Organized New Mom Tip # 22: Learn to Use a Baby Sling (By Yourself)

Rockin' a baby sling is fantastic for a new mom (or dad). It’s hands-free, better on the back, and it keeps your little one close, which is right where he or she wants to be anyway.  When Will first came home, I wore him every day, all the while thinking how I was knocking this new mommy thing out of the park.

THEN, my husband went back to work, and I realized my crucial mistake: I didn’t learn how to put Will in the sling by myself. I remember standing over him and holding the empty sling, watching him coo happily on the bed. The only thing I was wearing is what must have been a very perplexed expression on my face.

Of course I eventually just taught myself how to sling him on my own, but it took a lot of practice before I felt like I wasn’t going to drop the little guy on his noggin in the process.  I needed a spotter for what seemed like the first hundred times, the whole while cursing myself for not learning this when my husband was at home with me those first few days.

Even if it does take a lot of practice for you too, I recommend you keep trying until you’re a slinging ninja. Once I felt confident enough, it was liberating to be able to strap him on by myself and walk out the door with two free hands. I also recommend you learn how to sling from the back seat of the car. Grocery shopping is so much more pleasant with a sleeping baby cuddled up next to you.

I thought about including a list of instructions for how I slung my baby on my own, but quickly became aware of the dozens of different types of baby slings on the market today, and of course they all have different safety recommendations for wearing your baby safely. I don’t want to get sued for teaching you the wrong way, so just be sure to read the instructions for your own baby wearing contraption.



Both Mama and Baby Lovin' the Baby Sling
P.S. Buy the Gumdrop Pacifier from my store



Organized New Mom Tip # 21: Place Baby’s Outdoor Necessities by the Door

How many times do you rush out the door with the carrier along with a handful of other miscellaneous necessities only to realize a mile from home that you forgot your baby’s sun hat for the park? Designate a spot right by the door reserved ONLY for Baby’s outdoor essentials so you can quickly pick and choose what your little one needs on the way out.

Be vigilant about keeping these important items organized and at your fingertips; when you get home make an effort to put everything back in its place so they’re ready to go for your next excursion. It’s also important to keep it simple, as most everyday baby items such as diapers and hand sanitizer are better kept in the diaper bag (See Tip #4). As the seasons change, so does what your baby needs when you leave the house. Below are some suggestions for what to keep handy:

Warm Weather

·         Sun Hat

·         Baby Sunglasses

·         Baby Sunscreen (both the stick and the lotion)

·         Insect Repellant

·         Light Sweater

·         Rain Jacket

Cold Weather

·         Heavy Coat

·         Warm Hat

·         Mittens

·         Fleece Jacket

·         Boots

·         Extra Blanket

This is a tip that only becomes more useful as your baby grows into toddlerhood, so it’s better to establish it now so it becomes a good household habit.

Organized New Mom Tip # 20: Wear layers

Getting drooled on, spit on, or pooped on is part of the territory when it comes to new motherhood, but that doesn’t mean you have to walk around with baby remnants or a burp cloth on your shoulder while you’re out with your little one.

While I’m not saying you should be ashamed of wearing baby spit-up (heck, I wore it like a badge of honor) , I am saying that it’s good to be prepared in case the situation-at-hand calls for a spotless shirt. Wearing a couple of layers makes it easier to accomplish this goal.

I had a beloved light hoodie that I wore most of the time that pretty much went into the wash at the end of each day. I usually wore a t-shirt under that and then a cami tank under that. That gave Baby 3 shots to destroy my ensemble before I was forced to change. If I was out and about and Will decided to dive bomb me, I would just peel the layer off, roll it up, and throw it in the diaper bag. It was much easier than trying to clean up the mess on the spot.

You don’t have to be gross like me and wear the same clothing every day. Stores like Old Navy and Target sell tons of clothes with layering options, and they’re usually found at great deals so they’re cheap to replace.