Baby Life Hacks That All Parents Can Be Grateful For
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Being a parent can be a challenging task. There are just so many chores to do. Your baby has pressing needs that you need to tend to round the clock while still being a whole functioning adult. Juggling work, family, personal wellbeing and a baby can get exhausting and frustrating especially if you stick to a rule book about how things must be done. The realities of parenthood are far from being perfect. Picking up tips and tricks on how to manage your baby will ensure that you survive the day without breaking down every time your baby needs you to feed them or put them to sleep, which is the majority of the time. But it’s hard to get some insight on what works and what doesn’t when there are so many suggestions coming your way. But there are some certified baby hacks that are a lifesaver!
1. How To Understand Your Baby’s Cry
Most parents know that their baby is going to cry a lot and this is because this is the only way that they can communicate with them. But did you know that the sounds that your baby makes while crying carries a special message in itself? If you really want to put a stop to the tears, you need to learn to understand your baby’s cry. The main ones are deciphered below:
- “Neh” cry: Indicating hunger.
- “Owh” cry: Signifying sleepiness.
- “Heh” cry: Expressing discomfort.
- “Eairh” (eh-urr) cry: Suggesting the presence of gas.
- “Eh” cry: Pointing to the need for burping.
Now that you have a general idea of what to look out for, satisfying your baby’s needs and stopping the tears will be a piece of cake!
2. Solving The Breast Pump Problem
This one is for all the mamas struggling to pump milk. Be it at the comfort of your home or in a public place, putting on your breast pumps just isn’t an easy task. It is uncomfortable and exhausting to hold them the entire time. And with all the things you have to do, keeping your hands occupied with this task is not an option. Putting on the appendage to hold them upright takes up time you don’t have. What do you do? Well, here’s an easy solution! Simply cut up a sports bra and use it when you need to pump milk hands free. This trick also makes your breasts more accessible so you need not keep removing and rewearing your garments.
3. Solving The Nap Problem
If you’ve got a baby who refuses to take a nap, this one’s for you. If your little one would rather not go zzz in the morning, it’s probably because they are ready to give up their morning siestas. If your baby is good natured, happy and active, let them be. They are probably well rested and don’t need as many naps anymore. Try putting them down for a nap sometime in the afternoon or early evenings instead.
4. Introducing Baby Food
Planning elaborate meals for your family and your baby can be challenging and tiresome. Instead, opt for making recipes that cater to everyone. For instance, opt for meals such as mashed potatoes or boiled veggies that can be pureed for the baby as well as eaten by the family. It is important to note that new moms needn’t prepare different foods for the baby at the beginning of the weaning stage. Instead, let them sample and get used to the taste and feel of solid foods. This will give them time to adapt and you the time to figure out what they like.
Introduce a new food every couple of days. This will help you identify the type of foods that may cause allergic reactions and rashes. You can also make life simpler by including foods that don’t need to be cooked or boiled to be pureed. For example, fruits like avocados, bananas, and papayas only need mashing before being ready for your baby’s consumption. For parents who travel with their infants, investing in food pouches and commercial baby food helps with the process. Just make sure to select age-appropriate foods with no added preservatives or sugar, and your baby will be fine.
5. How To Find The Perfect Car Seat For Your Baby
Rear-facing seats are advisable for very young babies as this reduces the effect of a car crash depending on the baby’s age and size. Rear-facing car seats have a harness and are designed to cradle the baby and rock with the movement of the car. So, it’s a great option if you want to take your infant out by car often.
Taking care of a baby doesn’t always have to be difficult and complicated. With a little time, patience and a couple of hacks at hand, you will have an easy time with your tiny tot. Happy parenting!
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