5 things every new mom should have

The Wise Baby
The Wise Baby - The Definitive Baby Blog

As mama’s to be we spend so much time registering for baby gear, buying things for the baby and outfitting the perfect nursery often times forgetting that there may be a couple things we need, too. Our editor, Mallory is approaching the final weeks before baby #2 arrives and it got me thinking above and beyond the traditional hospital bag items, what should every new mom have waiting for them at home (or in the hospital)? Here’s my slightly random but I promise helpful top five:

1. A good water bottle. Breastfeeding or not, you need to stay hydrated. You’ll be keeping slightly crazy hours and recovering from child birth so staying hydrated is a must. Not to mention if you are breastfeeding you’ll be SO thirsty and the additional water will help your milk supply greatly. Personally, I love the Tervis Water Bottle because they keep my water cold forever but another reader favorite is this one from Camelbak.

2. Oatmeal. I know this is totally random but sometime before your due date buy some Steel Cut Oatmeal (my favorite). When you get from the hospital, make a big batch in a crock pot or on the stove and eat it for breakfast or any meal of your choosing. It will do wonders for your milk supply and is a quick and easy meal to reheat while holding a newborn. I love to add delicious fixin’s like honey, maple syrup, brown sugar and/or dried/fresh fruits. Even if you aren’t breastfeeding this is a great, healthy breakfast option.

3. Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter. I know, this one isn’t so random but it saved me with baby #2. Bring this to the hospital, have a a couple extra around the house and reapply after every feeding. In fact, start putting it on a couple weeks before giving birth – I swear this changed my breastfeeding experience for the GREAT the second time around. Here’s our editor’s picks for breastfeeding essentials for even more helpful tips.

4. Comfy clothes & undies. And lots of them. When my girls were newborns, my days seemed to run together. Honestly, I would have to think, “wait, did I wear this shirt yesterday? and the day before?” I strongly suggest heading to Target or shopping the Gillian & O’Malley line online. These nightgowns, pj pants, bras and tops are the BEST. So comfy, wash well and the nightgowns even look like a dresses now and again. The nursing bras are simple but super comfortable. I brought the nightgowns in my hospital bag and had lots of pants and tops waiting for me at home. I order a size up just for extra comfort. I know people love lulu lemon yoga pants but I never wanted anything to tight or constricting on my stomach or lady parts in those first few ~~weeks~~ months. Speaking of lady parts, get some boy short like undies (again, a size up) in black or dark colors. You’ll thank me, I promise!

5. Things for the lady parts. You should definitely take all you can from the hospital but it doesn’t hurt to have a back up of Tucks Witch Hazel Pads, Overnight Pads and Dermoplast Spray waiting for you at home (the hospital should send you home with a Perineal Bottle). In the early days I used overnight pads during the day which kept me pretty comfortable. I know this isn’t really a sexy topic but when I had Eloise I really had no idea what to expect or what I needed on this front. They did a great job at the hospital telling me everything I needed to know, I just wish I knew before I went to the hospital.