Babies are little bundles of joy, but they can also be quite a handful if you’re parenting alone. Our post I Was a Single Mother article explains that single parents don’t always get a break since your whole life revolves around your children. While a good friend or family member can pop in to watch the kids for you for a few hours every now and then, it’s mostly you who’ll be looking after them.
Though parenting alone can be hard, there are still silver linings. For example, you can spend more time with your children and make sure that all the parenting decisions are in their best interest. Additionally, there is a lot of equipment available that can help make single parenting easier. Below are some of them:
Nappy Bag
To be frank, you can use any bag as a nappy bag, so long as it can hold baby essentials like nappies, milk bottles, and toys. Of course, you don't want to hold more than one bag during your outings, so make sure it's spacious enough to hold your own essentials as well, such as your phone and wallet.
However, actual nappy bags have the added perk of being water-resistant, wipe-clean, and containing a thermo-insulated section to keep baby bottles warm. Models like the BabaBing's Roma 2 will even have a baby-changing mat. A stylish and all-purpose nappy bag makes going out with your baby easier and sometimes even empowering.
Carrier
Having a baby carrier is a lot more practical than you think. After all, there are times when your baby will likely not want to be put down even when you're tired. This is because being close to their mummy makes them feel safe and secure, meaning they will cry less. The National Health Service also states that staying close to your baby, especially to the point where your skin touches, promotes emotional development and bonding as well.
A carrier also frees both your hands so your baby can stay close to you whether you’re doing household chores or going to the grocery. If you have two little ones, there are twin baby carriers like the TwinGo Original that let you carry one child in front and the other at the back.
Pushchair
Of course, it's tiring to carry your children all day, even with a carrier equipped. As a single mom, extended outings call for a pushchair. If you have more than one baby or toddler, opt for a double pushchair, particularly a durable one, which allows you to transport two toddlers at the same time.
Even if you only have one child, many double pushchairs today are designed for mothers expecting another. The tandem pushchairs on iCandy can be both a single and a double stroller. This means you only need to buy one pushchair rather than switch out once your second child arrives.
Rocker
A baby rocker is a chair on a slanted base that rocks gently. This rocking motion can help soothe your baby. It may not seem like the most necessary piece of baby equipment for most parents — but for a single parent who also needs to do household chores, a rocker gives you a place to strap your child in while you do your tasks.
A good rocker will be comfortable and offer good head, neck, and back support. Some models also have additional features, such as hanging toys and music. But keep in mind that babies should never sleep in a rocker since it’s not safe for them to sleep at an angle.
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