Welcoming New Beginnings: Essentials for Newborns and Postpartum

Bringing a newborn into the world is a magical experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges and adjustments, especially for new parents. As a parent myself who is still very much in this world, I’ve navigated the beautiful chaos of these early days and know firsthand the importance of having the essential tools and support for both my newborn and my postpartum recovery. You can read my birth story HERE which includes thoughts about my early days.

In this blog post, I’m going to share with you a curated list of my favorite items that have been absolute lifesavers during these early newborn days and the challenging postpartum period. From soothing comforts for your little one to self-care essentials for you, these items have made a world of difference in easing our transition into parenthood and caring for both my baby and myself.

Whether you’re a soon-to-be parent, a new parent, or welcoming another bundle of joy into your family, I hope these recommendations bring you the same sense of comfort and support they’ve brought me on my journey through newborn and postpartum life. Let’s check it out!

Postpartum Recovery & Breastfeeding Essentials:

Navigating the postpartum period is a transformative journey that is filled with many highs and lows. Recovering from a natural birth with a third-degree tear was no fun as well as adapting to breastfeeding. Below are soothing aids for postpartum discomfort and practical essentials for successful breastfeeding journeys.

• When recovering from a natural birth, witch hazel pads lined on my pads & adult diapers for life-changing!
• When I needed a bit more relief, I would add a reusable ice pack & some Dermoplast Spray!
• Silver Nipple Shields helped my nipples recover after a rough few days of learning to breastfeed, They’ve also helped keep my nipples in great shape!
• I use my Haakkaa Ladybug to catch my letdown on the other breast while feeding!
• I use the Haakkaa Manual pump to help with my last letdown when my daughter gets overwhelmed. I pump for a moment to catch the majority of the letdown that is overwhelming.
• Nursing Pads are great to keep in your bra when not feeding if you have a lot of leakage, like I do!
• So I have the Spectra S2 electric pump but I really wanted a cordless one so I can do things while pumping! My friend gifted me her older model of the MomCozy S12 pump, and it’s been a game-changer!
• Many health insurance plans now cover breast pumps & bags so before you buy one, check with your insurance! I used Acelleron to order mine and they contacted my provider and insurance company for me!

Newborn Essentials:

Welcoming our newborn into the family was an adventure but one worthwhile! As new parents, we begin a journey of discovery and navigating the world of newborns! Below are some essentials we’ve used in the last month and a half!

• We use the Halo Bassinet which is great how it swivels. However, we have a small apartment and have under-the-bed storage so we couldn’t put the legs under the bed it just takes up so much space and makes it challenging to get in and out of bed. But it is a great bassinet, and these sheets we got are so soft and cute!
• The Boba Baby Wrap Carrier is great for having some hands-free time when your baby wants to be on you! Or when going on walks or adventures!
• Over the last few years, I’ve been making strides to use more eco-friendly products and rid my life of as much plastic as possible. I love that Philips Avent makes glass bottles that also fit on my Spectra pump! And the Philips Avent bottle warmer heats bottles in minutes!
• Along those same lines, if you want a more natural, organic Vitamin D drop for your baby, I highly recommend Zarbee’s Vitamin D Drops. For diaper rashes, I’ve loved the Honest Company Diaper Cream and use these cream applicators so I don’t get the cream all over me!
• While we’re talking about diapers, if you, like me, want the best bang for your buck but don’t want to break the bank, I made this spreadsheet comparing costs! And although expensive, Honest Diapers and Wipes are my favorites…

The Thule Chariot – The Essential Stroller

Okay so, you may have noticed, I didn’t put a stroller on the list and thats because I honestly believe the Thule Chariot Cross is the perfect stroller for everything and it deserves it’s own blog post but I will give some details here! This stroller does come at a high price point and I was lucky enough to have a bunch of people chip in to buy it for us as a baby shower gift! But it is smooth over bumps, great for “off roading” dirty roads. It’s a stroller that can do everything! There are a ton of attachments including a ski set, running attachment, & even a bike attachment! If you have a child under 1 years old, you will need the infant sling attachment and if your using this for walking the cup holder organizer is a huge bonus! Just note that some stroller packages come with accessories, so be sure to read the description before ordering!