Making life easier with a new baby

[HollyTheHarrier]

I’m having a baby as a solo mum in a couple of months and want to try to arrange things to make life as easy as possible. I’ve got some time off over Christmas so thinking about what I can do to prepare. It’s my first baby so I don’t really know what to expect so please hit me with your tips! So far I have:

• Get a cleaner
• Make a few weekly meal plans and set up Ocado shopping lists with everything I need so I can just add it all easily
• Declutter

I live in London so space is limited, so most keen for ideas that don’t involve more stuff on top of all the baby requirements but if there’s any real game changing gadgets I would definitely consider! I have a decent income and am prepared to throw money at making life easier to an extent.

Thanks!

Food in the freezer that you can just throw in the oven then eat onehanded.

Most likely your newborn will not want to be put down EVER. And if you're BF you will be constantly ravenously hungry. And you won't have a partner to hold them while you eat or make you a sandwich, so easy food is a must. Similarly, a large water bottle, as BF also gives you a powerful thirst.

A sling, so you can have both hands free to do stuff without having to put the baby down.

An exercise ball is good for late pregnancy and labour and then good again for bouncing a baby to sleep. Or a Rockit that will rock the baby in the pram.

Robot vacuum
Meal prepping / ready meals in the freezer
I'd say a dog for when you're weaning but it's probably more hassle than it's worth!

A night nanny one or two times a week for the first few months to give you a break and some sleep.

Meals in the freezer.

if you can afford it, a night nanny for a few nights.

I second the large water bottle. I've never been so thirsty before! I also have an insulated mug with a lid so I can drink coffee/hot drinks whilst holding baby.

Getting a routine as soon as you can, joining some close by groups for activities. Will you have any support close by op?

Haha I can see the advantage but definitely not adding a dog to the mix 😂

Congratulations!!
Baby bouncer with auto function
High Changing table, so ur not bending over (major back pain).
Don't bother with special makers for formula .... boiled water is all you need.
Black out blinds.
Flapjacks.
Zip up onesies.
One handed buggy/ travel system.
Snugglebundl (should've put this #1)

Not a purchase... but don't shortcut burping (e.g. no feeding to sleep). False economy :-)

Do you have a plan in case of C-section? xx

My parents are about 90 minutes away but will probably stay for a couple of weeks and/or I can go and stay with them. I’ve got a few friends who will be good for company but not super close by.

Thank you all, these are great suggestions, I’m making a list! Love the idea of a routine with baby classes etc. I need to make sure I get out of the flat or I’ll go mad

Thank you 😊😊 had to google what a snugglebundl is, never even heard of it!

No specific plan for c section but my parents will come up after baby is born either way I think so will have to rely on them.

Snoo! As a fellow solo mum, it was an absolute life saver.

Even if you're planning to breastfeed, have some ready made formula in the cupboard just in case. Some companies make packs with sterile teats that screw straight onto the bottle.

Sling - ergobaby embrace is great for tiny babies

Food you can eat one handed and heat up on seconds

Nipple balm

So many nappies!

You won't have a partner around to send out for last minute forgotten items, so you need to be hyper prepared for all eventualities.

A Rockit baby rocker

A moses basket for napping downstairs/in the living room/kitchen (as applicable).
Co-sleep at night - it is so so much easier than any other option imo.
A raised changing table
Disposible incontinence pads for under bedsheets - for your night sweats, and if baby spits up in bed or a nappy leak
Develop a relationship with your cleaner whereby you'd be happy for her to give your baby a cuddle while you go to the loo or have a 5min shower (and she feels well enough compensated). Not proper babysitting but literally 5min "watching". It'll make all the difference

A post natal doula can be great if you’re on your own, an hour or so a day. There’s loads they can do, you could find one who’s also a qualified lactation consultant to help with feeding support, to holding the baby and changing nappies while you get a wash on or have a nap or whatever, to showing you how to use one of the slings etc.

Also have a spare changing mat on the bathroom floor so you can pop the baby down while you shower or go to the loo

Thank you all! Love these ideas. @Nonametonight always good to ‘meet’ a fellow solo mum 😊

Congratulations!
I would recommend doing a local antenatal group to meet others close by having babies - just for moral support in those early days. Doesn't matter who runs it (NCT/ Mummas Village etc) just pick the closest one....then you will have people going through the exact chaos you are at the same time. Good luck!

You won't have a partner around to send out for last minute forgotten items, so you need to be hyper prepared for all eventualities

OP is in London - I wouldn't worry too much about anticipating every possible eventuality. Amazon Prime, Tesco Whoosh and other rapid delivery services are on hand.

Make sure that you have the baby clothes organised. A pile of baby grows, a separate pile of vests, etc. It makes it easier knowing what you are running low on and need to wash. Also a separate laundry bag for the baby so you can quicky find the things you need to wash. Finding baby socks at the bottom of the laundry basket on almost no sleep is fun for noone.

If you use a dummy, DO NOT go for the ones that are only clear transparent. You will never find it, even if it's the only object on your bed. Make sure that the bit that doesn't go in the mouth is of an easy to find colour.

Do loads of batch cooking, you'll thank yourself later! And get a haircut close to the due date.

Thanks! I have one starting in January, good to hear you found it useful. I also have a friend also having a baby solo who is not that far away so that will be good.

This is a great idea. I need to buy some drawers for the baby stuff and then I can get organised with the clothes that I’ve been given/buy the extras I’ll need. Also the haircut, will be doing that for sure!

Night nanny or doula. I would have given anything to have one but it was Covid lockdown.

Going to look into a night nanny to have some options ready to go I think, sounds like this is a popular suggestion!