You’re going to get so much stuff for baby. Even if you try not to, like I did. You’ll still end up with So. Much. Stuff. Below is a list of the 10 things I’ve used consistently throughout month one with our baby girl.
I’ve learned you don’t need much. Just a few products and a whole lot of patience.
1. Nipple butter and ice packs
This is number one on my list for a reason. Your nipples are going to be the MVP during the first few months with baby. And they take a beating! I’m convinced my nipples would have fallen off if I didn’t ritualistically slather them with nipple butter and use ice packs.
I had made my own little concoction of equal parts shea butter and coconut oil to use on my belly when I was pregnant to avoid stretch marks. I call it my “belly jelly”. And it worked! But now I use it for everything, including my nips. I’ll also just rub straight coconut oil on there. And this stuff has been my saving grace! I’ve been using it since my first breastfeeding session at the hospital. I make a ritual on cocunut oil, nipple butter and ice packs after her last feeding before I go to sleep.
2. Boppy pillow
Another product I’ve been using all day, everyday, since day one. I can’t sing it’s praises enough. I still haven’t gotten the hang of casually breastfeeding without the support of a pillow. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that my boobs are really big and heavy and she’s still so tiny. But without a pillow, it really hurts my back and she can’t seem to get comfortable. I got the organic cotton version with the waterproof liner underneath.
3. Rock and play
How mankind survived before this is beyond me. I had planned on having baby sleep in a pack and play in our room for the first few months. Well, on our first night home from the hospital, she wasn’t having it. I had the rock and play set up next to the pack and play just in case. It was like magic! She’s been sleeping in it ever since. I have plans to transition her out of it soon, but it has gifted me many more hours of sleep than I was expecting to get.
4. Nursing bra
I’m still on the hunt for the best nursing bra and tank, but I’ve been living in the ones I do have for the past month. Make sure to get one with easy clasps. And look for one with the most support possible!
Another great product is a hands-free pumping bra. This thing has been a game changer for me. I forgot what it was like to have two hands. At first I didn’t know what to do with myself.
5. Footie pj
ZIPPERS! If there’s one thing you take away from this post, make it this. Get footie pajamas for zippers, not snaps. You don’t want to be fumbling with snaps, trust me. My favorite pjs are these sleepers from Burt’s Bees.
6. Swaddle blankets
You can’t hve enough swaddle blankets. I know everyone says this, but it’s the truth. I get it now. I use these for everything! Funny enough, the only thing I don’t use them for is swaddling. I cover baby with them when it’s cold, clean spit up, lay her in the grass, cover up when I’m breastfeeding. They’re so versatile, so soft and so durable. And they come in the best designs! I use the Aden and Anais brand.
7. Pump and bottles
Check with your health insurance provider to see if you can get a pump for free. I was lucky enough to get one, but it didn’t arrive until a couple weeks after baby. It took a while to get any stored in the freezer, but I’m starting to get into a groove with it. I was pumping in the morning and afternoon, (but I’m dropping the afternoon pump because she seems like she’s not getting enough to eat at the end of the day). I feed her when she wakes up, she lays down on a play mat while I pump, and I fill a whole bag! I’ll share my tricks for boosting my supply in another post 🙂
8. Carrier
I LOVE MY CARRIER!! I had been eyeing the Wildbird sling carrier since before I was pregnant. They’re simple, gorgeous and high quality. And made in the states by stay at home moms in Utah! I kept checking on Poshmark until I found one, brand new, for half the price. Such a great deal! And baby loves it. I finally have my hands back. I wear it around the house, to eat, to clean, to work. And when we go out, she’s prefers it over there he stroller.
9. Monitor
We did so much research on which monitor to get. We wanted one that worked over WiFi on our phones but also had a monitor. We got one from Motorola and it’s been great. We can talk to her through the monitor, it plays music, the quality is clear. And it’s a necessity because eventually, at some point, you need to put the baby down.
10. Travel system
This one is a no-brainer. First of all, they don’t let you leave the hospital without a car seat. So it’s a must. I did a lot of research on this and I’m super happy with our choice. We have the Britax b-safe and b-agile. The car seat is a bit heavy. But it’s incredibly safe. The stroller opens and closes with the flick of a wrist.
What baby products did you sweat by during that first month home with baby?