This post is sponsored by Target.
Parenting is tough. You have to be ready for anything all the time. Then, it’s always when you think everything is going smoothly, that something happens that throws you for a loop. For me, I’ve found that trying to have key things on hand in the house and learning a few key “parenting hacks” make the unexpected just a bit easier. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of things that shock and surprise me on a daily basis, but having even just a few items and tricks on hand to make the day go smoother, tend to make life a little bit easier.
Here are 5 things that help out in our house that might make your life easier too:
1. Keep diapers and wipes in multiple rooms in the house
Instead of heading to the nursery every time you have to change the baby, it’s much easier to have a small amount of diapers and wipes on hand in multiple rooms in the house. This gets even more important when you have multiple children. I have a little basket with diapers, wipes and powder in at least 5 spots in my house.
2. Knowing how to “baby proof” on the spot
Once baby is on the move, they like to get into everything they can. I also find that every baby likes to get into something different. All three of my kids have needed totally different baby proofing. I find the easiest thing to do is to be prepared to “baby proof on the spot”, especially when traveling or visiting friends and family. A few tricks: bandaids over outlets, masking tape cabinets/ door shut and using plastic baby rings to keep drawers from opening.
3. The simplest bib storage
A friend told me about this bib storing trick and it’s one of my favorite simple “hacks”. For a quick, easy place to store bibs, just add a hook to the back of the highchair. This is also great for letting them dry after washing.
4. An easy ouchie pack
Our favorite way to heal an ouchie: a bag filled with frozen marshmallows! It feels good on the boo boo and the kids think it looks cool too.
5. Key products on hand
We all have key products we know we need on hand for our kids. Being prepared for cuts, scraps and getting sick is key. It’s also important to think about items to have on hand for yourself. Two products that were added to our “key to have on hand” list when Tommy was born were The Honest Company Organic Breathe Easy Rub and The Honest Company Lactation Plus.
Tommy was born in November and for the first few months of his life, it was cold season. With 2 older sisters who were 3 and 4, they brought home plenty of colds from preschool. As much as we tried to wash hands and keep him from the germs, he got a few colds early on. There’s not much you can give a baby for cold, but we tried the Organic Breathe Easy Rub from The Honest Company and loved it. The Breathe Easy Rub helps clear stuffy noses and helps to support a good night’s rest. It’s made with no harsh chemicals and it’s menthol and petrolatum free. It’s also hypoallergenic, pH balanced, non-toxic, certified organic and all natural. I also use the Breathe Easy Rub for Maggie and Alex. They like the smell and it really helps them breathe easier with a cold. This is definitely one of the products we always have on hand to use at the first sign of the sniffles.
Tommy was a great eater from the start. He was the easiest to nurse, but at times I felt like I had trouble keeping up with his crazy appetite. I also found that there were times of the day and times of the month that my supply wasn’t as good. I tried the Lactation Plus supplements from The Honest Company and they really helped. They are made to help support lactation & breast milk production. They are made with organic fenugreek and fennel. They are made without: soy, yeast, wheat, casein, gelatin, sodium, dairy, eggs, shellfish, sweeteners, HFCS, artificial flavors, starch, dyes & preservatives. So, they have the “good stuff” but not the “bad stuff”! They were key for me to have on hand while nursing because I never knew when I would need them, and the Lactation Plus worked very fast for me, when I did needed it. Both of these products are made by The Honest Company, a brand I know and trust. What’s even better is they are now available right at Target, so it’s even easier to keep them on hand.
We never know what the day will bring, but anything to make Mom’s day go smoother is important. Hopefully some of the tips, tricks and products to have on hand will help make your life just a little bit easier.
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