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Looking for some newborn hacks to survive the first year?! We got you!
Regardless of how many classes you take, when you bring your newborn home for the first time, nothing can prepare you for how tired and exhausting the next couple of months (or 18 years lol!) will be.
However, there are a lot of newborn hacks and tips you should know to make life easier for you, your husband, and most importantly the new addition to your family.
These little tips and trick will help you make raising a newborn easier.
Newborn Baby Hacks
Newborn Sleep Tips To Finally Get Some Zzzz’s Yourself
Sleep is the biggest problem for new parents. It seems like it’s impossible to get any!
There are a couple of sleep hacks for newborns you can try that can finally allow you to get some sleep yourself.
Swaddle
A Newborn baby has what’s called a ‘startle reflex’ until they are about 5 months old. The startle reflex causes the baby to feel like it’s falling, causing jerking movements and wake up the baby.
A swaddle can help mimic the feeling of the womb and avoid this reflex, allowing your baby to stay asleep longer.
Make sure you ask a nurse to teach you how to swaddle your baby before you leave the hospital, or buy one of these swaddles that take the guessing work out of it.
Dream Feed Your Baby
Dream feeding is when you rouse (but don’t fully wake) to feed your baby right before you head off to bed yourself.
According to research, feeding your baby one last meal between 10 P.M. and Midnight reduces night wakings and helps them sleep longer.
Simply take your baby out of the bassinet or crib half an hour before you go to bed yourself. Place your nipple or bottle on the babies lower lips, they should start feeding without fully awakening. Nurse for about 5 to minutes per side and put back to sleep.
You May Also Like: What Is Infant Shudder Syndrome?
Use White Noise
Some babies seem to be able to sleep through anything, however, that’s not the case for most. A white noise machine can help drown out other background noises that can startle your little one.
If you don’t want to purchase a machine, a fan can have a very similar effect. Just make sure to place it far away from your baby so the air doesn’t hit your baby directly.
Try and Get Your Baby On A Sleep Schedule
You likely won’t get an actual sleep cycle going for your baby until they’re about six months old, however, if your baby is awake during the night and sleeping during the day, you can try and shift it.
It’s likely their internal clock is confused. It seems counter-intuitive to wake a baby, but you might want to try and keep their daytime naps shorter.
Ensure their nights are really dark and their days bright. During nighttime feedings, keep the room dark and avoid noise/singing.
Getting a newborn to sleep on your schedule can seem impossible, but you can do it if you’re patient and persistent.
Breastfeeding Tips For New Moms
Here are some of the tips and trick you’ll want to know when you bring your newborn home from the hospital. Breastfeeding can be difficult for new moms, but there are a couple of things you can do to ease yourself into it.
Be Prepared
Breastfeeding HURTS! Not sure why it’s not common knowledge of how painful breastfeeding can be. You have to be mentally prepared for sore, chapped nipples.
Have a nipple cream on hand to apply after breastfeeding.
Feed Your Baby When They’re Not The Hungriest
If breastfeeding is too painful for you, you can try feeding your baby when they’re not the hungriest and spread out their meals.
If they aren’t very hungry when they feed, they won’t suckle so hard and forcefully, making the experience better for you (and your nipples).
This is one of the best newborn hacks to make life easier on you and your nips.
Newborn Baby Products That Will Make Your Life Easier
There are a couple of products that will make taking care of a newborn easier. Some of these are perfect baby hacks for dads as well.
Bottle Warmer
A bottle warmer can be a lifesaver. Even if you’re determined to breastfeed exclusively, sometimes life gets in the way and you have to supplement with a bottle.
Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is not something you’ll want to be cheap with. Unless you live in a studio apartment, you want to know your baby is safe and secure while you’re doing things in a separate room. A reliable, high-quality monitor will give you peace of mind.
Car Mirror
Taking a baby out for the first time can be nerve-wracking!
A baby car mirror will give you peace of mind while you’re driving and can’t see what your little one is up to.
Ease your nerves with this inexpensive mirror to always look out for your baby.
Stroller Toys
Even if your baby is too young to play with them, stroller toys can help entertain your baby while you’re out running errands. Stroller toys are always a great asset to have on hand for both moms and dads.
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