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

to just enjoy. tidying can wait, washing can wait, housework can wait. enjoy the cuddles..dont stress about routines... they are 10 before you know it and dont want that cuddle!!

That breastfeeding consultants are not medically trained tongue tie experts and that breastfeeding gets a lot easier when a severe posterior tongue tie is diagnosed and snipped.

Babies need more layers than I am used to so poor DD was probably cold on her first trip out.

Test drive prams like you would a car, think about what you need first before buying.

Baby cribs/cotbeds are useless. Go the montessori way and get a floorbed or simply put the mattress on the floor. That way you dont have to pick them up and put them down in the crib/cotbed which usually wakes them up from sleep in a jiffy and the whole effort of making them sleep goes waste. You can lie down next to the baby on the floor mattress and cuddle while they sleep. You get the extra cuddles at night, the morning cuddles and kisses and the baby/toddler feels more secure. Also, you create a deeper bond with your child! Win win for both!

Baby wipes clean everything

That a newborn will often pee as soon as you take their nappy off!

I wish I knew that poo can get everywhere!! My son literally pooed into his socks a couple of times 🤣🤣 its a talent I dont know how he did it!

I wish I knew more about
Mental health things like post natal anxiety. You hear about post natal depression but not so much Post Natal Anxiety.

If your baby starts sleeping through the night it is not a guarantee they will continue to do so!

That some babies sleep and some don't and that's just the way it is. There may be ways to help/hinder but there's no magic formula and it's not your fault if they just won't sleep.

That every child is different so what suit them does not mean that it would suit you, and to do what feels right because its your baby,

That although the first few months are hard it really does get better.

That it takes time to start feeling like yourself again.

That it's ok not to be perfect.

1. Thirst after a delivery. If I knew, I would have brought bottles of water.
2. Brain fog: I went for an interview three weeks after delivery...bad idea, I couldn't remember any of my previous working experiences.
3. It's OK to feel like a fish out of a water bowl after delivery. I didn't know what to do a lot of the times and was scared to do the wrong thing, which made the first month stressful.
4. Get into a routine. Not for the baby but for yourself.
5. Ask for help and time-out if you need to.
6. Don't expect your partner to understand immediately all of your emotions swirling inside. They are also trying to figure it all out, so when possible, talk with them.

Not to believe that influencers have perfect lives. There is a lot more going on behind the scenes and everyone has their own struggles

My first baby was formula fed after struggling to breastfeed and I used to panic and overthink that she wasn’t having the right amount of formula as shown on the box. She would take less and I used to always think she wasn’t getting enough. After realising babies aren’t all ‘average’ to the same feeding amounts when came my second and third I went with what they needed and never overthought it again.

Dont worry too much, most problems come and go in phases and dont last forever.

As a first time mum i wish i'd known that you're not a failure if you can't breastfeed or decide not too. There was so much pressure to breastfeed, obviously we all know if you can and/or want to do it it's the best thing to do but both myself and my newborn son were under so much pressure to master it that we were in tears for the first few weeks. It was awful.

Do it your way. With my first, breastfeeding was wonderful. With my second, I was unwell, and breastfeeding was complex. I felt guilty for months about mixed feeling, as there was so little support for it. I was told countless times that my supply would drop; that I should keep solely breastfeeding.. but my GP was really kind and told me to do what was best for the whole family. So I mixed fed. And I continued to breast feed my little one for a year. My supply didn't drop, I could share the feeding with my spouse, and I had a bit of time to get better. Mixed feeding is not a failure. Your baby is fed.

I wish I had known to sleep while my baby sleeps.

I wish I'd known just how noisy newborns are when asleep. It made me worry endlessly for the first few days, wondering if each noise was normal or something untoward. Turns out they're just really bloody noisy sleepers!

I wish I'd known to trust my instincts more - cuddle when you want, feed when you want, put on a blanket or take one off when you want. The saying 'Mum knows best' is so TRUE.

You can buy kettles with thermometers on which help when making up formula.

Don't feel the pressure to fix things which aren't a problem for you e.g. feeding to sleep.

Most times, children grow out of phases.

Keep offering food even if your child doesn't like it.

More people feee to sleep than ever admit it and a lot of people choose to co-sleep safely but again don't admit it either. Do what works best for you and your baby - don't give in to any peer or family pressure.
Enjoy those first few months - they really do go by very quickly.

It's the most magical time and you never get it back (even with a second child). Try and enjoy all the little moments you have - I know it's sometimes hard. Laugh even at the stressful times - babies/toddlers really are very funny. That your children often turn out to be a reflection of your personality - my first is very serious and my second is hilarious! I wished I smiled more at my first born when I was changing his nappy!

I wish I’d known that I don’t need half the stuff I bought but also that I should have had a changing table from the beginning as it makes life so much easier!!!!

They're tougher than you think.