How to Make Life Easier with Your New Baby

If you're expecting a new baby anytime soon, you're probably getting a little nervous: hordes of well-wishers and nay-sayers have likely been peppering you with conflicting advice for almost nine months now, and if you're like I was, you might be feeling a little...confused. Overloaded. Panicky. If you already have your new bundle of joy, you've almost certainly had some of those feelings in the past half hour. Well, take heart, new mom (or dad) - here are seven simple ways you can smooth out those first bumpy few months with your new pride and joy.

1. Put Housework on Hold.

You really have enough to do, what with the 87 feedings and 39 diaper changes per day, not to mention the changes of clothes for you and the little one when spit up (or worse) splatters on to you both again. The two biggest household time-suckers are dishes and laundry, so make them disappear: get disposable dishes. If you are an environmentalist, like me, they sell sustainably made non-tree paper and non-petroleum plastic dishes at a number of responsible retailers, or online (check out the supporting links below). Drop-off laundry services are available almost everywhere, and you can give them the special dye-and-perfume-free detergent you've been religiously pre-washing baby's clothes in (if it's your first baby). If that's too expensive, or not available in your area, ask Dad or Grandma nicely if they will take on some laundry duties for a month or so. Buy some disinfecting wipes for the bathroom, and you're golden.

2. Can the Cooking

There are a ton of healthy, inexpensive, frozen options these days, from Amy's Organic, to Kashi and Gardenburger, as well as many new healthy, low-sodium ready-made soups. Take advantage of your grocery's prepared foods department as well (be aware of the ingredients if mom is nursing). If you're still awaiting baby's arrival, take advantage of the nesting instinct to make extra dinners and freeze them. Find out where the healthy takeout places are in your town, and put their numbers in a handy spot.

3. Sleep Whenever Possible

Many of the "new baby" books say "sleep when baby sleeps," and that's a good idea in theory, but not always possible. Baby falls asleep and suddenly you remember you used to be a human adult with interests: you try to read a novel, check your email, catch up on your favorite show, blog and talk on the phone all at once. A good daily habit to cultivate is "mom's naptime," where Dad or Grandma watches baby when mom needs a lie-down. Don't think of it as being selfish - you need to be rested to take good care of your child.

4. Wear the Baby

A sling or soft carrier will free up your hands to do any of the things you used to do before you had a child, while keeping junior comfortable and content. If you're intrepid, with practice you can even nurse your baby while walking with her in the sling, which is a nice sneaky trick.

5. You Don't Need That!

Night-time crib aquariums, special child development bolster pillows and flashcards, wipes warmers, self-sudsing washcloths - you don't need that! Focusing on gadgets and the latest gotta-have baby technology will actually make you more stressed, not less. Baby needs a diaper. Baby needs breastmilk or formula. Baby needs a hug. That's pretty much it.

6. Accept All Favors

Many women have trouble accepting help - we think we're supposed to be able to have spotless toilets, gleaming children, trouble-free marriages AND dinner on the table, and all by ourselves. No. Sorry. Teach yourself to accept offers of help from friends and neighbors. You'd be surprised - the chore that drives you nuts might be the one your college roommate gets a kick out of.

7. Let Go of Your Expectations

The hardest one of all, but the one that makes the most difference. If you think, "my baby is SUPPOSED to be sleeping through the night by now," it will certainly bother you when he doesn't. Suspend your expectations and accept your child for the person he is. You'll be better able to roll with the endless, tremendous, beautiful changes that will comprise life with your brand new family.