

sleep when the baby sleeps and enjoy every moment

Go with what your baby needs. DS wouldn't let me put him down during the day without crying piteously until he was six weeks old - I still remember the first time I went to the loo and he didn't cry! I carried him around for six weeks - and then he turned into the happiest, most contented, easy baby I could have wished for. He obviously needed all the contact and reassurance until that point (he was in distress as he had the cord twice round his neck and was an emergency c-section). I am so glad I went with what he needed at the time.

Sleep when the baby sleeps even if that means going to bed very early!

Don't be tempted to do loads of housework - enjoy your baby and accept help when needed to keep everything hygienic. You can become houseproud again when they go to University.

Enjoy cuddling and being with your baby - the time passes so quickly and you can never get those days back.

Accept offers of help from your trusted family and friends, you need time to recover from the birth, let someone else do the hoovering!

Enjoy your baby and don't worry if your house is not immaculate.

Always ask for help when things get to much.

A few things:
Enjoy it as babydom doesn't last long!
Sleep whenever you can
Make things easy for yourself whenever you can eg have more than one changing station, have a rocking crib, breastfeed laying down etc
Talk to baby lots and give it lots of cuddles and love
Make a bit of time for you and your partner wherever you can

Forget about a normal diurnal rhythm and sleep whenever the little one does.

Enjoy the moments

Sleep when Baby sleeps !

If you are not sure what to do in certain situations, always ask someone.

Be prepared, and then do what you can when you can and try to enjoy your time with baby and not worry too much about the rest!

Listen to your Mother! Or to other Mothers that have been there and done that :)

Don't get into the compare out babies discussion with other mums. It will be the place where your happiness goes to die. Enjoy your baby, just how he/she is.