Hi again. This is 13 months after I posted for the first time here. I really couldn’t find any help anywhere and had to figure it out on my own and I am happy to say I did. My daughter is a 17 months extremely curious toddler and it’s been working as great as it could.
Here are my thoughts and tips:
• The younger the baby, the harder it is, so if you have a long MAT leave, my reco is NOT to split it unless you have someone who can really take over. I split it thinking my husband will help more while on his summer vacation (he’s a teacher) but it wasn’t that helpful and I ended up being so stressed when I could have delayed it till baby was a bit bigger
• If you can afford taking some extra time that’s unpaid then do so. I couldn’t with my first baby and didn’t really think about it or that it is necessary but I’ve been saving as much as I can in hopes that with my future second baby, I can but myself a few more unpaid months with the baby. I know it might not be an option to all.
• invest in some gadgets but please look for 2nd hand. You don’t really need new things except for maybe a car seat and a crib/mattress. You can find things as good as new on Facebook market.
Gadgets I recommend:
- A carrier but not just any carrier. I recommend a carrier with a front facing option and lumber support. When baby is younger they just want to be close to you and when they’re a bit older, they’re more curious and start wiggling out of the carrier, unless they’re facing forward because then they can watch the world too. The one I use is the ergobaby one and I found one that was only used twice for less than $50. Washed it and it’s as good as new.
- if you are on meetings a lot, invest in a headphone that cancels the noise not for you, but for whoever you’re talking to. There are a few options for that one. I use the Poly - Voyager. Those headphones always have issues so check yours as soon as you get it and make sure it’s working before the return window closes. I did that and replaced it because they’re not cheap. There are different levels of it and I got the medium one for a $150. I had it for a year now and it’s worth its weight in gold. Baby can be crying next to me and they won’t hear her. It also has its own built-in mute feature so your teams mic can appear as on while you’re still muted.
- an electric bouncer as opposed to one you rock with your foot. Don’t get the swing but the smaller bouncer like the mamaroo. I got it off Facebook market for maybe $50 and used it until baby outgrew it then donated it. It’s great and you can keep it next to your desk so you can keep your eye on the baby per the recommendations
- once baby starts sitting up properly, a high chair next to your desk with entertaining things on it are great. I literally would give my baby safe kitchen things such as plastic containers or spatulas because she just anything but toys lol. Until now I place her next to me and give her some large crayons or safe toys for her to play with
- once baby starts crawling, you’ll get some freedom if you create a spacious but gated and baby proofed area for your baby that’s under your eye. This was just amazing for me because I had my desk in the living room where the area is and baby crawled all around me. I did install a camera that covers everything with a monitor because even though I am in the same room, if I am in a camera on meeting, I can’t keep looking around but the monitor became my eyes. I still use it now with my walking baby. My office room now is next to the living room and I leave the door open. The office and the living room are baby proofed so she can play freely between the 2 but the monitor is a must
- last thing I can think of that’s great help is a standing desk. When you’re carrying your baby you can keep working normally because both hands are free.
Let me know if that helps and if there’s anything specific you want to ask and I’ll answer based on my experience.
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