50 Parenting Tips Every New Parent Needs to Survive the First Year (2026 Guide)
The first year of parenting is magical, exhausting, confusing, and hilarious — often all within the same hour. Here are 50 quick fire tips for new parents without the fluff!
“Sleep when your baby sleeps” no, just sleep when you get the chance!
Take shifts with your partner if you can.
Learn to change nappies in the dark at night time if you have any hopes of getting back to sleep!
Babies are very still when sleeping, don’t worry! its normal.
“Breastfeeding is the best” Wrong. Do what’s “Best” for your circumstances.
Keep bibs everywhere.
Baby vomit looks dramatic but its normal, you get used to it.
Obvious but always pack some milk formula when leaving the house, babies feed when babies feed!
Always back 2 more nappies than you thought is enough.
Baby wipes will solve 90% of your problems.
Spare outfits are a must! (for the baby) Maybe you also!
Blowouts and poonamies happen at the worst possible moments, embrace them.
Changing mats are a god send, keep one in your boot!
Sudocreme is your best friend! (not sponsored)
Every baby develops at their own pace
Don’t compare your parenting - It ruins the fun.
“Tummy time” can be 2 minutes or 1 hour, it’s still effective.
Celebrate each milestone.
It’s ok to put your baby down for a few minutes and take time for yourself.
No-one has a clue what they are doing at first, its normal.
Some days are magical!
Some days are chaotic!
Lower any expectations - babies do not care about your routines.
Laugh things off when they go wrong, if you don’t laugh, you cry.
Set out your “nappy station” ready for the night time change.
Take lots of photos, time flies and memories fade.
Prepare to leave the house 20 minutes before you was originally thinking.
Wash all milk bottles, dry and prep ready for the morning! It’s a nightmare when your need a bottle and there’s none prepared!
Shopping! click and collect or delivery is your best friend for the first few months.
Google can be your best friend and your worst enemy!
Trust your instincts.
Newborn anxiety and feeling overwhelmed is normal unfortunately. We all feel it and we all get through that stage.
Days can feel like forever but the years go by fast.
Babies can sometimes cry for no reason.
Babies grow out of clothes faster than you expect — don't buy too many newborn sizes.
Take the photo even if the house is messy. This isn’t pinterest…
Fresh air can reset everyone's mood.
Always be suspicious.
Keep wet wipes in every room. (life saver)
Accept that your laundry with multiply ten fold.
Accept your bills will increase.
Zip up baby-grows are a life saver.
Every parent Googles strange baby questions at 2am.
You'll become an expert at doing things one-handed.
Some advice works, some doesn't.
Parenting is mostly trial and error.
You're doing better than you think.
Don't wake a sleeping baby unless you truly have to.
Celebrate your baby's “firsts” — they only happen once.
Finally… Coffee becomes a parenting essential!
