I’ve had four babies in six years, and along the way, I’ve discovered some things that make parenting—especially with a newborn—easier. I want to share these tips with you in the hopes that they can help make your journey smoother. That being said, don’t take this as gospel—if I’ve learned anything, it’s that there are a thousand right ways to parent.
Get to Know Your Infant Car Seat
I’ll never forget bringing my first baby home from the hospital and realizing I didn’t fully understand how my car seat worked. Learn your car seat’s installation process, how to adjust the straps properly, and when your child outgrows it. There are great online resources and social media accounts that can help with car seat safety—take advantage of them.
My favorite car seat resources: https://www.safeintheseat.com/ AND https://thecarseatlady.com/
Use the “Top Three” Rule
Each day, write down the top three things you want to accomplish. Keep them attainable and reasonable so you can actually get them done. Motherhood is overwhelming, and having clear priorities helps. I also suggest doing a brain dump—writing down all your to-dos so you can organize them into a manageable list. You can even get your husband involved.
Once I became a mom, I felt like I had a million things to do and could never organize things in a way that made sense. I designed a planner specifically for this, taking you from chaotic brain dump to assigning things to days of the week and finally organizing it into blocks of time. You can find my planner here. Or, you can use a regular old notebook!
Noise-Canceling Headphones: A Lifesaver
This tip gets mixed reactions, but I stand by it. A baby’s cry is designed to trigger a stress response in parents, making it hard to think clearly. Noise-canceling headphones with an upbeat playlist can help you stay calm while still being able to hear your baby. Many parents also use them to listen to podcasts—like my podcast Just for Moms, where we talk about motherhood and offer support.
Learn the “Five S’s” for Soothing Babies
Dr. Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby on the Block introduces the Five S’s:
These techniques activate a baby’s calming reflex and can be a game-changer for fussy infants.
- Swaddling
- Side or stomach position
- Shushing
- Swinging
- Sucking
The Super Swaddle Technique
If your baby starts breaking out of their swaddle around four weeks old, try the Super Swaddle. Using a muslin cloth alongside your regular swaddle can help keep them secure and improve sleep quality. Put the swaddle down, the muslin down, and then your baby down. Your going to take one end of the muslin and pull it over and around your baby’s arm, tucking it behind their back. Do this with both arms. It doesn’t have to be super tight with this method, you just want it tight enough so they can’t get their arms up to their face. Finish by swaddling them with the regular swaddle and you’re done!
Prepare Your Home for You, Not Just the Baby
We spend so much time preparing for the baby’s arrival but often forget to prepare for our own recovery. You can only care for your baby as well as you are taken care of. If you are completely depleted and have nothing to give, it’s not going to matter if you have the best baby swing or the perfect swaddle.
My fourth time around, I made sure to prepare more for ME than for the baby. Set up postpartum care stations in all your bathrooms with items like Tucks pads and peri bottles, stock up on easy-to-grab snacks, and make sure you have comfortable, nursing-friendly clothing ready to go. I made a video about what I did to prepare for baby #4, you can watch HERE.
You can find my list of postpartum essentials HERE.
Expensive Baby Gear Isn’t Always Better
I’ve tried high-end bassinets, swings, and baby loungers, only to realize that most weren’t worth the price. The newborn stage is short-lived, so consider buying second-hand for high-ticket items. The only baby gear I recommend you splurge on? A high-quality stroller and a safe car seat. See my full list of newborn must-haves HERE.
Consider Getting a Kindle
A Kindle is a great way to make the most of all the downtime with a newborn, whether you’re nursing, rocking them to sleep, or waiting through tummy time. It’s portable, one-handed, and can be a nice break from scrolling on your phone.
Don’t Rush to Get Your Baby Up
If your baby wakes up but isn’t crying, don’t rush to pick them up if they aren’t upset/needing you. Giving them a minute or two to adjust can help them learn to wake up calmly and may even lead to them falling back asleep on their own occasionally.
Avoid Sleep Tracking
When you’re already sleep-deprived, obsessing over how little sleep you’re getting doesn’t help. Ditch the sleep trackers—they often make things feel worse.
Don’t Wait for the Baby to Sleep to Get Things Done
It seems obvious, but I had to learn this the hard way. You don’t have to wait for your baby to be asleep to tackle your to-do list. Find ways to integrate tasks into your day while caring for your baby—baby-wearing can be a lifesaver. A baby lounger or chair is also a great place to station your baby while you shower, get ready, cook, etc. You can also stick them in their crib with age-appropriate toys and watch them from the monitor while you get done what you need to do.
You’re Not Going to Break Your Baby
With my firstborn, I was hyperfocused on the idea that every choice I made about my baby would determine the outcome of the rest of their life. There are so many opinions out there, especially in 2025. Try to block them out so you don’t start getting overwhelmed. A single post or comment can send you spiraling, making you feel like you’re not doing enough. Remember, you are doing what’s best for your baby, and that’s what matters most. And, everything is fixable!
Focus on the Present
It may not feel like it in the moment, but every difficult phase will pass. The sleepless nights, the constant holding, the exhaustion—it’s all temporary. On the flip side, the good moments are temporary too, so soak them in. Be present, enjoy the snuggles, and remember that each stage of parenthood is fleeting.
Motherhood is challenging, but I hope these tips help make things a little easier. You’re doing great, mama!
