Tell us something you wish you knew when you became a new parent - £200 Boots voucher to be won

[MaddyMumsnet]

We totally get that raising a little one can be a roller-coaster. Ever wish you had a secret guide to navigate this adventure? We want to know what you wish you knew earlier, whether it be your go to products or life changing tips…

• Post your products/stories/challenges/tips in the thread below to be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky MNer will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice.

Here’s what Boots has to say: “The new parent & baby event is back at Boots! Welcome yourself to parenthood with incredible offers and expert advice. Whether you’re restocking your changing bag, looking for a new car seat or trying to get your little one to sleep, Boots has products and advice to support you along your journey. You can also enjoy 8 Advantage Card points for every £1 spent on Baby when you join Boots Parenting Club*

*T&Cs apply. For full terms and condition, please visit here”

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight T&Cs apply

You only need baby grows and vests x 10 for the first 2 months - anything else is a waste of time and money.

OMG is this still going on? How long til someone wins the £200 Boots voucher?

You WILL sleep again - so keep on keeping on and get help when it is offered (from someone you trust )

Not to buy a pram which is a nightmare to get onto public transport - get one which folds up easy, and can hold shopping in a basket below.

I would say - stop worrying about what everyone else thinks about how you look -how your house looks - as long as you get your sleep, eat well and listen to baby - you will feel like putting on make up, doing your hair and dusting

How to claim benefits - it's the first time I had to after having DS - it was an ordeal, but the bit I got really helped.

@maddymumsnet when do we find out who has won the prize 😊

That newborn baby girls can sometimes have a period-like discharge. I took my daughter home, changed her and freaked out completely. Midwife reassured me it was totally harmless but I would have liked a heads up.

That envelope opening vests could be pulled down rather than over the head. No idea why I couldn’t work this one out myself.

The only non essential purchases I made and swear by were Aden & Anais muslins. They were huge, soft and didn’t shrivel up into grey clumps as soon as they were washed, unlike the basic ones. We had a baby with terrible reflux so these were really a god send.
I also purchased a notebook for all the funny things kids say which I started and then sadly forgot about! You think you’ll remember all the adorable, heartwarming and funny things they say as toddlers but as they get older these things get lost in the passage of time!

Always rinse the weetabix out the bowl as soon as baby/toddler is done - or it'll set like concrete

I wished someone had told me that it was ok to feed my baby the old bottle of formula whilst breastfeeding, just to give me a break from the relentless hourly feeds that were exhausting.

Breastfeeding isn't as natural as it appears & can be so difficult

Ignore those lists you see about all the items you need to buy when you’re expecting a baby. You won’t need most of it.

That if you have a sicky baby you need to pack spare clothes for yourself when you leave the house.

Baby sick will penetrate right through to your underwear.

Under mums net stuff there is a competition section. There is a thread on there where they announce the winners. No idea why they don’t put it on the original thread

read through as much or as little advice as you want - whether from friends, nct, online, books... then steer down the middle with what seems most sensible and logical to you. you'll never please everyone with the way you raise your child, and why should you!

If help is offered - accept it ! A rest sometimes is what you need even if you think you can battle on with minimal sleep

you don't need a large silver cross pram - nightmare to get onto public transport - a fold up one from birth to 3 with cosytoes and a basket underneath is sufficient.

I wish I had fed my baby the way that worked for us instead of torturing myself trying to make breastfeeding work.

That it's OK to limit times visitors can come to see the baby. You and baby need sleep, quiet and time together.

@MaddyMumsnet @mnhq sorry to bump this one - who won - there is no comment to say this on your winners thread ?? tia