Here it is! I feel like I’ve been talking about/promising this post for a while but such is the life with a newborn – nothing happens on my schedule.
Now that we are about four weeks in to life with little Lucy, I wanted to share the things we used most so far and would consider essential for making the transition from hospital to home as seamless as possible. It’s true that babies don’t need a lot but most of these things have now proven tried and true with both of our babies, plus a few that now we recently discovered and can’t live without.
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For Mom
Motherlove Nipple Cream – A friend gifted this to me this pregnancy and it changed my life. It’s seriously THE BEST for breastfeeding! You will want to bath in this stuff the first week or so.
Always Underwear – As my nurse in the hospital said “Oh all you girls are wearing these fancy things these days!” GUYS, DO NOT WEAR THAT SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE PAD AND MESH UNDERWEAR COMBO. These are a game changer. I wore them for about two weeks until my bleeding really slowed down so make sure to stock up. To the moms who have already had babies and are skeptical: Yes, they really work and you really can wear them from the start. Just throw your ice pack in there instead!
Stool Softener – I promise you will need it. Start taking it ASAP.
Pain Reliever – You will 100% need this too. Typically, your doctor is going to recommend ibuprofen but they will tell you for sure in the hospital. Keeping on top of your pain relief (I set alarms those first few days so I wouldn’t fall behind) will help with residual pain in your lower regions but also the pain that comes with the first few days of breastfeeding.
Tucks Pads – I’ve had to have stitches with both of my babes and so these have been very helpful.
Bras – I’m loving these nursing bras I got from Amazon! I sized up two sizes (usually a medium and got the XL) and they have worked great.
Tanks – These nursing tanks are great too because they have a built in bra that works really well. If I’m wearing a shirt out and about that needs a tank I typically just wear the tank and have never had an issue.
Lounge Pants – Because you are going to be doing a lot of sitting and these are the most comfortable pants ever!
Contigo Water Bottle – The amount of water you will A) Want to drink and B) NEED to drink while breastfeeding is absolutely insane. INSANE. Go ahead and get the big, portable water bottle! This thing goes literally every where with me. I also love these for when I’m at home.
Haakkaa – Another really trendy item that I don’t know how I lived without the first time. Can I confess something? I loathe pumping. LOATHE. You mamas who pump while at work or whatever are literal saints to me and I mean that. But this silicone pump does almost the same thing without all the wires, noise, or a gazillion parts to clean. While my supply was building the lactation people wanted me to pump after each time I fed my preemie babe and they said these work just as well! I still use it once a day, usually in the morning after Lucy wakes up and eats, and my stock of milk is insane already. Can not recommend this enough!
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For Baby
Honest Soothing Bottom Wash – I discovered this during my first pregnancy and next time it’s coming to the hospital with us! It’s a game changer for those very first baby poos that are basically tar and impossible to clean up.
Boppy Lounger – I love this for somewhere extra to set a baby on while you are cooking, dressing your toddler, switching the laundry, whatever!
Owlet Monitor – Yes, it’s a hefty price tag and yes I 100% think it’s worth the money. If this isn’t on I will wake up 15 extra times to make sure the baby is breathing.
Zip Up Sleepers – Because who wants to mess with buttons in the middle of the night while your baby is screaming for milk. Not this girl.
Chicco Lullago Deluxe – A safe, flat space for baby to sleep in our room that doesn’t take up as much space as a pack ‘n play.
Muslin Swaddles – I keep my babies swaddled pretty much 24/7 the first few weeks. It not only keeps them more content but I feel like it keeps germs off them as well as they are being passed around. I’m not saying that’s scientifically proven or anything but it makes me feel better.
Newborn Swaddles – I’ve loved how easy these swaddles are to put on! I will say, they don’t add a ton of warmth so I make sure to put her in fleece pajamas the nights we used this.
Do you have any tried and true postpartum essentials? Make sure to leave them in the comments!
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