Post your best new-mom tricks!

AnneShirleyBlythe

1) I have discovered the Woombie this time around. No swaddle, no swaddler, no Miracle Blanket, no nothing, made this kid sleep and stop fussing after she had her night feeding. This thing is fantastic. (And yes, I tried every other method...we had to go through all of them with Jack but finally a double swaddle did the trick). 

2) You don't need to wash your pump parts every time you pump. I put mine in a big plastic bag in the fridge, and wash them at night (or every other night). Just don't leave them out and re-use them. Also the Medela pump wipes work really well.  

elisbu

Let her sleep/eat when and how she wants!

I stopped fighting her to take longer naps/eat that extra oz/sleep in her bassinet...etc. As long as she is gaining weight and is healthy I figure I have time to get her on a routine later (seeing she is pushing 2 1/2 months I probably should start thinking about that routine?) but for now to save my sanity, I do what makes her happy.

tokenhoser

I wish Owen liked the Woombie! He freaks out every time I try it.

1) Rechargable D and C adapters for our AA batteries. Like this.

2) The magic baby hold really does seem to soothe him.

 

Temp38995750004016

Taking one day a week to do nothing but SLEEP! No housework, no phone calls, no visitors, no internet.  Just feeding myself, the baby and sleeping.  LO sleeps great, but when I wake up at night to feed her, it takes forever for me to fall back asleep and these catch up days are glorious!

Raquellyo

AnneShirleyBlythe:

1) I have discovered the Woombie this time around. No swaddle, no swaddler, no Miracle Blanket, no nothing, made this kid sleep and stop fussing after she had her night feeding. This thing is fantastic. (And yes, I tried every other method...we had to go through all of them with Jack but finally a double swaddle did the trick). 

2) You don't need to wash your pump parts every time you pump. I put mine in a big plastic bag in the fridge, and wash them at night (or every other night). Just don't leave them out and re-use them. Also the Medela pump wipes work really well.  

Yes!  I did not know this until very recently and it already has made my life easier.  Washing parts at 3am is garbage sister...

McAllie5

pook:

Taking one day a week to do nothing but SLEEP! No housework, no phone calls, no visitors, no internet.  Just feeding myself, the baby and sleeping.  LO sleeps great, but when I wake up at night to feed her, it takes forever for me to fall back asleep and these catch up days are glorious!

This sounds fantastic. 

dahansen85

I don't know if this is much of a trick, but I have learned to get a lot of stuff done in 20 minutes. As soon as LO is fed and changed, a quick buzz around the house where I can start a load of laundry, clean a few dishes, sweep the floor, and tidy makes me feel amazing.  Maybe I'm a little OCD but I NEED to have things somewhat put together before I can put my feet up.

jodyrm

1. Dr Karp's 5 S's. Holy crap, my DD loves it.

 2. Bouncing on my birthing/work out ball puts DD RIGHT to sleep. It's like magic, honestly.

3. As nice as it sounds having people come visit at my house, when DD get's fussy and people won't leave, I find being in a public place (i.e. Starbucks) makes so easy to say, "oh Lydia is getting tired I need to go home".

MrsK09

Cloth wipes are a lifesaver at our house!  Will freaks out and screams when we change his diaper because the wipes are cold and we don't really have room on the changing table for a wipes warmer.  Plus a warmer doesn't help when we are out and about.  I tried the wipes with the spray and he hasn't screamed at a diaper change since!

katieandjeffie

pook:

Taking one day a week to do nothing but SLEEP! No housework, no phone calls, no visitors, no internet.  Just feeding myself, the baby and sleeping.  LO sleeps great, but when I wake up at night to feed her, it takes forever for me to fall back asleep and these catch up days are glorious!

 You are a champ! I do this everyday and still feel like crap, LOL.

Lisa Frank

3 Words:

Eat Play Sleep

I cannot stress how much this will save your sanity.  If you think routines aren't for babies this young, well, I disagree. That's all 

andigurl

When Grayson was having a fit I went to the bathroom, turned on the blowdryer and he quieted down and fell asleep within 60 seconds (read that in Happiest Baby on the Block).  It was crazy how quickly that calmed him.

The 5 S's (Happiest Baby on the Block) really do seem to work when he is fussy for no reason.

He started getting a bit fussy during "awake" time last week and a friend recommended gas drops and gripe water.  We've been using it for a few days now and we have our happy baby back.

 

Heather & Nayt

1. Taking the extra 10 minutes to clean up right after i am done doing something, picking up the house before nap/bedtime and having everything super organized. It only takes me an hour to have my whole house totally clean and spotless as long as I keep up with everything. Huge life saver not having to clean for hours on end because I let it go. 

2. Moby wrap. Such a life saver and i have no clue how I did it last time without it.

3.  Taking a shower every day. Last time I'd go days on end without showering and doing my makeup, it helps to feel human on 4 hours or less of sleep. 

4.  Relaxing and not stressing out about every little sound she makes. 

5. Letting her cry for a few minutes doesn't hurt her. I don't pick her up the moment she starts to fuss and that gives me extra time to finish what I am doing.  

AnneShirleyBlythe

Lisa Frank:

3 Words:

Eat Play Sleep

I cannot stress how much this will save your sanity.  If you think routines aren't for babies this young, well, I disagree. That's all 

Can you do a post about this, especially about dealing with BF and a toddler as well? I remember people using this first time around but haven't heard much about it this time.  

jenreally

if you have to give your kid liquid medicine, draw it up in the dropper and then squirt it into a clean nipple. Let your baby suck the medicine at his own pace from the bottle nipple (no bottle attached). Works best when your baby is hungry!

Eros

When LO is fussy/gassy I'll flip her over on her tummy over my knees and kind of rock them side to side.  Calms her down immediately and makes her feel better. 

If you don't have a hands-free pump take an old sports bra and cut two slits where your nipples are...then put your pump through it and voila...hands free. 

Infant massage is great!  I took a 2 part class at the hospital with Amelia and it's been great bonding for us together.  Not only that, but it was also an easy way to meet other moms and have some adult time (but still with LO). 

trulil

AnneShirleyBlythe:

Lisa Frank:

3 Words:

Eat Play Sleep

I cannot stress how much this will save your sanity.  If you think routines aren't for babies this young, well, I disagree. That's all 

Can you do a post about this, especially about dealing with BF and a toddler as well? I remember people using this first time around but haven't heard much about it this time.  

I think she's talking about Babywise. The newer version takes a chapter from the Baby Whisperer apparently

Stephcara

Lisa Frank:

3 Words:

Eat Play Sleep

I cannot stress how much this will save your sanity.  If you think routines aren't for babies this young, well, I disagree. That's all 

I tried this with my first, and for some reason, a no go. I remembered this time and my son has been sleeping better. I agree on this as well.

Stephcara

jenreally:

if you have to give your kid liquid medicine, draw it up in the dropper and then squirt it into a clean nipple. Let your baby suck the medicine at his own pace from the bottle nipple (no bottle attached). Works best when your baby is hungry!

hot diggity dog that is a great one, thanks!

Stephcara

My 2 cents- shower and do hair daily, I feel refreshed and human.  Also, don't stress about routines or lack of every second. Read the babie's cues for the first few weeks/months and go from there. i was always stressing with my first, which  led to me getting upset, which is not good for anyone.

SC1977

- The best time to have an alcoholic beverage is between the time you put the baby down for the evening and their first overnight feeding.

- I second the suggestion above about bouncing on an exercise ball to soothe a fussy baby.  He stops fussing and usually falls asleep once I start bouncing. Especially if the bouncing is done to the beat of hip hop music.

- My baby can be amused for a good amount of time if I lay him on a blanket and put toys around him to stare at. I can usually make an eat some lunch while he entertains himself. 

MiamiMergers

pook:

Taking one day a week to do nothing but SLEEP! No housework, no phone calls, no visitors, no internet.  Just feeding myself, the baby and sleeping.  LO sleeps great, but when I wake up at night to feed her, it takes forever for me to fall back asleep and these catch up days are glorious!

Amazing! I need to start doing this.