So, you've had baby's Coming Home Outfit packed in the hospital bag by the front door since 30 weeks, you have stacks of newborn diapers a mile high, and more onesies than you can count. Well, the bun isn't ready to come out of the oven just yet. Here are a few things you may not have though about. This is a list of things I have deemed must-haves to have ready before baby arrives. Since Baby Girl is 5 weeks I thought I'd make this list while I'm in the thick of it, here it goes...
You could call the Nose Frida a nasal aspirator, but it is so much more. Think your old fashioned bulb syringe on steroids (or better yet a whole foods organic diet). It's a nifty little device that sucks your beautiful little babe's snot and boogers right out. It may seem a little gross at first since the Nose Frida is mom powered, thats right you use your mouth to create the suction. But, really it is much cleaner and healthier than the bulb syringe, have you ever cut one of those things open? They are FULL of all kinds of old snot and MOLD! There is no way to properly clean and dry the inside of an old fashioned bulb syringe. Do yourself a favor and just pick up the Nose Frida, once you use it you will realize there is no way the boogies could ever reach your mouth. I like to use it with a few tiny drops of Little Noses Saline Drops (I ran out the other day and used breastmilk, squirted straight from the source and it worked just as well). This loosens and softens the mucus and after allowing it to sit for a few minutes allows those boogers to be sucked right out. Just be careful, this can be a little addicting, unless your babe is truly stuffed up and/or having a hard time feeding because of it just let them be. Over doing it can cause swelling of the nasal passages which just makes things worse.
Everyone has their own personal favorites but I love a wrap for the newborn stage and a soft structured carrier for once they get a bit older. My favorite wrap style carriers are the Moby and the Baby K'tan , I prefer the ease of the Baby K'tan. We use the Ergo Carrier for once the little one is about 3-5 months up, but I also hear great things about Tula Baby Carriers which have a huge following.
Lactation Consultant:
Be prepared, take a breastfeeding class (make sure your significant other attends) and when in doubt call your Lactation Consultant! They are life savers!
This one seems a little overkill, but hear me out. When Baby #1 was born I could not relax. I was constantly checking to make sure he was breathing. We co-sleep and even though I believe it's perfectly safe when done properly I know that some people warn against it. My "safety net" this time around has been this wonderful little device. It's a baby monitor that clips onto baby's diaper and monitors his/her subtle breathing movement. There is also a little green light that flickers with every noted breath, which is great at night. If the monitor hasn't felt any movement for 10 seconds it vibrates to (hopefully) remind baby to take a breath, if an additional 10 seconds passes with no movement it alarms. I am IN LOVE with this thing. It has given me amazing peace of mind knowing something watching out for baby when I'm asleep. Oh, and the monitor does not emit any EMFs, which is obviously very important with any electrical device being used near baby.
Diaper Cream:
My two faves are Burt's Bees Diaper Ointment and Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm. I use Earth Mama Angel Baby as a barrier with every diaper change, it's a great preventative and it's even cloth diaper safe. For times when a rash has set in, usually due to one of those sneaky stealth poops, Burt's Bees Diaper ointment is the way to go.
Loads of Burp Cloths:
I use Gerber Organic Cotton Cloth Diapers they are super absorbent (for spit-up not actually for pee)
Placenta Lady On Stand-By:
I highly recommend placenta encapsulation (aka placenta pills). I didn't have it done first time around and I struggled with postpartum anxiety. I was always on high alert, Mama Bear status. This time, it's been more of the sunshine, rainbows, and butterflies, Peaceful Earth Mama that I always imagined motherhood would be. I don't know if I can contribute all of the mellow vibes from placenta encapsulation, it's impossible to say, but I definitely think it has had something to do with it. The process of my placenta encapsulation was seamless, the "Placenta Lady" offered to pick it up from the hospital or my house, whichever was easiest for me. Since we only stayed in the hospital a few hours after delivery, it was easiest to bring it home with us. She stopped by the house quietly, my husband met her at the door for the placental hand off, and then dropped off the pills the very next day. Easy Peasy. I used Kelly at Beautiful One Birth Services here in San Diego County, she's awesome.
Placenta Lady On Stand-By:
I highly recommend placenta encapsulation (aka placenta pills). I didn't have it done first time around and I struggled with postpartum anxiety. I was always on high alert, Mama Bear status. This time, it's been more of the sunshine, rainbows, and butterflies, Peaceful Earth Mama that I always imagined motherhood would be. I don't know if I can contribute all of the mellow vibes from placenta encapsulation, it's impossible to say, but I definitely think it has had something to do with it. The process of my placenta encapsulation was seamless, the "Placenta Lady" offered to pick it up from the hospital or my house, whichever was easiest for me. Since we only stayed in the hospital a few hours after delivery, it was easiest to bring it home with us. She stopped by the house quietly, my husband met her at the door for the placental hand off, and then dropped off the pills the very next day. Easy Peasy. I used Kelly at Beautiful One Birth Services here in San Diego County, she's awesome.
Nipple Cream, Breast Pads, & Pump:
My Favorite nipple creams are Motherlove Nipple Cream and Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. I would also recommend picking up a set of the hydrogel nursing pads. Thanks to my best friend who happens to be a IBCLC for introducing these nipple savers to me! They are very helpful in the first few weeks when latch hasn't quite been perfected and your nipples need a little TLC. A breast pump definitely makes my list, nothing worse than being so engorged your newborn cant latch onto those rock hard melons, do yourself (and your baby) a favor and get one. Most health insurance plans now cover double electric breast pumps at 100%, just ask your OB/Midwife for a pump prescription at about 25 weeks pregnant so it will arrive before baby does.
This is my list, what's yours? I'd love to hear other mom's must have baby items. What about the things you wished you had? Don't forget the things thought you needed but never really used at all.
This is my list, what's yours? I'd love to hear other mom's must have baby items. What about the things you wished you had? Don't forget the things thought you needed but never really used at all.
