No doubt, expecting a baby is overwhelming, even more so when you’re a first-time parent. From information overload to unnecessary gadgets, it’s a challenge to figure out what is and isn’t needed.
In this guide, we’ll help you sift through the metaphorical clutter and offer practical and cost-effective advice to simplify the first year of parenthood. We’ll discuss how second-hand goodies are a lifesaver, why meal prepping in advance is a winner, and how to navigate postpartum blues.
Ready to find out more? Let’s go!
12 Things New Parents Should Know
Let’s not waste any time and jump straight into the top 12 things newbie parents should know:
1. Second-hand baby gear is a lifesaver
Babies outgrow clothing in a heartbeat. One day, they’re swimming in 0-3 months gear; the next, they’re bursting out of them.
While the temptation to buy everything brand new for your bundle of joy is definitely a thing, these items can rack up a large bill, especially when those tiny clothes are only worn a handful of times.
Practical tips
This is where the beauty of second-hand shopping comes in. Facebook Marketplace, charity shops, and Nearly New Sales (NCT) are treasure troves of gently used clothing, strollers, bouncers, and more! You can find high-quality items at a fraction of the retail price, giving you more money to spend on things that actually matter, like nappies!
Also, you’re doing the planet a favour by giving pre-loved items a new home. It’s a win-win situation: you save money, reduce waste, and maybe even discover some hidden treasures you wouldn’t find elsewhere. Happy hunting!
2. Choose a convertible car seat
Convertible car seats are the Swiss Army knives of baby gear—they do it all! They’re designed to adapt to growing children by providing incredible versatility. Investing in one of these is a great way to save wads of cash, as you won’t have to upgrade each time your kid hits a new growth spurt.
For instance, convertible seats can be used in two ways:
- Rear-facing: Infants must use them until at least 15 months old.
- Forward-facing: Kids must use them until they are 135 cm tall.
Practical tips
- Check safety ratings: Look for models that meet the necessary car child seat laws and have a good crash test rating.
- Style: Features like adjustable reclining positions, padded inserts (which can be added/removed to keep baby secure), and breathable fabrics for easy washing (because a leaky nappy is not ideal) are golden.
- Consider your vehicle: Choose baby seats that fit securely in your car, paying close attention to ISOFIX features.
- Installation: It’s worth setting the car seat up before your baby arrives to ensure you feel confident and prepared when the time comes to use it.
3. Prep meals before the baby arrives
One of the smartest things we wish we knew before our kids arrived was prepping meals in advance. Why? Because cooking is at the bottom of the priority list when you’re sleep-deprived! Trust us, those first few weeks can be rough, and the days all seem to blur into one.
Having pre-made meals in the freezer is a real time-saver and much cheaper than ordering takeout.
Practical tips
- Choose freezer-friendly meals: Soups, stews, shepherd’s pie, and lasagna all freeze beautifully. Pancake batter freezes well, too!
- Batch cook: Double or triple your favourite recipes to maximise time and effort.
- Invest in containers: Make sure you have enough Tupperware containers to store your meals.
- Go for healthier options: Since you’re in control of the ingredients, make sure meals are loaded with veggies and all that other good stuff to ensure you get the minerals and vitamins you and baby need.
- Get organised: Label each container with the date and contents so it’s easy to grab and go.
4. Plan for unexpected early arrivals
While due dates are great, sometimes babies have their own ideas for making their grand entrance, usually earlier than expected. Being prepared for an early arrival can save you a lot of time and scrambling around in those final weeks of pregnancy.
The magic number? Aim to have all your and your baby’s goodies packed and ready from the 36-week mark. Think of it as your “emergency plan”—you won’t regret it, trust us.
Practical tips
Here’s a quick list of a few hospital essentials:
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For mum:
- Comfy clothes: Think loose-fitting pyjamas, a robe, and clothes for going home.
- Toiletries: Pack travel-sized versions of your essentials such as shampoo, soap, and body wash. Don’t forget a hairbrush and a couple of hair ties, too!
- Maternity goods: A nursing bra, feeding pads and nursing pillow are good to pack, even if you’re not planning to breastfeed. Maternity pads and extra knickers always come in handy, too.
- Snacks: Labour can be long, and hospital food isn’t always appealing. Pack a few non-perishable snacks you enjoy, like nuts, dried fruit, crisps, and fruit juice.
- Entertainment: A book, magazine, or tablet can help pass the time.
- Phone charger: Keep your phone charged to capture those precious first moments with your new baby.
For baby:
- Clothing: Choose something weather-appropriate and comfortable for your baby to wear in the hospital and on the way home. A few sets are advised as accidents (like leaky nappies or reflux) can happen. It’s also wise to include blankets, jumpers, vests, and socks.
- Baby goods: These include face cloth/sponges, nappies, dummies, baby wipes, bum cream, cotton buds, and a hooded towel.
- Car seat: This is super important. Make sure the car seat is correctly installed before you go into labour.
5. Be ready for postpartum realities
The postpartum stage is a wild ride. It’s not just about cute photos or endless cuddles (though there’s plenty of that, too); it’s also about navigating a rollercoaster of emotional and physical changes, and it’s important to be prepared.
Practical tips
Physical changes:
- Postpartum bleeding (lochia): Lochia is a type of vaginal discharge after birth. It consists of blood, mucus, uterine tissue, and other stuff from your womb. And it’s completely normal! It’s your body’s way of shedding the uterus’ lining, gradually subsiding and getting lighter over time.
- Night sweats: You can expect excessive sweating, especially at night due to hormonal changes in your body. Light, breathable pyjamas and bedding are your friends.
Emotional changes:
- Baby blues: Feeling tearful, overwhelmed or anxious in the first few days or weeks after childbirth? Yeah, it’s totally normal. Thanks again, hormones!
- Postpartum depression (PPD): PPD is incredibly common, affecting at least one in 10 women within a year of giving birth. Signs of PPD include finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby, concentration issues, heightened anxiety and frightening thoughts (like wanting to hurt your offspring). While baby blues are normal for around two weeks, you should seek professional help if your symptoms persist or get worse.
6. Master the art of baby sleep
While there’s no magic formula for mastering the art of sleep with a newborn, you can start paying attention to your baby’s “wake windows”. These windows refer to the time your moppet is awake between naps.
Understanding these timeframes ensures your little dude (or dudette) isn’t kept awake for too long. If they are, they become overtired, making it harder to fall or stay asleep. On the flip side, putting them down too early doesn’t work either because, well, they’re just not tired enough. It’s about finding that sweet spot (which takes some getting used to!).
Practical tips
Wake windows change as babies grow. For instance:
- Newborns (0-8 weeks) = 45 minutes to an hour
- 6 months = 2-2.5 hours
- 11-18 months = 3-4 hours
- 2+ years = 6+ hours
Once you’ve determined an age-appropriate window, you can find the best nap and bedtimes. But how many naps should your kiddo have?
- Newborn = 5+ naps
- 5-9 months = 3 naps
- 12-18 months = 2 naps
- 2.5-5 years = 1-0
A common issue is that new parents carefully follow wake windows during the day but tend to stretch them just before bedtime, thinking a more tired baby will sleep better.
However, this can have the opposite effect. Ignoring wake windows in the evening could lead to frequent nighttime wake-ups or an overtired baby who struggles to settle down.
Here are a few ways to create a sleep environment:
- A dark room stimulates melatonin (the sleep hormone) production.
- White noise can help block out distracting sounds.
- Keep the room at a comfortable temperature (between 16-20°C).
7. Use muslins for everything
You’ll soon realise that muslin clothes are a parent’s best mate—dependable, reliable and always there when you need it. They are incredibly versatile and can be used for hundreds of things: wiping up burp messes, a quick changing mat in a pinch, a nursing cover in the park or sun shades draped over a stroller.
Practical tips
Most supermarkets, baby retail stores, and online shops sell muslins. Here are a few goodies:
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- The Monkey Box: Around £11 each
- Next: Starting from £14
- M&S: Ranging from £10-£20
- Tesco: Around £6
8. Prepare for constant sickness in daycare
Let’s be honest, daycare and nurseries are basically germ breeding grounds. It’s just the way it is. While it’s tough seeing your little one battle constant sniffles and coughs, it’s important to remember that it’s a normal part of building up their immune system.
Your baby will likely bring some form of new bug home every other week, especially in the first year of daycare. This might mean many sleepless nights for both of you. While you can’t prevent illnesses, you can be prepared to manage the symptoms.
Practical tips
- Stock up on meds: Keep a supply of baby-friendly medicines at home to combat those pesky germs. Think Calpol for pain and fever, cough syrups, vapour rubs, ear drops, and nasal aspirators (those funny bulb-looking things used to suck gunk out of kids’ noses).
- Temperature checks: It’s good to always have a thermometer on hand to keep an eye on your baby’s temperature. Contact your GP if the fever is over 38°C.
- Hydration: Keep plenty of fluids at home. This might mean having a stockpile of breastmilk in the freezer for babies and diluted fruit juice for older tots.
9. The power of a playpen
A playpen is an absolute lifesaver and a worthwhile investment for busy parents. It provides a safe and contained space for little ones to play, giving you a few precious moments to tackle whatever is on your endless to-do list.
Practical tips
To ensure your tiny human is entertained, here are a few things to have inside the playpen:
- Floor or play mat
- Tummy time pillow
- Age-appropriate toys like stuffed animals, building blocks and books.
Here’s what you should avoid inside the playpen:
- Don’t overcrowd the playpen with too much stuff.
- Avoid hazardous objects that could hurt your baby or become a choking hazard. Things like Lego are a no-go for little ones.
- Loose bedding and pillows can increase the risk of suffocation.
10. Stock up on essentials
Preparing for a newborn is exciting, but it’s easy to get carried away and overspend on things you might not need. The key is to be smart about your purchases and focus on the essentials. Remember, babies grow quickly, and many items have a short lifespan.
Practical tips
Here are a few wise choices:
- Nappies and wipes
- Muslins
- Baby wash, laundry detergent and bum cream
- Sleep sacks and swaddles
- Bottles, sterilisers, breast pumps, and dummies
When choosing baby essentials, prioritise quality over quantity. It’s better to have a few high-quality goods that will last rather than buying copious amounts of cheaper items.
11. Reusable nappies or overnight nappies
When it comes to nappies, you’ve got choices. While disposable ones are the most common (and great to have in your baby bag at playdates), reusable and overnight nappies also have their advantages:
- Reusable: Reusable nappies save loads of cash, whether they’re the good old terry towel kind or the modern-day versions like Mother-ease or TotsBots. Just rinse off the inserts and throw them into the washing machine, and voila! They’re good as new. They’re eco-friendly and cost-effective, too—what more could you ask for?
- Overnight: Overnight nappies are designed to be extra absorbent, keeping your baby dry throughout the night. This means fewer wake-ups and bed changes for you! Win-win!
Practical tips
You can buy reusable or overnight nappies from supermarkets, baby retail stores or online shops. Here are our suggestions:
12. Parenting guilt is inevitable—go easy on yourself
Parenting guilt is a sneaky little gremlin that creeps in and whispers doubt in your ear. Did you choose the right formula? Did you sterilise the pacifier 101 times? Is my [parenting approach] okay? Is my baby hitting their milestones on time? The self-doubt list is endless.
But there’s no one-size-fits-all way to parenting, and parenting guilt is totally normal. Every parent experiences it at one point or another. The good news? You don’t need to follow every trend and every piece of advice. Do what feels right for you, your baby, and your family.
Practical tips
While staying informed is good, it shouldn’t consume you. Pick and choose what resonates with you, and pretty much ignore the rest. Also, every baby is different, and so is every mother’s journey. Don’t compare yourself to others or feel pressured to conform to societal norms.
The Conversation Continues
So, there it is: a comprehensive rundown of a few things parents wish they knew before having a baby.
Who would have thought second-hand gear would be a lifesaver or that reusable nappies would save tons of money? Not to mention how muslins seem to be the “Holy Grail” of parenting and that stockpiling meals before your moppet arrives works like a dream.
While parenting is hard work (and nothing can quite prepare you for meeting your little bundle of joy), it’s important to remember that every parent’s journey is different.
Sure, it’s messy, exhausting, and often filled with self-doubt, but knowing you’re doing your best is good enough. Be kind to yourself, celebrate your wins and don’t lose sleep over a few “bad days”.
We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or suggestions—after all, we’re in this together!
We’d love to hear from you…
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