'Everything that made my first few months with a fussy newborn easier.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Lucas' Papaw

It was around one in the morning when I first googled "is my newborn fussy?".

She'd been screaming non-stop for an hour. And although she was fed, had a clean nappy and everything seemed fine, something was making her uncomfortable. 

Was it the formula she had a few hours ago? Had I eaten something that passed through to her via my breast milk and caused wind? Was it colic? Teething? Or did she just need to poo?

When you have a newborn, you'll find yourself asking your partner, friends, mum or the internet the same questions a million times a day. And when your little one is, well, a little particular, everything can feel like an uphill battle. 

My daughter was often unsettled, and we couldn't always pinpoint why during the newborn phase — so we dealt with a lot of fussiness. Here are the four things that made that very trying time a lot easier...

Versatile products that are an arm's reach away.

For the first three months of her life, my daughter only slept while being held. Anytime I'd put her down, she'd wake up and scream (yay!), so putting her down just wasn't an option. This meant I needed to have a small amount of versatile products close by at all times so that if I did get nap trapped, I wasn't stuck.

You want things like a water bottle, your phone, a good lip balm, nappies and some wipes nearby. Thankfully, there are some trusted products on the market that can do more than one thing and can be used on both you and your baby.

Lucas' Papaw Ointment is a multi-purpose product that helps relieve dry lips, nappy rash, chafing, cuts and scratches, mild sunburn, heat rash, skin cracking and insect bites. As an added bonus, it's proudly Australian-owned and made by a family business.

This iconic red-tube ointment, invented 115 years ago, combines antibacterial and antiseptic properties with Carica Papaya as its active ingredient, helping to soothe and heal.

A damn good baby carrier.

What I didn't realise until month four was that if I held my daughter in a baby carrier she would sleep, still be on me and I could also do things, or if I was feeling a little crazy, even venture outside the house for a walk.

Investing in a decent baby carrier is essential when you've got a newborn who knows what they want and will cry until they get it. 

Not only will it give you your freedom back (hello hand usage!), it's also a great alternative to have with you if you're venturing out in public and don't want to use the pram.

Just note that in warmer months, they can feel quite heavy, and if you're prone to sweating and chafing like I am, you might want a barrier cream for your skin — one option being Lucas' Papaw Ointment. It's suitable for everyone, whether it's your baby, your grandparents or anyone in between.

A good support system.

I was lucky to have a few friends who had babies around the same time as me, so we were all in the trenches together. And my goodness, I don't think I've ever texted so many people about baby poo colours in my life.

But when you've got a (fussy) newborn, you need people who are in the thick of it with you to make you feel less alone. 

You also need people, like family or friends, who will stock your freezer with delicious meals. When you're keeping a newborn alive, there's no time to cook. You're busy getting to know this little human, so don't hesitate to ask for help with food. 

Knowing how to help your baby burp (and fart). 

Something I didn't realise about newborns before I had one is, well, they're not very good at getting rid of their wind. And some babies get super windy, which can lead to irritability and fussiness.

It wasn't until a friend shared some tips on how to help my baby pass wind that I realised just how much newborns need help with even the simplest things.

So, if your little one is a bit out of sorts, consider looking up some trusted techniques for relieving wind — because chances are, they'll save you and your baby a lot of discomfort and provide some much-needed relief.

Shop Lucas' Papaw Ointment in its iconic red tube or jars at your local supermarket, pharmacy or convenience store.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Invented by Dr. T.P. Lucas, Lucas' Papaw Ointment has been loved by Australian families for 115 years. Crafted using golden-ripe North Queensland papaws, our papaw ointment can be used to soothe nappy rash, chapped lips, dry cracked skin, bites and stings, sunburn, chaffe, minor wounds and so much more. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of Lucas' Papaw Ointment make it the perfect all purpose balm for your purse, nappy bag or medicine cabinet. Proudly Australian Made and Owned, based in Acacia Ridge, Queensland. TGA listed. Loved and trusted by millions.