I actually know of someone this happened to

What a great thread girls Some of the tips have really helped me.Im a first time mummy and its hard knowing whats right etc.Thanks again everyone xxx

I've heard with dogs that it's good to bring something home with babies smell on it so they can get used to the smell..not sure how relevant this is if you're bringing baby straight home from the hospital though, lol..maybe hubby can bring a blanket home the first day if you're still in with baby.. also to make sure you're already the ''pack leader'' in the home and that baby becomes a pack leader too....as in, the dogs are required to be calm and submissive around baby, etc..but otherwise to keep to routine as much as possible and definitely make room for them to be loved up too.

I always swaddled my son from day one and he wouldn't sleep peacefully without it, so I think it's down to making sure there aren't too many layers or too tightly wrapped..but definitely will be swaddling this one too.

I personally don't feel it's possible to spoil a child under a year old and definitely agree with picking up baby when baby is crying...maybe baby just needs food or a diaper change, but could also just want some lovins and to smell mama close by..she is all baby knows after all and it's very comforting to be in mama's (or papa's) arms.

Sleep when baby sleeps, and agreed about not stressing the housework. I like the once a week cleaner idea for basic vacuuming and dusting if it's doable! Otherwise, do take advantage of offers of help and assistance from family and friends, but make sure it's on YOUR terms and not a situation where they come and try to take over things.

Do trust your instincts and don't let others boss you about how to take care of your baby. By all means listen to advice, but assert your position as the mother and decide for yourself how baby will be raised. Kindly thank others for their advice but in the end do what feels right for you.

I never bathed my son more than once a week and maybe even a bit less. Babies don't get dirty the way older people do and it can be very drying to overwash them. Top and tail as others have suggested.. I avoid lotions and creams as the body's natural oils are good enough.

Dont be scared to flush the toilet or hoover while baby is asleep alot of my friends did were scared to wake baby up and now there children are very light sleepers were i wasnt scared to have the tv on or flush the toilet etc and my lil girl is a great 12 hour nighter sleeper and was sleeping through from 7 weeks

Oh YAH! Ditto that! Big time!

Tiny amount of olive oil in bath as opposed to on the skin.

Wrap arm round back of neck,so neck is in your elbow crease and your thumb and little finger under babies arm this keeps control of wet/slippery baby and leaves your right arm to wash etc. Such an easy way to bathe babe. Also before bathing baby wrap in towel and just wash quickly over sink the hair makes for a better experience when bathing as no hair to wash.

I too bite nails cant bear thought of scissors near babies little nails.!

As for food,freeze all food you make into ice cube trays,put into freezer bags and then as you need take a cube or two out and if out for day then pop in a baby pot with lid/clean jar.
xx

Ooh, that's a great idea.

That reminds me of something for the grownups too. I plan to make a good few meals ahead of baby arriving and dish them out in individual portions and freeze them. This way, there are readymade meals for the first few weeks of baby being home when you are too tired to cook but want to eat something substantial.

Some ideas of foods I'm going to make ahead of time and freeze are lasagna, shepherd's pie, chili, curries, casseroles, etc...

I'm not going overboard but I would ideally like to make enough meals to get through the first few weeks anyway.

fantastic thread!

mine is ............

before leaving the hospital asked for an extra bottle of formular (thats if your not bf) so just in case you get home and baby starts screamimg for a feed your not stumbling arounf trying to get the bottles ready i wish someone would of told me this i had my lo screaming while i was tryin to sterilise a bottle and do the formular.

i wouldnt bother with a baby bath its too big and weighs a ton just bath baby in the sink and it saves you some money.