6 Creative Ways to be Hands-free with a Newborn
6 minute read
As much as we wish that time could stop allowing you to focus on the beautiful, magical moments of the newborn phase…Life still continues…There are still bills that need to be paid, meals that need to be prepped, and laundry that has to get done.
But, having a new baby in the house can make even the simplest tasks feel monumental…taking a shower…washing the dishes…taking out the trash.
Suddenly much of the free time that you once enjoyed pre-baby vanishes into thin air.
You want to give your baby the comfort and closeness they need, but may also need to get a few things done around the house! And this means finding creative solutions to maximize your time and boost your productivity.
Let’s take a look at 6 creative ways to be hands-free with a newborn. So that you can enjoy all the magic of the newborn phase, while taking care of yourself and the tasks on your to-do list!
Tips for Getting Things Done with a Baby
As a new parent, it’s really challenging to balance caring for your little one while doing your best at work and keeping up your house, not to mention trying to spend intentional time with your partner, friends, and loved ones.
It’s a lot. But, the good thing is, it gets easier with practice. (And helpful tips and tricks from parents who’ve been there!)
That’s why we wanted to share a few easy tips to help you get started:
- Focus on small tasks that you can get done in 15 minutes to maximize small chunks of free time.
- Delegate tasks when you can to your partner, family members, and friends.
- Simplify life whenever you can — order online, use compostable plates, add GrubHub and DoorDash gift cards to your baby registry.
And remember that it’s ok to let things go! You don’t have to get everything done today (or even tomorrow for that matter). Focus on what really needs to get done and give yourself a grace period from the things that don’t.
Our 6 Favorite Ways to Be Hands-Free with a Newborn
If you’re wondering how to get things done with your baby or newborn, you’re in the right place!
Here are 6 of our favorite ways to be hands-free with a newborn and make the most of your time. So that you can be productive when you need to be while enjoying this beautiful time in your baby’s life.
- Babywearing
Photo of Solly Wrap Baby Carrier
After 9 months cozied up in the womb, your newborn will want to be near you, on you and held by you. There’s nothing better than soaking in those magical newborn snuggles, but holding your baby 24/7 can become tricky when it comes to getting other things — sometimes anything — else done.
How will you prep your baby’s bottle? Or unpack your groceries? Or simply tidy up the living room a bit?
Welcome to the wonderful world of babywearing!
Babywearing has been around for centuries and is becoming more and more popular in the U.S. We are huge fans because babywearing gifts you the best of both worlds — lovingly holding your little one to give them the closeness they need, while having the convenience of hands-free parenting to get the things done that you need!
Not only does babywearing help your baby to be calmer, less fussy, and shed fewer tears (La Leche International)…
Your little one will be able to hear the soothing beating of your heart, feel the familiar rise and fall of your chest, and find comfort in your rocking patterns and movements… All while you’re able to be proactive around the house! (Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Babywearing to learn more amazing benefits of babywearing.)
There are so many wonderful baby carriers out there — from ring slings, to soft carriers, to structured carriers. Many parents love Solly Wrap Carriers for their buttery soft, lightweight fabrics that come in so many beautiful colors and patterns.
And if you’re a fan of Nuna Baby’s amazing products (like their strollers and car seats) — you may enjoy the Nuna Cudl Clik — a more structured carrier that is great for tasks around the house and when you’re out and about.
You may need to try out one or two to find the right style and material for your body and lifestyle. We’d love to help your “test-drive” your favorite baby carriers at the Babies in Bloom boutique to find the perfect fit!
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at how much you can get done while babywearing…all with your baby snuggled up next to you!
Pro Tip: If this is your first time babywearing, consider taking a babywearing basics education class to learn how to safely carry your sweet pea while ensuring proper support and airflow.
- Baby Swings and Seats
Photo of Nuna LEAF Grow Baby Swing
Baby swings are amazing for comforting your newborn when you need to be hands-free for a few minutes. They can also be a real life-saver when you need help soothing a fussy baby!
Many parents opt for a baby swing over a baby lounger — especially if your little one tends to fight sleep. The constant, soothing motion of a baby swing can encourage naps in even the most alert babies.
The Nuna LEAF Grow is one of our parent’s favorite baby swings. It provides the comforting motion of a baby bouncer — but for much longer! And the infant toy bar comes with whimsical toys that will keep your little one entertained — while giving your tired arms a much needed rest!
- Baby Loungers
Photo of Snuggle Me Organics Baby Lounger
Baby loungers are another one of our favorite ways to get things done with a baby. They are the perfect soft and snuggly place to lay your baby down while they’re awake (giving you a few minutes to run to the bathroom or pour yourself a glass of water!)
We also love how baby loungers like Snuggle Me Organic provide little ones with a warm, hugging sensation — making them a wonderful tool for comforting and calming sleepy babies…often lulling your newborn to sleep in a matter of minutes.
Parents often keep a baby lounger in the living room — so that you can multitask, or simply take a break when you need it.
Our personal favorite baby lounger? Stokke’s Tripp Trapp newborn set easily attaches to their Tripp Trapp high chair and allows your baby to stay eye-level during dinner prep, meal-times, and clean up.
- Play Mats
Photo of Itzy Ritzy Tummy Time Play Mat
Play mats are great for creating a cozy play area for your little one…essentially anywhere! They are small and super portable, making it easy to create an impromptu play area in your kitchen, your living room, or even outside!
For a little independent tummy time, set your baby up on a cozy play mat like the Itzy Ritzy Tummy Time Play Mat. Tummy time has many benefits for babies that lay a solid foundation for sitting, crawling, and eventually walking on their own.
You can also use an activity gym with fun toys that have unusual textures, bright colors, and engaging sounds to encourage your little one’s reaching and grasping.
- Nursing/Feeding Pillow
Photo of My Breast Friend nursing pillow
Did you know that newborns will nurse 8-12 times a day (La Leche International)? As a new parent, you’ll spend a lot of your time feeding your little one. But just because you’re holding your baby doesn’t mean that you can’t be productive at the same time!
While you may not be able to move around, you can maximize your nursing sessions by using a chest/breastfeeding pillow to free up your hands while your baby eats. A nursing pillow like My Breast Friend is great for keeping your little one supported while you check off some of the tasks on your to-do list.
This can be helpful for reading that parenting book you didn’t get around to during pregnancy, ordering baby supplies online, scheduling appointments, or responding to a text you received from a friend.
- Pack ‘n Plays
Photo of UPPAbaby REMI Playard
Not only essential for travel — pack ‘n plays are a great option for safely laying your baby down. They are great for babies that are awake or asleep and especially come in handy once your little one is able to sit and crawl on their own.
A pack ‘n play is a safe place to leave your little one — making it possible to go into another room, take a restroom break, or even dash out to the car to bring in the groceries. Try adding some newborn safe toys for your little one to enjoy (swap them out every 15 minutes or so to keep your bundle of joy entertained!)
Parents often use pack ‘n plays like another bassinet, giving you multiple convenient places throughout your home to lay your baby down for a restful nap.
UPPAbaby and Nuna both offer wonderful playards that are easy to assemble and come with some amazing accessories.
Need Help Finding the Perfect Accessory for Hands-Free Parenting with a Newborn?
We have tons of great baby carriers, baby loungers, pack ‘n plays, and other accessories to help you enjoy some much-needed hands-free time while keeping your newborn happy and safe.
Shop the Babies in Bloom Boutique online or come by the boutique to take a look at our items in person.
Boutique Website: https://babies-in-bloom.myshopify.com/
Boutique Address: 127 Main Street, Vista, CA 92084
Boutique Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm (We are closed on Sunday.)
