Article By Edna Skopljak – Medical Doctor (MD)
Parenting is overwhelming – from day one. While being a parent is definitely the most beautiful thing in the world, it is also very difficult. Let’s face it: it is exhausting, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Suddenly, you have this little creature you are responsible for, and everything changes. Sometimes, this newborn phase (also called fourth trimester) is the most difficult phase of parenting. New parents, especially those first-time parents need to reorganize their life upon the baby’s arrival.
It may feel scary especially with all those advice you’re getting: you have to do this, you have to buy that, your baby should be like this or that. There are a lot of those “must haves” that may scare you and all of the new moms. It’s normal you get a mini panic attack and feel lost.
But don’t worry, there are some real new mom hacks, and some baby hacks, to make your life easier! In this article I will share with you some big and small tricks that can ease this beginning for you. Let’s begin this journey together!
This article is not a substitute for medical advice or consultation.
31 Most Useful New Mom Hacks
I prepared 31 tips and tricks for new moms to make the first few months with a newborn babies easier.
Baby’s Sleep Hacks
1. Swaddle Your Newborn Baby
Babies love swaddling. It gives them the feeling of being protected inside of the womb. And – as a consequence of that, your baby will sleep better!
You can swaddle your little one with a simple cloth, but those are sometimes complicated to use. So, instead, you may try with the swaddles with zipper or Velcro, as those are easier to use.
2. Adjust Baby’s Nursery Temperature For Optimal Sleep
In order to ensure a nice sleep for all of you, set up your baby’s nursery for an optimal sleep environment. So, keep the room cool. Temperature significantly affects sleeping quality.
Maintaining a room temperature of between 68° and 72°F (20° to 22.2°C)1 both in summer and winter will allow is the best way to help your little one sleep.
3. Keep The Room Dark
Darkness helps to stimulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps us fall asleep quickly. Also, it keeps us asleep until we complete all sleeping cycles. Light affects this process. In fact, exposure to light blocks the production of melatonin – and you get poor sleep.
The same goes for the babies. You can use blackout curtains to make the room pitch dark. Babies are not afraid of the dark. In fact, they’re used to darkness in the womb.
4. White Noise Machine
Instead of different baby music machines, try a white noise sound machine. White noise machine imitates a noise with a similar sound to the womb. This environment sounds familiar to your little one, and they get relaxed.
5. Pajamas
Choosing baby clothes – in general – can be challenging. Of course, you should always opt for natural materials. But there are some other hacks to make your life easier.
For example, when you are choosing a baby’s pajamas, swap out those snap-button pajamas for zippers. You will thank me for this when you’re changing your baby in the middle of the night – zippers are so much easier than a million snaps.
6. Choose Beddings Wisely
You don’t need any fancy sheets for your baby’s room. But you need some protection, in case of spit-ups or blowouts. First things first: use a waterproof mattress pad to protect your mattress and maintain hygiene, and add a crib sheet. Don’t add any extra layers, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
7. Keep Them Close
Once you bring your little treasure home from the hospital, keep them in your room – in a bedside bassinet. You can put it next to your bed, at your mattress height, which is convenient for breastfeeding (and after a C-section). So you can keep the baby close, but in a separate sleep space, and still, be able to attend to them quickly at night.
It is the best and safest location for them to sleep, but at the same time, it is much easier for you, as you don’t have to walk much.
And you hear them once they start waking up and soothe them right away, instead of waiting for them to wake up completely – it is harder for them to fall back asleep once they are widely awake. Also, sharing a room makes nocturnal feedings a lot easier.
8. Wake Windows
If you think that your baby will sleep better at night if you allow them be awake for longer time periods during the day – you are so wrong! Babies need a lot of sleep. And if they are awake for too long, they become overtired.
When the babies are overtired, stress hormones (which disrupt sleep!) are released – and you end up with a fussy baby that wakes up often.
A “wake window” is the period of time your baby is awake between sleep sessions, either their next nap or bedtime. These windows are adjusted to baby’s age.
9. Bouncing And/ Or Nursing Your Baby To Sleep
Some moms think they will spoil their babies if they carry them too much, and bounce or nurse them to sleep. The truth is – there is no such thing as a spoiled baby.
Actually, those are natural ways to soothe your baby and to make them feel secure (in the end you will get a content sleeping baby!). Those days will never return and you will not regret these great gifts of nature for both of you to enjoy.
Breastfeeding to sleep or allowing your little one to fall asleep in your arms is only normal and natural.
BTW, if you worry that you will need to wean your baby later here are my tips for how to stop nursing to sleep.
Newborn Feeding Hacks
10. Let Your Newborn Latch Longer
In those first few weeks when your supply is still regulating, it is crucial to let your baby be latched on the breast as long as possible, as this stimulates your breast milk production – and promotes breastfeeding.
So, instead of counting minutes of breastfeeding on one breast, let your baby determine how long they want to nurse. Once your milk supply is regulated, you can optimize this time according to needs of you both.
If you’re new to breastfeeding, check out my article with most helpful breastfeeding hacks for new moms.
11. Pumping Position And Planning
If you are breast pumping, you need to know that you shouldn’t be slumped over for a pumping session – poor posture may cause a terrible back pain during pumping.
The upright posture, with shoulders rolled open, straight back, relaxed and supported arms, and feet flat on the floor is the best position for your (sometimes long) pumping sessions. Here is where a nursing chair can come in handy.
Furthermore, you should keep in mind (especially if you are a new mom) that most new moms get the most milk early in the day. Try to pump at least 8-10 times in a 24-hour period, if you are exclusively pumping.
If you are combining it with nursing, it would be best to pump immediately after breastfeeding.
12. Ask For Help
As a first-time mom, you are not expected to know the strategies and techniques of breastfeeding. It is something you will most probably need help with. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
In most hospitals, they have hospital lactation consultants who can assist you with the latch, breastfeeding positions, and other difficulties. And, once you start correctly, your life will be so much easier later.
13. Stock Up On The Right Breastfeeding Supplies
One of the game-changer things today is having all those supplies that ease your motherhood in those first months. Stock up on nursing pads, and nursing bras, and always have a good nipple cream with you (it will help you to avoid or minimize nipple soreness and bleeding for breastfeeding).
14. Store Breast Milk
Making a breast milk stash can be very useful for many, obvious reasons. And, while the bottles seem to be convenient for storing milk, they can actually occupy a lot of space. Plus, the milk takes longer to un-freeze. It is best to store the breast milk in bags.
15. Breastfeeding Pillow
This pillow will surely be useful every time you breastfeed, especially in those first months when your baby doesn’t have enough head and neck strength and control, to support them (read: it can support your baby, giving your tired hands a break).
The breastfeeding pillow supports babies up to approximately 18 months. The good part is that both you and your baby will be comfortable, and it can help to get a good latch.
16. Embroidery Spool Holder For Bottle Drying
You can get an embroidery spool holder at any hardware store and use it as your baby bottle drying rack. Yes, you’ve read it correctly. The good thing about it is – its size.
Just think how many bottles you’ll need to dry at once. If you are bottle feeding – you will need a lot of space so the embroidery spool holder is a better option than a standard bottle drying rack.
17. Baby Formula Container
If you are formula-feeding, I recommend getting the formula container that will help you store the formula on the go. This is so much cleaner and quicker than scooping it out of the can.
18. A Little Cooler For Baby Formula
If you’re formula-feeding, you know how difficult it may get to get up every time to prepare a meal for your little one. So, instead of going to the kitchen when you’re half asleep, keep a little cooler next to your bed.
Diaper Bag Hacks
19. Extra Clothes – For Both Of You
It is well known that babies spit up, sometimes the milk comes out of their nose (spit up through nose is more common than you think!) and a diaper blowout can happen too, especially in those first few months. You need to be ready, always.
So, it is necessary to keep an extra change of baby clothes in a wet/dry bag in your diaper bag – and in the car. And yes, have the burp cloths at hand all the time in the first six months.
But, many moms also like to keep an extra top for themselves. This way if you get spit up on or leak milk, you’ll have something you can change into easily.
20. Pacifier Cups In Your Diaper Bag
Finding a baby’s favorite pacifier in the diaper bag can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Keeping pacifiers in plastic condiment cups will help keep them clean – and will make it much easier to find them when you’re searching among other stuff.
21. Have Your Diaper Bag Ready-To-Go
Make sure you restock your baby’s diaper bag essentials when you get home, instead of replenishing it right before you go out. There will be some times you will need to head out in a hurry – so, make sure you have a fully equipped bag all the time.
22. Diaper Bag Checklist
It is easier to have a checklist for your bag, to make sure you don’t forget anything.
Always have a portable changing pad, diapers (1-2 for every hour), a pack of baby wipes, wet bags to wrap up dirty diapers or wet clothes, diaper rash ointment, and diaper cream (always apply diaper cream!) – and everything you need for a quick diaper change.
Have at least one pair of extra baby’s clothes with you. Those are must-haves. Add some toys, pacifiers, or other things your baby loves, too – to keep them entertained.
New moms often struggle with those diaper changes on the go. This list of diapering essentials will help you start this motherhood journey more easily.
Baby Changing Hacks
23. Keep Those Things Close
Keep the supplies for baby changing – including portable changing pad, diapers, wet wipes, diaper rash cream and burp cloths in all the main rooms in your home. So, if your baby spits up or needs to be changed, it will be so much easier to have those things close by.
24. Reusable Bags For Soiled Diapers
Reusable wet bags can help you keep dirty (read: smelly) diapers inside before you throw them away. This helps keep your home, car, or diaper bag from getting too smelly.
25. Diapers Out
This is a very simple hack. In fact, it doesn’t require any extra tools or spending any money. You can avoid using a diaper pail if you live in a small space by stuffing a regular trash bin with grocery store bags.
26. Changing Diaper Without A Changing Pad
You can change a dirty diaper practically anywhere – this means even without a changing pad. In order to do so without the mess, you can put the new, clean diaper underneath the old one. Once you put the new diaper, simply pull the old one out. And voila – that’s it!
Hacks For Dealing With Fussy Baby
27. Babywearing
One of the most effective ways to calm your fussy baby or your colicky baby (commonly both) is to hold them close and carry them2.
To make this easier for you, find a suitable baby carrier for your newborn – so your arms are free. You would be surprised how many things moms can do while wearing their new baby.
28. Skin-To-Skin Contact
Skin-to-skin contact is a physiological and natural, proven way to soothe your fussy little one. This is not only important during the first hour after birth. It will be among the most useful hacks that will help you get through this beginning of mom life.
Take off your baby’s and your own clothes and enjoy the cuddle. You can try this under the shower or in a bathtub. It will relax both of you.
Other Tips, Tricks & Mother Hacks
29. Grocery Delivery
Let me be honest with you. There will be days you will not be able to do grocery shopping. Although you may feel guilty – that other moms seem to be handling it with ease, while you are struggling – the truth is: all moms have these days.
At least nowadays, you don’t have to worry. You have plenty of options, including grocery delivery. With many delivery apps you also have the opportunity to order diapers, and some basic things from the pharmacy.
30. Routine
I know this may sound boring, but it will help you to successfully accomplish most of the tasks. Have your little daily routine – meals, baths, laundry (oh, god, there is so much laundry with a newborn baby),…
There is a lot of it on your to-do list, probably. Having a routine makes it easier with your baby, as you don’t really need to think about your duties, it simply becomes your everyday habit.
Also, try to put things away to their usual spot. It will help you clean up the mess without wasting extra time and energy.
31. Baby Registry
Baby shopping can be very stressful. You want to buy everything during pregnancy, so you’re prepared for your little one’s arrival. But, don’t forget that you will get so many things – as presents.
But sometimes you may get the same item from a few people or get stuff is not really useful. To make this preparation for your baby easier, make a baby registry.
Your family and friends will surely be happy too – as they don’t have to think about what to buy, and you get what you need. So, this is a win-win situation, right?
| PRO TIP: For more tips from other moms, (including doctor mom, nurse mom, fitness mom and many more) check out my list of the best pregnancy instagrams where you can find lots of tips for those 9 months and taking care of newborn baby. |
Mom Hacks That Your Should NOT Try
While there are some very useful hacks that ease you a new life with your baby, there are some “hacks” you should not try.
- The “weighted glove”
This trick includes using a filled glove with something heavy (like rice) and putting it on top of your baby so they feel like you haven’t left and you are holding them.
This is unsafe, so please, don’t try it. Firstly, it restricts your baby’s movements and may compromise their breathing. Furthermore, it presents a suffocation risk and is a SIDS hazard3.
- Cry it out
Some moms swear they learned their baby “fall asleep alone” by letting them cry alone in their bassinets. In my opinion this is a terrible and cruel hack that will only teach your baby that you are not there for them when they need you4.
They will fall asleep eventually, not because you learned them to do so, but they get used to the fact they are left alone, in the fear, loneliness, or sometimes even discomfort.
- Adding any additional stuff in their sleep space
Some moms suggest you should add some toys, blankets, or similar “gadgets” to your baby’s sleep space to make it comfy and to help baby sleep better.
The truth is, nothing should be added to baby’s sleep space to make it more comfortable. According to the AAP adding anything (like blankets, crib bumpers and stuffed animals), increases the risk of SIDS5.
- Any baby hack that includes essential oils
Essential oils have strong smells. They are both – skin irritants and airway irritants. It may cause skin rashes and airway irritation, and can even be poisonous for your little one.
While you may think that essential oils are natural and don’t pose any risk to your baby, that simply isn’t true. It can be very dangerous for the baby to have it in any form. And yes, this means that you should NOT diffuse lavender essential oil in the house (or baby’s nursery), to calm them!
Article By Edna Skopljak
Edna Skopljak is Medical Doctor (MD) who works in University Medical Centre in Ljubljana. She’s a She also worked as an editor at BJBMS medical journal for several years. She wrote content for several health-related websites and the BJBMS blog. She’s a mom of a 15-month-old.
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Resources:
https://www.healthline.com
https://www.hss.edu/
https://www.todaysparent.com/
https://www.npr.org/
https://www.aap.org/
Pictures of the swaddle and crib sheets belong to Solly Baby Brand. Source: https://sollybaby.com/
Picture of a ring sling belongs to WildBird Brand. Source: https://wildbird.co/
Picture of the nipple butter belongs to Earth Mama Organics. Source: https://earthmamaorganics.com/
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂