Hi, I’m new here!
How to survive + thrive with a 1-month-old baby
This article was sponsored by Target. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Motherly and mamas.
Table of Contents
This is cause for celebration, mama! You are one month into this exciting new adventure, and those precious cuddles certainly help compensate for the lack of shut-eye. (Mostly, at least.)
Although it’s only been a few weeks since you officially met your latest love, you’re probably already amazed by how quickly your teeny snuggle bunny is growing and changing. Unlike those first few days when your sleepy newborn’s eyes were rarely open, your baby is likely now eagerly studying objects within a few inches of their site and reacting to sounds. Their favorite sights and sounds of all? The people in their family.
After months of pregnancy, the extreme physical accomplishment of delivery and possibly the initiation of breastfeeding, your body needs time to recover. As you go, remember that while your baby may always be on your mind, it’s healthy for you to make space for self-care, too.
While you continue to adjust, here are our favorite items to keep in your tool kit (for you and baby) at the 1-month mark:
To get sweet dreams while room sharing: Ingenuity bassinet
Experts recommend sharing your bedroom—but not your bed—with your baby for the better part of the first year. If space was already at a premium, a compact bassinet is the perfect solution.
To free up your hands: 4moms mamaroo swing
You may not want to take your eyes off your adorable baby, but life does actually require you use your hands every now and then to take care of things around the house. If your checklist includes tasks in the same room, a soothing swing can help keep baby content for a few precious minutes.
To get through marathon nursing sessions: Boppy nursing pillow
Whether from the breast or bottle, it can feel like feeding baby is your full-time job right now. Make it less of a workout with backup from a nursing pillow, which can take on a second-life as a support for your sitting baby in just a few short months.
To start your bath-time routine: The First Years newborn-to-toddler tub
Bath time is an important element in most nighttime routines—starting from the very first days! Focus more on the hands-on bonding without worrying your baby will slip and slide around a great big tub with a bath that is just their size.
To celebrate baby’s first milestone: Cloud Island muslin blanket and frame set
One month of life is a big milestone, both for your baby and you! Documenting how quickly your baby is growing each of these early months is a gift you will love looking back on for the rest of your life.
To help with postpartum recovery: Frida Mom recovery kit
Labor and delivery is a major event, mama—and our bodies are firmly still in recovery mode at the 1-month mark. If anything, life is probably only speeding up right now, so be sure to take care of yourself.
To conquer early morning wake-up calls: Stars Above robe
Chances are that your baby has taken the place of an alarm clock. When the wake-up call comes too early, it helps brighten the morning a bit by having a comfy and cute robe to slip on.
To get some letdown backup: Up&Up nursing pads
As you may have learned by now, breastmilk doesn’t only flow on demand. Should you decide breastfeeding is your path, nursing pads will give you the protection you probably didn’t anticipate you needed so you don’t leak through a shirt. (Don’t worry: This will ease as your supply is established!)
To hydrate: Simple Modern pink water bottle
It is always a good idea to drink more water—but especially now! Make it easier on yourself with a water bottle you actually like carrying around. Bonus points for being able to open it up for a drink with just one hand.
To snack one-handed: Good & Gather snack bars
You know when the baby last ate. But, what about you, mama? Keep some tasty nutrition bars on hand to simplify snacking when time and free hands are limited commodities.
Related Stories
Related articles
