These are some ideas from me and other mums that might be useful to you… pick and choose (or leave!) as you wish. Of course, please speak with your healthcare professional if you have any concerns or queries about any of them and follow the safe sleeping guidelines.
Sleeping
- Double-layer your baby’s bedding – eg: waterproof sheet layer, normal sheet layer, waterproof sheet, normal sheet. Then if they leak in the night you can just take off one layer and you’ll have another one ready below (rather than faffing to remake the bed in the night)
- Add an extra muslin cloth layer to your baby’s bedding (under their head area) – you can quickly and easily remove / change this your baby possets a bit of milk. Make sur eyou tuck it in firmly so there’s no loose bedding.
- Black-out blinds – white ones are better as black ones can get very hot, try Easy Blinds (available on Amazon or directly). They do either one you can attach with Velcro, or one you attach with suckers (you may need masking tape too to seal any gaps when it’s bright in summere)
- Swaddling – many mums also swear by swaddling – you can buy ready-made ones from lots of brands eg: Summer Infant.
Feeding
- If you formula feed, you can buy mini bottles of ready made formula (some of the small ones even have ready sterilised teats too) that make night feeds easier
- If you breastfeed and are having difficulties make sure you get support (see the local support page)
- Night lights – I really like those little reading lights and Pabobo night lights to provide a gentle glow for nightfeeds
- Blue light filters – if you use your phone in the night make sure you get a really strong blue light filer (there are several apps), it’ll help keep you a bit sleepy and little one too
Other
- Yellow Metanium works brilliantly for any standard nappy rash. To apply it properly, make sure that after you put it on you pat it with a tissue to leave only a very thin layer
- Serious nappy leaks (!) – in the event of a serious leak, remove babygrows / bodysuits downwards. This is why babygrows have those ‘envelope-style’ folds over the shoulders (so you can remove them downwards… rather than upwards in the event of serious leakage.
- COOK! food can be a lifesaver!
- Support – if you’d like some support consider hiring a post partum doula or a night nanny to help you out – even a few hours a week can make a difference. See the local support page.
- Lastly, look after yourself and be kind to yourself. Try listening to a new mum relaxation / affirmations to boost your confidence. Things do get easier.