New babies are used to being close to their mother. For the first nine months of their existence, they were swaddled beneath mommy's heart in a safe, warm environment. Every time mommy talked they heard her voice, every time she moved they were rocked to sleep. There was no lights, no harsh noises, just the gentle swaying of her body and the soothing sounds of her voice.

And then the baby is born. Suddenly he's thrust into a room with bright lights glaring down on him, unfamiliar voices and people poking and prodding - all he really wants is to be next to mom. This desire lasts for a very long time. Mom is a safe haven, somewhere he can go when he's frightened or tired.

Of course, for mom this attachment can get frustrating because it's very difficult to do anything - cleaning, cooking, shopping - when you have a baby attached to your hip. Thankfully, there are solutions to this problem.

The first solution is to invest in a bouncer. There are a couple different styles, but the best kind is the one that baby can lie on his back in. Usually there are toys going across the top to keep him occupied. These are great for mom because they are lightweight and not too big. They can be moved anywhere in the house so baby can come with mom wherever. He simply rests in them while Mom does what she needs to do.

Another great solution is to get some sort of snuggli or newborn sling. If you're going to go the snuggli route, buy the nicest one you can find. You want one that will support baby's back and neck while at the same time being comfortable for you to wear strapped to your body. Snuggli's can sometimes be confusing to get on, so keep that in mind when shopping for one.

Newborn slings are another great option for keeping baby close. These slings simply wrap around your body and you slide baby in them. He stays cradled close to your heart, and you have the complete use of your hands. Also, since they are made of material they are very comfortable. And they don't affect your balance too much because baby is kept so close to your body.

Of course, if you have to put baby down once in a while, he will be fine. It's actually a good idea to let him play on his own, as long as he knows you're still there for him. Just make sure he has a safe environment to play in and he'll be fine without you holding him.

For those occasions when you simply can't stand having him away from you, invest in a newborn sling or bouncer. You'll both be glad you did.

Kat Hafen has written many baby and parent themed articles and blog posts. Newborns are a special interest area and Kat has become a fantastic resource for newborn topics including newborn slings. Visit HugaMonkey for a $25 newborn sling.

Tags: family, pregnancy, family planning, newborn sling, newborn slings