A few ideas we have found useful that we'd like to share with other new parents.

1. Always open up the new nappy before you remove the old one. Have it ready to slide under Baby straight away. Be assured Baby will use that milli-second between nappies to wee all over the change mat, herself and you.
2. Apply teething gel on a dummy for younger babies. For older ones, give them a toothbrush with a little gel on it and they will apply it exactly where it is needed.
3. Make good use of ear plugs: Take it in turns with your partner/parents/willing helpers to look after baby and get a sleep. Make sure one adult gets a good night's sleep to cope the next day.
4. You can't have too many bouncy chairs. Try to have somewhere in every room where you can quickly and easily put Baby down.
5. Getting baby to sleep: we tend to do a lot more vacuuming with a young baby in the house. It's always calmed them down and even got them to sleep during the worst bouts of colic.
6. Take baby into the bathroom with you when you have a shower. This is when you need your bouncy chair! Up until 3 months Baby has gone to sleep listening to the sound of the shower. The louder the better, direct the jet against the shower curtain. And most importantly, don't turn off the shower when you get out. An extra half an hour of peace and quiet is so precious!
7. Tea tree oil conditioner in spray form (available from local chemists) helps keep head lice away. When children start Playgroups, something like this is invaluable. Use it once or twice a week, it makes combing the hair so much easier and keeps the visitors away (the creepie-crawlie ones of course!)
8. Whilst  pregnant, lull yourself to sleep with some nice relaxing music. Our first and second babies both slept well inside to the tunes of Norah Jones. Sarah, #3 relaxed to the sound of Ocean Waves. Play the same CD when Baby is born to help her get to sleep. She will remember it from inside the womb so it will give her a sense of security.
9. Always keep Peppa Pig to hand. Or whatever does it for your children. When we have a 3 month old screaming, a 22 month old grumpily waking up from an afternoon nap, and a 3 year old whinging for attention,all at the same time, Peppa Pig saves the day. 

10. Ignore the rule book. Do whatever gets you through the day, or night. It won't hurt once  in a while.

These are our ideas and opinions. They work for us. They won't all work for everyone!

If just one idea is helpful to you, then this has been worthwhile. Let us know if you have any tips to add, then we can extend the list!