Being a new mom can be a scary and uncertain time for most. Luckily I was able to rely on my sister’s expertise and a few close friends to guide me through the first few weeks. I thought I was prepared, and I really thought I had it all together and everything that I needed, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The first night we got home from the hospital Charlie got a gassy tummy and cried for hours… We contemplated taking him to the ER thinking something was wrong, turns out a little gripe water did the trick. As someone who was never around little babies, I really had no idea. So if I could do it all over again, here are the things I would have readily available in my home prior to delivery.
New Baby Must Haves
Zip or velcro swaddles: Babies break out of those swaddles pretty easily, and then the loose blanket becomes a danger. I used these for Charles, and they made my life so much easier.
Several Boxes of Diapers and Wipes: You don’t want to have to go to the store for anything. I prefer pampers wipes over the rest because they are thicker and don’t tear easily. Saving a little on wipes is not worth getting poop on your hands.
A Diaper Caddy: For all of the essentials. This one is awesome. We take it everywhere and it holds everything we need. Medicine, diapers, cream, wipes, lotion, brush, thermometer. I keep all of the essentials in it.
Diaper rash cream: I like aquaphor the best.
A Swing: or something similar. Mamaroo was Charlie’s favorite but we also had this one, and he liked that one too.
A video monitor: They say nap when baby naps. I was terrified to not have my eye on him at all times, and I really couldn’t sleep during the day no matter how tired I was anyway. So the monitor that I got for my shower was a sanity saver. I could turn it on, get housework done, or go sit on the back patio and drink my coffee without worrying about him. It was great for when Michael was watching him for me to go to the gym too. I could log in to it from my phone to see if he was napping or not.
Rocking Chair: This is not an absolute must, but I would definitely recommend. Anytime Charlie gets fussy and tries to fight his sleep, a good rocking puts him right to sleep.
Baby Bath: We have this one and still use it every night at 8m.
Sound Machine: White noise helps block out any other noise going on around the house. There was construction going on next door when we brought Charlie home so this was a necessity. It helps me to sleep better too. So win win. We have this one.
Nose Freida: This! Babies can’t blow their nose and the little bulbs from the hospital don’t work that great. It’s gross but trust me, it works.
Freida Windy: Same… babies are gassy and sometimes they cannot pass it themselves. Gas drops and gripe water are helpful too, but always consult with your doctor prior to using any of these.
A Nail File: Cutting those tiny nails is both dangerous and terrifying. Any cheap file will do.
Merlin Magic Sleep Suit: When the baby is ready to transition out of the swaddle (around 3 months), this is the next step. This is honestly the best sleep we got with Charles. I don’t think he has slept consistently since he outgrew his sleep suit. It really is magic y’all!
Formula Dispensers: I didn’t discover these until he was about 5 months old. It would’ve saved me a ton of time at night mixing bottles though. They are great for travel too. I throw them in my purse when we head out on the weekends.
Owlet: A friend let me borrow her owlet smart sock when Charles was about three weeks old. I’ve slept better ever since just knowing that he is monitored. She is actually about to have another baby, and I have to give it back. So I just ordered one this week, because I can’t live without it. They are HSA/FSA approved. So thats a plus.
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