Organized New Mom Tip #24: Set up Hand Sanitizer Stations

Everyone will want to hold the new arrival, and that’s hard to deal with while your Mama Bear instincts are in full throttle. The easiest way to appease your germ phobia is to have designated hand sanitizer stations throughout the house. When someone asks to hold the newbie, all you have to say is, “Of course! The hand sanitizer is right over there!” Keeping hand sanitizer in a convenient location also acts as a good reminder for you to slap on a little now and then between diaper changes*.

Good places to stash the sanitizer:

·         By the front door

·         By the changing table

·         Guest bathroom

·         Your bedroom/bathroom

It’s also a good idea to carry a mini bottle of sanitizer in the diaper bag for when those inevitable complete strangers insist on grabbing Baby’s hand in the grocery store.  That’s always fun. J

*Don’t forget to keep hand sanitizers out of Baby’s reach. Those little buggers will get into anything close by.

Organized New Mom Tip #23: Accept Help (Even if You Use it Unconventionally)

Of course you need help. It takes a village, and all that, right? Sometimes it just seems like more work than it’s worth to arrange for the sitter, write out the monumental list of things the sitter needs to know, summon the energy to get ready for a night out, and then worry about how the baby’s doing the whole time you’re away.

There’s a smarter way to go about it. First of all, accepting help from people doesn’t mean having them simply babysit. If a friend or a family member is there to help (REALLY help, and not just make googly eyes at the baby), then give them a task that WILL help you. Ask them to drop off the dry-cleaning. Give them a list and some money for the grocery store. Let them hold the baby while you hop in the shower. Arrange for them to take the dog for a walk. If they are really there to help, they’ll be happy to do it.

Those first few weeks after childbirth makes you feel like a sore-in-tender-places hermit, so if you feel the need to go away from the kid for a bit, you’re not alone. I suggest you attempt to find a kind soul who can commit to a set schedule a few times a month to come over and baby sit while you get out and run free.

In my experience, arranging for the same person to babysit at the same time meant that there was no stressing about finding and scheduling a sitter, and eventually there was no long list of instructions to write out every time. My fantastic sister-in-law came over once a week (almost every week for a year!) for an hour or so. It was extremely therapeutic to be able to get my hair cut or shop without lugging around a baby carrier for an hour every week. Knowing I could count on this time lifted my spirits on those overwhelming days. Thanks Rachel-I am so looking forward to repaying the favor!