Your helpful hints

[JennaW]

This is a really random post but as I have been adjusting to life with a baby around here, I have found some things that have helped me out and thought I would share just in case maybe they would help out someone else. Plus I thought others could share their ideas.

So here are mine, both food related

-At the beginning of the week I make a GIANT bowl of fruit salad. I get one package of each at costco: green grapes, strawberries and blueberries. I rinse everything and I slice the strawberries in half and I put it all in a big bowl in the fridge. This is my "anytime" snack all week (and DH too, keeps him from eating too many chips). I can just grab a bowl really quick and not feel like I am loading up on calories but still getting something nutritious to eat.

-I was noticing that dinner time was especially stressful because without fail DD would always wake up during like the last 10 minutes of cooking when I am trying to get everything together. So, I started making "cooking" dinner DH's job. I prepare all the food in the afternoon during her long nap and then DH just has to throw it together. Some examples:

On Monday we had turkey meatloaf, salad and mac n'cheese. I made the meatloaf and put it in the fridge. I washed and cut up all the veggies for the salad and put them in separate tupperware containers in the fridge. I measured out the milk and butter for the mac n cheese. I set the box of mac n cheese out and I put a pot of water on the stove. So when DH came home all he had to do was put the meatloaf in the oven, assemble the salad and make the mac n cheese. It doesn't sound like a big deal but it really made the night so much less stressful.

Another example is we had ravioli with marinara sauce. I cut up an onion, bell pepper and some chicken sausages and put them in a tupperware container in the fridge. I set out a cast iron skillet for the sauce and a pot of water for the ravioli. I set out the jar of marinara sauce on the counter. So DH just had to saute the veggies and sausage, add the marinara sauce and boil the raviolis.

I also make enchiladas (DH just has to bake them). I have also made curries and soups earlier in the day that can just be re-heated later.

Hmm, I know I had some more ideas but I forget right now. I would love to hear what is helping other Mama's get by.

[mama to 2 girls]

First off let me just ask you how in the WORLD do you get away with eating dairy (which I LOVE) and onions and peppers?! If I ate that stuff with any of my kids they would have the worst stomach aches the first 6 mos. or so of their lives!

Let's see....I don't really have any helpful ideas...with 3 kids 2 of which do not nap and the little one going thru a fussy stage, I pretty much have to let dh do all the cooking. By the time he get's home the girls and Owen want mommy and no one else. And right now Owen doesn't like the sling so my helpful hint or should I say wish is that you have a significant other that can cook and do laundry!

[njbeachgirl]

I am another lucky mama who can eat anything and everything while BF

I cook dinner a lot of the time in the afternoons when both kids are sleeping. In the summer we eat things like grilled chicken, corn on the cob and salad so it doesn't matter if it's hot by the time DH gets home-we eat it however. Or, if it's something that you want to cook right before eating I do what you do.

Once fall hits I will be doing a lot of crock pot cooking.

For house cleaning- I keep my swiffer duster, towels and all purpose cleaner very handy. I try to do one room each day so nothing gets too bad. Then we only need to "deep clean" once in a while.

I really need to do the fruit salad thing. I have been eating such cr*p lately, it's gross.

[finnegansmom]

Any hints for mom's of newborns who refuse to be put down? I'm finding it takes me 3 hours to clean the kitchen from breakfast with a constantly nursed baby, worn in the sling. I should start cooking meals or preparing ahead of time....We've been eating so late because it's taking me forever to do ANYTHING.

i'm been eat horrible too lately....I just ate potato chips and a peanut butter and fluff sandwich for lunch...yikes.

[mama to 2 girls]

Originally Posted by finnegansmom

Any hints for mom's of newborns who refuse to be put down? I'm finding it takes me 3 hours to clean the kitchen from breakfast with a constantly nursed baby, worn in the sling. I should start cooking meals or preparing ahead of time....We've been eating so late because it's taking me forever to do ANYTHING.

i'm been eat horrible too lately....I just ate potato chips and a peanut butter and fluff sandwich for lunch...yikes.

I hear you!! Thankfully if I can get the little one to sleep I can USUALLY lay him on his stomach and he will sleep a good hour. BUT as soon as my lap and/or arms are empty there is someone always RIGHT THERE waiting to fill them! Right now I am hiding in my dd's closet in her room just to try and get a few mins. to myself.

[Mom2Lex&Cay]

Originally Posted by mama to 2 girls

First off let me just ask you how in the WORLD do you get away with eating dairy (which I LOVE) and onions and peppers?! If I ate that stuff with any of my kids they would have the worst stomach aches the first 6 mos. or so of their lives!

No kidding! I had no trouble with DD1 or DD2. This time I have to watch the spice and no dairy for me. First the congestion started and I didn't pay too much attention, but the hours of screaming that couldn't be consoled did get my attention! Stopped eating dairy and it resolved.

I'm loving this, so keep 'em coming! I'm also part of the "newborns that must be held every waking minute" club and the "must be cuddled to sleep." Add in starting our first year of homeschooling and I don't get a darn thing done. I have been doing better with getting dinner served and before too late.

[HulaJenn]

Oatmeal is supposed to be good for milk supply so instead of making a pot at breakfast and eating it (very time consuming everymorning), I make a BIG pot and leave the leftovers in the fridge to eat either as a snack at will or the next day(s) for breakfast.
I use
2cups water
2cups milk (or use 4 cups total water for those that dairy doesn't like)
2 cups oatmeal (either quick cook or the large flake but not instant!)
2 small apples peeled and cut into bite size chunks
cinnamon to taste
bring all to a boil and turn down to simmer. Put lid on and simmer until desired consistency (large flake oatmeal may take longer to reach a soft consistency)
Add brown sugar to taste and enjoy!

This amount usually lasts me the week (and that's eating a hefty bowl everyday).

Another tip - I find it difficult to even grab a glass or water/juice when I go to nurse, so I keep a mini juice jug (ideal for picnics and holds about 5 cups) and fill it with half juice and half water (I don't like the taste of plain water) and then plop a straw in it and leave it in the fridge to grab whenever needed.

House cleaning? Pledge multi-surface wipes, or the Method (biodigradeable) wipes. Easy to grab and wipe when you can.

HTH!

[KerriAZ]

I don't have a newborn that I can't put down because os the NEWBORN, I hav eone I can't put down because of the TODDLER!!! My DS won't leave the baby alone if she's down! I have to, literally beat him to my bedroom, close and lock the door, so that I can put the baby on the bed so that I can PEE without worrying about him trying to pick up the baby or kissing her to pieces! Oh well! At least he loves her and there's no jealousy, right?

As far as my tips... I, too, do something KIND OF like Jenna's fruit salad - but I make a veggie tray! I set it out on the counter every morning and it's there for me to grab and snack on all day!

As for cleaning while holding a babe, I got an "el cheapo" sponge mop from the dollar store that I use to clean my showers and tubs! SO much easier than having to lean over - especially if you are holding that baby! (And especially if you had a c-section like me and CAN'T bend over all the way! LOL)

Also, I keep boxes with the kids names on them by the end of the hall. I pick stuff up during the course of the day and toss it in the box if I see something out of place. Then at the end of the day, each child is responsible for taking their box to their room and putting the things in it away and then put the box back at the end of the hall for the next day. (I am seriously thinking, as I look and see DH's shoes from yesterday, maybe he needs one, too? ) They can also pick up things and just drop them in their box if they don't wanna put it away right then, but it has to be put away before they go to bed...

One last thing that really helps is a menu! Planning the meals out for the week ahead of time saves some time deciding what to make! (Also helps with planning shopping trips! LOL)

[JunebugsMom]

I am envious of all you mamas. Baby G is 6 weeks old and I rarely cook and our place is a mess

[KerriAZ]

Originally Posted by JunebugsMom

I am envious of all you mamas. Baby G is 6 weeks old and I rarely cook and our place is a mess

ROTFL Nah! You'd be shocked to see my house! We don't eat at the table - we can't find it under all the stuff piles on it. And I have stuff all over my kitchen counters. Laundry is still in the basket (clean, but still there) and we have been living out of it instead of our closets. My sink has dishes PILED in it. My floors haven't seen a mop or broom or vacuum in so long I'm embarrased to say. The only things I have clean are my floors are picked up from the box system, my tub and shower, and my toilet (because I CANNOT use a dirty potty! LOL). Otherwise, my house pretty much looks like a bomb went off! : I can't wait til I'm "healthy" enough (PP enough! LOL) to actually CLEAN the dang thing!!!!!!!

[anonymousk]

I haven't actually been able to complete it, but I have the Motivated Moms list on the fridge for the week and when LO is sleeping or in the wrap I can find a chore and do it. Not as much as I'd like to, but it helps me feel like I am staying somewhat on top of things.

We have been doing so much better since we sat down and planned out the meals for the week in advance. We didn't even get to the second half since we had leftovers, and I didn't eat out at all this week (except we had a nice dinner out with friends after mass tonight). DH made pork bbq in the crock pot a week or two ago and I put half in the fridge and half in the freezer, and then I can always just make myself a sandwich when I get a second. We sleep upstairs, so I also have a little stash of snacks up there - pop tarts, cashews, fruit strips, whatever - so I can always grab something to eat in the morning, which seems to be our hardest time. Or mine, at least.

I keep a magic eraser sponge in the shower and when I get in there and have a minute I take a quick swipe of the bathtub so it doesn't get too nasty.

I use the Medela steam bags to clean the pacifiers (and the pump stuff, of course). It seems like it keeps them from getting so much water in there, it's fast and they're really clean.

Thank goodness I am not the only one carrying the baby all the time. My sister saw him in his wrap last week and said, 'Spoiled!' not meanly, but still. So I've been second guessing myself. On the other hand, my sister doesn't have a newborn, so I'm not sure why her assessment would matter.

[firespiritmelody]

Add me to the "house is a mess, too much fast food, and never puts the baby down" club.

We're working on it though... slowly but surely. And there are some really great tips in this thread that I think I'll start using. Thanks!

[Materfamilias]

I'm in the club: Can't put baby down.
I don't have any tips, really, except that the wrap is a godsend. She loves it and I can get some things done while she's in it. The only problem is that it's HOT (Storch). I've a Bali Breeze on order and am on FIRE for it to get here already. It's so hot and humid here.
The house isn't too bad -- I do the divide and conquer policy -- a room a day, which has usually been the kitchen or the laundry room.

[LoobyLoo]

As another member of the "Holding Baby 24/7" club, my tip is actually something I read on Kellymom:

"Will the dishes be unhappy and depressed if you neglect them for a few months? You're growing and building a relationship with your children - the dishes and housework can wait"

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/frequent-nursing.html

[aprilsfools]

At 3 weeks PP, I am also a member of nursing all the time, not being able to put babe down, house is a mess, never cooking dinner.

In fact. This is the first time I have been on here since the first week.

[Tiffanoodle]

My only helpful hint is for your husband to NOT get a promotion the day after the baby's born that requires moving out of the state. In 9 weeks. I have been doing nothing but packing and feeding/cuddling/changing/bathing/whatever the baby lately. My dh is already working at his new job, so he's been gone for 2 weeks and will be gone until Friday. We move next Monday. I have a true sense of accomplishment when I get Cadence to sleep and the kids leave her alone long enough for her to nap a couple hours.

[delightedbutterfly]

Never plan for more than ONE thing a day. Whether that be one outing or cooking dinner or cleaning the bathtub...

Plan for one thing and only decide after you've had your night's sleep and fed for the morning. This way you can judge how the kid(s) are and how you are feeling.

This way if you do your ONE thing (that's ONE store not two or a whole day of shopping) and you are still feeling good and are well fed/watered and baby is changed and fed then maybe you can attempt a second thing with an escape clause.