Pregnancy & Baby 

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25 tips to help a new mum

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• 21. Information overload You'll be bombarded with advice by your mum, friends, health visitor, magazines and books - everyone has something to say about how you raise your baby. Remember that what suits one baby may not suit another so trust your own instincts when it comes to your baby.
• 22. Routine 'Try not to get too worked up about getting a routine going for the first two to four weeks,' advises Anita O'Neill, midwife at Zita West Clinic. 'It's unrealistic to expect a tiny new baby who has been used to having food on tap 24/7 (in the uterus) to then quickly adapt to a three-hourly routinely.'
• 23. Let skin breathe Health visitor Maggie Fisher says, 'natural soft fibres allow the skin to breathe and prevent harsh fibres irritating your baby's skin'. She suggests regularly checking babies by feeling their chest, tummy or base of the neck. 'I advise parents to check their baby whenever they themselves feel hot or cold. If the baby feels hot, take a layer off and if the baby feels cool add a layer and check again later.' Look after your baby's skin by washing her clothes with a hypoallergenic fabric conditioner such as Comfort Pure.
• 24. Meet a mum 'Having a baby can be extremely isolating,' say Baukjen and Vanessa from Isabella Oliver. 'We've both found it to be quite tough at times. We liked it best when we combined being at home with seeing other new mums and exchanging experiences. There are loads of women who will probably feel exactly the same and would love to get out of the house.' Try our Meet a Mum in your area message boards.
• 25. Budget Having your first baby is an expensive time. Budget by borrowing as much of the pricey baby gear as you can. The newborn equipment such as slings, baby bouncer chairs, Moses basket, baby bath will be packed away within six months, so borrow stuff from friends and visit second-hand sales such as the NCT Nearly New sales.

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