The 12 Greatest Newborn Hacks Of All Time

No, I’m not kidding. Thousands of pounds I have wasted in the past on newborn kit. And half of it I didn’t use or didn’t need (especially for my first baby). So here’s our round-up of the essential kit you do need, a sprinkle of what you don’t - and some pearls of wisdom from our community too.

1) You don’t really need a changing table. Get two of these from Ikea. One for the bottom of your bed for 3am changes - thank me later. And another for taking out and about with you. Ta-da. SIMPLES. God bless the Ikea gods.

2) Another Ikea hack: the changing mat cover. I also have a slightly pricer version from Zara Home too. Babies often don’t like having their nappy changed. Worse still if their changing mat is cold and sticky (which they all are). So grab yourself a fabric cover for your changing mat to make it softer and cosier for baby. Also super easy to chuck in the wash for poonami’s.

3) Good tip from our community: When you go out and about, try and remember (but don’t worry if you forget!) to pack a spare change for you too - not just the baby. Often if there’s a poonami, there’s collateral damage - and that means your trousers! Also bring a packed lunch with you so you don’t forget to feed yourself.

4) If you’re experiencing ‘bed dread’ aka dreading a long night of baby waking, have yourself a nice shower before bed at circa 10pm. It makes you feel like you’re about to start your day and brings you back to life a bit!

5) Supplement Yourself!! Postpartum is a time of intense depletion. Look into: a postpartum multivit (Wild Nutrition + Zita West are both good), Omega 3 (Higher Nature, Zita West), Magnesium (Zita West, Wild Nutrition) and also a postpartum probiotic as lots of mums get constipation after birth (I got LoveBug’s one from Healf). If you really want to make sure you’re giving your body the right vitamins it needs, you can take a test with Thriva.

6) On the subject of constipation, FIBRE YOURSELF! Here’s your recipe for my constipation-combat smoothie:

1 x banana

1 x other fruit (kiwi, pear, apple)

3/4 cup milk of your choice

1/4 cup prune juice

handful of coconut flakes

6-7 pitted dates

tablespoon almond butter

sprinkle of seeds (linseeds/hemp etc)

Bit of honey

Blitz and drink one of these bad girls daily. If you can afford, having a postpartum doula to come and cook you lots of nutritious and warming meals is an absolute godsend. If you're local to Sussex Maria and Alex come recommended. And Alexis is a MUST if you want to say a BIG thank you to your body with a nourishing massage.

7) If you’re trying to establish breastfeeding and finding it a faff, whack your top off! Seriously I walk around topless most of the time for the first few weeks til it feels a bit more settled. Similarly if you’re co-sleeping (and breastfeeding), I find an un-buttoned pj shirt is a winner. PS. the whacking your top off rule also applies if baby is having a meltdown! The topless bob (usually done in the privacy of my bedroom haha) usually works!

8) “I never used the bassinet on the pram” “Or the cot!” If you’re looking for alternatives if baby won’t lie down on their back, our fave slings are the Baby Bjorn and all things Tula. The Purflo breathable baby nest also comes highly recommended.

9) Nappy recs! Aldi, Pampers, Pura and Rascals came out on top! And for getting out poo stains - hang clothes out in the sun!

10) For sore nipples (especially bloody or cracked ones in those early days) I send all my newborn mamas these nipple compresses from Multi-Mam. No alternative has come close! These are the bees knees.

11) Have your body checked out properly. Mummy MOT’s are great but also go see a chiropractor. If you’re local to Sussex, check out Rachel at Mama Chiro in Shoreham.

If you are experiencing any ongoing pain SHOUT ABOUT IT. There are NHS physios and all sorts of other services. Do not suffer in silence if you are in pain. Similarly if you’re feeling low mentally, please don’t feel silly - it’s so important to talk. If you don’t know what to say, say this: “I’m not really feeling myself, can we have a chat. Think I need some support.” Please never struggle alone. You are loved and cared for. You matter.

Honey House’s Maternal Journal group is a welcoming space for a postpartum feelings digest. Check out the timetable here. We’d love to have you.

12) Final words of wisdom from the Honey House community…..

“My biggest hack is just the fact that everything is a phase and also trust your instincts if you think something isn’t right of doesn’t feel right for you.” EVERYTHING is just guidance. You are the boss!

Article by Daisy Hill, Founder of Honey House family events

To join Honey House or explore our weekly parent & baby / child events, head to the Worthing or Brighton pages.