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Baby Hacks: Get This, Not That
Baby hacks can be incredibly useful knowledge for first-time parents to have; helping save time, money, and… your sanity.
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As a new parent, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed and confused, how do you truly know what you’ll need? You’ve never done this before.
That’s why I’m here to help, by telling you all the baby hacks I know.
After having 2 kids in less than 2 years (17 months apart actually), I have learned some invaluable tips (most of them the hard way) of things you should buy, instead of the things you’re supposed to buy.
I’m guessing more than one person has told you, “You absolutely cannot raise a baby without ______.”
Now perhaps said item made their life so much easier, but what if there’s an item out there that does the exact same thing – maybe even better – and for a fraction of the cost?
I’m going to share 5 baby hacks I’ve learned the hard way, so that you can start your parenting journey a little more savvy than mine.
While you’re here, here’s a few posts that can really help you save money as a new mom:
Everything You Need to Know About Diaper Prices
Everything You Need to Know About Formula Prices
8 Baby Must-Haves That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier
Baby Hack #1: Get a backpack – not a diaper bag.
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Let me tell you all the reasons why you should get a regular backpack to use as your diaper bag: they tend to be cheaper, are much easier to carry, can be used even after your baby grows up, and your significant other will probably enjoy carrying it more than the pink polka dot messenger bag you were thinking of getting.
Additionally, I found backpacks in general are more rugged than diaper bags, which is a perk.
Also, in my opinion, specifically when it comes to messenger style bags (which tend to be the popular diaper bag right now,) they can be awkward to carry while holding your baby.
This is the exact one I have and I totally love it! Tons of pockets, including two side pouches that are perfect for sippy cups! Even has a pocket on the shoulder strap, which is great for holding my phone! It comes in a variety of colors, and is super durable.
Baby Hack #2: Get a security camera – not a baby camera.
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That’s why I ended up buying a Foscam security camera right off the bat. I want to be very clear, there are TONS of security cameras out there at a variety of price points now, so you should read some reviews and find one that’s good.
The main reason that the security cameras are better than the traditional baby monitors has to do with one thing: the external monitor.
Everyone I’ve talked to that has had a baby monitor system says the external screen broke within the first year of having it, which meant they had to buy another and… sometimes another.
With the security cameras, you can use your phone or iPad as an external monitor, so you don’t have to carry yet another piece of equipment around with you.
Additionally, the security cameras can be set up so they can be viewed even when you’re not at home, so you can use them as a nanny cam, if you’re ever worried.
Honestly, one of my smartest purchases on baby gear.
Baby Hack #3: Get a 2-in-1 Bouncer/Swing – not a baby swing and a bouncer.
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You should totally buy a 2-in-1 swing and bouncer, instead of a baby swing and bouncer separately. Believe me, you’ll thank me for this one.
When you have a brand new baby, as much as you want to, you simply CANNOT hold them all day. It’s physically impossible.
Perhaps you have to use your breast pump or get some laundry started, or perhaps even…eat.
By getting a 2-in-1 swing and bouncer, you not only save space, but you can carry your sleeping baby around the house.
Perhaps they fall asleep swinging, instead of leaving them in the living room so you can shower, you remove the bouncer from the swing and carry them to the bathroom with you.
This will change your life, trust me.
Baby Hack #4: Get an aquarium crib toy – not a traditional mobile.
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The reason you should skip the crib mobile is that it can only be safely used until your baby is 5 or 6 months old, which isn’t a very long time.
But the aquarium crib toy as we call it at my house, is awesome! For one, it lights up fairly bright, which can be nice during night feedings. It also runs on a timer, so it will slowly turn itself off after 15 or 20 minutes. It gives you the option of music or ocean sounds, and lights or no lights. Additionally, it comes with a remote control so you can turn it on from outside your child’s room.
Both of my kids (currently 3 and 1.5) still use these. They go everywhere with us – including on vacation!
Baby Hack #5: Get a Diaper Champ – not a Diaper Genie!
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I started with a Diaper Genie, because it seems to be the gold standard in diaper disposal pails. It worked pretty well controlling the odor, but the inserts are super expensive and they add up fast.
(A lot of people report that they use regular trashbags in their Diaper Genie, but this hack never worked for me).
That’s why I opted to get a Diaper Champ for the second baby. The most attractive thing about the Diaper Champ is that you can use regular trash bags in it.
To be fair, the Diaper Champ doesn’t control the odor quite as well as the Diaper Genie, BUT the diaper champ mechanism never fails, whereas my foot pedal has failed on the Diaper Genie on a somewhat regular occasion.
Summary:
I hope this list of baby hacks made you a little more knowledgeable when it comes to baby gear. I hope these baby tips will come in handy: the backpack instead of the diaper bag, the security camera instead of the baby monitor, the 2-in-1 swing bouncer instead of a swing AND bouncer, the aquarium crib toy instead of the mobile, and the Diaper Champ instead of the Diaper Genie.
If you are already a parent, what are some of your favorite baby hacks? Share in the comments below – maybe I’ll add them to this list!
Now get out there are rock your busy mom life!
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