Essential Advice for New Parents: Navigating the Early Days with Confidence

Counting down the last few days before you become a parent takes excitement and nerves to a whole new level. Then your baby arrives, and the emotions triple—it really is a life-changing experience like no other.

Each day can feel like a baby crash course (like, how do you actually bathe a newborn without breaking them? And what on earth is a feed, play, sleep routine?!), which is why seeking advice and support during this transformative period is so important. No one has all the answers and it’s okay to ask for help.

From practical tips to emotional support strategies, you’ll find a gold mine of parenting advice for new parents below. Take your pick from new mum tips and save some funny inspiration for when you need a laugh — it all helps!

Parenting Advice For New Parents

1. Take Care Of Yourself! 

When you’re busy pouring all your love and energy into your little one, it’s easy for your own needs to slip. But it’s just as important to take care of yourself, particularly when it comes to eating well and moving your body. Where possible, parents should work as a team to take some solo time. A break (even if it’s just a walk around the block) can help you to come back feeling refreshed with renewed patience.

The postpartum period is a particularly sacred time for mum: a time to focus on recovery and mental health. Prioritising nourishing foods, plenty of rest and setting boundaries with family and friends are some of the best new mum tips parents can take on board.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for help (and take it).

Becoming a parent is challenging, overwhelming and exhausting — don’t go it alone! It takes a village to raise a child but villages don’t come so naturally in the modern world. Today, the best parenting advice for new parents is to build that village. If help is offered, take it. Better yet, ask for it. If someone is coming to visit, ask them to pick up some groceries on the way or fold the laundry while you feed the baby. Lean on those around you — family, neighbours, friends, and colleagues — as well as professional support like your local midwife, GP, mothers group and childhood carers. Any little help can make a big difference.

3. Trust your gut.

When you’re first finding your feet as a new parent, it’s natural to seek new mum tips from anywhere and everyone. But it’s also important to listen to your gut. In fact, science has proven that mothers can trust their instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, advocate for your baby. You’re the one who knows them best and can pinpoint changes in behaviour better than anyone else.

4. SLEEP is the key. 

One piece of parenting advice new parents despise? “Sleep when the baby sleeps”. While the saying may not be practical, the reality of being a new parent does typically involve a lot less sleep. A great tip from experienced parents is to try tag-teaming with your partner. Break the overnight sleep into ‘shifts’ — with one person going to bed early and one staying up — before switching after a few hours so that you both get a decent block of rest. Sleep plays a vital role in your health and well-being, so do whatever you can to get those zzz’s.

5. Be kind to yourself.

Go easy on yourself; you’ve never done this before! Parenting is one big learning curve, with plenty of bumps and challenges along the way. One minute, you’re babyproofing your home, and the next, you’re dealing with a fussy-eating toddler. It all goes so fast, and everyone finds it hard to keep up. Just remember there’s no such thing as failure, and through all the tough parts, you’ll grow and learn. You’re the best parent for your baby, no matter how you do things.

Funny Advice for New Parents

You know what really helps when things feel bleak? Laughter. Here’s our favourite funny advice for new parents.

  • Share the poo – Poonami? Funny farts? Funky colour? Tell the stinky story.

  • Baby’s inner monologue – Your baby can’t talk, but you can certainly imagine what they would be saying and act it out.

  • Baby brain bloopers – Threw your phone in the nappy bin? Found socks in the fridge? Stories of sleep deprivation are meant to be shared.

  • Hindsight hypocrite – Think back on all the things you thought you’d ‘never’ do as a parent. The reality is always hilarious.

Humour can be such a valuable tool when dealing with parenting challenges. Laugh with the people who get it, or find a parenting podcast that makes you giggle! It really is the best medicine.

Best Advice for New Parents

Once your baby arrives, you’re going to come across a lot of parenting advice for new parents — some welcome, some not. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to choose what parts to take on board and which to ignore. If you only take a few key things from this article, let it be:

1. You’re not alone

2. Seek help when you need it

3. Trust your instincts

4. Be open to new learnings and experiences

5. Turn to medical professionals whenever in doubt or in need of support.


And remember, you’ve got this.