Things I wish I would have known before I brought my baby home, and things that I'm personaly glad someone told me, because I never would have thought of it. Theres a thread similiar in Pregnancy and Birth, and I thought it would be useful here too.

1. Its okay to put your screaming infant in his/her crib for a minute while you calm down. They wont hate you for it.

2. Most hospitals/drugstores rent breast pumps if your breastfeeding, and you dont need to waste money buying pumps just to try them out! I bought an electric and manual pump, and it turned out hand expression works best for me.

3. Skirts and dresses on an infant whos learning how to crawl, Im told is NOT a good idea. It discourages crawling.. and it seems kind of cruel doesnt it? They may be cute, but save it til they're walking!

4. Get a Nasal Aspirator! I didnt think it was overly important, until my baby wouldnt eat because her nose was stuffed! Generaly, babies will opt for breathing over eating.

5. Undershirts with buttons that go around the crotch may look ugly on the hanger, but they wont ride up! I opted for cute little shirts when first buying clothes for my baby, but someone gave her one that buttoned around the crotch for Christmas, and I figured she ought to wear it at least once,and it was love at first try!

6. Buying tissue, like Kleenex, in bulk, is much handier for babies that spit up a lot then constantly going through recieving blankets. No matter how many you have! Because having to do laundry every day, and keep an eye on a newborn, is difficult!!

7. Huggies sells disposable changepads, a nice alternative to washable ones, but expensive. Most homecare stores carry cheaper ones! The same kind they put under your butt when your in labour in teh hospital, for when your water breaks. They come in packs of like 25 for 5 bucks! (Canadian)

Thats all I can think of for now, Im sure theres TONS more, if anyone can think of anything, post it!