*Affiliate links
1. Hot Milk Women’s Show-Off Nursing and Maternity Bra
2. Motherhood Lansinoh Lanolin Cream For Breastfeeding Mothers
3. Women’s Nursing Comfort Sleep Bra
4. Boppy Slipcovered Pillow – Peaceful Jungle
5. Halo SleepSack Base Layer sleep Gown Newborn
6. Lansinoh® Nursing Pads (36 Count)
7. Medela® Harmony Manual Breast Pump
8. Fisher Price Baby Bouncer – Luminosity
9. Halo SleepSack Two-Piece Gift Set Cotton
11. Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play Newborn Sleeper
12. Toy Story Trilogy 10-Disc Box Set
13. T.N. Dickinson’s Hazelets Witch Hazel Pads
Since this will be my third time around with a newborn, and second time around wrangling a newborn with a toddler, I feel like I have a handle on how it will be. Granted, I have never had to care for a newborn, toddler, AND a four year old, while trying to recover with a butt ton of stitches and overall agony, so maybe I am kidding myself. I figured I would mention some things that came in handy and pretty much made those initial weeks and months work out for our family. Or at least these items made me fall apart into a pile of tear less often.
Breastfeeding: Get the bras and pads that work for you. Seriously. I tried cheaping out the first time around and it sucked. Also, while I love the idea of cloth nursing pads, I found them awful in practice. I tried about 10 brands. I use the cloth ones at home when I don’t care much about function and them sliding around, but when I got out I like the disposable ones that stick. They absorb way more. Some people stop leaking after a couple months and don’t deal with overactive letdown. I am not one of those people. You will want a sleep bra. Those nursing pads need somewhere to go. And while a fancy breast pump sounds better in theory, I had way better luck with a manual. I was able to pump faster with a manual and get a better fit with the horns.
sleep gowns for baby are just easier. I don’t like to fiddle with full outfits in the first few weeks. With 15 or more cloth diaper changes a day, who wants to be working little pants on and off for each one? Sleep sacks and swaddles are a no brainer for our family. however, your mileage may very. Some babies love to be swaddled and some don’t.
The bouncer and the Rock N’ Play: some people don’t use these things. Some even frown upon them. I love them. My other kids loved the bouncer seat. Some nights it was the only way they would sleep. The rocker is great for naps. I like that it is small enough to drag to any room in the house and keeps baby further from the floor. This is the North, floors are cold.
DVDS! With a two year old and four year old, I need to rely on the TV for a while when this baby is born. I see nothing wrong with a temporary increase in screen time. My older child’s speech improves when I let him watch more. I guess my introverted self is not enough stimulation. Either way, the kids need to be entertained while I am stuck on the couch healing and nursing.
Witch Hazel. Some of you already know. Yeah, ouch. Buy the pads and put them in your postpartum pads. Your stitches will thank you. Even if you don’t have stitches (you lucky duck!) they help with general swelling and burning.
So that is my survival kit. I already have everything but my witch hazel ready. Your survival kit may be quite different. In reality, if we want to be honest, the survival kit should include a house cleaner and unlimited takeout from your favorite restaurant.
