First-time parents face unique demands and challenges during the first few weeks of their newborn’s life. Many people have never experienced anything quite like it.
That’s why Natart, Nest, and Tulip baby furniture brands go above and beyond to support you during this transitional time. Read on to learn our top tips for the first months with your precious new baby.
1. Have Safe Spaces for Baby Around the Home
You’ll need some hands-free time throughout the first month, so it’s important to create safe, comfortable places where you can put your baby down around the house. Plus, you’ll want to have an area for tummy time, as well. There are a number of baby products that can serve this purpose during waking and sleeping times.
You generally need two items:
- A portable, packable play mat with sensory stimulation and exploration.
- A baby chair, swing, or bouncer for upright sitting and stimulation – just make sure it has adequate support for a newborn’s head and neck.
2. Invest in Baby Furniture That Makes Your Life Easier
Having a newborn means lots of multitasking and caring for your baby as you move from room to room. That said, products that are lightweight, portable, and foldable are essential. Just double-check that they’re easy to open and set up. Being able to use one hand to easily access jumpers and strollers while you hold your baby is key!
3. Use a Wipeable Changing Pad
You’ll go through a lot of diapers as a new parent, so having a changing pad that’s easy to maintain and wash is critical. The Matty Changer is a perfect example. It’s an all-in-one, super soft, safe changing pad. Its raised and slightly inclined edges provide a sense of comfort and security for the baby. You can use it on any flat surface, like a bed, dresser, or floor. Meanwhile, it’s incredibly easy to clean since it’s 100% waterproof and has a resistant surface that won’t discolor even when using a 68% ethanol disinfectant. It also comes with a safety belt and is portable.
4. Try White Noise
One of the best newborn tips is the use of white noise. Studies show that white noise is incredibly comforting for newborns since it mimics the sound that they experienced in the womb. Plus, it masks sudden sounds that could disrupt your baby’s sleep. You can purchase a white noise machine, use free white noise apps, or play white noise YouTube videos.
5. Decode Your Baby’s Cries
While hearing your baby cry can be upsetting, this is actually just the way babies communicate their needs. It takes time, but understanding what each unique cry means can help you determine if your baby is hungry, tired, has gas, or needs a diaper change.
Try to become an observer and notice the subtle differences in your baby’s cries. Priscilla Dunstan, a parenting expert, has decoded a universal language of newborn babies. Per this theory, there are five distinct “words” you’ll hear in your baby’s cries:
- Neh: I’m hungry.
- Eh: I need to burp.
- Eair: I have lower gas pain.
- Heh: I’m experiencing discomfort.
- Owh: I’m sleepy.
6. Prep for a Good Night
You can help regulate your baby’s sleep pattern with some simple steps ahead of nighttime:
- Use blackout curtains at night to mimic the darkness of the womb
- Keep their environment bright during the day to help the baby understand when it’s daytime
- Keep their bedroom cool and dark during sleep to promote better sleep quality
- Dress your baby in the appropriate gear, like a sleep sack, in cool rooms
- Add sleeping elements that smell and feel like mom, like adding a worn shirt near the crib (not inside), to help soothe the baby
Your first weeks as a parent will likely feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone! Natart, Nest, and Tulip are here to support you with safe, supportive baby furniture and newborn tips. Try these hacks to help make your transition into parenthood as smooth as possible.