Having a baby in the house is a special time of life, but working or studying with a baby can be a big challenge! Any mom knows that infants need lots of time and attention. It can feel hard to work and take care of your baby at the same time. However, it’s possible to WFH with a baby. You just have to be flexible and creative. Check out these tips to help you study with your baby so you can get things done.
Work While The Baby Sleeps
Naptime can be a great time to get things done. Once your baby gets into a solid nap routine, you have some time to work on other things. Give yourself a break from chores! Your family won’t fall apart if you study or work instead of doing the dishes. Having a newborn is hard. You deserve to spend some of your time on yourself. Try spending one nap time working or studying.
(You deserve some rest, too. We suggest joining baby for a snooze the next time they go down!)
Let Them Explore A New Toy
Babies are discovering the entire world. When you give them a new experience, they can spend hours exploring it. Try giving your baby a new sensory toy when you need to get something done. Sensory toys stimulate the senses–and they fascinate babies. One of the following activities will keep your baby busy and help their brain development.
- A crinkly book or stuffed animal
- A safe baby mirror (with no glass or sharp edges)
- Musical instruments
- Mobiles that hang above their crib or from a car seat handle
- A tablespoon of water to splash in their high chair
- Unflavored oatmeal, banana, baby cereal, yogurt, or other soft foods to explore once they’re eating solids
Tummy Time And Play Mats
Tummy time means putting your baby on their stomach for around 30 minutes of playtime a day. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends tummy time because it helps build neck, back, and shoulder muscles. Your baby needs to strengthen these muscles before they can hold up their own head, eat solid food, start crawling, and reach other milestones.
Not all babies like tummy time at first, but it’s an important part of their development. (Just think about working out as an adult: it’s good for you, but that doesn’t mean everyone likes it.)
You can make tummy time more enjoyable with play mats. These mats are made of soft material like fabric or safe memory foam, so they’re comfortable for your baby. Play mats are also covered in fun activities! Your baby can discover mirrors, textures, sounds, characters, and lots more on a play mat. Sit with your baby during tummy time and keep an eye on them. You can get some work done while they’re busy exploring.
Studying With A Baby? You Need A Bouncer!
Bouncer seats are one of the best pieces of baby gear invented. These springy seats are like hammocks for your baby. Bouncer seats have wire supports that can sway and move. Your baby can bounce themselves by kicking their feet! You can also press on the seat to rock it along. Some models come with soothing vibrations to help your baby relax, toy bars and play with, and more. Put your baby in their bouncer and keep them nearby while you study. They’ll probably be happy to hang out and bounce while you work.
Activity Seats and Activity Centers For Babies
Go one step beyond a bouncer with an activity seat or center. These seats have a fun mix of toys built right in. Common toys include mirrors, spinning balls, buttons, squeakers, and more. Look for seats you can mount on a chair (like a high chair), or centers to play with on the floor.
Baby Swings
Baby swings are another option similar to bouncers and activity seats. Swings are hanging seats that gently rock your baby to and fro. Most modern swings use batteries so they’ll automatically keep baby in motion. The steady swinging motion is calming for lots of babies. You might find your little one will fall asleep in the swing. This makes studying with a baby even easier!
Baby Wearing Can Help If You’re Studying With A Baby
Baby wearing has lots of benefits for both parents and children. Close contact helps form positive bonds between infants and their caregivers. Being worn is comforting for children, especially young babies who are used to snug conditions inside the womb. And it’s easy to notice what your baby needs when they’re tied to your body.
Baby wearing is an especially good solution if your baby always wants to be held. Some little ones need the extra comfort of being close to their caregivers. Slings, wraps, and other baby carriers are a hands-free way to give your baby that connection.
Try wearing your baby to work standing up. It’s easy to sway from side to side or jiggle your little one to help them settle down. Give your baby a favorite toy to play with or simply let them watch you. The grown-up world is fascinating to little ones, so they might be entertained just by watching you work.
How To WFH With A Baby On Your Lap
Sometimes, the best way to get anything done is to keep your baby with you. Try reading, watching videos, or working on assignments with your baby in your lap. This might sound distracting, but lots of moms find it easier than trying to work while keeping one ear on the baby monitor.
The trick to working with a baby on your lap is to give them something to do. Give them a favorite toy to keep them busy while you study. If your little one likes dropping things on the floor, try toys with suction cups that attach to your desk. Baby-safe mirrors are also a guaranteed way to keep infants busy. Babies love looking at their own reflections so they’ll stay occupied for a while.
You can also try feeding your baby while you work to keep them busy. Grab a pillow to make it easier to nurse or give them a bottle. This trick might mean feeding them with one hand and working with the other, but you can do it. Once your baby is eating solids, you can also offer them food while you work. Just make sure to keep the mess away from your computer, books, and papers!
Reach Out For Help
New motherhood is an intense time for any mom. You’re trying to adjust to wild hormones, body changes, no sleep, and other challenges. Plus, you have a tiny newborn to care for. This is a tough period for anyone to go through. It can be even harder if you’re also working on your career.
Reach out to your family, friends, and network for help. The people who love you should be happy to help you survive this busy time of life. If friends and family offer to help, take them up on it. Let people bring you meals, entertain your older children, run errands, and keep the baby while you study. You’ll be able to do more when you work together.
We also know that not every new mom can fall back on a safety net. Look for help in other places instead. Your hospital or birthing center can connect you with amazing resources for new moms. Many religious groups have programs to help families. You can also reach out to your school for assistance. Lots of schools offer daycare subsidies or extra financial aid for parents. These programs set babies up with a good foundation in life, so they’re designed exactly for your situation.
Check Out Other Tips For Studying With A Baby
Working and studying with a baby can be a challenge. Your new baby needs lots of time and attention as they grow. It’s possible to keep working on your own goals, even with a new baby in the house. Studying with a baby can lead to a new career that will help your family for decades. Explore our other mom hacks for tips on working with a baby, managing your family, and taking care of yourself—all while building an amazing new future.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022, June 21). Back to sleep, tummy to play. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Back-to-Sleep-Tummy-to-Play.aspx
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, March 18). What is sensory play? The benefits for your child and sensory play ideas. HealthEssentials. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-sensory-play-ideas/
Dodwell, E. R. (2021, April 2). Babywearing is healthy, if done the right way. HSS. https://www.hss.edu/article_babywearing.asp
