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

Things are always changing - which is good and bad, sometimes! But the hardest parts won't last forever!

Trust your instincts. You are a good mum and you can do it

Perhaps a more frivolous one but don't keep clothes for best. If someone gives you a lovely outfit and you want your baby to wear it, put it on them, don't wait - they grow too fast. On the other hand if someone gives you an outfit you don't like, don't put your child in it!

I remember my first changing bag which had everything in it apart from the Kitchen sink, we all do it, 5 babies later and I can get what I need in my shoulder handbag - you can leave the house with the basics, you don't need one of those flashy bags with a million compartments (You only lose your keys in there anyway)

Go to a mother and baby group and make new friends

Set times where people can visit - but ensure you have personal space for your new little family to bond.

Listen to advice - it will help you, but don't get too caught up in it & don't let yourself get too down if your struggling.

Breastfeeding is really hard for the first few weeks for most people but it does get so much easier. Read up on it before baby is born so you know what to expect in terms of bringing your milk in, cluster feeding, growth spurts. I read the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding before DS1 was born and it helped me so much knowing what to expect.

Dont make plans to go anywhere or see anyone. Do things at your own pace and dont let family/friends make you feel guilty for hibernating for that first week. You will never get that time back with your newborn, enjoy it and soak it up like a sponge because they really do grow up so fast.

Finally, read up on the fourth trimester and understand one thing, you cannot spoil a baby and a baby cannot manipulate you. If baby cries, it wants either food, cuddles or changing. Oh and that rod (for your own back) that people talk about....where it with pride. Or alternatively shove it down those idiots throats. Follow your gut and invariably you cant go wrong.

Children change your life for ever, just go with the flow and enjoy every moment...I know it is hard, in particular at night, but when I was breastfeeding in early hours I used to think that I wasn't alone and other mum around the world were looking after their babies..

Dont worry about the housework

Its easy to get isolated with a new baby, push yourself to go out & pass the time with a neighbour, the postman or the shop worker in your local shop, we all need adult conversation & it will give you something else to think about, also it will work on your confidence.

Don't expect your baby to drink regular amounts regularly spaced throughout the day. Mine drank almost twice as much at around 5pm so kept crying when I assumed she was full. She wasn't!

Just enjoy your time with your baby as it goes really fast. Invest in loads of really sleep vests so they can be washed quickly when dirty or even thrown out if the baby has a complete poo-nami!! If breast feeding isn't for you then don't be made to feel bad. When a baby is all grown up, it won't care whether it was breast fed so don't go worrying endlessly about it.

Learn what a hungry baby looks like. Study pictures, learn what they might do, look out for those signs, and offer a boob as soon as you see them, before baby learns to cry for food.

Get your latch right every time. You and baby are both learning, and showing him how to latch helps you both. Accept any help offered with getting it right. Watch videos on your phone.
Build yourself a nest on the sofa with snacks and drinks within reach and make it your daytime home for the first few weeks. Give up any hope of housework. Buy ready meals.
At night, practice safe co sleeping. Baby is going to feed every hour and you're going to fall asleep from exhaustion. If you're both in bed and safe, it'll be fine, you can sleep while feeding lying down, and fall asleep as soon as the baby does.

Go with the flow. That's the advice my mum gave me and it worked. I tried not to get too wound up about things I.e routine, breastfeeding/bottle and taking each day as it comes.

By just going with the flow I really enjoyed those first few months.

Don't worry about routines, wonder weeks or housework. Spend a lot of time staring at your baby, it's not silly it's bonding. Don't breastfeed if you don't want to, don't have any preconceived ideas about parenting. Do what you feel, do what's easiest.
If baby has fussy periods don't think it's so called 'purple crying' try anti reflux formula and/or take him to the doctor in case of a milk allergy.

Don't wrap them in cotton wool as they grow up. Let them climb things, jump off things and generally play. Let them get dirty and don't sterilise everything around them. They need contact with germs to build an immune system.

The but of advice little old ladies will tell you in supermarkets but you don't actually understand until it's too late is to cherish the moments when they are small (sleepless nights and all ) because they grow up so quickly and those days have slipped away.

Download a white noise app - or do the rhythmic hush hush hush/shhh shhh shhh really loud right next to baby's ear while thumping his bum rhythmically with the sound - perfect to calm and soothe a fussy baby. Ignore people who advise you on how your milk isn't enough for the Hungry baby and how X on a bottle is way more chubbier. Remember weight gain is one of a range of different indicators of well being and chubby X may not be the gold standard of health you should aim for.

Follow your mothers instinct and do what feels right. Mummy's know best

I agree with others who state ignore the books, your baby hasn't read them! Don't worry if the baby wants to sleep a lot the day it's born, but don't believe that you have one of those magical babies that sleeps, they are just lulling you into a false sense of security.

Babies aren't as fragile as you think they are and if people want to help let them. I also agree that you should get out of the house, even if it seems a lot of effort.

The housework can wait, but your baby will not stay small forever. Let the house stay messy and cherish tiny person cuddles whilst you can.

"The bit of advice...."

Don't give yourself a hard time - you're doing the very best that you can, and that's good enough!

Avoid comparing yourself to other people, that way madness lies

Do what suits you, and take all advice (even this!) with a pinch of salt - it's what works for you and your baby that is important