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Which aspects of looking after a baby did you just not *get*?

158 replies

KateMumsnet · 25/07/2014 15:10

Hello all

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that we've been making a few videos recently - if you haven't had a look, do nip over to our new Video page for a quick squizz. And do also subscribe to our YouTube channel: it takes literally 3 secs (and you won't be bombarded with YouTube emails, promise!).

Anyway - we're planning a series of 'How To' videos for new parents, and we thought we'd ask you to cast your mind back to those early days, and tell us which aspects of looking after a baby would have been much easier if you'd had a step-by-step video to help you. Things like 'how to swaddle a newborn' .

Do let us know what you'd have liked to have seen clearly demonstrated - whether newborn-related, or with older babies. We'd also love to hear the cunning baby and/or toddler care 'hacks' which have made life easier: we'll compile them into a vid to spread the joy.

Thanks in advance,

MNHQ

OP posts:
HappySunflower · 25/07/2014 15:16

Winding!
Once I saw someone show me how to hold a baby up nice and straight to help them to burp, it was all so much clearer!

Norfolknway · 25/07/2014 15:23

How to use a sling?

Yes to swaddling - we failed on that front!

BumpAndGrind · 25/07/2014 15:28

The difference between normal baby gagging and choking during early weaning.

monal · 25/07/2014 15:31

How to suck snot out of their wee noses with those snot-sucking contraptions. Or are those just in France?

Also you might not want to have to demonstrate that on an actual live baby just for clueless people like me, there might be a few ethical issues :/

tethersend · 25/07/2014 15:34

Examples of interactions (e.g. Making faces, singing songs, mirroring expressions etc.) and their functions in terms of development would be useful to reassure parents that they are doing enough for their child. I was quite anxious that I wasn't doing enough as I didn't realise how valuable all the little things I was doing were. It would have been nice to be reassured Smile

CuriosityCola · 25/07/2014 15:34

A demonstration on dressing them (envelope vests!). I was bamboozled by the amount of different vests on offer and when/why I might need them. Smile

Yes to swaddling!

BaileyWhite · 25/07/2014 15:35

Baby first aid please. What to do in case of choking etc.

I didn't know how to put a nappy on that first day. Disposables that is.

What made life easier for me was toddler tantrum distractions- the best tip? Don't ask them if they want to put their coat on. Ask them whether they want their blue coat or their red coat. Choosing between two options stops them refusing point blank to do something at all. Worked like a charm but not sure if you can capture this on VT!

tethersend · 25/07/2014 15:35

Oh yes, how to clean up a baby covered from head to toe in shit would also be useful Grin

McFox · 25/07/2014 15:39

Yes to easy ways to cope with poo explosions Grin

I also agree that baby first aid would be really helpful, as would massage and winding.

JuniperTisane · 25/07/2014 15:39

How to hold a baby in a bath and wash it at the same time Confused. It seems to involve 3 hands. I failed with both children. They got dunked then body washed on the floor until they could hold themselves up.

JuniperTisane · 25/07/2014 15:40

Can't imagine a video starting with a shit-covered baby...

enormouse · 25/07/2014 15:51

Yes, how to manage/contain a poonami would be useful.

How to leave the house with the bare minimum. wish someone had told me pfb doesn't need 3 changes of clothes

How many layers of clothes should they be wearing. again looking at you perma-hot pfb

Diffusing the bomb (toddler tantrum).

AndIFeedEmGunpowder · 25/07/2014 16:15

Enormouse what is diffusing the bomb?

TELL ME!!!!!

EvilHerbivore · 25/07/2014 16:22

Making up formula? The midwifes & NHS staff said they couldn't tell us

Also agree with sling, can't work the moby out for the life of me

beachyhead · 25/07/2014 16:22

I had to phone a friend to work out how to store bottles of sterilised water in the fridge. Teat up or down?

Zara8 · 25/07/2014 16:26

Fabric sling

Swaddle

Signs of baby being tired eg vacant stare, bringing hands to chest.

Opening and collapsing of main brands of pram & buggy

Winding and leg bicycling

MissBeans · 25/07/2014 16:27

Well, the obvious one would be... I think... it's safe to say the majority of new parents don't 'get' breastfeeding. It doesn't help that NHS guidelines are inaccurate & misleading.

enormouse · 25/07/2014 16:29

Grin just before a toddler is about to launch into a full scale tantrum, if you get in early enough you can usually bypass the tantrum. Diffusing the bomb so to speak.

Though sometimes they become wise to it and will not be distracted.

Zara8 · 25/07/2014 16:30

Making up formula - based with WHO guidance which includes saying it's ok to make bottles up in advance and put in fridge. I know this is not NHS guidance (and many posters on here get irate at the practice) but loads of parents do it/are recommended by HCPs to do it and MN has quite an international audience now. So follow the global "standard" if that makes sense. Or explain in the vid that there is a difference to UK guidance.

Bumpsadaisie · 25/07/2014 16:30

If an envelope vest is poo-ey you can pull it down over their body instead of over their head.

I only realised this once my two were out of nappies! Sorry DCs. Smile

JuniperTisane · 25/07/2014 16:31

If anyone has perfected the art of getting a newborn to sleep in a Moses basket i think that would be a winner.

Zara8 · 25/07/2014 16:32

Yes to breastfeeding help videos!!

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Thumbwitch · 25/07/2014 16:33

I never learnt to swaddle, neither DS would stand for it.

Possibly the one I never got was how you expected to get your baby's bum clean using wipes when they'd done semi-liquid poo everywhere - I used to strip them down completely and wash them in the bath/sink. Not possible when out and about though - and I never really felt I was cleaning them up properly with wipes! Is there a specific way to do it "properly"? (Bit late for me now)

Normal nappy changes at home, I used a washing up bowl and filled that with water to clean them up - gets into all the crevices far better then wiping.

Baby bath hack - put the washing up bowl in the bath after they're big enough to sit up - saves on water, they're contained, they can splash as much as they like and still play with all the bath toys. Can't believe I didn't think of it for DS1, only for DS2 (and only after he'd kicked the bowl off the change table in the bedroom )

ohfourfoxache · 25/07/2014 16:39

I'm currently trying to research all things "baby" but tbh I don't know what advice to trust. I tend to turn to mn for most things in my life though Blush so it would be bloody marvellous to have mn approved advice videos.

So my immediate wish list would be:
Breast feeding
Expressing/storing milk (also wtaf do you do with cold stored breast milk? Is it safe to heat up? Or cold? Or room temperature?)
Nappy changing (disposable and reusable)
Swaddle
Sling
Bathing - helped a friend with her dd once and that was enough to get me seriously panicking about having one myself!
First aid
Poo explosions
How to deal with colic/reflux
Possibly some sort of "this is normal"/"this is not normal" advice
how to deal with interfering mils

AndIFeedEmGunpowder · 25/07/2014 16:42

Thanks enormouse. Will try it and report back. Grin

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