general

  • The baby markets are great www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk

  • Have a look at the Family hub I found it very beneficial for both Owen and I https://share.google/mgVcdOgWoRtuDTPny

  • Write everything down, you will forget within seconds and then wish you had. I started when Owen was 2 months. 22/05/25 Owen laughed for the first time. Id have never remembered that had I not wrote it down, I can barely remember what we had for tea yesterday anymore

  • Get someone to go on Facebook for you and look for clothes. they hardly get worn and we managed to get 0-12 months for like £60. saved a ton of money

  • We have a sleepy mix on Spotify. we’ve played it since new born. helpednowen sooth until 14 months.

pregnancy

  • Ginger biscuits will help with nausea

  • Book yourself on an Antenatal class it will help you feel more prepared

  • Research labour medication. I took Pethidine, I regret it, it made me extremely lethargic which was great for the pain I was in…. But it slowed the labour down to basically nothing.

  • Note that if you had an induction they will not let you in the labour room, they don’t tell you this. this labour room is far nicer. Ask for a look when you’re at the hospital it will be worth seeing it. The pool was amazing and if you can get it get it (they’re not always available)

  • don’t panic if you don’t get any colostrum before you give birth, not everyone does

  • if you’re not taking folic acid start taking it now

things to pack for labour

  • Hospital bag checklist - Best Start in Life - NHS https://share.google/WZPo6irKnYQQ6hzrB

  • Reusable breast pads https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07S7GQ2T8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

  • A portable fan!

  • You will need these! - Always Discreet for Sensitive Bladder Pants (5 Drop) Medium - 72 Pants (6 pack bundle) - Boots https://share.google/FjNU6mHVNAngE9112

  • Premade first milk in small bottles. I used this to drip onto my nipple to get Owen interested

  • Snacks / fluids for you AND your partner

  • I wore long t-shirt dresses in labour or was naked. Note though that if you’re being monitored you will need something that they can access around your waste to put the belts

  • Get this - if you split or get cut you will need it - https://myexpertmidwife.com/products/spritz-for-bits

  • Your birth plan printed. make sure the midwife reads it and respects it

  • Don’t take too much with you into the hospital because if there are complications and you need to go to theatre you will be rushed in. Have a car seat etc. in the car to collect when you know you’re going home. it won’t be straight away

labour

  • Don’t stress too much about your ideal birth. You’ll never know until you’re in the moment, then just go with what feels right!

  • If you back hurts ask for a heat pad - they will not give you one unless you ask and it helps so much

  • Practice your pelvic floor. You push back to front, almost like you’re having a poo, rather than your normal pelvic floor exercises

  • Try and rest as much as you can during early labour, you will need the energy

  • Research internal cervix dilation checks, you don’t have the have them, they hurt, if you’re not dilated enough when you get to the hospital they will send you home - if they don’t check they won’t know. It really hurts.

  • Try and wee before your labour gets too far gone. if your bladder is full they will need to put a catheter in to empty it or your bladder can get damaged.

post pregnancy

  • You will read to use cotton wool for baby clean up. Don’t bother. Get clean water wipes. the first poos are very sticky. you will need wipes.

  • You need to note down wee / poo in the hospital and at home. they won’t let you go home until your baby has had both. the nappy will have a blue line when your baby has had a wee. we didn’t know this, so didn’t write it down, and had to wait for Owen to have another wee!

  • You will have to really squeeze your nipples to get the colostrum out to feed baby. It will hurt. Do it

  • For the first 5 days I think I slept approx 4 hours. You will be tired. You will get through it

  • Try and get out the house for short walks, it’s good for you and baby

  • Accept help - and food - you’ll need it

  • Took approx 8 weeks to fully heal and my stomach to reduce down

  • Was approx 2 months before Owen would be put down to sleep. Don’t panic. Just enjoy the cuddles

  • Make sure you set up shifts for the night. You don’t need to both be up at the same time, we tried this it was such a silly idea as we were both just exhausted.

  • Keep babies feet warm. socks / onesies. it will help them sleep.

  • burping is a must

  • if you hold your baby face down on your arm and their legs are straight they’ve got trapped gas. you can rotate the legs to help

  • the baby blues didn’t get my until I stopped breastfeeding but you can get it straight after birth. it’s tough. be kind to yourself. you will cry a lot and feel very down.

things you really do / don't need to buy

  • Next to me cot (for the first 6 months)

  • Baby bath

  • Don’t buy too many breast feeding gadgets incase it doesn’t work because you’ll waste your money. most things are on Amazon (pumps etc.) get them when you know you’re maintaining a good feed.

  • Don’t buy a Haka, they’re rubbish! get themselves instead - Lictin Breast Shells, 2PCS Milk… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CTXZH3TY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

  • https://amzn.eu/d/086HSQN7 Owen didn’t start interacting with anything until 2 months, and then this was where we put him to interact with toys / tummy time etc. they’re very good. you won’t need much else before then. at that point a few gumming items is about it really

  • We preferred Asda nappies for first size

  • Extra large muslins are pretty useless opt for fabric square size

  • Really useful if baby has trapped gas https://www.boots.com/infacol-oral-suspension-55ml-10257859

  • sleeping sack is a must. swaddling is hard work

  • get a red light, helps baby in the night

  • we got a baby monitor early. if baby sleeps in next to me and falls asleep in pram it’s useful https://amzn.eu/d/05PQl7Em

  • we made Owen little breast milk ice pops https://amzn.eu/d/09PCz9x8

  • Tiny Love Take Along Mobile,… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MXMGRY2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

  • Rockit Rocker Rechargeable - Baby… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BNP1G2ZD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

  • Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00432ID82?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

  • Bright Starts Oball Easy Grasp… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZRD99C0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share