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

Nothing that anyone tells you before will actually prepare you for the reality of life with a new baby. The sense of responsibility may at first seem overwhelming. The tiredness will be like nothing you have ever experienced before. But the love you feel for your baby will carry you through. There is no right and no wrong, go with the flow and what feels like the right thing to do or try at that particular moment. You were born to do this job and your instinct will get you through. Oh, and ask nicely that everyone who pays your new baby a visit brings you an easy to rewarm meal for the family - these will be the best gifts you get given!

Get into your own routine and if people offer to help it's OK to take it!

• Cook in batches and freeze.
• Ask friends to bring food not baby clothes.

-Express milk and sleep in turns to give OH time to bond with the baby and you some sleep.

Accept all the help that is offered to you, and if it's not offered, then ask.

sleep when you can and try to leave the house every day at some point. Don't worry about housework and say no to visitors if you're not up to it. If you have another young child, get a sling or baby carrier so you can get the necessary stuff done for them.

Do whatever makes your life easier. If you have a colicky or clingy baby get a good sling. Rest whenever you can. Order in food from the supermarket and choose some ready to cook staples that can be done in a few mins - our fave was ravioli with ready made sauce. Healthy hot meal Ready in 5 mins.

Make sure you have some 'me time' every week. Ask Dad/a friend/family member to watch baby for a few hours whilst you have a relaxing bath and pamper yourself.

oh getting the baby used to expressed milk in a bottle was a godsend to get at least a little sleep! (and only owning bottles that can be screwed directly onto your pump is also a good idea to avoid having to do extra cleaning and sterilising)

Fresh air daily is a must - just get dressed and out of the house no matter how difficult that feels, I always felt a lot better afterwards.

Practice tying a sling before your baby arrives.

Try to go with the flow and remember the newborn days don't last long so try to cherish them rather than wish them away when the going gets tough.

Just enjoy it. It goes so quickly and you only get newborns for a short period of time before they turn into little monsters that destroy your house and sanity.

I know it sounds cliche but i'd say trust your instincts, do your own thing and don't worry what others are doing!

Third time around i was SO much more relaxed about everything and so things just went more smoothly - We were flexible and didn't worry about routines or what was 'supposed' to be happening.

Although i don't believe in strict routines, it was helpful in the early days to recognise my baby's pattern of behaviour of sleep, feed, then wake time, then sleep, feed, etc etc. So although there was no set time for each, just helped me recognise when she was getting tired.

She also began to hum and coo when getting tired - so we recognised that as a sign to pop her in moses basket for sleeptime.

Leave the house as soon as possible and then try and do it every day - even if it's just to the shops. It will do wonders for your mental and physical wellbeing!

Also - don't be afraid to use your friends. Ask people to bring meals round, or wash up when they visit, or sit with the sleeping baby while you get your head down. People are really happy to help and feel useful... so always ask!

When you feel exhausted from sleep deprivation, go to bed at the same time as baby is put down for the night, even if it's 8.00. The first stint of sleep is usually baby's longest one, so you'll feel much better from benefitting from that sleep stint.

Second tip is white noise. I swear by it to get baby to sleep. You can buy cheap apps for phones and make sure you start from day 1 when baby is born, must be turned up very loud as when baby is in womb your heartbeat sounds as loud as a racing car passing you close by, and you aim to imitate that. Don't leave it too many days after baby is born to try the white noise as baby's memory of it will be less clear so will find it less comforting and less effective than if started on day 1.

1. Smile and nod at people's advice rather than try to take it all on board and then feel overwhelmed by it.

1. Don't compare yourself to other mums. If their house is clean, they're in full make up and their baby never cries and sleeps through the night - so what! Remind yourself you don't see what goes on behind closed doors.

1. Accept help from others.

1. If breastfeeding, try and express and keep your stash stocked up so other people can take over for a but.

1. Invest in a good quality sling or carrier. I love my Ergo 360.

1. Play gyms and bouncer chairs are so useful! As will a Jumperoo be when baby is bigger.

Don't feel like a failure if you are unable to breast feed! Some babies take to it really well and others don't but don't let anyone make you feel rubbish!! Also go with the flow, things will settle down and you will fall into your own little routine naturally :)

Get a tumble drier. Environmentally unsound but you will do so much washing.

Batch cook.

Get a sling.

Our baby loves seeing us dance and dancing with him in front of a mirror.

Sleep at every chance you can

Housework! dont worry about whether its getting done or not just make sure you and the baby are getting what you both need. Food, sleep and some love. My sister came and help me during the day and then i did the same for her when she had her children. There is always someone who would love to help out by doing a bit of cleaning or washing for you

trust your own instinct. do what you think is right dont listen to interfering mother in laws!

Always go with your gut feelings and allow others to do things for you. In fact make other people do things for you! All mums know how hard it can be with a new born and would love to help out if you asked - some won't want to feel like they are stepping on toes.

Do what you think is best for your baby. Everyone will have their advise and some of it will be good advise but at the end of the day it's YOUR decision. Babies need lots of love and cuddles and not a mountain of toys and clothes (you will be bough lots of these anyway from family and friends). Cherish every moment. They grow up so fast and I now miss my teeny little baby but I have a lovely bubbly, bouncy baby boy!

Keep Calm and go with the flow !

Do buy a bedside cot. Don't buy a baby bucket to wash them in (can't remember official name!).
Accept offers of help. Eat cake. Watch crap on TV. Try and relax.

Trust your instinct, it's there for a reason.
Hairdryer sound helped with colic!

Fill the freezer with batch cooked meals before the baby arrives - write heating instructions on the packaging so anyone can heat it for you. Take up offers of help, especially people offering to bring meals. If people want to visit tell the your time limit - "yes that would be lovely, please come for half an hour".