"Mom hacks may be a way of life. But first-time mom hacks, can be a life-saver. As a seasoned mom, I’d have to say they’re needed even more, especially transitioning from one to two kids. There are so many motherhood books out there, but I’m always on the lookout for mom-hack essentials. Every time I come across one, it’s a quick save to my browser or in a folder on TikTok or Instagram. I know one day, the hack will come in handy.
The videos or advice that really catch my attention are the ones that get me thinking, ‘I wish I knew this as a first-time mom.’ One such viral video comes from Olga Maks (@lets.do.it.all). Maks’ profile is full of helpful hacks like first-time mom hacks, camping tips, craft ideas, and even saving on a budget. Maks recently posted a viral video that has garnered over 23.2 million views, over 1.8 million likes, and almost 1.8K comments. It has been saved by over 282K people and forwarded over 116K times. It definitely had me wishing I knew her tips years ago. These tips are so simple and save-worthy that multiple TikTok users made comments like @cherryxdenise, who said, “saving for when I become a mom 🥰.”
The Viral Tips for First-Time Moms
Note: When it comes to parental hacks, you should also use your intuition, complete your own research, and fact-check when deciding if a hack is suitable or appropriate for your own child.
When You Need to Go Kid’s Shoe Shopping
In the first few years of your child’s life, you may find yourself constantly having to go up shoe sizes with how fast they grow. But the real issue—is whether they’re truly one size across the board or if they vary depending on the shoe brand. My son may be a size 11 in the Carter’s brand and a size 10 in another. It’s usually a struggle if he’s not with me. Either I pick one size and hope for the best or buy both sizes to do one of the things I disdain the most—making returns at the store.
But Maks’ hack saves you from doing what I do. Thank goodness. Simply take a piece of string, measure it up against your child’s foot, and cut it to their exact foot length. TikTok user @j_s_f37 commented, “The string was sooooo smart.” I completely agree. Make sure to take into account if your child needs any extra room or if their feet are different sizes. Another TikTok user, @hmmmmmmmmmmmr, suggested another option that her own mom used growing up. Trace your child’s foot on paper, so you have the exact width and length of their foot.
When They Won’t Take Their Medicine
Getting your child to willingly take liquid medicine can be a difficult situation. Maks came up with a “genius” idea according to TikTok user “@paulasanagustin23.” If your child is an applesauce, fruit and veggie, or ‘any type’ of kid pouch connoisseur like my kid is—cut the bottom half of an empty pouch, take the top off, and insert the syringe with the liquid medicine. Push the medicine through the opening, and hopefully, they won’t notice the difference when you give it to them.
What Experts Say
This may be best to try this when you’ve exhausted all your options. Child Life Specialist Emily Glarum advises, “Hiding medicine in food can make kids feel tricked and add some mistrust or even some aversions around different foods.” If it’s the only option parents have left, “It’s OK as long as [parents] practice full disclosure.” Even Maks adds, “You need to be creative with these kids nowadays! 😂”
When They Need Quick Entertainment in the Car
I usually have a backpack filled with different activities to do in the car for long road trips. But sometimes, the bag either goes missing or I’ve accidentally taken it out and left it at home. With easy access to a phone, I know I’ve turned on an episode of Bluey in situations like this. A few moments of screen time have saved us a time or two. Whether it’s needing to get through the last leg of a trip or just needing ‘something’ to take our minds off of ‘Are we there yet?’
Whether you’re a screen time parent or not, Maks has a budget-friendly option to hold your phone during a screen time car ride. Maks recommends hanging a gallon-ziplock bag from the back of a driver’s or passenger’s seat and sealing your phone inside for it to act as a phone holder.
What Experts Say
Although convenient, it might not be the best option. Michelle Pratt, founder of Safe in the Seat and Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Expert, notes that parents should be mindful and cautious of items or projectiles that may go flying in situations like a car accident.
When You Want to Wean Them Off the Pacifier
I know one day my child will need to be weaned off his pacifier. A pacifier is a first-time mom hack in itself with its benefits—it soothes a fussing baby and may lower your baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Like most stages, though, the pacifier stage eventually comes to an end. But what do you do when your LO is having a hard time parting with one? Maks’ tip consists of filling a pacifier with lemon juice in hopes that the sour flavor will cause an aversion to the pacifier. Make sure your LO doesn’t already like lemon like @nikki_itsjustme’s son. She commented, “Lemon would have not worked on my son. We are greek and he’s been eating lemons since he was 2 😂.”
When You Want to Soothe Their Teething Gums
If you’ve found your baby gnawing on toys, drooling, fussy, or even developing a low-grade fever—you might just have a teething baby. If the teething products you already have in stock aren’t quite cutting it, Maks’ solution is to place a mashed banana into the nipple of a baby bottle. Freeze it and give it to your baby to gnaw on for pain relief. TikTok user @AmySeriously222 commented, “The frozen banana bottle “teether” is SO SMART.” I’ll have to try this option when my baby starts teething, but make sure your LO isn’t allergic or has already started the process of trying solid foods.
So, did you already know of these first-time mom hacks, or were you in the same boat as me, thinking you wish you knew them sooner? The great thing about this list is that you don’t just have to be a mom. A number of dads found these helpful, like @decilos, who chimed in and said, “Am I mom? No. I’m a dad, and definitely watched this all the way through.” Whether you’re a mom, dad, or any type of caretaker, you may find yourself using these exact first-time mom hacks in the future.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern
As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.