As nice as it would be to spend every minute snuggling on the couch with your new babe, the reality is that at some point you are going to need to eat. Thankfully, snuggles and food prep don’t have to be mutually exclusive! With a few safety precautions, you can whip up your favorite dishes (or perhaps the ones that take the least amount of time) with baby cozied up against your chest.
Consider this your recipe for babywearing success as you cook up dishes as delicious as baby’s rolls.
- First and foremost, delegate when you can! When people ask how they can help a newly postpartum mom, we always list cooking or bringing food as a great option. If you’re not newly postpartum, consider other ways that you can delegate tasks such as asking your partner to help with dishes or allowing older siblings to help with mixing or chopping.
If it’s just you and baby in the kitchen…
- Tasks such as chopping, washing, assembling salads, creating a show-stopping cheeseboard, or baking cookies are all ideal options while babywearing.
- Keep baby's arms inside the wrap and their little legs and feet covered (if they're 3 months or under) to keep them from grabbing or kicking items as you work.
- Avoid wearing baby near a warm stovetop or open flame. Your slow cooker, pressure cooker, air fryer, blender, and stand mixer are all baby-friendly.
- If you need to pick up something off the floor, unload the dishwasher, or grab your favorite serving dish from the bottom cupboard, squat instead of bending at the waist, and place a hand on baby for support.
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This one is obvious since it applies anytime you're wearing baby, but always follow manufacturer guidelines—including proper positioning + TICKS. (Not sure you're doing it right? Send a pic to advice@sollybaby.com for a quick fit check!)
- Don’t stress over those inevitable kitchen messes. Your Solly Wrap can be machine-washed on a cold, delicate cycle and tumbled dry on low. If you suspect any stains, make sure to treat them before you dry—the dryer will set the stain, so it's less likely to come out. (We swear by this stuff!)
- Want to simply cook with abandon? Ask a friend or family member to snuggle baby while you whip something up, or keep them close by in your favorite bouncer or swing.
Need help deciding what to cook? Whether you're looking for healthy snacks to sustain you while you nurse, easy family meals for busy weeknights, or nourishing smoothies, we've got tried-and-true recipes (from real moms in our community!) for every occasion.
