Having a newborn is HARD! I mean, people tell you, but you do not fully grasp how hard it is to have a baby until you are so sleep deprived you can't even turn on Netflix, have ouchy (yes that's a word) nipples, and have yet to down to eat a real meal.These items, in one way or another, were life savers for me in those first few weeks as a first time mom. Some of them made baby's life easier, and some of them were strictly for my own sanity and happiness. In no particular order, these are the items I have deemed the most useful in those early months with your little.
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| Bubs and I rocking the Moby wrap |
When bubs was brand new, this was the only way I was able to get anything done around the house. I would tuck him in and he would fall right to sleep. Now he is seven months old and I still use it every time I am out and about so my hands are free. Not to mention, if we aren't at home, this is the only way he will take a decent nap.
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| www.target.com |
2. Boppy
If you are planning on breastfeeding, you need this item. Let me repeat that: This is necessity for breastfeeding with a newborn. I mean, you could just stack up some pillows, but those move and the baby sinks down in them, while the Boppy pillow stays exactly where it is supposed to making feeding time much easier on you, your baby, and your nipples. Someone suggested I bring this to the hospital, but I decided it was not necessary to have. I struggled so much with breast feeding in the hospital (and really, for weeks after that, more on that another day) that I went home with scabby nipples and was literally in tears every time Bubs was hungry. When I finally pulled out my Boppy that first feeding at home, it made breastfeeding so much easier for me. There are other brands that have the same idea, and any of them would work as long as they are firm.
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3. Ameda Breast Pump
I kept putting off getting my breast pump ready and sterilized before Bubs made his arrival. I figured I wouldn't need it until I started giving him a bottle before returning to work. Boy, was I wrong. I needed it the day my milk came in. That day I had a doctor's appointment for Bubs and I ended up taking a detour to my parent's house for a little while, and that is when my milk came in. And Bubs was too drowsy to eat. By the time I got home, I was so full of milk that I was in tears. I hadn't figured out how to self-express milk yet, so my hubby and I hurried and got the pump ready. I pumped 6 oz in about 5 minutes. Huge relief! The reason I chose this particular pump was first, because I needed a pump that was reliable as I knew I had to return to work. Secondly, I chose this over the Medela brand, because Medela's tubing is directly below where the milk flows making it impossible to keep milk out of the tubing and motor, which is unsanitary. The Ameda pumps have the tubing above the milk flow, making it so milk won't get in the tubes and motor. It was a no-brainer to me. Make sure to ask your insurance what type of breast pumps they will provide you, as they are required to cover a certain amount of your pump cost. I got this one for free.
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| Bubs in his SwaddleMe Swaddle |
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| Bubs in his Aden + Anais Swaddle |
4. Swaddles
Swaddling is more important than you can even imagine. It kept Bubs calm and cozy. During the day time, the Aden + Anais Swaddles were a must have for wrapping Bubs in to give him that extra bit of warmth and to keep him happy during his wake times. At night, he seemed to get out of these fairly easily, causing him to wake up frequently. About five nights in, we switched to the SwaddleMe wrap, something that I hadn't even registered for and thought about returning. Thank the Lord I didn't! The Velcro along the side flaps makes it impossible for your little to squirm out, so they stay tight and secure. Bubs went from sleeping a max of two hours at a time to sleeping a five hour stretch then three hour stretches the rest of the night starting the very first time I used it. It was amazing!
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5. Spray 'n' Wash
Spray 'n' Wash? How is Spray 'n' Wash a necessity for a newborn? I'll tell you: Babies poop a lot. And they spit up a lot. And this gets on their clothes and your clothes and their sheets and your sheets. Any pre-wash stain remover would probably work, I just prefer Spray 'n' Wash. Bubs would completely soil his white changing pad and I would use this, wash it, and it would be completely stain free. So helpful in those early days when there are times that you will go through a whopping six outfits and two bed sheets a day - and that's just the baby. Let's not even talk about how much poop and spit up got on Mommy and Daddy.
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6. Gripe Water
The first few weeks with Bubs were spent trying to figure out what I was consuming that was causing him to be so colicky (it ended up being chocolate, broccoli, and bell peppers). While I figured out what in my diet had to be changed, Gripe Water was great for helping settle his little tummy. It is all natural, using ingredients known for settling the stomach such as fennel, ginger, and chamomile. We would give him the recommended dosage and he would calm down and return to his happy self in no time. We kept one bottle at home and one bottle in his diaper bag so we always had it with us. Poor little guy needed at least one dose a day in the first two months. If you have a colicky baby, this is a great go-to.
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| www.target.com |
7. Skip Hop Diaper Bag
Really, any bag will work. I just loved my Skip Hop diaper bag. I felt like it was cute and stylish, without being so cutesy that my husband didn't feel awkward carrying it around if I needed him to. I also love all the pockets it has. I use the inside pockets for diapers, the zippered front pocket for extra clothes, the front pockets for any of my stuff, and the top zipper pocket - meant for a cell phone - for pacifiers. This bag was an essential for me, because you never know what item you will need when you are out and about with a newborn, and this bag holds it all.
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| www.target.com |
8. Triple Paste Diaper Rash Ointment
Newborns tend to get pretty bad diaper rashes in the first weeks as their little bums adjust to the air, and yes, to pooping. Bubs got a pretty bad one the first couple of weeks and when I asked my pediatrician, who happens to have five kiddos of his own, he recommended this. He said he swore on it, and he was right. This stuff is the best. Bubs' diaper rash was gone in 24 hours.
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Instead of a co-sleeper or bassinet, my husband and I opted to use a Pack 'n' Play with a newborn insert and changing table. Though a co-sleeper or bassinet would gave taken up less space in our tiny bedroom, we knew we would be using the Pack 'n' Play for more than just the first few months. We now use our Pack n Play whenever we go out of town, which between hunting trips with the hubby (while I sit in the cabin, of course) and some late summer weddings, has been a regular part of our weekends lately. Pictured is the most recent version of the one that I purchased.
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| www.target.com |
10. Fisher Price Swing
In the first few months, this swing was used daily. Bubs took all of his daytime naps in it, and from an early age he liked to look at the mobile and mirror right above him. There were many mornings that Bubs could stay entertained by his swing long enough for me to shower and get ready for the day without interruption.
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| www.target.com |
11. Nursing Cover
Last and definitely not least: every nursing mama needs a nursing cover. I would recommend getting one with as much fabric as possible, and one that has some framing around the top so you can peek in on your little guy easily to adjust his or her latch, or just to look at them because your baby is so freaking adorable ohmygosh! With the crazy amount of visitors I had the first few weeks, a good nursing cover was a must. The one I bought doesn't have as much fabric as I would like for the size of my wiggly baby, but it does the job. If I am blessed enough to have another child in the future, I will probably purchase a bigger one or make my own.
** All opinions are my own. I am not an expert. This is not an advertisement. All pictures that were not mine are from Target.com **
