Our first year! What I wish I'd known beforehand - Tips & Tricks for New Mums I Part 1/2

There's a lot of junk out there, and you can get rid of your money. But what do you really need before the greatest miracle sees the light of day, and what can you acquire gradually, or what's best left alone?

I talked to my sister about her first year as a mom. We covered topics like baby essentials, useful toys, the postpartum period, starting solids, and returning to work. That's exactly what happened to her. Experience:

On the subject of baby clothes:

Perhaps the most difficult part? Since you have absolutely no way of knowing how tall and heavy your baby will be, and more importantly, what their proportions will be, it makes absolutely no sense to stock up on too much beforehand. Of course, it makes sense to already have a few bodysuits and, depending on the season, trousers/sweaters at home, but: our little mouse was completely lost in size 50 at first. And even later, when the clothes should have fit her, she still didn't. Everything was just too big. But you get a pretty good feel for what fits and what doesn't pretty quickly. On top of that, growth varies greatly from baby to baby, and so we had great summer dresses that only fit in winter. My tip is: start with a manageable basic outfit, wait and see, and then stock up on what's currently available.

A very sensible investment, in my opinion, that has already proven itself over a long period of time: a boiled wool jumpsuit for the first winter. Based on the advice in the store, we bought it too big, so we were able to wear it the following fall. Considering the price, this was very good advice, and since the little one was still being worn during the first winter anyway, the size didn't matter at all!

One thing you can never have enough of are burp cloths. There are no limits to your creativity here. Whether used as a burp cloth, as the name suggests, or as a bib (guaranteed to keep things clean), as sun protection in the car/stroller/sling, as a pad in the child seat (when pants are muddy, wet, or otherwise dirty), as a washcloth to go, or whatever.

Baby essentials & accessories:

A changing table, with a mobile hanging over it, a mat, and a heater (if the little one is born in the colder months) are among the basics. We thought we absolutely needed a baby bay, too—which was actually useful as a storage unit and fall protection—but my daughter never slept in it, so a railing would have done the trick. And if it's not going to be the family bed, then just put a mattress on the floor in the nursery for now. That way you don't have to worry about falls, and your little one, when they become more mobile, will always be able to crawl out of bed by themselves. The bassinet also sold faster than we got it. Build a nest on the couch. It's much cheaper and doesn't take up as much space. A playpen isn't necessary either, unless you have enough space. But even then, the question remains as to what purpose it should serve. After all, if the little ones can move around, they should be able to do so. They love freedom and discovering the world!

The stroller. It's a topic I've been thinking about for ages, but we had a baby in a baby carrier. So, we could have saved ourselves the money. So, here's a tip: It doesn't have to be the latest model. And if you end up using a baby sling like we did, it's definitely worth making an appointment with a babywearing consultant.

It's best to get a nursing pillow during pregnancy. If sleeping becomes increasingly difficult, tucking it between your legs at least makes it a little more comfortable. And you'll need it for your first breastfeeding session anyway. A comfortable nursing chair should also be handy. A baby monitor is very helpful. A camera and all the other gadgets that are available these days aren't necessary. 

And of course, I have been accompanied by a mara mea diaper bag and Diaper bag - well, actually even before that - and even today, at every step. In the beginning, I had the Classic diaper bags model melting pot and I love the multifunctionality – as a babywearing mom, the backpack function is perfect – and especially the size and individual compartments. This meant there was always enough room for diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, drinks and snacks for on the go, toys, keys, and wallet. Now, after about a year and a half, I've fallen in love with the new Lodge Life travel diaper backpack . It's a bit smaller, but perfectly organized. For example, I love the large outside pockets. They make it super easy to grab a water bottle and other essentials. I still regularly use our Melting Pot as a second bag when traveling, for quick visits to grandma and grandpa, or for children's gymnastics, for example.

Toys:

A play arch is a great thing. A stick with various utensils strung on it will do, too. Otherwise, when it comes to toys, the motto "less is more" applies. After all, what interests little explorers most are everyday objects that we ourselves use every day. You can never start reading to them and looking at books early enough, and above all, you can never have enough books. As with everything else, borrowing or buying secondhand is always the best option. That way, it doesn't hurt quite as much if a page gets ripped out or a painting adorns a page.

What else awaits you: Decisions upon decisions. Trust and saying no will follow very soon in Part 2 .