If I could offer you one tip...

Aptaclub have launched a brilliant new ‘Preparing for Birth’ app to help Mums through the last trimester of pregnancy. The app is designed to help mum stay organised through editable checklists and answer questions with tips and advice. Little stuff have been asking Mums to remember back to the things they wish they'd known beforehand and here are the things I wish I had known.

Do you remember the Sunscreen graduation speech that Baz Luhrmann made into a song reminding the class of '99 to wear sunscreen. Well my tips for preparing for impending parenthood are much like that. I will dispense this advice now.....feel free to add background music if you like.

Only 5 % of women go into labour on their due date. You are likely to be in the other 95%. Think of it more as a due month.
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The cup of tea the midwife gives you after you give birth will be the best cup of tea you will ever taste. The toast she brings you will be eaten by your husband.
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Breast may be best but this does not mean that bottle is bad. Breastfeeding may be the most natural thing in the world but that doesn’t mean that it comes naturally to mother or even every baby. Give it a try but if it isn’t for you don’t feel guilty. Look at your adult friends, you cannot tell which ones were breast fed and which had a bottle.
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Don’t be too quick to put a sleeping 8 week old down so that you can wash the dishes or put the washing on. Enjoy the cuddle. The dirty dishes can wait, whilst the 8 week old will turn into a feisty 5 year old in the blink of an eye.
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Babies cry. You do not need to pick them up at the first squeal. If you do you will get absolutely nothing done for the rest of your life. A little crying is good exercise and will give you just enough time to finish putting your trousers / deodorant / mascara on.
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If you come across a mother whose 3 week old sleeps through the night and whose 18 month old eats all his food consider the fact that she may well be lying.  Take what she says with a pinch of salt.
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Do not be afraid of using the TV as a free babysitter. Not all day everyday but half an hour of Mr. Tumble while you cook dinner is perfectly acceptable.
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Maybe you’ll have 3 boys or maybe you’ll just have one girl. Whichever you get, teach the boys how to play with dolls, make the girls watch Star Wars at least once. Take photos as proof; you may need them as leverage one day.
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It is important to do something for yourself sometimes even if that is only something simple like locking the toilet door for a minute’s peace while you use the toilet. Using the toilet in peace on your own will become a rarity, treasure it when you can. The same can be said for a bath, a hot cup of tea and a full episode of Revenge.

It is possible to type one handed whilst holding a baby.
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Make time to get your roots done / hair cut. Remember that a happy Mum equals a happy baby. Use this mantra at all times.
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Do not stress if your child will not give up his or her dummy. Eventually they will. As long as they are not going on their first date aged 18 with it in their mouth you are fine.
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Finally, remember that there are no prizes in motherhood. (other than your childs love which is unconditional) It does not matter how you gave birth, how you fed your baby or when they came out of nappies….what matters is that you enjoy the experience.

Laugh. With your children, at your children and at yourself. When you laugh you remember the crazy happy person you were before the sleep deprivation began.

This post is Vanessa Smiths entry into the Aptaclub ‘If Only I’d Known…’ competition”