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

try and go for some walks with baby and get some fresh air, no matter how tired you are it will make you feel better and give you a fresh perspective!

Relax and do what fits with you. If you want a strict routine then go for it, if you want more chilled, then follow that. Don't get too caught up with what other people do! Also, ask for help/advice if you need it.
Going out daily is good, even just a walk along the street, gives you a sense of time too, newborns can be repetitive and easy to lose track of time.
And of course, biggest thing, baby vest can be pulled down! :)

Don't listen to anyone who criticises you! If you feel that it's right to give your baby a dummy, do it; if you feel happiest co-sleeping, do it; if you don't want to/can't breastfeed, that's fine! Everyone will have an opinion on what you're doing but, as long as you and baby are happy, that's all that matters.

Sleep when they sleep

Relax and enjoy it

Don't drop it

Do what feels right/ best for you

if you feel dreadful, don't be afraid to say. I didn't have PND but did end up with PTSD and it took ages for me to realise that the I way I felt was not normal.

Also, always have Jammie Dodgers within an arms reach.

Get everything you need within reach of the chair or sofa where you need up feeding the most. I had a six pack of bottled water and a tin of biscuits next to the rocker in my DC's nursery - and a laptop set up with Netflix shows to binge. It made the late night cluster feeds and the stage where they would only nap when held.

Sleep when baby sleeps. Trust your instincts (you know your baby better than anyone else). Enjoy yourself, they're not babies for long.

Nap when your babys asleep, and ask for help if you need it, theres always someone to give a lending hand around you.

Treat a first baby like a second baby as much as you can. Second babies have to go with the flow of family life, nap when it's light and noisy, etc. Treat your first like this and you and they will both be far more chilled out!

find time to sleep will be hard so try and find time to sleep in the afternoon when the baby is asleep

No one ever prepared me for how I would feel after having a baby. I had had stitches and could barely sit down. I didn't want visitors at first and then gradually let people come round as I felt better. Breast feeding was also a struggle and immensely painful, again, I wasn't prepared. To new mums, my advice would be to think of yourself and baby first and if you don't feel like a houseful of guests then be firm and honest about why. Breastfeeding IS wonderful but be prepared for some soreness at the start but once through this, is the best way of feeding baby ever :)

accept help from family and friends and make sure you spend time on yourself to relax and rewind

Don't beat yourself up about housework not being kept on top of like I did. When I explained my worries to my health visitor she said the fact my house wasn't in pristine condition told her my priorities were in the right place with baby

For the first couple of weeks allow people to help out as much as possible, let friends and family bring round or cook diner for you each night so you are eating properly

Sleep whenever you get the chance!!!!

buy plenty of nappies

Whenever they sleep.....you try to sleep!

Breastfeed if possible! Saves time & money

Health visitors, midwives, etc don't always know best! Go with your gut and get as much help and advice as you need. Always say yes to offers of help from family etc even if it's just to watch the baby while you have a relaxing bath. Make sure you have some time to yourself and don't sweat the small stuff!

Sleep when they sleep and accept help, but remember you know best .

There is no manual - go with your heart and instincts and in times of concern ASK - It is never wrong to ask just make sure you seek advice that you trust

Make sure you get enough sleep and always ask for help if you need it x