New moms and dads have a lot on their plates caring for a new baby. This often results in falling behind on those regular, everyday chores, like cooking and cleaning. Thankfully, some appliances can help ease the burden.
Instead of ordering take-out, eating unhealthy foods, or skipping meals altogether, and instead of choosing between forking out money for house cleaning help or having the house in disarray, there are a multitude of appliances that can simplify tasks so new parents can focus on their little one while keeping everything else in order, too.
Appliances that ease the burden in the kitchen
Even for parents who love to cook, there are only so many hours in a day which can make sticking to a meal routine tough. A few small kitchen appliances can help.
Air fryers
We all love to indulge now and then, but it’s no secret that fried foods aren’t exactly healthy. You can make healthier versions of fried foods using a convenient air fryer, which use little to no oil but provides crispy and non-greasy results. In addition to items like French fries, chicken fingers and wings you might keep stocked in the freezer for those nights when you only have a few minutes to scarf down a meal, you can also use an air fryer to cook fresh meats and vegetables, from an entire roast chicken to pork chops, broccoli florets, and green beans. They come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and cook in the fraction of time it might take in the oven or stovetop, with less clean-up, too. There are air fryers with other functions, too, including air fryer toaster ovens, air fryer microwaves, and air fryer grills so you can use one versatile small appliances for an entire meal.
Blender
Sometimes, there just isn’t any time to cook at all. You can grab a protein bar or something quick as a meal replacement or opt for a healthy smoothie. I love using a blender, particularly my personal blender when I don’t have time to cook or need a healthy in-between snack. Pop in fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, ice, and your liquid of choice, like water, juice, or milk (I love oat milk), blend, and drink. Personal blenders usually come with individual sized mixing cups and lids so you can take the drink with you on the go if it’s a quick breakfast on the way to work or something to chug down while feeding baby or holding them for a nap.
Multicooker
I can’t imagine living without my Instant Pot, and the same will probably go for any multicooker. Not only is it a great tool for quick meals, from slow cooked flank steak for tacos to pressure cooked roast whole chicken, it’s a great way to get side dishes done in a flash. I cook potatoes in a fraction of the time in the pot and don’t have to wait for water to boil. The biggest advantage for new parents, however, is that you don’t need to keep an eye on in through the cook. It’s truly a “set and forget” process. Corn on the cub, vegetables, rice, and other side dishes are a breeze. If you get caught up soothing a colicky baby or dealing with a diaper clean-up, the dish will keep warm once it’s done cooking until you’re ready to eat.
Cordless small appliances
New parents know that it’s tough to stay in one spot at the same time. If you want to get dinner going while keeping an eye on your baby in their swing in the living room, you can bring a cordless appliance, like a cordless immersion blender, with you to a room that’s closer to keep an eye on things while you mix up sauce or whip up a batch of homemade healthy breakfast muffins. There’s no more running back and forth to make sure baby is still secure, hasn’t stirred from their sleep, or to know why they’re crying. Even corded immersion blenders make blending everything from cooked vegetables for baby food to sauces and dips quick and simple with less clean-up.
Appliances for babies
Even if you decide to exclusively nurse, you may also be pumping breast milk for feeds when you’re away, or if your spouse or partner is taking the night shift every now and then. Plus, once baby reaches about four months, you might want to consider starting to introduce pureed fruits and vegetables. There are appliances that can help make this process easier.
Bottle warmers
Back in the day, I heated a pot of water on the stove, then placed my son’s bottle inside and waited until it warmed up. Nowadays, bottle warmers are more common than ever, allowing you to warm up a bottle quickly for feedings. You can also take them with you if you need to warm milk while out and about, like in the nursing room of a local shopping mall.
Steamers & baby food makers
Introducing solids is an adventure but with hard fruits and vegetables, you need to cook or steam them first, then puree. A steamer is great for making big batches of food at once, but did you know there are actually baby food makers that can both steam them puree? Steam broccoli and spinach, for example, or apples and carrots and make a delicious mix. Once pureed, use an ice cube tray or baby food tray to store individual 2-ounce servings in the fridge and freezer so you can grab and go as needed.
Sterilizers
Again, I opted for the pot of boiling water method to sterilize by son’s baby bottles, nipples, pacifiers, and other items. But it’s easy to plop things in then get distracted and forget. A baby bottle sterilizer is not only a great way to keep bottles clean and sterilized, it’s also a nice storage area so you don’t have a mess of baby items in the dish drainer or all over the kitchen. And you won’t have to worry about frantically washing and sterilizing a bottle in a rush when baby wakes up for that unexpected 2 a.m. feed. In many cases, like with the Baby Brezza One-Step Advanced Baby Bottle Sterilizer & Dryer I reviewed in late 2021, once the bottle is washed, it’s a simple one-touch operation to sterilize, dry, and go.
Cleaning appliances
Who has time to keep the home in spic & span condition with a new baby around? While we still haven’t gotten to the Jetsons age with robots that can fold and put away laundry for us, there are some helpful robots that can make things easier.
Robot vacuums
Robot vacuums can’t replace vacuuming entirely, but for regular maintenance, a robot vacuum can be a lifesaver. Set one to run when it’s most convenient, like when you’re out, and it will clean the main areas, even scooting under furniture and around corners, sensing when there are stairs so it doesn’t go toppling down. You can shave a lot of time off your regular cleaning schedule with a robot vacuum, and one that runs quietly can even be set to run while your baby is deep in slumber, down for their nap.
Wet/dry vacuums
Wet/dry vacuums are available in robot form as well, but there are also cordless wet/dry vacuums like the Tineco iFloor 3 that we reviewed in 2021 that not only save space by eliminating the need for both a vacuum and a mop, but make cleaning simple and effortless. Go from cleaning up a milk or formula spill to cleaning baby cereal in one shot, using the same appliance. There are no buckets of water to fill nor the need to lug (and store) two appliances. Wet/dry vacuums are perfect for new parents who can expect plenty of spills in their lives for years to come.
Grab an appliance for a new mom or dad
Any of these appliances is perfect for helping a new mom or dad get through those early months when schedules are out of sync and they are still trying to get into the groove of things. The great part is that many of these appliances will come in handy for years to come. Chances are, new moms and dads will find they’re using these appliances far more than they ever imagined.
See a wide selection of appliances that can make life easier for new moms and dads at Best Buy Online.
