How to Take Care of a Baby Alone

Are you scared to be home alone with your newborn during the day? Learn sanity-saving tips to take care of a baby alone.

I dreaded the day my husband was scheduled to return to work. I had no idea how I would manage on my own and felt incompetent about simple tasks like putting him to sleep and getting him fed. And what would I do if I couldn’t get him to stop crying?

But then I began to rely on several strategies that made the situation more doable. My confidence grew and I felt more capable of caring for him on my own. I learned how to put things in perspective and ease the burden and guilt I was placing on myself.

A few years later, I was in the same circumstances again, but this time with twins. As chaotic as managing two babies and a 3 year old was, I implemented the same strategies that helped with my first. These were the tips I used in those early months of taking care of a baby alone (or two!). Hopefully, you’ll find the article useful! As one parent said:

Prepare ahead of time

The last thing you need is to tend to things you could’ve planned ahead of time, especially when the baby is crying and needs your attention.

Instead, prepare ahead of time. Plan meals and snacks for yourself so you can grab something to eat when the time comes. For instance:

• Stock the diaper bag with necessities so you can leave the house quickly.
• Unfold the stroller and place it by the door.
• Get the diaper, wipes, pajamas, and towel ready to go for bath time.
• Have your nursing pillow and breastfeeding tracker on standby for the next feeding.

The more you plan, the more time you can spend focusing on the baby. As you keep doing this, you won’t plan too much as you become more comfortable and accustomed to your new situation. In the meantime, thinking ahead can save you a ton of time and headaches.

Expert tip

When planning what to eat, stick to food you can eat with one hand in case you need to carry the baby in the other.

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Make use of helpful baby items

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I couldn’t believe I had actually considered not having a swing. It quickly became my second set of arms, especially since my baby slept well in it. I also relied on the Moby wrap baby carrier, pacifiers, the stroller, and white noise to help him sleep.

I didn’t want to rely on too many sleep aids since I planned to wean him off of them at some point. But better to use them now for months’ worth of sanity in exchange for a few days’ worth of weaning.

After all, you’re taking care of a baby alone without anyone to pass him off to if you need a break. These items are there to help you as much as possible during this challenging period.

Plan daily outings

Make a list of simple errands or activities you’d like to do with your baby. This can help you feel like you have a goal or plan for the day instead of being home with no breaks in between.

You can take a stroll around the park or drive to the nearby farmers market. Head to the library or visit a friend. Start with easy and familiar outings until you get the hang of toting her around.

I added these “events” to my calendar, sticking to one activity per day so I’d have something different to do. Getting out also made me feel accomplished as I challenged myself with new activities.

Balance the needs of all your children

Taking care of a baby alone can still be challenging for the seasoned parent. Even if you’ve already done this before, you now have the task of juggling your older child’s needs with that of your baby.

Don’t worry—you can survive the first weeks with a newborn and toddler.

One tip is to offer new items and activities that will keep your older child quietly occupied should you need to be with the baby. Whether new trinkets you picked up or old toys she hasn’t seen, quiet activities give her something to do when you’re, say, putting the baby to sleep for a length of time.

You can also involve her with household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and helping with the baby. Combine what you already have to do with spending time with her as well. She can feel more involved and that her presence is valued and appreciated.

Spend time with her while the baby naps, whether it’s reading a book or coloring with crayons. This can be her special time when she has you all to herself. I would also put the twins to bed earlier than our eldest so that he had a predictable time to be with me without distractions.

And when you start feeling anxious, remind yourself you’ve done this before. You know from the first time around that the sleep deprivation won’t last and that you can get through this as well.

Let your expectations go

This is the season you’re in. As tempting as it is to wish for life to go back to normal, remember that this is the time for messy homes and endless to-do lists.

Sure, take out the trash and cook a meal when you have time, but realize you can’t do many of the activities you used to do before you had a baby. Give yourself a pass with a messy house (unless of course cleaning is your zen!).

This does take practice, especially if you’ve always found it hard to accept “good enough.” If so, focus on one thing that’s most important to you. Maybe that’s getting ready in the morning or making sure your kitchen is organized. For everything else, let it go.

Remember that this is hard

Change is difficult, from getting a new home, changing jobs, and yes, taking care of a baby alone. Anytime I go through major changes, I remind myself that the first few weeks can be the most difficult ones.

Think about the last time you moved homes. You had to get used to the new bedrooms and set up your utilities. How about when you started your last job? You had no idea how the company ran its processes yet you still had to keep up and learn on the go.

The same applies to caring for your baby by yourself. You’ll struggle with this new change, but in time you’ll find your groove and settle right in.

The bottom line

If there’s any job that’s a “learn on the go” type, parenting is it, especially when you’re alone with the baby for most of the day. But you’ll find your rhythm and daily routine, doing things you once thought impossible.

Sure, you’ll struggle with a crying baby while grocery shopping or wish you never have to deal with another nap again. But you’ll manage and, more importantly, feel proud about how you survived these first few weeks all on your own.

Get more tips:

• Baby Suddenly Hates Diaper Changes? Here’s What to Do
• How to Get Your Baby to Sleep Without Being Held
• 11 Ways to Cope with Newborn Sleep Deprivation
• Why Parenting Is Harder than a Typical Job
• Newborn Life: Expectation vs Reality

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