10 Things You Need (well probably need) as a New Mom

Whether you are newly pregnant or just popped out a human being into the world, this one is for you!

New moms are always asking me questions, “Like what is the number 1 thing you can’t live without?” This actually is a REALLY hard question to answer because unfortunately for us moms, babies don’t always like the same thing. What works for me, may not work for you! But I think I have compiled a list of 10 things to get you started:

1. Prescription nipple cream- If you plan, and you are able to breastfeed, you are going to want this! The first week is h-e-double hockey sticks on those nipples. Trust me.

2. 10 nursing pajamas dresses/tops- Literally for the first 3 to 4 weeks, you are a walking zombie whose sole purpose is to feed your newborn. Unfortunately, your partners nipples are useless, so it falls on us women to feed these screaming banshees (that we love and adore so much). You will LIVE in these things. It is pointless to wear a bra, so do your self a favor and buy you some target pjs for nursing mommas.

3. Tons of “crappy” cotton panties- Due to the beautiful thing we call labor, you will now be leaking uterus juices for the next 6 weeks. Do not wear your sexy panties during this time. Do people even own sexy panties anymore? The uglier and higher waisted, the better. Plus, you can use this as a deterrent for your husband.

4. Stouffers frozen meals- You just had a baby! Trust me, you will not have time, nor feel like cooking dinner. If you are lucky, you had meals show up at your door from family and friends, but that does end, and you still need to eat.

5. Hatch Rest- I own two of these things. One for each of the girls rooms! It is a night light/sound machine that my girls love! I love it too. When I click that machine on, the girls know that night night is about to happen, not to mention it drowns out noise from the house. You can create timers on it, adjust settings from your phone, etc.

6. Shusher- This one kind of is like the sound machine, BUT all it does is “shhhhhh” your baby. This is GREAT for newborns. You can only shush for so long before you run out of breath. These are great for nap times. I do not know what it is about nap time, but babies refuse to nap in their own crib.

7. Wipe warmer- This may sound bougie, BUT when it is 2 am in the morning, and you are changing your newborns diaper, you will want warm wipes. Think about it, how do you like it when you sit on a cold toilet?! Exactly. Splurge and get the wiper warmer.

8. Nose Frieda- This is a MUST. At some point in the near future, your baby will get a cold, ear infection, sinus infection, flu, or something that makes their cute little baby noses get stuffed up. If you want to sleep at all, you need the nose Frieda. Your baby cannot blow their nose, so you have to suck it out! NO, THE SNOT DOES NOT SHOOT INTO YOUR MOUTH; it doesn’t even get close. Those stupid little nose suckers they give you at the hospital are crap. Throw them away.

9. Swaddle me pods- These are perfect for the first 3 weeks of your baby’s life. Our girls lived in them for the first 3 weeks because they were so easy! They zip right up and snuggle those babies. They are definitely a must at the hospital because swaddling is ridiculously hard. Let’s be real. With the pods, your baby’s hands and arms won’t pop out to say hello!

10. Haaka- This is if you decide to breastfeed. It is this weird shaped suction cup that catches all the leakage from your breast that is not being drained by your little milk monster. There would be times where it would catch 3 ounces while the girls fed! Why didn’t I think of inventions like this?! Oh and it is totally painless.

I remember thinking as we were leaving the hospital with Oaklynn, “We are just supposed to go home and know exactly what to do with this tiny human?” I may not know what to do 80% of the time, but hopefully these 10 little blurbs of wisdom/experience will be as helpful as they were for me with my girls.