Newborn Hacks to Make Mom Life Easier
Life with a new baby is beautiful, but it isn’t exactly a walk in the park. And I’ve come to appreciate every little tip and trick that comes my way from fellow mamas. While none of these hacks are guaranteed to help you get more sleep while at home with baby, they can make things a little bit easier.
If you’ve got a hack you love and want to add it to the list, send me a message via Instagram! @swaddles.n.bottles
Here we go: my favorite mom hacks!
Zipper Versus Button
A zipper sleeper is always my preference! Buttons take too much time and can be difficult to do in the middle of the night during diaper changes. The only thing that trumps a zipper sleeper is a magnetic sleeper! Find them here.Â
Time to size up on diapers?
Those blue lines on the front of the diaper tell you where the tabs should fasten. If they don’t reach that line, it means baby is ready for the next size diaper!
Speaking of diapers, having them on auto-order from Amazon has been a LIFE saver! Plus, by having them on subscription, we get 20% off the price. Sanity saver and money saver! You can create your diaper subscription for 20% off here.Â
Time Saving Formula Feeding Hack
Formula feeding has a reputation for bring messy, especially on the go. This little gadget is a very inexpensive and simple way to take pre-measured formula with you and baby. I used this to send formula to Mother’s Day out with Nora every week! More color options available here.Â
Pop Yum Baby Bottles
Here’s another great hack for formula feeding mamas. I discovered Pop Yum baby bottles at the ABC Kids Expo and instantly began using them for Nora. They work by storing pre-measured formula in the top compartment and pre-measured water in the bottom. You simply squeeze the two buttons on the side when ready to feed baby and the formula drops down into the water and you shake it up! I would premix 4 bottles for Nora each night after she went to bed and would take them on the go with us. They have many size option available here.Â
Help Baby Relieve Gas Pains
Baby gas was a constant cause of discomfort for both of my girls in the few few months of life (don’t worry, it eventually goes away!). We used the Windi to help them release the gas. Now, it’s a strange concept, but parents rave about it. You can read the reviews here for yourself!Â
Kick cradle cap to the curb with this nifty little brush
Whenever fighting cradle cap, start with a gentle shampoo, like Bella B Gone Cradle Cap Shampoo, and let it soak. This is a big part of the process as the skin needs time to soften. Then gentle massage with the brush and comb through to remove the flakes. Cradle Cap Brush available here.Â
Layer baby’s bed sheets so make late-night changes easier
Start with a waterproof pad then sheet, then add a second waterproof pad and sheet. Once you remove the soiled top layer, you’ve got a clean set on the bed and ready to go! Image Via The Krazy Coupon Lady.
You can use a fitted crib sheet over a pack n’ play to keep the mosquitos away from baby while outside! Image via Pinterest.Â
Make your own yogurt melts
Yogurt melts were also such a hit with BOTH of my girls. Making them for baby versus purchasing them from the store is much cheaper and my baby always seemed to prefer the homemade version to the store!
Here are the how-to instructions.
No More Lost Socks
Wash baby’s socks in a mesh bag to make it easier to match them and to avoid losing them in the wash! I ordered a variety pack of mesh bags on Amazon.Â
Mesh bags are also great for any baby items that have Velcro on them. Washing them in a large bag will keep them from sticking to other clothing items.
Easy Baby Proofing for Outlets
Move over plastic plugs for outlets, these outlet covers are the latest and greatest way to baby proof your home. They simply fit over your standard outlet and slide when you need to access them. They come in packs of 4 and a variety of colors.Â
Who knew a laundry basket could be so fun!
This hack came in handy on cleaning days, when I was moving from room to room and needed baby close by and entertained, but not able to get away.
Those slits in the onsie sleeves are there for a reason!
If baby has a blowout, you can pull the onesie down over their shoulders instead of up over their head, which could make a messy situations MUCH messier. Pulling it down helps minimize the chances of the poo getting everywhere!
Use a swaddle blanket that has Velcro versus a blanket-type swaddle.
The Velcro will stay put much better and keep baby snug for longer (and hopefully sleeping for longer too!) We used the Halo Sleep Sacks with both of our daughters.
Make Medicine Time A Breeze
Having a sick baby is hard enough, but having to give them medicine can be a huge pain in the butt. The MediFriday mimics a pacifier for your baby so you can gently give them the medicine they need without having to use a typical syringe. The MediFrida allows the medicine to bypass your baby’s taste buds, meaning less spit up and less wondering if they received the accurate dosage. Find it here.Â
Track Baby’s Temperature without Waking Them
Again, having a sick baby us tough stuff. I received my first TempTraq in a baby subscription box when Nora was just a few weeks old and loved it when the time came to use it. It works by gently adhering to your baby’s skin under their armpit. You then connect it to your phone and can track their temperature for 24 hours. You can even set alerts for if your baby’s fever spikes. Read more on how TempTraq works.
Get a Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock!
It makes grocery shopping with baby easy. You don’t have to take up the entire cart with their carseat! Shop all the different patterns here.Â
Alcohol and Breastfeeding
After 9 months without alcohol, you may be ready for a glass of wine, but worry about it passing to baby through your breastmilk. Milkscreen test strips can be dipped into a small amount of expressed breastmilk and tell you if it is safe or not for baby! For more details on how much alcohol is safe while breastfeeding, see this post.Â
Proper Way to Store Breastmilk
There is nothing worse than baby being hungry for a bottle and waiting for your frozen breastmilk to thaw! By laying your milk bags flat when freezing, it will allow them to that faster under hot water. It also makes for much easier storing! For more breastfeeding hacks, see this post.Â
Easy Clean-Up
When the time comes for baby to start solids, place a cheap shower curtain liner under their high chair for easy cleanup and to prevent stains on a rug or carpet.
Image Via MomEnvy.co
Easy and Clean Diaper Rash Cream Application
I have had a BabyBum Brush for close to two years now and I still use it EVERY time I have to apply ButtPaste. Not only does it keep your hands clean, but it helps the cream go on thicker and smoother than if applied with your finger. Find all the color options here.Â
No more baby bottles or sip cups dropped on the floor
This suction cup strap comes everywhere with us. We attach it to the stroller, have taken it on planes and it ALWAYS comes to restaurants with us too! You can find them here on Etsy.Â