Baby tips for new mums

Bathing and skincare

bex1983 says: 'Don't get hung up on bathing baby every day. Yes, it's nice to have a routine but they don't get that dirty and it may dry their skin out.

'Also, don't buy loads of lotions and potions. All you need is sudocreme, baby oil or massage gel, vaseline and baby bath bubbles.'

Breastfeeding

pinkboo says: 'Stick with breastfeeding if you possibly can.

'The first few weeks aren't great but there is so much support out there from the likes of breastfeeding cafes, NCT groups, and health visitors. If you aren't getting the hang of it just ask.

'Breastfeeding hurts for the first few days while you and your baby both get used to it but ride it out, it gets so much easier!

'Also don't beat yourself up if you can't or don't want to breastfeed. So many ladies end up with forms of post-natal depression for feeling that they have failed their babies.

'There is nothing to worry about so just choose what suits you. You're the yummy mummy after all!'

Sleep time

pinkboo says: 'Rest as much as possible. I never slept when Jamie slept (I was never a big daytime sleeper even when ill) and I got exhausted with broken nights.

'So even if you don't doze off, lie on the sofa and do nothing. It's almost as good as a nap.'

bex1983 says: 'Sleep when baby sleeps and if someone offers to help in any way (housework, shopping etc) accept.'

Listen to you

ivcarlyc-h says: 'I wish I'd known to take on-board everyone's advice, smile and thank them graciously, and then do exactly what I thought was best.

'Luckily I learnt this one at a pretty early stage. Mums do know best and instincts are rarely wrong.'

sunshinebaby says: 'I wish I hadn't taken everything the midwife said as gospel.

'She had me feeding every half-hour for the first two weeks, telling me the baby was hungry. Baby used me as a dummy! It didn't help me cope.'

Happy mum, happy baby

bex1983 says: 'Remember to make time for you - a happy mum means a happy baby.

'If your baby's crying is getting to you, put them in their bed and step out of the room and compose yourself, so you can think clearly and calmly.'

Muscle toning

ivcarlyc-h says: 'I wish I'd known to take the midwife seriously about pelvic floor exercises.

'Seriously ladies, do them! I didn't do them as often as I should have done, and boy do I wish I had now!'

Toilet trouble

sunshinebaby says: 'I wish I'd known that I wouldn't poo for over a week after giving birth. Get some laxatives to avoid discomfort!'

bex1983 says: 'Use vaseline on baby's bum for first few days as the first poo is like tar and it makes it come off their skin easier.'

Pushchairs and car seats

sunshinebaby says: 'I wish I had known about selecting car seats and pushchairs. I spent over £500 on a car seat and pushchair.

'The car seat was noticeably flawed from the first day of use. It didn't offer enough head support, and so I spent the first 12 weeks holding the baby's head up in the car.

'All of my friends, and me included, only used our expensive pushchairs for 3-6 months. All of us then opted for strollers.

'These are so much lighter and easier to use. I wish I had got the lie-flat Maclaren (stroller type) or a decent convertable into double.'