Valentine’s Day when you’ve got a newborn? It’s a whole new adventure. From romantic dinners and late-night getaways, this year, it’s all about celebrating love with a side of spit-up. But hey, who needs sleep when you have love (and caffeine) to keep you going? Said no mom ever. 

Here are some not-so-perfect ways to spend your Valentine’s Day and still feel like you’ve celebrated the season of love (until the next fussy crying):

• Cozy Movie Night (with Baby Cuddles!) Instead of the typical candle-lit dinner, how about a “movie night” while the baby is asleep—and you fall asleep during the opening credits too? Popcorn + baby snuggles make it way more lovey dovey than anything that involves high heels anyways.

• Create a Handprint/Footprint Keepsake. Who says you can’t get creative when you have 45 minutes of downtime between feedings? Or is that a stretch? Well, if it’s not too much, you can try dipping your newborn’s tiny hands or feet in non-toxic paint and make a cutesy keepsake. The best thing about art pieces is that it doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s all about the love. And the little mess—which, I promise you, is going to be worth it, many, many years from now.

• Heart-Shaped Everything! This is Dad’s time to shine! Because who wouldn’t want a heart-shaped pancake that’s half-burnt from their sleep-deprived cooking skills? Here’s a little cheat sheet, dad: impress mom with heart-shaped cookies, too (or just buy them and pretend you baked them). There’s nothing like a little “Pinterest fail” energy to make mom giggle.

• Take a Family "Love" Photo. Everyone’s favorite family tradition when there’s a newborn in the house: that awkward family photo where you’re trying to smile like you haven’t been up for 4 hours trying to calm a crying baby. The real magic happens when you capture a moment of pure exhaustion and bliss, because, let’s face it—this is love in real life. Bonus: don’t be shocked if you spot some mystery liquid (milk, pee—who knows?) making an unexpected cameo in your photos!

• Valentine’s Day Stroll Throw on your sweats (because let’s be real, you’re not getting dressed up today) and take a little family stroll around the block. It’s the perfect time to pretend like you’re getting fresh air while secretly trying to stay awake for another 2 hours. You’ll be amazed at how the world looks different when you haven’t slept in days. And honestly, everyone could use a little extra energy boost, new mom (and dad) or not.

• Share a Little "Mommy & Daddy Time" (Baby Nearby) Ah yes, the elusive “date night”… at home. After baby’s finally down for the (mid)night, light a candle, open a bottle of wine, and sit across from each other—if you can find the table under all the baby stuff. Don’t forget to keep one ear tuned to the baby monitor. Romance is about balance, right?

In the end, Valentine’s Day with a newborn may not be the perfectly curated day you dreamed of, but it’s probably the most real and raw one you’ll ever have. After all, true love means sharing everything—even the 3am feeding and diaper changes.

Quick reminder: Safety first—always keep your little one close during your mom and dad time, whether they're napping, playing, or just chilling in their crib!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM ANDY PANDY! ♡