What are the best tips for baby’s first year? At our #earlyyears Twitter Party parents traded tips and shared their fears and experiences. The party was sponsored by AXA PPP healthcare, to celebrate the launch of its new Early Years Call Back Service and Pregnancy and Caring for Your Children Centre, and we gave away some great prizes.
Here, some of the top tips tweeted at the party.
Start quietly
1. Try not to have visitors your first couple of days – I know everyone wants to see a baby – but have family bonding time. @KarenL109
Ask for help
2. Never be afraid to ask for help if you are unsure on anything. @gemmagwynne
3. Health visitors get a bad reputation. Try to get to know yours. Their advice isn’t the law but they do have helpful tips. @simply_hayley
4. Let others help out. You don’t get a medal for doing everything yourself. @Sebsmummy
Have a little you time
5. Spontaneity is your friend – learn to take opportunities for naps, showers, food – as soon as they arise. @mummygadgetgeek
6. Ask Daddy to help. They can feel left out and mum could use a break. @Miamoos_mummy
7. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or your mum to help to give you a bit of time to yourself. @ali991
Rest when you can
8. Housework can wait, sleep when baby sleeps. @laylafletcher
Make friends
9. Every day I go to different mother-and-baby groups & make friends with other mums. It is hard but worth it. @MFM_Lichfield
10. See if your children’s centre has a postnatal group. Great way to make friends with same age babies! @simply_hayley
11. If you are feeling lonely and isolated, go out. I used to go to a coffee shop every day with Joseph in his sling just to see faces! @kykaree
Save Money
12. Babies grow quickly. Don’t spend too much on fancy clothes as they may never get worn. @jumblymummy
13. Accept any offers of clothes; they tend to come in handy. @SebsMummy
14. Don’t dismiss supermarket nappies; they can be just as good/better than the leading brands and far cheaper. @kholeee
15. Don’t spend lots of money on fancy toys, simple sensory experiences can be just as good. @Mummymummymum
Travel with Baby
16. Never go anywhere without supplies like nappies, baby wipes etc. @ali991
17. I’ve learnt it’ll take you at least twice as long to get out of the house. So allow plenty of time. @7hippopotamus
18. Refill your change bag at the end of each day so you don’t forget/panic in the morning. @goriami
Be Realistic about Breastfeeding
19. For trouble breastfeeding, call midwife or health visitor to coach you. Mine came round 3 times! @Lindylulu47
20. Breastfeeding isn’t for everyone; if you can’t do it you’re NOT a failure. @NoodlesBoo
Help Baby Sleep
21. Blackout blinds/shutters for instant nightime are a must (for all concerned). – Sleep is KING. @martinwjordan
22. My sleep tip: stick to a routine, even if baby doesn’t seem sleepy. @jhowze
23. If your baby will only settle when held get a baby carrier/sling then you can pop them in and still get some things done at home. @Mummy_V
Soothe a Crying Baby
24. I find that playing classical music /baby Mozart completely chills my daughter out and stops her crying. @excited_mum2be
25. If they start to cry, leave them for 10 minutes. Chances are they will go back to sleep. Worked for me. @ugglymuggly
26. I’ve learned to recognise the different types of crying – when he can be left and when he can’t. @@Amy8n
Relax about Baby Milestones
27. Don’t panic by the weight of baby. They all tend to even out. Take the charts with a pinch of salt. @JudeandOllie
28. Try not to buy into developmental charts too much; your baby will develop at the right speed for them! @Justanothermumm
Learn Baby First Aid
29 Doing a paediatric first aid course can make you feel calmer in a crisis. @simply_hayley
30. Ensure you have a first aid kit that involves items suitable for a baby such as a baby thermometer. @Clarbo18
Baby health
31. Worried about my son’s hips, told I was a neurotic 1st-time mum. Turned out – v.complex hip dysplasia. @Kayleidogyn
32. Babies nails – the easiest (pain free) way to trim nails is a nail file. Saves panicking about cutting them. @KarenL109
33. Don’t freak out when they fall over/bump into something – they look to you for how to react. Stay calm and don’t panic. @TomBriggs79
Communicate with Baby
34. Reading to your baby helps promote understanding and relaxes them. @needaphone
35. Mirror your infant; they will enjoy this level of communication. @viviensabel
Most of All, Trust your Instincts
36. You are your baby’s manual – trust your instinct. @annieqpr
37. Don’t shut yourself up into rules, what you think you “should” do. @MotherGoutte
The Last Words
38. Just remember no matter how tired, stressed or lonely you feel, EVERY Mum feels this way. You’re not alone! @MistySrsly
39. Treasure every moment, they go too fast. @mummymummymum
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