Postpartum & Newborn Essentials

Since Maggie was born, I've been jotting down notes in my phone on all the things I've been loving & using the most. And now that I'm 7 weeks postpartum, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of the essentials I truly needed and loved during this period, along with some must-haves for our newborn so far! To all the new or expecting mamas, I hope you find this helpful!

I included links to everything throughout this post, but if it's easier, you can also shop everything all in one place here!

My biggest piece of advice going into my first postpartum experience from other mamas was to REST. I had every intention of doing the '5-5-5 Rule' postpartum (5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, & 5 day around the bed) to give myself a chance to recover after labor. But ultimately, I didn't end up spending my days in bed because I just felt SO GOOD! After dealing with 24/7 heartburn in my 3rd trimester, and just a general sense of uncomfortableness and lack of sleep, I physically felt SO much better once the baby was here (even though I traded some of those things for postpartum bleeding, soreness, etc). Sean had to remind me many times that I was still was in a recovery period and needed to take it easy lol.

I guess my reason for sharing all that is because I had heard so many horror stories about the postpartum period, and for me, it was a sigh of relief in many ways. As a mama, you will have to decide what is best for YOU in those sacred postpartum days. Ultimately, taking care of yourself and listening to your body is the most important thing.

One thing is for sure, having support in that postpartum period is crucial. My husband, Sean, was an absolute hero for me in those initial 2 weeks. While my sole focus was on taking care of myself and feeding our newborn/figuring out breastfeeding, he took care of quite literally everything else (cooking us meals, cleaning, laundry, groceries, etc). I'm forever thankful he was able to take that time off & that we could spend those early days together. Don't be afraid to ask for help - whether that be from a spouse, friend, neighbor, or family member. Have information to your pediatrician, lactation consultant, etc. handy for when you need advice or support.

Now for my postpartum essentials!

The best thing I did before baby arrived was putting together a postpartum cart for all our most used items for mom & baby postpartum! I actually made 2 carts, one to keep next to our bedside and one on the main level of our house (so we didn't have to carry things up and down stairs). We are still using both carts daily even 2 months later! We keep diapers, wipes, burp cloths, snacks, nursing pads, a change of clothes for mom & baby, and so many other of the essentials below on our cart for easy access.

Here are some of my most used essentials for the stinky, sweaty, bloody, beautiful postpartum period:

• Water: the post-birth & breastfeeding thirst is unlike anything I've ever experienced haha keep a water next to you at all times to stay hydrated! I love my 40 oz Stanley. I also love LMNT electrolyte packets and drank at least one of those a day to help keep me hydrated & boost my milk supply.
• Snacks: keep beef sticks, granola bars, & other healthy snacks within arms reach. I was always so hungry during those initial middle of the night feedings while breastfeeding.
• Cozy Pajamas / Comfy Clothes: make sure you have comfy outfit options on hand! I loved wearing sweats/PJ pants and a sweatshirt in those early days (and ended up in just my bra for most of the day anyways)
• Cozy Robe: I loved this robe in the hospital after giving birth & used it at home during those early postpartum days (it's super cozy and gives baby easy access to mama for feedings!)
• Baby Wrap / Carrier: I'm adding this to the mama essentials list instead of the baby's because truly, this is sometimes the only way I can get things done with a newborn! For those early newborn days (and even now), we loved our Solly Baby wrap! The fabric is buttery-soft and babe fits in snug as a bug on your chest. For a more structured carrier, we love our Sakura Bloom Scout carrier! Use code: LOVEBROOKLYN for free shipping!

• Silverettes: If there is just ONE thing I could recommend for every breastfeeding & nursing mamas, it would be to buy a set of Silverettes! Silver – a naturally antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial metal – contains potent anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to soothe and prevent soreness and pain during the breastfeeding journey. THEY WORK SO WELL & saved my nipples during those early days of breastfeeding. I ended up wearing them for my first 4 weeks postpartum & can't recommend them enough. Make sure you wash them daily with hot/warm water!
• Nursing Bras: I personally prefer a loose/comfy nursing bra compared to a structured nursing bra, so I bought several sets of these comfy nursing bras from Target and have lived in them my entire postpartum period!
• Nipple Cream: it's good practice to have nipple cream on hand for dry/cracked nips! I personally only used this a couple times postpartum because those Silverettes saved me! But I did use this nipple cream a lot throughout my pregnancy as my boobs grew & changed and love it (all natural & safe for babe). 
• Reusable Nursing Pads: I had disposable pads on hand initially and absolutely hated them (they were so itchy). So I quickly ordered these reusable nursing pads and still use them daily! Super soft, absorbent, & washable.
• Nursing Pillow: I can't recommend this My Brest Friend nursing pillow enough! It is so comfy & supportive, and was so helpful for me as a first time mama navigating breastfeeding for the first time. You can use code: DAYDREAM10 for 10% off your order!
• Milk Catcher: as your milk comes in & regulates over the course of a month or two postpartum, I would recommend using a milk catcher/collector on the opposite breast than your feeding. I was able to build up a small freezer stash of milk just from catching my letdown in a collector! The Boon Trove collector was my favorite to use & easy to clean. 
• Medela Manual Pump: as an exclusively breastfeeding mama who has yet to touch any of her electric pumps, this manual pump has been a life saver several times when my breasts were engorged or I needed to pump for any reason. Super easy to use & fast!

The not so glamorous side of postpartum, but an absolute necessity for those early days (and even weeks) taking care of yourself during potty breaks. I bought this caddy & kept it stocked with all of these essential items which was so convenient (and was also able to easily carry it from the upstairs bathroom to our downstairs bathroom too). And you can use it as a diaper caddy when you're done with the postpartum care too!

• Peri Bottle: you will absolutely want a peri bottle to "wipe" after birth instead of using toilet paper! Just fill with warm water & spray on your lady bits. You can pat dry with toilet paper as needed.
• Disposable Underwear: you can expect to bleed for several weeks after birth, so you'll want lots of supplies! I wore these disposable underwear for weeks after birth until my bleeding became more manageable. They were so comfy & so much better than trying to fit huge pads in my normal underwear (not to mention all the laundry I would have had to do). I've also heard from many mamas to just buy adult diapers, which is another option!
• Pads: you'll also want to stock up on lots & lots of pads! For me, those first few days after birth were like a super heavy period, followed by a more "normal" flow of bleeding for a couple more weeks, and then spotting on and off for a couple more. These large leakproof pads were my go-to.
• Witch Hazel: one of the best things you can do for your perineal area post-birth is applying witch hazel! It's super soothing, cooling, and can help with swelling and fighting bacteria. I loved this witch hazel foam the most and would just add this to my pad at bathroom breaks. Another option I used were these witch hazel pad liners/wipes. I would just add them like ham on a sandwich to my pad for instant relief!
• Ice Packs: my bottom was realllll sore after birth haha and these ice pack pads were so helpful for those initial days postpartum! You just break the pad with your hands & it turns into an instant ice pack & pad in one. I will say, the ice pack part only lasts an hour or two, but it felt really good on my lady bits!
• Hemorrhoid Cream: the not so glamorous side of birth haha if you end up with any hemorrhoid post-birth, I would recommend having some type of topical cream on hand! There are several natural salves you can make, but for me, this is an area where I just want something that works really fast & really well and this hemorrhoid cream is hands down that.

And now that mama is taken care of, it's time to chat baby & newborn essentials!

• Night Light: hands down my favorite purchase for a newborn is this touch night light! We even brought it to the hospital with us & have used it every night for middle of the night feeds & diaper changes vs. having to turn on any bright lights. 
• Sound Machine: as an adult that has to sleep with a fan (or some sort of noise) I new that buying a sound machine would be top of our list for baby haha! We love this portable hatch sound machine for our diaper bag & travel, and then have this super affordable sound machine for our room/the nursery.
• Humidifier: make sure to use distilled water!
• Bassinet: if your little one will be sleeping in your room for a bit, we've loved this halo bassinet (especially for small rooms as it has a 360 degree swivel so you can move it all around/out of the way). We also love these muslin bassinet sheets, makes it a little extra comfy for babe!
• Drawer Organizers: perfect for either your postpartum cart and/or organizing baby's clothes in their dresser
• Cozy Blankets: this is still our favorite swaddle/blanket for baby. It's super stretchy & soft!
• Snuggle Me Lounger: this was absolutely one of our most used items in those early newborn days! It fits perfectly around baby so they feel cozy & snug. Another more affordable option here.
• Sleep Sack: after being all cozy in our tummies for 9 months, most babies love to be swaddled for sleep. We are still loving & using this sleep sack & swaddle from kyte baby!
• Baby Monitor: if you're looking for an all-in-one baby monitor, the nanit pro camera is the way to go! It connects directly to the Nanit app so you can monitor baby all from your phone! We also love this more affordable baby monitor option (that doesn't use wifi) too!
• A good rocking chair is also a necessity for those late night feedings or to help your little get to sleep! We splurged on this Oilo Gliding Swivel Nursery Recliner and absolutely love it! But there are tons of options out there or check yoru local FB marketplace!

• Bath Support or Tub: You'll want some sort of tub or bath support in order to wash your little one (either in a sink, floor of a shower, or tub). We have a bathtub in our home, so opted for this Angelcare Baby Bath Support and love it! We do place a towel on the back of it so baby stays comfy & cozy while we wash her.
• Washcloth: these are the softest washcloths ever for baby!
• Towels: make sure to have a set of soft towels on hand for baby too, these muslin towels are our favorite!
• Bath Rinse Cup: for washing our littles!
• Lotion: we tried our best not to use any lotions or soaps for the first couple weeks as her skin adjusted to the world, however, we love this earth mama lotion! It's super gentle, fragrance free, & clean ingredients.
• Nail File: it's pretty amazing how fast baby's nails grow! This nail file was a life saver in the hospital and something we've used weekly ever since. 
• Nose Cleaner: somtimes baby as boogers haha this booger remover is hands down the best (buy a few and keep in your bedside cart, diaper bag, etc).
• Windi Gas Passer: these were a life saver during those first several weeks when Maggie was still trying to figure out pooping, passing gas, & when her digestive system was developing. We didn't have to use them daily, but when we did, goodness were they the best!
• Tummygize Roll-On: speaking of digestion, our favorite Tummygize Roll-On was an absolute must have for helping our little one pass gas & go #2 naturally! Just swipe on their belly and wait 5-10 minutes for the magic to happen haha. If you're not sure about using essential oils on your little ones, I would highly recommend reading this book: Gentle Babies. It tells you all the best & safest ways to naturally support you & your little one!
• Diaper Rash Cream: my biggest tip to avoiding diaper rash with littles is to make sure they are completely dry before putting their fresh diaper on! However, if a rash ever develops, it's best to have some diaper rash cream on hand! We love the Tender Tush & Diaper Rash Cream from Young Living!
• Bottle Sanitizer & Dryer: while I don't think this item is an absolute necessity, it has made cleaning, sanitizing, & drying bottles, pump parts, & pacifiers so easy! Plus is keeps my counter clean & tidy which I really appreciate postpartum haha! The run cycle is super fast, so you can stick all your pieces in there and they will be sanitized and completely dry in 40 minutes or less!

Newborns truly don't need much - your voice & smiles are exciting to them just on their own! However, if you want to have a few things on hand, these have been our favorites so far:

• Contrast Book: babies love to look at black & white images! We've loved this cloth contrast book from Amazon - it can be propped up anywhere and has the cutest imagery. Another contract book option here and here.
• Play Gym: your little one will need lots of tummy & play time, and a must have for this season is a play gym you can keep on the floor! We also have this activity gym from Gathre and LOVE it.
• Books: have a handful of books on hand - it's never too early to start reading to your little one! The "Our Little Adventures" book set is one of our favorites!
• Diaper Bag: we adore our Dagne Dover Diaper bag! Highest quality with so many pockets & the best organization.
• Stroller & Carseat: we purchased the demi next + pipa aire rx travel system and LOVE everything. The carseat itself is super lightweight and can be installed with or without the base (which makes things convenient for travel down the road). 

I hope you found some inspiration & helpful tips here! Always just a message way if you have any questions.

xx, Brooklyn

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