After Part 1 of Resources for new mums in Munich, I have finally found the time to write the second part. I am not a new mum anymore but I remember when I was and I would like to share with you my top 6 tips for new mums in Munich:
1. Sign up for DM and Rossman baby programs: Glückskind and Babywelt. You will get:
a very useful welcome-to-the-world package (with products you will really use!)
very cool birthday presents
the magazine with surprisingly revealing and ey-opening tips and testimonies that helped me to manage my expectations, for example, around sleep schedules during the first year.
2. Run a search for Hebammen who speak your native language. Trust me, regardless of how well you speak German or English, in those first few weeks/months, there are feelings you would need to say in your own voice and can get lost in translation.
3. Join Facebook Groups! I joined a number of parent groups that are close to where I live, speak my native language or have similar interests (bilingual kids, etc.). As an example of what Facebook has given me: I found our current pediatrician; I also found good tips about Baby Led Weaning when we started solids and I hired our first babysitter.
4. Research and visit the hospitals in Munich. There are a number of hospitals in Munich where your child could be born. I visited 4 of them and attended their Info Sessions before making a decision to register with them. Why? Because sometimes being close to where you live is not the criteria that should reign when making the decision. Some people may want a less “medical” approach to birth; some other people may not want to share a room with 3 strangers and their crying babies in those first few days as parents; some others may need their partner to stay with them overnight; or they may need the most experienced place to treat conditions if the baby needs it, etc.. Do your research, decide what’s important for you, what you need for the birth of your child and then look for a hospital in Munich and attend the info sessions, to identify which one can give it to you. By the way, Info Sessions are usually in German so if you do not speak the language, it is time for you to ask a favor to that friend who does.
Somewhere to start:
5. Educate yourself. My two favorite courses that I have found the most useful in my life as a mum are:
6. Go shopping! Nobody told me when I got pregnant that I would be spending so much time and money buying clothes and shoes for my children… well I do. 8 of the stores I buy from:
Zara and Mango have regular, nice and beautiful outfits for the weekends or special occasions. Nicer than the typical “Kindergarten & Kita” outfits.
Hessnatur: I found this store in Munich 5 years ago and immediately fell in love. They have the best outfits for the very cold German winter: my favorite are the soft warm wool onesies and socks and overalls.
DM: here I used to buy regular cotton onesies in bulk. The ones you throw away without feeling guilty when they get full with vomit and poop. Winter hats, gloves and pyjamas are also great deal here. They have an outstanding bio cotton quality.
Auryn: this tiny store in the city center of Munich sells all the cool nordic brands you find on Instagram. I ordered our Sebra baby beds through them and also bought some useless-but-I-don’t-care-because-they-are-really cute onesies, blankets and t-shirts.
Next. This is a British brand. It is kind of like the UK Zara. It is not cheap but the quality and design are worth the price. When I had no clue where to buy, for example, my children’s first rain boots, I bought Next rain boots. My children loved the design. They were comfortable, kept their feet dry and they were lightweight.
Uniclo: for underwear, pyjamas and rain coats.
And then Tchibo for Matchhosen and anything rain-related.
And that is all for today. I think we need a Part 3 where I can share tips around equipment, books, nannies, kitas and traveling with babies and children in general. But for now, I am leaving you these 6 tips that I hope are useful.
