Homesteading and raising a newborn require extra effort, dedication, and patience to survive and move forward, becoming even more challenging.
The first mystery that comes to thought is how one can accomplish both simultaneously. It requires extra effort but is not impossible as long as you implement the right mindset.
You’ll need to make sure you have plenty of clean water, cool air during the summer, and heat during the winter, along with medical care and much more.
While all of this is undoubtedly achievable while living on a homestead, it’s going to bring a few challenges with it.
We have prepared several components to contemplate to help make this life-changing experience just a little bit easier for you to support you along this process.
How To Homestead With a Newborn
1: Divide and conquer
The first tip is to divide and conquer. Homesteading with a newborn is going to be a full-time job.
Learning and understanding your baby’s needs, along with the responsibility of running the homestead, will be time and energy-consuming.
Frequent diaper changing and feeding the baby throughout the night while also taking care of your livestock and garden in the morning is a lot to handle for anyone.
This is where the “divide and conquer” approach comes in handy. You can always divide the task among each of the family members.
If the mom is taking care of the baby, the father could tend to the livestock and if you have anyone else with you, assign them to make breakfast.
The point here is to assign different roles to each person, which will give you more time for the baby.
2: Wear your baby
Another trick to handle both at the same time is to wear your baby. Newborn babies can and should never be left alone.
They must always be under someone’s supervision. However, homesteading requires you to stay active and do chores most of the day.
Because of this, do some activities that do not require you to bend over and do any heavy lifting; this way, you can easily wear the baby around your body.
For instance: if you are keeping an eye on livestock while carrying the baby, you’ll also be taking care of the newborn at the same time.
3: Teamwork
It’s always teamwork, whether homesteading or raising a baby.
Moreover, if the mother is watching the baby and taking care of the house, it can get messy.
Because of this, working as a team is necessary. For instance: If the mother is responsible for the baby’s bottling, the father should keep him clean.
If the husband is feeding the animals, then the wife should take care of the cleanliness.
We all necessitate someone to depend on, and having a supportive partner encourages you to face complex challenges with confidence.
4: Time blocking
Here comes a convenient trick, “time blocking.” Time blocking is a trendy buzzword among mothers.
It refers to making a timetable for all daily activities, just focusing on one task at that time of the day. This will also stop you from multitasking to the point of not even finishing a single task.
You can stick a list on your fridge or on a wall where it’s visible at all times.
By making sure you follow the list verbatim, every task will fall into place, helping you get things done on time and become even more productive.
5: Invest in the right tools
Buying the right tools is the most priceless investment on any homestead. It will take time to figure out which tools or equipment works best for you.
Many homesteaders have a baby carrier, stroller, and swing that helps them out tremendously. The baby can rest in the baby carrier when you are busy working on most tasks.
However, if you need to do work while leaning forward or using a power tool, simply put the baby in a stroller.
Similarly, while watering plants, your baby can take a stroll with you. However, the swing is only appropriate for infants who can hold their necks.
6: Having medical supplies
Every homesteader knows the importance of keeping a medical kit on the premises.
This is even more important with a newborn, so you must have a kit with everything a baby could ever need.
I highly suggest visiting a doctor first and asking for a list of medicines and tools you should have at home to take care of the newborn baby.
For instance, you must keep a thermometer to check the fever. Moreover, a steamer and a suction bulb may prove helpful in case of nasal congestions.
These supplies will undoubtedly save you many traveling and doctor’s visits and keep your child safe. Here is an excellent supplies checklist to check out.
7: Embrace the chaos
On top of all, embrace the chaos. It’s not going to be easygoing, but it is going to be worth it.
As every experience brings new learning opportunities, I suggest taking it as a challenge and not lose confidence.
While these tips may be helpful, they may not apply to every situation you’re going to face.
Because of this, be prepared and keep in mind that you may not always be prepared in every aspect. There is no perfect guide and solution to homesteading with a newborn.
Just keep in mind that you are going to be alright, and that time will teach you.
Frequently asked questions
Should we have a helper?
It’s an excellent idea to have a helper around for a few months. As new parents, you may find yourself struggling at times.
Some mothers need more time than others to recover from their minds and body changes during the pregnancy. You can also request grandparents to stay at your home for a while.
No one can take care of babies more than their grandparents. If you do not have the money to hire a helper, consider looking for volunteers or even offering the garden’s fruits as a trade.
What temperature should be maintained inside the house for a newborn baby?
For newborn babies, it’s usually recommended to keep the temperature according to standard room temperature.
The AHD defines room temperature as the temperature between (68–72 °F).
The most crucial point is not to let your baby become overheated. Make sure you have adequate cooling measures in place for those hot summer days.
What are the dangers for a baby on a homestead?
Out of all the years I grew up in a homestead as a child, the most common dangers I ran into were snakes, spiders, and chemicals.
While I was taught the dangers these things could provoke, not all children have. Because of this, make sure the property is cut well, and spiders are searched for and dealt with.
The obvious ones are to keep power tools locked up, power outlets plugged with safety plugs, and any other protective mechanisms you can think of.
Verdict
Having a newborn on a homestead comes with its own set of challenges, but this experience is worth it in the end.
Along with the struggle, you will also learn not to be so hard on yourself and let it go sometimes. So, take a deep breath and follow the tips mentioned above and improve when needed.
This is similar to how it worked in the city, but without the luxury of a nearly snake-free environment without the dangers of critters and other threats commonly found on homesteads.
If you take the proper steps, your child will grow up and naturally learn the dangers of a homestead. Don’t overthink it, though.
Homesteads are certainly not out to harm your baby; just like with any residence, you must take precautions.
