The days are long but the years will fly by.

I was told to make the breastfeeding a real “up” time. So she fed properly. I’d get up and sit in front of quiet show up right and yes this is tiring at 2. & 5!
With my second I lay in my bed with her and she fed fine then I’d burp her and put her back in her cot.
The way I see it. Babies need to learn that night time is for sleeping and yes they certainly need those night time feeds andburped then back to sleep. But I didn’t need to get up UP and as long as Bub is feeding and not falling asleep on boob then wanting another feed sooner then I might aswell be comfortable. And so should you!

Don’t feel guilty if things don’t go to plan, just do your best and look after yourself and baby.

Take it easy on yourself and enjoy your new baby. Time flies by too quickly.

Sleep is paramount whenever you can.

Sleep when you can, don’t feel obliged to entertain visitors, always feed your baby whether you have visitors or not. If you don’t feed them in the day, they will be hungry at night. New mothers can be so vulnerable. Look after yourself and believe in your instincts.

Before baby arriving, have a manicure, a pedicure, haircut, waxing. Enjoy the cinema and dinner out. Get a good cleaner sorted. Put a response on your emails explaining that you will respond when you can. Inform friends and family not to call you but text or email as you both may be napping. If people drop by, and don’t expect to host them, ask them for help such as watching baby while you shower.

Sleep, sleep, sleep as much as you can; because it will never be the same again! Lots of rest before baby comes along. Then take the opportunities to rest when you can; even if it means letting a few things like housework slide; it is more important to rest and have energy in the early months. There will be plenty of time down the track to for other things.

Outsource everything you can and concentrate on resting up between feeds.

Breastfeeding isn’t easy for everyone. Don’t be guilt tripped into pushing on if you want to stop. Go easy on yourself! Trust yourself!
get any flu like symptoms seen to asap. Might be an infection.
hair will fall out but it’ll grow back.
It may seem like you’ll never be yourself again but everything will begin to return to normal.
only buy the basics before baby arrives. You’ll get loads of presents. Then you can work out what you still need. Just because mothercare sells is doesn’t mean you have to own it. You won’t use half the stuff!
Exchange clothes given as gifts for bigger sizes. Newborns don’t need pretty clothes & won’t get much use of them.
I could go on all night!

Breast feeding is not easy for everyone & if you think it’s not working keep getting checked out until you are happy.

Fantastic tips here! I’m due to have first bub in 1wk, 2 days

No. I knew the basics and I think too many people are overloaded with advice and horror stories! Sometimes it is better to work some things out yourself. If I didn’t know I asked, but was lucky enough to be an older mum who had many nieces to look after before I had a child of my own.

Stop listening to peoples advice and trust your instincts your doing just fine. And they say tummy time on the floor for 5 minutes but what we have learnt from the physio is it can be them laying on you too.
Post birth your hair will fall out and it may feel like you will have nothing left by the end of the week but it does stop.

I was told after I had given up breastfeeding at 6 months, that you will find that there will be many days where your baby just wants to feed 24/7 even though you will feel like your empty but that is how your baby tells your body to produce more milk as their little tummy grows.

Leave the housework to someone else and sleep sleep sleep when bub is asleep, even during the day, you need it to be able to cope well , ask for help with the rest until you have gotten into a pattern

Its only latter on when you look back and you honestly understand how quickly those baby days go by. Always remember that this is your baby and as long as you are not doing anything that could cause physical or mental harm to your child then its no business of anyone else when you choose to do or not do certain things.
People will feel they have the right to comment about everything and they really dont. Try and ignore others comments or just respond with “Oh thats interesting”…
People will say that you should have baby sleeping in your room.
Or you shouldnt.
Baby is crying because you dont have enough milk so perhaps you should give them a bottle.
Or you shouldnt give them bottle…you should have breast fed.
You shouldnt use disposable nappies.
You should use disposable
have baby sleep on their back, side, tummy
Baby is hungry and you should start solids
Dont start solids

and on and on it goes….everyone as an opinion….
Listen to it all and only take on what you feel suits you.

Dont get caught up in the baby milestone thing that people make out is so important….
Just because someone elses baby is sitting up by themselves and your bub isnt….big deal….you think when they are 16 that people sit there and say “hhmm look at John…you can tell he didnt sit up until 3 weeks after David when they were babies cant you?” The milestones are just a guide and none of them really matter in the grand scheme of things…..

Super best advice ever….. relax, love your baby and enjoy even that bad days…..and always know that as long as you are the best possible mum you can be each day then you are doing the best for your baby…you are a good Mum.

It sounds silly, but work out how to open and close your pram BEFORE you go somewhere — it can be very frustrating being at the shops and having no idea how the darn thing works!!

Get as much sleep as you can. Nap when baby naps. If baby is a light sleeper, try lying them on your nightie. The smell of you will help them to settle. Most importantly enjoy every moment with them. Those first few months go by so very fast!

Dont worry about the little things and rest when bub is asleep.