On 'unsolicited baby advice'- things I've learned as a new mom

I promised I would give out my 'unsolicited advice' on what I've learned about being a new mom. 

First off, there are SO many things I don't know. I will never know everything. But I'm trying to be as relaxed as I can with parenthood and thankfully find myself being a fairly no-nonsense parent (for the most part).

Second, here's (some of) what I've learned.

Nursing

-set yourself up for success with a nursing station. Mine had magazines (Readers Digest are great because they're easy to hold, have lots of different things to read and people are often willing to part with them), extra breast pads, Gatorade, my favorite boxed chocolate chip cookies, granola bars, extra receiving blankets, wet wipes, lip chap, chocolate, dried fruit or nuts and Kleenex all in a box beside the couch and conveniently near the computer (we don't have a tv) so I could binge-watch Netflix ;) I usually had an insulated water bottle and other assorted snacks (apples, baby carrots) when I got up or someone would bring them to me. I still am often hungry and thirsty, but Gabe nurses less frequently and I can do more while I nurse him so our box never really got set back up after we moved. However, now that it's getting cooler again I'm thinking a little box with things like lip chap, hand cream and slippers would be a good idea!

Visitors

-we specifically told our friends and families that while we wanted to see them and introduce them to our baby, we also needed alone time as a family of 3 (plus the cat), didn't have room for visitors to stay overnight and asked that people only come for day trips.

-we had a few locals come and stop by. They were really good about keeping the visits short and sometimes even brought food!
-that being said, if someone offers you help, take it! 
A. it's likely their way of loving on you and
B. there are things, regardless of how many times you tell yourself you CAN do them, that are nice to have someone else do,
My mom came over and cleaned our apt the day after G was born, my best friend snuggled him while I napped, another friend helped me when I was struggling with nursing, and like I said, some people brought food. On that note...

Food

-FOOD is your best friend!! Seriously, double whatever you're going to make anyways and freeze half. Or specifically set time aside to make food (I will gladly help you if you want- just ask!). Full meals (lasagna, stroganoff, stuffed shells, shepherd's pie, ect) are great but part-meals and side dishes (rice cassarole, meatballs, pre-seasoned/ pre-portioned meat, baking, ect) are also amazing. Even rice might be difficult to cook the first week, but a friend or parent or spouse can do it! If someone is willing to cook you something and bring it over, let them. Somebody will eat it (maybe even one of those many visitors!)

Sleep

-Gabe slept in a bassinet that has been passed down through Dave's siblings  (all the nephews have slept in it- Gabe is number 6!). I don't know if they're worth it to buy or not. We also did (and still sometimes do) cosleep. My best friend in North Bay put her kids in the playpen  beside the bed (in the newborn attachment I believe). Do whatever works for you. Gabe is mostly in his crib full time now (since about 4 months or so, I think), but sleeps with us if he or I are sick (I get too tired getting up every 2 hour), and often when we travel just because it's sometimes easier and he won't always sleep in the playpen. 
-again, our playpen was passed down to us from one of Dave's siblings, but they are wonderful things. Essentially they're socially- accepted baby cages. Ours has a newborn attachment and it was a great thing to have during our visit road trip.

-Also, everyone and their sister will tell you to sleep when the baby sleeps. BS. No seriously, babies both sleep all the time and never. So rest when the baby sleeps. Or binge-watch Netflix. Or eat. Or sew. Or hand the baby off to someone else and go for a quick walk. Or take a nap yourself. Whatever works for you

Clothing

-you'll quickly figure out what brands your kid fits into best. For us it's Carters, Indigo baby and George. I never cared about labels until I tried to dress Gabe. Carters and George you can find in Walmart, I believe. Also, snappy pj's were so much better for us than the zippered ones. I found he put grew the zippered pj's so much faster. Also, footless pj's are fantastic as your kid gets a little bigger (and longer!). Just make sure to find socks or booties that stay on- those little footsies can get cold at night! 

-in reality, probably 90% + of Gabe's clothes are second hand. We really only buy new clothes we we absolutely have to. ie. he outgrew all his pjs. No joke. So I bought him some two-piece ones and just put a onsie on underneath now that it's cooler. (try growing  of those out as fast as everything else you little stinker!)

Diapers

-Pampers and the Costco brand (Kirkland) worked best for us when Gabe was in disposables (the first two months exclusively). We tried Huggies but after three pee and a poo blowout in one night we never used them again. Regardless, buy a small bag of whatever you'd like to try just in case you hate them. 
-we use cloth and loooove them. We have a combination of Alva pockets and covers, and Kawaii pockets. Personally I find the Alvas trimmer and fit better, but the Kawaiis look cuter.

-if you gave multi-levels in your house (or just don't feel like always walking) make a changing station as well- one in baby's room and one downstairs (like in the living room) with diapers, wipes, a change pad or blanket, hand sanitizer and maybe even a plastic garbage bag (or whatever you want to keep your dirty diapers in). When we moved into the house I didn’t bother making a second change station because we were in cloth, Gabe was already 5 months old and the stairs were/ are good exercise for me. If I’m sick, however, I make sure to leave diapers and a wetbag in the livingroom

Freebies
-Huggies has a promo for a free pack of diapers
-Nestlé will send you a diaper bag with change pad and coupons
-both Pampers and Huggies offer you 'free' rewards with points you redeem inside their diaper and wipes packages. I mean, if you're going to be buying wipes and/or diapers anyways, why not?!
-if you’re still expecting you can sign up for a baby box. Allegedly they will soon be sending boxes out for those of us whose babies have outgrown the newborn box during the waiting period.