Hey mama, just gave birth? Are you still pregnant in your third trimester? You’re here because you want to know how to get things done with a newborn. Which I don’t blame you. Having a newborn baby is a lot of work and very demanding. If you’re a new mom, this will be a new learning curve for you.
It’s not easy being a mother to a newborn baby. You may feel like a robot and feel like all you do is feed, change diapers and sleep baby. That’s what you’re going to be doing basically the first year of your baby’s life. Now, you may be thinking, how in the world and I going to be productive with a baby?
I’m here to tell you that you can do it. You can still have a clean home, cook meals for your family and still take good care of your baby and yourself. Please do not forget about taking care of you mama.
My secrets to getting things done with a newborn? Keep reading!
8 smart ways to get things done with a newborn
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
1.Don’t get them used to your arms
An important tip that I learned from my family members is that if your baby is happy and not crying there’s no need to be carrying him/her all of the time. You can get things done if your newborn baby is not used to your arms. You can cook, plan out your day, clean the house and so much more. Your baby won’t depend on your arms to sleep, to be happy or even to play.
If your newborn is used to your arms, you will not be productive, you will feel more tired and exhausted. If your baby is fed, her diapers are clean, then you can put her in a baby swing or bouncer and you can keep an eye on her as well. Here’s a great resource on how to sleep baby without being held.
Here are great baby bouncer and swing options:
2. Take advantage of nap time
You can take advantage of nap time either by taking a nap yourself or by being productive and using this time wisely. I do recommend to rest if you are really tired or you just simply want to, it’s okay to nap once in a while, so go for it! Now if you want to get things done around the house with a newborn, use nap time to your advantage. Take a shower, cook something quick, tidy up the house, read a book or enjoy your favorite t.v show.
Is your baby not sleeping, being fussy and you just don’t know what to do? You need this newborn sleep course! Feeling prepared and knowing what’s to come in the newborn sleep period will help you help your baby to sleep longer. You will feel empowered because you know everything there’s is about baby sleep.
Read this next:
10 THINGS TO WEAR AFTER YOU GIVE BIRTH
10 BABY SLEEPING TIPS AND TRICKS TO HELP YOUR BABY SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT
11 ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR NEW MOMS TO KNOW IT GETS BETTER
3. Baby monitor
Oh having a baby monitor is a must. I’m telling you is the best thing you can invest on as a new mom. Want to get things done with a newborn? Get a baby monitor. You can check on your baby while she/he sleeps in his crib while you’re cooking. Baby monitors are meant for you to have peace of mind knowing that you can see your newborn through that little screen. Now’s the time to be productive, to write on your planner, clean, cook, take a shower. Whatever it is that you need to do, do it!
Here a few great options for you:
4. Take your baby with you
Another way that I used to get things done around the house is to take my babies with me. I would place them on their baby bouncer which was easy to travel with and set it so they were facing me. In the kitchen floor, in front of my bathroom, in the living room. I never left my children unattended and neither should you. Babies love to hear their mommy talk or sing to them. So while you’re cooking talk to them, make them smile and you’re going to bond with them. All while you’re being productive and feeling great about it.
Read this next:
30 NEW MOM TIPS FOR THE FIRST 30 DAYS HOME WITH A NEWBORN
17 REALLY HELPFUL TIPS FOR FIRST TIME MOMS WITH A NEWBORN (SURVIVAL GUIDE)
Some awesome mom books I recommend:
5. Have a routine
I cannot stress this enough mama. You must have a routine for your baby because it’s how you are going to survive life with a newborn. Having a routine helps your baby know what’s to come and it helps them feel secure. Having a routine will also help your newborn baby sleep better, feed at a regular time and it also helps them be more happy. I loved having a routine because I knew when was nap time and that helped me plan accordingly.
Having a routine is so important as well as knowing how to care for your newborn baby. Let’s face it having a baby is scary. Taking this newborn basic online class will have you feeling confident as a new mom. You are literally going to know everything there is to know about taking care of your baby! Here’s how!
6. Have a planner
Do you love planners? Because I secretly have an obsession with them, ha! Planning out your day is an exceptional way to be productive. You are writing down important things you want to accomplish for the day. When your baby is napping, you make it happen. It’s so simple to plan and yet so many new moms don’t do it. The day may go either fast or so slow for you. You must know how to get things done, be productive and do what you want to do. You need a plan for it. Plan your meals, plan your grocery shopping trips, write down your to do lists. It’s a must mama.
Here are some undated planners to get you started:
7. Baby tracker
When you’re a new mom of a newborn baby, you are going to want to track down your baby’s feeding times as well as how many diaper changes your baby had. It’s important to keep track of it when you first bring your baby home. This is going to help you not underfeed or overfeed your newborn. The number of diaper changes in a day can tell a lot about your baby. If you’re not changing enough diaper, then that is something to speak to your doctor about.
How is this helpful in getting things done? Well it helps you stay organized and keep track of important baby things.
8. Accept help
How to get things done with a newborn and be productive? Ask for help mama. Or accept help whichever one comes first. You deserve a break too, you are doing so much and have been through so much (hello childbirth!) that it’s okay to say ” You know what I need some time for myself”. Ask your spouse to help you with the baby while you go get a pedicure and manicure. Ask for help so you can sleep, go to the grocery store. I mean, just ask for help. It’s going to help you mentally and emotionally.
Being a new mother is not easy but it is rewarding and a blessing. You have to find smart little ways to be productive and get things done with a newborn baby. You got this mama!
You are not the only one who used to jump out of the shower like a wet cat! Lol. Isn’t it funny that we would hear them but really it’s just our minds playing tricks.
These are great tips Ros Emely. My sister will have her third son this May, I’m going to send her a link to this post.
With my daughter, we held her so much to the point where she ALWAYS wanted to be held or she would scream. So your first tip is right on!
Crystal recently posted…Bacon Wrapped Avocado Bites
Thanks Crystal, I’m glad I’m not the only one, haha! Thank you so much for sharing these tips with your sister, it means a lot 🙂 Yes girl,babies get used to the arms really quick and then like you said,only want to be held. I’m glad you found my tips helpful !
These are great tips, and a good reminder for me now that our little man is here!
Oh my goodness Chelsea! Congratulations honey, so exciting and I’m so happy you liked my tips 🙂
In our home we have two children a one year old and a two year old and baby number 3 is on the way. I was constantly jumping out of the shower to check on my boys because of what I thought I was hearing LOL come to find out it was the squealing of our hot water tank refilling. I laughed looking back at all the times I jumped out with a head full of shampoo to run and check on them.😂
haha! Right? I laugh every time I think about that too. It’s crazy how we think we “hear” our children but in reality is all in our heads. God bless and congratulations on baby #3!
Wear your baby! When they’re little/newborn, a ring sling is perfect. When they get a bit heavier, a wrap (or other 2-shouldered front or back carrier) is better. Although it’s hard to do housework around a larger baby on your front, it’s perfect for going for a walk
(resistance training and keeps them warm in cool weather), or for shopping. On the back works better around home.
My best friend is about to have her first child. She is wondering how she will still get everything done once she does give birth. I liked that you pointed out that she could ask for help from other people if she needs help. It might also be smart for her to look for an infant care service to help her out as she is adjusting to being a mother.
My wife just had our firstborn a few weeks ago and I can relate to the crying false alarm. I just took a shower and I thought she was crying so I jumped out as well. I bet my wife would love these, especially the feeding tips. If ever we have trouble with our baby, we will need help from a child care expert.