New Parent Advice: 9 Tips From Our Baby Experts

Every parent will tell you that preparing and planning as much as you can for your new baby is the key to a successful and stress-free journey. Listening to new parent advice can really help you plan out the arrival of your baby and their first few weeks.

And who better to listen to than our team of baby experts?

It might seem like there are an awful lot of things to consider when it comes to welcoming your new arrival, and it can be easy to get caught up. For first-time parents, planning out the basics can seem overwhelming.

Our baby experts at The Little Green Sheep have put together a list of 9 things that you should be considering and preparing for in the countdown to your little one’s arrival.

1. Setting Up Your Nursery at the Right Time

One of the first things that will be on your mind is setting up the baby’s nursery – there's no doubt that this is a really exciting part of planning! Getting to choose the décor, the furniture and all of those lovely finishing touches is truly special.

But we recommend waiting to start on your nursery until the second trimester of your pregnancy. You don't want to start too early on, as you'll need to wait until your midwife has confirmed that your pregnancy is healthy.

But making sure that your nursery is set up before your baby bump makes it difficult to move around is a must!

What Do You Need in the Nursery?

Before you start putting together your nursery, it’s important that you understand what you will need in the room and what is going to be most useful for you.

The most important items you will need in your baby's nursery are:

It's important to work with the space you've got and plan where everything is going to go. That way, when you're all ready for your baby, their nursery will be fully organised and prepared.

2. Prepare Yourself for Adjustments and Changes in Your Life

Coming to terms with the fact that your life is about to change dramatically can seem a bit intimidating. But you should remind yourself about the exciting stage of your life you are about to enter!

It's normal to feel overwhelmed by all the changes that come with being a new parent – from crying baby to changing nappies, it can all seem a bit daunting. But it is important to remember that you’ve got this, and you can do it!

It might help to talk to other parents and join a prenatal or baby class – connecting with other parents will help you feel more confident about the changes and adjustments that come with being a new parent.

3. Creating a Shopping List for Baby Essentials

As new parents, you will soon come to realise that babies need a lot of stuff!

Creating and sticking to a shopping list is the best way to make sure you don't forget anything important. It's easy to go overboard – after all, you want to spoil your baby, but you don't want to be buying unnecessary items!

Start with the essentials, such as a car seat, pram, nappies and wipes, clothes and feeding times. You'll also need baby toiletries, such as a baby bath and some gentle skincare products.

4. Deciding on a Routine and Sleep Pattern

It's no secret that new parents face one of the biggest challenges is learning to establish a regular sleep schedule for their little ones. And it's not something that you'll have complete control over – when your baby wants to sleep, they will sleep!

But doing what you can to encourage them to stick to a routine can be incredibly beneficial. Try setting a regular bedtime and naptime for the baby and do your best to ensure that they stay in a consistent sleep pattern.

This will give them the opportunity to learn when they should be sleeping and when they should be awake – which means less time spent trying to get them to sleep!

It is recommended that babies get anywhere between 8 and 18 hours of sleep, so look to establish a routine that fits within this range.

5. Choosing the Right Kind of Sleeping Space for Your Baby

When you're trying to encourage your baby sleep pattern, creating an environment that helps to promote this is key. Making sure your baby has a comfortable and safe sleeping space can help to make the transition into bedtime smoother.

Moses Baskets

Moses baskets are a parent favourite – they're lightweight and can easily be moved from room to room while baby sleeps. This way, you won't have to worry about your baby being alone while they sleep; you can keep a watchful eye over them even when you're roaming around the house.

The Little Green Sheep Moses baskets are the perfect combination of comfort, style and practicality. The palm leaf basket is knitted or woven with natural fibres, which are breathable and offer plenty of ventilation.

Plus, the Moses basket liners are made from natural cotton, providing your baby with the utmost comfort against your baby's skin. They come in a variety of stylish designs, so you can find one to match your nursery's decor perfectly.

Cribs and Cots

Cribs and cots are a more permanent option for your baby's sleeping space. They provide plenty of room for them to move around, so they can continue using their crib well into toddlerhood.

We find many parents opt for both – a Moses basket and a crib or cot – so they have the flexibility to switch between them when needed.

Knitted Moses Basket & Stand - White

£134.95

Quilted Moses Basket & Rocking Stand - Dove

£129.95

6. Make Sure to Take Time Out for Yourself

When your baby arrives, as a first-time parent, you'll find that your days will be spent caring for and nurturing your little one. But it's also really important that you take care of yourself, too.

"Approximately 68% of women and 57% of men with mental health problems are parents", so it's essential that you make sure to set aside time for yourself as well.

This could involve something as simple as taking a walk in the park for fresh air or reading a book before bed. Whatever it is, make sure you allot some time for yourself.

7. Have a Plan for Feeding

Feeding your baby can be one of the most challenging parts of parenting. From choosing to breastfeed or not to when and how often you should feed them – it can seem like an endless list of decisions.

It is recommended that a new baby should be fed between 8 and 12 times a day during their first few weeks. Your baby's sleeping schedule and feeding schedule will go hand-in-hand, so it's important to establish a routine here.

Try setting aside specific times for feeding your baby and sticking to this as much as possible – this will help them recognise when they need to be fed and also get into a healthy eating pattern.

8. Develop a Babycare Routine

Babies thrive off routines, so it's important to set one up for taking care of your little one. We've already established the importance of a regular sleeping and feeding schedule, but you'll also need to factor in bath time, playtime and time outside.

Establishing a routine for all of these activities will help your baby to feel secure and comfortable as they adjust to life outside the womb.

It's also important that you get into a good routine, too – it will make things easier in the long run!

9. Remember There's No Right Way to Parent

To round off our list of new parent advice, we want to remind you that, as a parent, there is no right way to do things. Every parent and baby dynamic is different, so don't be afraid to try new methods or approaches if something isn't working for you.

Above all else, remember to enjoy these early days with your little one – they won't last forever! Before you know it, you'll be dealing with toddler tantrums instead of tiny baby cries.

Final Thoughts: New Parent Advice from our Experts

Being a new parent can be daunting, but with the right advice and support, you'll soon get used to life as a mum or dad.

Preparing what you can, where you can, will make those first crucial weeks and months much smoother.

And don't forget to take a look at The Little Green Sheep nursery furniture range when it comes to setting up your little one's sleep space! We offer a range of stylish, organic and comfortable Moses baskets to help support your baby's sleep.