As a relatively new mother, I know that the first year with a baby can be magical. It can also be overwhelming and exhausting. From sleepless nights to endless diaper changes, navigating this new chapter is no easy feat. Here are 10 parenting hacks to simplify your life and help you survive the first year with ease.
1. Create a Diaper Station in Every Room
To maximize efficiency and save precious time, I prepped a bedside cart before my baby’s arrival. This handy cart held all the essentials for diaper changes: diapers, wipes, creams, and even my breast pump parts. Additionally, I included personal items like a soothing balm and chapstick for my comfort. Having this bedside diaper station within arm’s reach was a game-changer, eliminating the need to search for supplies during those middle-of-the-night changes. If your cart has wheels, you can easily move it to different rooms, ensuring that everything you need is always conveniently accessible.
2. Use White Noise for Better Sleep
Some mothers swear by white noise machines. They note that the machines mimic the womb’s soothing sounds, helping your baby sleep longer. It provides them with a sense of peace and comfort in a world they’re just getting familiar with. Not to mention, the longer they sleep, the more rest you’ll get overnight too.
3. Buy Clothes a Size Up
Babies grow quickly, so it’s wise to think beyond the newborn stage when preparing for their arrival. While you’ll likely receive plenty of gifts in those tiny sizes, consider stocking up on clothes in larger sizes. This proactive approach not only saves money in the long run but also ensures that your little one always has comfortable clothing that fits perfectly. Remember, babies grow fast! They’ll be in those bigger sizes in the blink of an eye.
4. Prep Baby Bottles Before Bedtime
To streamline my nighttime routine, I prepare everything I need at night for the next day’s feedings. This includes washing and refilling bottles with breast milk pumped during the day. I even keep two bottles in a small fridge in my room for convenient access during the night and early morning. This proactive approach saves me valuable time and reduces stress. Believe me, the last thing you want to be doing is stumbling around in the middle of the night trying to prep a bottle.
5. Wear Your Baby
I prefer to be hands-free, and my baby enjoys being held. Since my baby doesn’t like the stroller, I’ve found that wearing her in a carrier is the best solution for both of us. It allows me to keep my hands free for other tasks like cooking and cleaning, while also keeping her calm and close. There have also been several proven benefits of babywearing, including bonding, motor development, and cognitive development. It can also help mothers with postpartum depression.
6. Schedule Self-Care Time
Just because you had a baby doesn’t mean you don’t need time to yourself. You need to prioritize your well-being by setting aside time to unwind. While your baby does need you, you also need to show up for yourself. Set aside a day or a couple of hours every so often to take care of your needs. That could mean just some simple me time, going to hang out with your friends, or enjoying hobbies.
7. Rotate Toys to Keep Interest
To keep your child engaged, rotate their toys periodically. This simple act can maintain their interest and entertainment. Rotating toys can provide you with several benefits, including improved focus and creativity for your child. You might also find that it helps you cut down on clutter and you can easily teach your child tidying skills. It also eliminates the need to constantly purchase new toys.
8. Simplify Meal Prep with One-Pot Recipes
As a busy mom, you probably do not have time to cook elaborate meals every day. You can simplify the cooking process by doing several different things. For one, you can cook simple meals using one-pot recipes. Otherwise, you can meal prep one day out of the week to get everything you need done and stored. I cook 3 to 4 meals every Sunday including lunch and dinner selections. Cooking simple meals saves time and leaves more energy to attend to your beautiful baby.
9. Track Your Baby’s Milestones
Your baby is going to be hitting milestones quickly. Sometimes it’s hard to know what the milestones are. For instance, by one-year-old, your baby should be saying a couple of words and have some fine motor skill development. To keep up with everything, you should try to track their latest milestones. Of course, there’s an app for that! The CDC has its own app that allows you to track milestones from 2 months old to 5 years old. Such apps help you monitor feeding, sleeping, and developmental progress.
10. Ask for Help When You Need It
Asking for help isn’t always easy, but being a parent is demanding. While every baby is different, the constant nurturing, love, and care required can sometimes feel overwhelming. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help. We all need a strong support system to navigate life’s challenges, and parenthood is no exception. Lean on your family and friends, they’re there to help you through.
Finding Joy in the First Year
Parenting a newborn comes with challenges, but these hacks make the first year smoother and more rewarding. There are plenty of things you can do to make the entire journey easier for yourself. Whether you tap into apps, set your home up in a way that makes playing or changing smoother, or lean on family and friends for help, you’ll find a groove that works for you in no time. Embrace the journey, and remember that you’ve got this!