55 HACKS AND TRICKS EVERY NEW MOM NEEDS TO KNOW

Research shows that uninterrupted contact between a mom and her baby during first 60 minutes of baby's life is important to their growth and development. So hold your  baby close during this "golden hour"  and try breastfeeding.

Immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby is the best way for you to bond with your baby. Ask your healthcare team to place the baby on your chest and conduct their medical assessment while baby is close to you. Also wait at-least an hour before introducing the baby to your family and friends.

Labor can be hard on our bodies. It is definitely overwhelming and tiring. Let the nurses take the baby to the hospital nursery once in a while so they can watch the baby while you take a quick nap. The baby will be in good hands and the nurses will be sure to bring the baby to you when she wakes up.

The nurses have such a wealth of knowledge and experience with newborns. Ask them to show you how to give the baby a bath, postpartum questions or anything else.

The hospital will provide you with postpartum products you need to recover. When you leave the hospital make sure to take those products with you!

So often, moms purchase breast pumps before delivery. However, you just might be able to get a prescription for the pump. If you have issues breastfeeding or getting the baby to latch, ask your doctor if you can get a prescription. It will save you quite a bit of money.

As a first time mom, you are not supposed to know the methods and techniques of breast-feeding. Hence, hospitals have lactation consultants to help you with the latch, positioning the baby or any other issues. Most hospitals also have lactation consultants whose services you can continue with, once you are home.

Breastfeeding can be a struggle with mastitis, thrush and tongue or lip ties. Something that will make breastfeeding a lot easier is the Haakaa breast pump which suctions your breast and does the work for you as it draws your milk. While you nurse the baby on one side, the Haakaa pump will catch all the leaks from the other side.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room sharing for at least the first 6 months though not in the same bed. That way you can hear if the baby is having problems and it reduces the risk of SIDS as well. Also, room sharing makes nighttime feedings so much easier. Get a bassinet or a co-sleeper to keep in your room.

Prepare a diaper caddy with all the diapering essentials and keep in your bedroom. That way, you'll have everything you need for a quick diaper change at night. Place another diaper caddy by the pack n play in the living room. The less you have to run around and scramble, the easier it is.

We are so deliberate as we gather everything we need for a newborn to be comfortable, but forget that we also need to prepare for the postpartum period. Prepare a postpartum kit beforehand so you'll have everything you need to get comfortable and heal quickly.

Put together a well stocked nursing caddy with everything you need to make breastfeeding a more pleasant experience for both you and the baby. Stock up on nursing pads, nipple cream, burp cloths, snacks, etc. 

The last thing you have time and energy for with a newborn is making dinner. During your nesting period, prepare meals and freeze for the first 3 weeks after birth. When breastfeeding you burn a lot of calories and get hungry often, so be sure to stock up on snacks as well.

Babies spit up quite a bit, so place burp clothes where you tend to hang out such as in the living room and in your bedroom.

Do ask your mom or a relative to visit with you for the first few weeks. You'll love having mom to help you during the first few weeks.

If your partner gets paid paternity leave, encourage him to take the time off after your family leaves. You'll appreciate having him there when everyone else has left. 

When your baby is napping during the day, you should take a nap as well. The housework can wait!

Yes, we know you want to hold the baby all day long. But you should start using the bouncer and swing early on, not only to give you a little break but also because you don't want the baby to get used to being held all the time.

Sometimes you just need to put the baby down so you can have a meal or even go to the bathroom. Perhaps you can place the pack n play in the living room, your bouncer in the bathroom and a bassinet in your bedroom.

If you are breastfeeding, you should drink a lot of water. Keep a bottle of water by your nursing station all the time.

Keep your baby's clothes organized with these free closet dividers. You'll love knowing exactly what to grab when you are in a hurry.

Velcro swaddles are awesome for swaddling the baby without having to mess with loose blankets. They are easy to navigate and helps you swaddle the baby quickly after late night diaper changes.

Infant body suits aka onesies, sleepers  and side snap kimonos are must-haves for your baby's wardrobe. They will keep the baby warm and cozy and makes diaper changes easy.

Onesies have flaps on either side, to allow you to pull the onesie down the body instead of over the head. When baby has a blowout and has soiled clothes, this is pretty helpful.

When you take the baby for wellness checks, you'll be asked about the baby's bowel movements, feedings, etc. Use these awesome apps to keep track of baby's activities.

Babies tend to wake up when they hear little noises. A white noise machine is a great tool to soothe fussing and boost sleep. 

You'll want all the diapering essentials close to make sure diaper changes are quick, easy and safe.

It's never too early to start a bedtime routine for your baby. A bedtime routine such as a bath, a massage followed by breastfeeding, will calm the baby and prepare for a good nights sleep.

Once you are assured that all of the baby's needs are met, you can just let the baby calm down by herself. You could put on the mobile for her and see if she calms down. If she hasn't after 10-15 minutes, do pick her up and soothe her.

When choosing a diaper bag , pick a backpack diaper bag because of the flexibility it offers. Read this Guide  to choosing the diaper bag.

Once you've returned home from your outing with the baby, please take the time to re-stock your diaper bag. You never know when you'll have to run out in a hurry with the baby in tow. 

A nursing night light will help you navigate the darkness at night without waking everyone else in the house up.

Keep two sets of rechargeable batteries so the bouncer and swing will always be ready to go when you need it.

Place a changing pad liner on top of the changing pad and save your changing table cover from poopy messes. You can always toss the liner in the wash and your changing pad cover stays clean.

Keep your fingers clean and use this wonderful diaper cream brush to to apply cream on your baby's bottom.

Use a convenient diaper clutch with a changing mat and space to store wipes, for a quick diaper change on the go.  

We know you'll pick up all of the baby's essentials way before baby is born. But don't forget to stock up your pantry, toiletries, etc as well.

We love the convenience of having diapers and wipes delivered straight to our front door. Sign up with Amazon Prime for free next day delivery and trial membership.

Trimming baby's nails can be scary! Wait till the baby is fast asleep to clip his fingernails.

Every time you wake up to feed the baby, start by changing the baby's diaper. It will wake the little one up so you can feed him well before putting him down.

It may seem that every time you remove a diaper, the baby pees all over. Have a clean diaper ready to go to make diaper changes quick.

If your baby is fussing because of gas pain, try moving baby's legs as if he is riding a bicycle. Relief is pretty much instantaneous!

There's so much to do and you are so tired but at least take a five minute shower and get ready every morning no matter what. You are guaranteed to feel much better when you take a moment to yourself and you'll be able to give so much more to the baby. 

The first few weeks are often a blur to many first time parents. Don't worry about the messy house. Give yourself some slack!

Friends and family often offer to help. Accept the help and be specific about what you would like them to do. Perhaps, a nice hot meal or a hour or two to watch the baby while you get some rest. 

Get a baby carrier and try baby wearing. When the baby is in a carrier you can accomplish your chores while knowing baby is safe and happy. 

The early months can go by rather quickly. Get a baby memory book to start documenting all of the little details and milestones. Later down the road, you will be so glad you have a book of memories! Here's our exclusive collection of pregnancy planners, pregnancy journals and baby memory books!

Babies don't come with an instruction manual. At certain times you may feel overwhelmed trying to take care of the baby.  Tell your partner how you feel and let him help you take care of the baby.

Baby blues are feelings of sadness a mom may start experiencing 2-3 days after baby is born and lasts up to 2 weeks. Get as much rest as you can. Ask your partner, friend or family for help and take time for yourself. Perhaps, you can go out of the house for a bit. If the sad feelings last for more than 2 weeks, tell your provider.

A gentle massage can do wonders for your little one. It can help ease baby's tummy troubles, boost muscle development and calm him when he is fussy.

You'll be making many trips to the pediatrician for wellness checks with the baby. But if you have questions or concerns don't hesitate to call the doctors office. Trust your instincts as a mom. Before the baby is born make sure you've interviewed and identified a pediatrician. Read this post on Questions to Ask the Pediatrician to help you pick a pediatrician that fits your needs.

In the midst of the tiring first few weeks, you must continue to document and take lots of photos. Babies just change so rapidly in the early weeks, you'll want to hold on to each sweet memory.

Dr. Harvey Karp's "Happiest Baby on the Block" is a must-read. This book which has sold over a million copies, seeks to transform a crying and colicky baby into one that is happy and calm. We recommend you read this book before giving birth.

We were blown away by the video we are sharing below. This video has been viewed over 31 million times on Youtube. It features Dr. Robert Hamilton and he demonstrates how to calm a crying baby. It's under 5 minutes and worth watching!