I’ll be honest — when my baby was born, I thought I was prepared. I had the onesies folded, the stroller assembled, and a color-coded feeding schedule pinned to the fridge. But within days, I realized no amount of planning could truly prepare me for the whirlwind of the newborn stage — especially as a single mom.
It wasn’t just the sleepless nights or the crying (although there was a lot of both). It was the overwhelming feeling of doing it all — the late-night feedings, the endless diaper changes, and the constant worry that I wasn’t doing enough. If you’re in the thick of it right now, I see you. You’re not alone.
Here are the tips, hacks, and survival tricks that helped me make it through those first few months — and might just help you too.
1. Sleep Smarter, Not Harder
Let’s be real — “sleep when the baby sleeps” sounds cute, but when you’re the only one on duty, it’s not always that simple. Dishes pile up, laundry seems never-ending, and sometimes you just want five minutes to scroll your phone in peace.
What helped me was creating a nighttime survival system:
Prep a bedside station with diapers, wipes, bottles, and burp cloths so you’re not running around at 3 AM.
Accept the mess — the dishes can wait. Your rest is more important.
Embrace contact naps — sometimes the only way my baby would sleep was on me. I stopped fighting it and used those moments to rest too.
Helpful gadgets:
Hatch Rest Sound Machine and Night Light — for soothing white noise and a soft glow during late-night changes.
Portable White Noise Machine — perfect for on-the-go naps.
2. Feeding Without Losing Your Mind
Feeding a newborn — whether it’s nursing, pumping, or formula — feels like a full-time job. And when you’re doing it solo, it can be exhausting.
I created a “feeding basket” filled with snacks for me, water bottles, nipple cream, burp cloths, and a phone charger. It followed me from room to room so I wasn’t scrambling to find what I needed.
Pro tip: If you’re bottle-feeding, pre-measure formula into little containers for the night. The last thing you want is to be fumbling with a scoop while your baby screams at 2 AM.
Helpful gadgets:
Baby Brezza Formula Dispenser — like a Keurig for bottles, making nighttime feedings a breeze.
Hands-Free Breast Pump — pump while multitasking.
Boon Drying Rack — keeps bottles and pump parts organized.
3. Master the Art of One-Handed Everything
Babies have a magical ability to sense when you’ve set them down — and they will protest. I quickly became a pro at doing everything one-handed: making coffee, brushing my teeth, and even answering emails.
What saved me:
Baby carriers or wraps — absolute lifesavers for getting things done.
Magnetic onesies — forget buttons, zippers are the only way.
Diaper caddies in every room — because who wants to run to the nursery every time?
Helpful gadgets:
Boba Baby Wrap Carrier — hands-free snuggles while you tackle your to-do list.
Diaper Caddy Organizer — keeps all the essentials within arm’s reach.
4. When the Crying Won’t Stop
There were nights when the crying felt endless — and I cried right along with my baby. The thing that helped the most? Having a plan.
A few tricks that worked for me:
The 5 S’s: Swaddle, Side/stomach position (while holding them), Shush, Swing, and Suck (like a pacifier).
The colic hold: Lay baby face down along your forearm with their head by your elbow — gentle rocking worked wonders.
Fresh air: Sometimes stepping outside for a minute was enough to calm both of us down.
Helpful gadgets:
Baby Shusher — mimics a human shush to calm fussy babies.
Bluetooth Baby Swing — recreates natural motions to soothe your little one.
5. Give Yourself Grace
The hardest part about being a single parent in the newborn stage wasn’t the lack of sleep — it was the pressure I put on myself. I felt like I had to prove I could do it all. But the truth is, you don’t have to do everything perfectly.
Your baby doesn’t care if the laundry is piled up or if you’re wearing the same shirt for the third day in a row. They just need you — your warmth, your voice, your love.
So, to the mama rocking her baby in the middle of the night — I see you. To the parent who cried in the car after a long day — I’ve been there. The newborn stage is tough, but you are tougher.
At Little Kidz Preschool, we know parenting isn’t easy — and you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re a first-time parent or juggling life as a single mom, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love and some I found helpful during my own journey.
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