Useful tips for first time mums!
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16364
Printed Date: 13 September 2025 at 9:39pm
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Topic: Useful tips for first time mums!
Posted By: mumoftwins
Subject: Useful tips for first time mums!
Date Posted: 15 April 2008 at 10:34pm
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Hi,
I'm pregnant with #3 after twins and reading through my due date thread I see a lot of first time mums. I'm sure this has been done but I can't find it. I thought I would start a thread of useful tips, hints and ideas for the first time parents.....from those of us who have been there done that. Please add anything that you found was useful, a time saver or even a waste of time!!!! * Start freezing meals when you're about 26ish weeks. Either spend a day on the weekend doing big batches, or make double of the nights meal and freeze it. It is so nice to just pull something out of the freezer and not have to think about dinner. * Make sure that you AND your partner/husband etc know how to use, put together, clean & sterilise all equipment before baby arrives. Everything from breastpumps, nappy bins to carseats!!!!!(I knew how to get babies into their carseats....but not the carseats into the car!!!) *Write instructions for your partner/husband etc. You never know how long you may be in hospital, so list things that need doing (sounds really simple and somewhat "mean" towards men, but they don't think like us ladies) reminders to feed animals, a list of people you want contacted RE the birth, how to use the washing machine if need be!!! A grocery list and meal plan for the first week or two. Put it all in one book/folder and make sure he knows where it is. (sorry again if it seem consdescending!) *When packing your bag, put everything on a spare bed or table for a week or so, and check it every couple days. You might want to add or take something away and this way you don't have to unpack then repack the bag until your happy with it!!! * |
Replies:
Posted By: EthansMummy
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 7:55am
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* Make the most of any help offered - your not being rude by asking because they offered.
* If you are fortunate to have your mum she will be one of the biggest things you need!! * Dirt of the window is a saftey measure so just forget about it!!! - I loved this one (I think it came from someone on here) Hope these help ------------- ** MUM TO ** Ethan 29/08/2006 Brooke 22/09/2008 |
Posted By: mumoftwins
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 11:18am
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*Don't buy to many newborn nappies, and buy different brands. All babies are different shapes, sizes and pee'ers!!! What works for one baby wont neccessarily work for another. Some brands are better for girls then boys (we found treasures leaked on our boys but more so with the bigger sizes).
*Ask other mums & dads about what things they couldn't do without, or found a complete waste of money. Babies don't NEED a lot of stuff. We have 2 sleeping wedges and 2 slings that have never been used (luckily they were given to us!)and a bath seat that was far to time consuming to set up.....never used! *As hard as it is, don't go overboard buying lots of fancy, expensive newborn outfits. Babies grow fast!! Buy a few that you really love and will keep forever (to bring out on their 21st birhtday!!)Simple stretch'n'grows are easy to get on, easy to wash and dry and more practical and far more comfortable then a 3 piece outfit with buttons and zips. |
Posted By: mumoftwins
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 10:01pm
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*Don't open all the packets of nappies you do buy (if you are going to store them in change table etc)If you find bubs grows out of them and the pack is unopened you may be able to exchange them at the store (hold on to receipts if you can)
*If you don't want to buy a fancy nappy bin, a nappy bucket with a firm fitting lid will do just as good a job. Buy some scented bin liners to use inside the bucket. *Think about getting an answer phone or message service. A ringing phone can be hard to ignore and sometime you just need to sleep or feed/change baby with out being interupted. |
Posted By: BabyKiwi
Date Posted: 16 April 2008 at 10:28pm
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* Buy lots and lots of waterproofed backed bibs!!!! A godsend for spit-up and then when they go onto solids.
* Also lots of face washers, again great for wiping their mouths if they spit-up. * Take lots of photos when they are newborn, as they grow up so quickly * Enjoy every last minute of them being a baby. |
Posted By: TysMummy
Date Posted: 17 April 2008 at 9:16am
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Mannnnnnnnn!!!!! this would have been helpful when i was pregs.....i so would have dont everything on there.........gonna do it for #2 though........i was in hospital for a month after and i wish i thought ahead...i only took 1 pair of clothes :( and men ...well lets just say they arnt the most clued up :)
oh and no one took any pics of me and baby.....i know i looked like crap but helloooooo............mummy here considering the crap i went through and they had no idea if i would make it you would have thought some pics would have been good 
**** if your on prepaid make sure you top up !!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mumoftwins
Date Posted: 17 April 2008 at 11:50am
| * Cloth nappies are so useful! Even if you intend to use disposables buy a dozen or so of traditional flat cloth nappies. They are great for wrapping baby when they are small, baby spills, for over your shoulder when burping, covering a change table, as a pad to lie on when having no-nappy time, as a light cover in a capsule or pram during warmer weather, as a cover for yourself if breastfeeding in public or around other people. My boys are 15 mths and we still use them everyday!! And when babies are all grown up, the nappies are great for dusting or general rags around the house! |