5 Newborn Hacks New Moms Wish They Knew Sooner
Newborn life is adorable… and messy. These five quick hacks can save your sanity in the first few weeks.
I teach these to every new parent I work with — they’re easy, safe, and make a real difference.
1) Diaper Blowout Prevention (a tiny tweak = less laundry)
The goal: stop leaks before they start.
Flip the ruffles out. After you put on the diaper, run a finger around each leg and pull the leg cuffs (“ruffles”) outward so they’re not tucked in — that’s what seals the leg gaps.
Do a quick “wipe sweep.” With a damp wipe, lightly brush along the leg cuffs after fastening. This helps pop any hidden ruffles out and removes stray moisture/cream that can “wick” liquid out.
Check the fit. The diaper should be snug at the waist and thighs (no gaps), but not so tight you see deep red marks. If leaks persist, size up.
Pro tip: point baby boys’ penis down before closing the diaper. It matters.
2) The 5 S’s to Soothe a Fussy Baby
These are my day-one tools. Start a little “stronger” to settle, then taper to gentle for staying calm.
Swaddle – snug and secure (hips flexed, arms in), or use a swaddle sack if you prefer.
Side/Stomach (hold only) – hold baby on their side or tummy in your arms to calm.
Safety note: for sleep, always place baby on their back in an empty crib/bassinet.
Shhh – begin with louder, higher-pitched shushing to interrupt crying, then shift to slower, lower shushing once baby softens.
Swing/Sway/Shuffle – start with a quicker, short jostle (head supported), then transition to slow sways as baby calms.
Soother/Suck – offer a pacifier or allow non-nutritive sucking at the breast (if that aligns with your feeding plan).
Stack them: Swaddle + Side hold + Shhh + Sway + Soother = magic.
3) Onesie Escape Trick (for diaper disasters)
Those funny envelope shoulders are there for a reason. When a blowout hits:
Lay baby on a safe surface.
Peel the shoulders outward and down, rolling the onesie down the body (not over baby’s head).
Wipe, diaper, dress, and carry on with your day.
Less mess on hair, face, and tears — yours and baby’s.
4) Toasty Bath Hack (no more shivers)
Newborns lose heat fast. Keep them warm and calm in the bath:
Lay a small towel over baby’s torso and keep it warm and wet throughout the bath.
Pour warm water over the towel every minute to maintain temperature.
Keep the room warm, gather your supplies first, and have a dry towel ready for a quick wrap-up.
You’ll get fewer cries and a cozier cuddle after.
5) Gentle “Exposure Training” for Future Must-Dos
Make tomorrow’s tough tasks easier by normalizing the tools now — when no one’s stressed.
Syringe familiarity: Offer tiny tastes of expressed breast milk from a clean syringe early on (think drops), so later medication syringes feel familiar.
Nasal prep: Gently touch a nasal aspirator around the nostrils without suction so the shape/feel isn’t scary when you actually need it.
Head brush: Regularly brush baby’s scalp (soft brush) so cradle-cap care or shampooing isn’t a battle.
Face creams: Lightly rub a small amount of moisturizer on cheeks so future sunscreen (when age-appropriate per your provider) is less of a fight.
The idea isn’t forcing anything — it’s calm, brief, positive exposure so when baby must take meds, breathe through a stuffy nose, or tolerate face cream, it’s not brand new.
Quick FAQ
Will “side/stomach” make my baby want to sleep that way?
No. Use it only in arms for soothing. For sleep, always back to sleep on a firm, flat surface with no loose items.
How soon can I introduce a pacifier?
If breastfeeding, many families wait until latch and supply feel established. If bottle feeding or you’re comfortable sooner, you can start earlier — do what works for your plan.
