As beautiful as they are, we all know that babies come with quite a bit of baggage. Chances are you’re carrying around a little extra luggage. Stop, take a deep breath, and look in the mirror.  Those bags under your eyes aren’t designer, they’re disaster. Fortunately, they’re also fixable. Aside from getting more sleep, just what solutions to sagging can a new mommy use? 

Let’s start with a quick look in the kitchen.  We’ve all heard of putting cucumber slices on our eyes, but that’s just a cliché, right? Wrong. Cucumbers not only soothe the eye, but fatty acids, potassium, and cucurbitin found in the veggie work to reduce puffiness, tighten skin, and fade redness and dark circles. No cucumbers in the house? Use potato slices instead. They contain some of the same chemical properties and work quite well. Chill before applying for a little extra help with inflammation. 

Out of produce entirely? Put a washcloth in the freezer for a few minutes and then place over your eyes. You might not get the added benefit of fatty acids or potassium, but the cold compress should ease some of the puff. Can’t wait for the cloth to cool?  Put an ice cube inside instead and apply directly under the eye. Be sure not to rub or irritate the skin though, as this will defeat the purpose entirely. While you’re there, drop a few cubes in a glass of water and drink up. Not getting enough H2O will exacerbate any under eye or skin issue, so be sure you’re getting your eight to 10 glasses per day.

Need something a little stronger?  Make yourself a couple cups of tea and be sure to opt for one that's high octane. Part of what causes those unsightly bags is fluid retention just under the surface of the skin and caffeine acts as a mild topical diuretic helping to wick it away. Teas also contain tannins which help tone and tighten the skin and contain antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals, one of the causes behind crow’s feet  Again, cool the bags before placing on your eyes for added soothing, then lean back, relax, and sip your double-caff for the next ten minutes. The baby has to sleep sometime.

When all else fails, a good concealer can help cover some of the discoloration.  Be sure to choose a color that matches the undertone of your skin; for example, yellow, pink, olive, mocha or terracotta.  Trying to cover up with a color that is too light, too dark, or that is just off entirely will only draw attention to your little Louis Vuittons.

In the end, there are plenty products available for purchase that promise to work magic under your eyes, some of which actually do. But, as often the case with new moms, there isn’t always enough time for a trip to the cosmetics counter. Many of those products contain concentrated versions of home remedies anyway --so when you’re in a pinch, why not work with what you’ve got?

You’ll save time, money, and your tired eyes.

Tia O'Neill is a former glamour diva, turned new mom. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and newborn son, Justice.