Whether you are a single mom, or a mom with a mate who is never home raising a newborn alone can be challenging. When my husband took a job that kept him away from home for two to three weeks at a time I found myself with a toddler, a newborn and only one me. I also found three products that I never would have survived without. Here they are, three must haves for single moms or any mom caring for a baby all by her lonesome.
A Baby Monitor:
My single mom’s monitor of choice, the 900 MHz Everywhere Baby Monitor by The First Years. The parent unit is not only built extra tough to avoid breaking when it’s dropped (or even thrown by a toddler) but also water resistant.
Why a baby monitor is perfect for a mom caring for a baby alone?
A baby monitor allows mom to go outside take the trash out, put the baby in another room and spend time alone or with friends and even shower without thinking she hears baby cry every five minutes.
Where can you get it?
I found mine on eBay for around 40 dollars shipping included. This particular baby monitor does not appear to be sold in any major stores that I could locate. Even if you can’t find this baby monitor, a baby monitor is an extra set of ears for a single mom.
An Infant Swing:
My single mom’s baby swing of choice, Graco’s Soothing Swing. At first, I had an older model that ran off batteries, which cost me 4 D batteries a week, but the newer updated version with an AC adapter is amazing. This side-to-side rocking swing mimics the motion many moms end up making to soothe their baby by rocking in the first place.
Why a baby swing is perfect for a mom caring for a baby alone?
All the newborns I’ve ever watch at least loved swings, even more so the side to side rocking ones. It enables mom to rock baby but have her hands free to cook dinner, fold laundry, or even just read a book.
Where can you get it?
Graco swings in varying designs are sold at all major department stores. They are a bit expensive at just over $170 a piece, but if you plan on having more than one child, will last through them all. The soothing swing line can be found online at:
http://www.gracobaby.com/Catalog/Pages/landingPage.aspx?catid=10:10436||1
An Electric Breast Pump:
Finally, my single mom’s electric breast pump of choice, the Medela Freestyle electric breast pump. This two-cup pump is efficient, fast, and easy. I chose it after some trial and error with different types of breast pumps, which you can read more about by clicking the phrase in this sentence.
Why an electric breast pump is perfect for a mom caring for a baby alone?
A breast pump allows mom to get a break. She can pump a bottle still feed her baby breast milk and have someone else care for the baby for awhile, actually get a baby sitter. It also allows mom to enjoy some cocktails without worrying the baby will become hungry too soon. Lastly, it offers an alternative to breast-feeding in public, which can cause just a little more stress a single mom just doesn’t need.
Where can you get it?
You can find a retailer near you on Medela’s website. Here is the link for the model electric breast pump mentioned here:
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breast-pumps/463/freestyle-breastpump
If you refer to the top link bar you will see, “Where to Buy/Rent (BNN)”, this link will allow you to search by zip code or city. Depending on the model you purchase these can be expensive around $300, this is why some locations, usually hospitals also rent them to mothers.
Using these three items may not have helped me clone myself, which is all that would make raising a child, or two in my case easier, but they did relieve some of the stress and pressure and allow me to breathe just a little easier.
