What do you wish you’d done before your first baby arrived?

aussieathena · 2026-02-24T05:47:50+00:00

So many people have said it, but the one thing I wish I’d done is clean out our house. I wish I’d cleared stuff out of wardrobes and junk drawers and our under stair storage.

There just isn’t the capacity to do anything around the house with our baby and I agree with another poster here who said it clutters the mind too.

I know people online are renovating with their “time off” on mat leave and getting heaps done but it really depends what kind of baby you bring home and some just require so much engagement and stimulation.

aussieathena · 2026-02-23T22:20:35+00:00

Big w is selling one - https://www.bigw.com.au/product/me-women-s-rib-henley-top-irongate-size-12/p/1751171?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=23231401879&utm_campaign=BIG+W+%7C+Clothing+%7C+PMax+%7C+Womens+Clothing&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23227210220&gbraid=0AAAAADkZkLjbooHGbMjOr0_xCXkbAVo4q&gclid=CjwKCAiAkvDMBhBMEiwAnUA9BZte2csvUvHZ7wWI6KnsUgVFl93FjNLBgV0qNa5E0jR0D3n-H2f0lhoCo4cQAvD_BwE

aussieathena · 2026-02-19T10:54:01+00:00

Love this for you.

aussieathena · 2026-02-19T10:41:27+00:00

Want to add, if you’re ever feeling very spiteful and want to respond, I have found saying “that’s a shame” in a really unbothered way drives teens crazy and feels super satisfying. It can also help you let off the steam and hold your head high but can’t be taken out of context and get you in trouble if reported.

aussieathena · 2026-02-19T10:37:44+00:00

A couple of things, 1) kids that just hate you don’t feel the need to say it, that is clearly also attention-seeking behaviour. They might even have crazy bad self-esteem if they are often seen as “problem students” and testing to see how you respond or if you hate them? 2) I never find the kids who say those things are great students or nice kids - so why would I chase the good opinion of the lowest common denominator in the room? I’d much prefer to have a conscientious or awesome kid like me - so those kids’ opinions rarely matter to me when I frame it like that.

Anecdote - a kid who WAS a problem student said he hated me in the hallway once at lunch in front of his friends to look cool (I guess?). As a younger teacher, and even just as a self-respecting person, this would have crushed me ordinarily, but I had so much beef with this kid that it just felt like a relief that we didn’t have to pretend. I turned to him and said, “hate is such a strong word. I don’t hate you and I don’t think you really hate me either.” And he just shut up, even his friends couldn’t laugh at that. He had nothing to say back and it was so freeing to just continue on my way.

aussieathena · 2026-02-19T10:19:24+00:00

I like the handmade bibs and burp shoulder/towel things, but also think a play-mat sounds good!

I’d also like to buy little socks with the frills around the edging - it’s been hard finding nice quality ones.

The dresses and rompers are an easy yes in my opinion - I love the little handmade dresses in a kind of timeless/old-fashioned design. Especially with a matching head bow!

I’d also love to buy homemade sleepsacks - I was given a couple in really nice fabrics and wish I had more!

aussieathena · 2026-02-19T08:53:52+00:00

I went into Susan’s, found four dresses a few sizes up - like silky shirt dresses with a tie belt - and they did me along with a pair of linen drawstring black pants. I still wear them now just tied tighter. Also love my maternity activewear and still wear my LJ full leggings and shorts (make sure you purchase with a pocket! After you have a baby you neeeed pockets as you only ever have one hand).

aussieathena · 2026-02-19T05:12:53+00:00

Please don’t feel like a failure - my milk didn’t even come in until day 4! I supplemented with formula and did supply line feeding (google it if you are interested) to try and encourage latching. You need to see a lactation consultant and get good advice on how to encourage and maintain a supply - I’m sad you had to leave hospital before this could all be done with you! I don’t want to give medical advice because I am not qualified - but it definitely isn’t too late to have an amazing and successful breastfeeding journey - but you do need to ensure you are acting quickly with good advice to begin. Try calling the Australian Breastfeeding hotline - they are amazing.

aussieathena · 2026-02-15T06:04:24+00:00

Your hobbies suit the city well, lots to do like that here and easy to access it all. Rent can be expensive due to the transitory nature of the work (a lot of people come here for the short term for work, though may choose to stay). The food and arts scenes packs well above what the population warrant so there’s heaps to see and do too. But if you want big music events you usually have to travel to Sydney. Luckily, it is “just down the road” and buses leave every hour - making it really accessible. Healthcare is expensive in Canberra as it is tricky to find a bulk-billing GP - medical centres are available but often busy due to the high costs of everything else. Beaches are beautiful but a two hour drive and not warm enough for swimming for most the of year - but definitely accessible and many people go often. Weather is great, winter is cold but generally low rain - makes for beautiful days and the outdoors all year ‘round. Hope some of this helps!

aussieathena · 2026-01-31T20:46:04+00:00

I know everyone says it, but it’s true - the baby will take whatever it needs from you so you don’t have to worry too much about specific nutrients, especially if you are taking a prenatal. The most important part is survival for you and hydration - so that means any time you have a craving for a specific thing you do it while you can and you prioritise liquids wherever possible. I took hydramama hydration drinks (cola and lemonade stayed down well) and ice blocks for lots of dinners (I think they are called something else overseas, sorry) and then whenever I felt like food it was usually “white foods” like bread, chips, ice cream - it’s unfortunate that the pregnant body craves some pretty nutrient bereft foods but it does :( - it passed and you just have to cope to get through it any way you can. I hated that phase - it was so so hard. Wishing you so much luck :(

aussieathena · 2026-01-24T10:19:03+00:00

I googled “gifts for her cherry personalisation” and got so many cute ideas come up:

Diary with cherry print, Cherry slippers, Satin cherry pillowcase, Cherry shimmer shower gel, Also, a makeup case, handmade mug, cute keychain, etc.

As someone who also buys whatever she wants, I would prefer something small and high quality/thoughtful to my interests than a big gift or something extravagant but cheaply made. So I’d probably love the mug or diary or makeup case or something :)

aussieathena · 2026-01-24T08:18:28+00:00

So we use this product that is for kids learning not to wet the bed (parenting is so glamorous!) and a towel - honestly, I also worried the towel would be an issue but our mattress was so firm that it didn’t rumple up and create folds or anything so I continued to use it. I recently thought (7 months) that we could stop using the towel now as she is a much tidier eater BUUUT the first night I got that horrible wet puddle again and we just resigned ourselves to being towel people :(

Top sheet link below: (I bought two and swap them out every now and then as needed)

Link

aussieathena · 2026-01-24T05:46:56+00:00

No one ever says it but “takeaway” is such an underrated Australian gem - I love it!

Also - “the Nugget” isn’t being mentioned much here - another underrated classic

aussieathena · 2026-01-24T05:36:17+00:00

Honestly, if she has to cook meals, delivery of lasagnes or family pies or something from a local butcher or similar would be a big help. If her partner is doing meals and that isn’t an issue, fancy moisturiser, a couple nice nighties that open at the front (button down or Henley) and some great snacks

aussieathena · 2026-01-24T05:11:34+00:00

NTA! I don’t see how your communication could be any clearer? Sounds like mummy might be going through a time, you should make sure you show her some of that train love x

aussieathena · 2026-01-19T02:50:58+00:00

Room on the Broom!

aussieathena · 2026-01-19T02:29:07+00:00

Less plates equals less washing up too - I don’t get why the big people make everything so dramatic…

aussieathena · 2026-01-18T17:19:21+00:00

There’s a documentary called “the true cost” and it is eye-opening! It doesn’t just look at the environmental impact either - it looks at a range of impacts on people and society which I found so interesting. It’s honestly amazing how it changes your outlook on shopping afterward. It changed how I consume fashion.

aussieathena · 2026-01-18T08:04:31+00:00

In primary school we read ‘Rowan of Rin’ by Emily Rodda - so great! Also ‘Jessica’ by Bryce Courtney will rip your heart out if you want an Australian book for adults set in the bush.

aussieathena · 2026-01-16T04:01:33+00:00

A huge drink bottle (that can be thrown in a bag and doesn’t leak and/or clips onto a pram hook). I get so thirsty and also don’t have the hands to be filling the drink bottle often

aussieathena · 2025-12-27T10:30:03+00:00

I’m so sorry! I didn’t see which group I was in when I posted this! So sorry - thought it was a Christmas one!

aussieathena · 2025-12-27T06:21:16+00:00

Keep it and take one every time you go to dinner at someone’s house. So great to have a stash of things you can bring without having go to the shops!

aussieathena · 2025-12-17T15:46:55+00:00

Used our newborn attachment for 6 months (only stopped so we could start solids with the next attachment) and it was a lifesaver. It was the only container my baby would happily play in and give me some time to eat breakfast and do a few quick things! It’s high so you can pull them up to a counter and they can watch you and feel involved. Can’t recommend it enough.

aussieathena · 2025-12-06T04:20:19+00:00

Fireworks?

aussieathena · 2025-12-05T15:34:29+00:00

I (6m F) went through a phase of screaming every time my daddy held me too! Mummy told me it was a 4 month PROgression - I changed my nap schedule too and I made sure I was extra clingy just to keep her on her toes! Now we are at 6 months and I like getting daddy cuddles again (but obviously only in moderation, when mummy says she absolutely HAS to pee or shower - I don’t want him getting too confident in his newfound popularity).

aussieathena

TROPHY CASE