Mumsnet users share the things they wish they'd known as a first time parent with ALDI Mamia

[YanaMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed.

With a lot to learn and a complete change in lifestyle, becoming a parent for the first time can feel overwhelming. Learning from the experiences of seasoned parents can make things a little bit less scary, so ALDI Mamia would like to hear about the things you wish you’d known as a first time parent, and would share as tips for those expecting their first child.

Here’s what ALDI Mamia has to say: “The goal of our award-winning Mamia range is to help mums navigate all stages of their baby’s first years. One way we do that is by making our amazing, top-quality nappies affordable for families. But now we need you! This is your chance to help future first-time mums by sharing all the things you’ve learnt over the years. Maybe you’ll pick up some new tips for you next one while you’re at it.”

Do you wish you’d been warned beforehand about how emotional the experience would be? Is there anything you wish you’d been told you didn’t really need? Perhaps you wish you’d been told of the things you could save money on without compromising quality for your baby? Is there anything you’ve learned since your children were born that would have been helpful while you were expecting?

Whatever you wish you’d known as a first time parent, share it on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 ALDI voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

[Cinders22]

I wish I had know that whilst it is tiring, exhausting in fact, that that stage does not last forever - they will grow out of it and things do get better.

[wineymummy]

That if the baby is crying, it's usually ok to leave them a minute while you finish doing what you were doing, or get yourself some food etc. They will be ok. (Obviously only when cries are not desperate!)

[Al1Langdownthecleghole]

That crying is totally normal. (and that goes for Mum's too). It was actually my GP who pointed it out to me when I had DC number 2, but she was so right. First child OMG the baby is crying, what to I dooo??

Second child - oh look, the baby is crying, best I have a wee before I feed them

Is there anything you wish you’d been told you didn’t really need?
Yes - a long list. Babies need to be kept clean and comfortable and safe, to have somewhere safe to sleep and to be fed and loved. Which doesn't take shed loads of stuff. I'm a big fan of Aldi Nappies, which last overnight for this reason.

[madmumofteens]

Use a dummy don't be the dummy daughter used me as one for 9 months

[PeppaPigOinkOinkOink]

That your baby is not going to do things in the same way as other children. To enjoy the middle of the night feeds, it feels like you and the baby against the world, but it goes by in the blink of an eye. Do what's right for you and your baby, not what other people think you should be doing.

[Reastie]

That we don’t know everything and just make it up as we go along as best as we can!

[Cotswoldmama]

That it’s fine, in fact normal to spend a whole days/ days on the sofa breast feeding more or less constantly!

[Hisashiburi]

That the lines on the nappy changed when they were wet! Took me months to discover that!

[Hopezibah]

Muslin cloths are a must! I remember wondering what exactly they were for before my baby was born but immediately found them incredibly useful for a multitude of things - makeshift sunshade hung over the pram or car window, lining a car seat to make it cooler when the car was hot, lining a car seat to protect from poo leaks, swaddling, using in place of blanket in hot weather as well as the "over the shoulder to catch the milk vomit"

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Don't go overboard buying 'must-have' kit for your newborn, most of it isn't necessary!

[lolly2010]

You will find your own routine and not to force them to fit a set routine, all babies are different some sleep more than others and try to get sleep when you can.

[ihoeihoeihoe]

How much pee I’d be wearing. DS spent the first four months of his life perfecting his aim

[CecilyBlue]

That not all babies do everything at the same time. I was always so worried that my DC wasn't reaching the same milestones as my friend's babies at the same age.

[Elbbob]

I wish I'd known to that you could buy little bottles of ready made formula and that I should take a couple in my hospital bag. It would have saved a lot of stress when my baby refused to breast feed.

That just because you think you will breastfeed and go to all the classes doesn't mean your baby will feel the same way!

That I didn't need to spend the first 4 months in tears and upset because I had to spend the whole time either trying to breastfeed, expressing breast milk, making formula or giving baby a bottle. Ditching the attempts to breastfeed and the expressing would have made both me and baby a lot happier.

And finally, that it is OK to say no to visitors who want to come as soon as baby is born.

[Elbbob]

Oh I also meant to say - I wish I'd known that newborn girls can also pee straight up into the air as well as boys! Getting a face full mid change was a shock!

[caravandreamer]

That you don't need to waste money on all the latest equipment and gadgets that do everything apart from wipe baby's bottom !! They get shoved in a corner after the first 2 weeks

[sqirrelfriends]

That the ridiculously expensive travel system I forked out on would turn out to be too heavy, too big and too difficult to put up. I wish I had gotten something small like a yo-yo to begin with.

Also that most of what you see on social media isn't an accurate portrayal of reality, other people struggle too.

[jacqui5366]

To sleep when the sleep, an exhausted mum is cannot function properly.

[WowOoo]

I wish I'd been told to get other people to take pictures of us together. It would help me remember those tiring but happy days!

[ohdannyboy]

I wish I had not compared myself to other mums - especially high profile mums- we all would love to come out of hospital looking like Kate, I would have been kinder to myself, not compare, to tell myself your baby is thriving and happy - you are doing a great job !

[oldsizenines]

However many muslins you have, it's not enough. 😂

[oldsizenines]

However many muslins you have, it's not enough. 😂

[Pegase]

I wish I had known about fourth trimester theory and gone with the flow more with DD1. Plus agree with pp that sometimes breast isn't best when the struggle to breastfeed/express becomes detrimental to your mental health.

[burwellmum]

Take time and just enjoy it. Also forget the small stuff - housework will always be there, they won't.

[Summer41]

Don't spend a fortune on baby stuff because before you know it they've grown out of it and you'll end up selling it for next to nothing. I spent £80.00 on a beautiful Moses basket and stand that both my babies refused to sleep in. I can't even sell it second hand for £20.00!