I have four kiddos…and I want to walk you through my cooking conundrum…
Luke loves lasagne. Bethany and Samuel hate it.
Samuel, Luke and Anna love spaghetti bolognese, Bethany hates it.
Bethany, Luke and Anna love chilli. Samuel will only eat the nachos.
They will all cheer for cottage pie.
But Luke won’t eat steak.
Kids it’s all using the same meat.
Argh. Confused, yeah me too.
Anyway, the juggle of trying to find meals that are quick/easy/on budget and everyone will eat is a daily pain in the bum. Add into the mix when I had a newborn and this mama has nearly lost it a few times!
Using a sling has been my go to, to get anything done when the baby of the family (whichever one it was at the time) inevitably needed mummy cuddles while I needed to cook because everyone else needed to eat!
Here are my top babywearing tips for making it work while food prepping safely …
1. Realising that the slow cooker is my friend
Chop up a few bits during the morning when everyone is a bit more chilled out chuck it all in. 5 min job, totally doable with a baby in any sling. You’ll be amazed at the things you can cook in there. (A whole chicken and all veg – amazing!)
2. Choose the right sling
As with any time you’re babywearing, a sling should be comfy for you to use. And more so when you’re trying to juggle all the things while comforting your baby. You don’t want to feel sore. Something that allows a nice tucked seated position, easy for you to tighten and adjust (get to your sling library session to find one that works for you!)
3. Avoid frying/open flames
For safety reasons – especially if it’s on a gas hob. No accidents please! And no spitting oil on you or baby or your nice sling! Frying things isn’t good for us anyway right?!
4. Tuck away all straps
Those funny little elastic loops on your buckle carrier – they are for this! Tucking away all the long straps, especially handy when you’re cooking. (no dangly bits in the soup!) Same if you’re using a wrap, finish tying it at the back so the tails are away from food prep areas.
5. Back carrying
This is such a worthwhile skill to have. When baby is about 6 months old, (or younger if you’re an experienced wrapper) back carrying is the way to go. Baby is then still with you and has a great view of things but you have an easier view of what you’re cooking/chopping/mixing. (Come along to a workshop to learn how!)
6. Batch cooking is a little gift to yourself.
Chuck twice the amount in the slow cooker and you’ll thank yourself you did. Homemade freezer dinners for the win. And so much easier when juggling cooking, fielding a million questions from the preschooler and cuddling the newborn!
7. Slow down – change up the menu
Especially in the early, fourth trimester days, when baby really needs you most of the day (normal btw!) Give yourself a break. If you’re a culinary goddess, tone it down. Go for simple meals with fewer ingredients = less cooking time = more time cuddling and chilling on the sofa! Reruns of Great British Bake Off anyone?
8. Protect your back
Take it easy on your back. A well fitting sling shouldn’t cause back ache, but check in with your posture when you’re preparing food while babywearing.
9. Be aware of knives and little hands and feet
Another safety point, especially relevant the older your little one gets. They can kick things over and can try and help, aka grab things they shouldn’t…watch out for little fingers and toes.
10. Order from Logan’s plate
Ya know, babywearing and managing the motherhood juggle can make us feel like superwoman. But you don’t have to always do it all! Not when we’ve got the amazing Logan’s plate right here. Delicious, organic and well balanced meals delivered to your door, perfect for babies toddlers and big kids…! Sign me up.
Need sling support? Chiara can help, she runs Naturally Happy Families, sling meets and sling dance classes.