MEGA LIST Preparing for a Newborn

Congratulations!! Keep in mind before you read this behemoth list that these are the only necessities for a newborn/infant. Everything else is to make your life and transition easier:

 ·         diapers (and more diapers)

·         wipes (and more wipes)

·         clothes

·         a car seat

·         food

·         safe sleeping space.

NURSING/FOOD

·         Pump. Elvie wireless pump. Worth every single penny. I've used the Medela Pump in Style and the Spectra pumps (both) as well with Cub#1 and for Cub#2, solely used the Elvie for Cub#2 and 3. Didn’t even bring out my Spectra from the attic. Caveat: not everyone finds they “respond” to a pump or the wireless pumps. Worked best with elastic nipples (other pump suctions were way too strong and actually caused damage with Cub#1). You may need to find one that works best for you. If you do go with the Elvie, there is one tip that was a game changer when I thought they were deficient. Turns out the seal just wasn’t “sealed” so it couldn’t create suction. Text me before throwing it at the wall (that you are fortunately no longer tied to).

·         Nursing-friendly tops.  Personally preferred V-neck and/or super stretchy shirts with wireless bras that doesn't scream "nursing". I skipped nursing tanks altogether with Cub#2 and Cub#3. My favorite nursing wireless bras are from Target, Auden brand if you want a true nursing/clip down bra. For nighttime, either a bathrobe or button down pajama nightgown-style with a wireless, stretchy bra worked best for Cub#2 and Cub#3.

·         Nipple shields. Had a set on hand as I learned the hard way the first go-around and easier to buy ahead than midnight-Amazon-priming when you’re in pain. Didn’t need to use them for Cub#3 but you never know what nursing journey you’re looking at until you’re there.

·         This nipple butter. Yes. 100%. Used for all 3, especially in those early weeks.

·         A really large water bottle with straw and handle. You'll often be thirsty but only have one hand available.

·         Comotomo bottles. Easy to hand clean and dishwasher safe (but avoid putting in with dishes with red sauces). All three took to this brand, but you may have to experiment. The 5oz actually holds up to 6oz and had I known this the first time, I wouldn't have purchased the bigger bottles-- would have just bought the faster flow nipples and changed them out.

Note: Hospitals have different policies around formula feeding. At our second hospital experience, they did have formula at the hospital but if you have a brand you want to use, you'll need to bring it with you and mix it yourself. They wouldn't mix and feed the formula we brought to use while my milk came in. Our third, we mixed ourselves and feed and good thing we didn't use their formula - she would have been allergic....

BABY CARE

·         Diapers (Disposable). Very dependent on child size/body type and their wetness level but by Cub#2, we have gone with Luvs (especially with how quickly daycare goes through diapers each day, they sit at a better price point and we haven’t experience rashes or irritations) after the newborn period of Pampers Swaddlers or Huggies Special Delivery (these are soooo soft and plush) diapers. Huggies were better for Cub#1 and better at nighttime (Huggies Overnight) as he was a super-soaker and a bigger/wider baby but Luvs has been great for Cub#2, especially at the lower price point. I did not care for HelloBello. Target used to be my favorite but they changed their diapers so they became a “no”. Amazon MamaBear brand has been good once we’ve needed to get up to a size 7 diaper with Cub#2. Still sending Luvs to daycare with Cub#3 and she gets Pampers at home.

·         Wipes. Used Water Wipes with Cub#1 as a newborn, but quickly switched to fragrance-free Amazon brand and still prefer them to other brands we've tried. Easier to take out of the container and stronger/thicker than other brands. *The Amazon brand has been harder to find so we’ve  been using Pampers Pure with Cub#3 and they are just as good, just a tad pricier.

·         Diaper Cream. We switch between Aquafor and Dr. Boudreaux.

·         Stain Remover. Puracy

·         Bottle Soap. Dapple (or the Walmart generic). Actually gets formula and milk residue off the bottles and pump parts!!

·         Baby nail files.

·         Pacifier Clip.

·         Laundry Detergent. Puracy or Ecos has been great for all the types of sensitive skin and allergies in our house and we don’t do baby’s laundry separately.

·         Thermometer.  The pediatrician asks for the baby's temp when you call with a sick baby. Unless you are comfy taking rectal temps, recommend a forehead thermometer or one to go under their armpit.

·         Little Remedies Saline drops. Only "medicine" you can give a congested newborn.

·         Baby Bathtub. See below note under things we skipped, but we do have this duck tub. It was great for travel and also for that in-between when they need a bath, but you don't need to fill an entire tub. Never actually used a baby tub for Cub#3 so I would put this as a skip unless you feel need one (e.g. if you only have a shower in your house).

·         Changing table pads. Multi use for at home and on the go. Don't need a dedicated changing travel bag/travel pad.

BABY CLOTHES//SLEEPING

·         Clothes with zippers. You will likely be gifted a lot of clothes. Beau says “No snaps!”. I don’t mind snaps when they are older but in the newborn stage, zippers all the way. Even better if you can get the sleep and play onsies with dual zippers to keep belly and arms in and warm during diaper changes.

·         Sleep sack. This one was great for winter and this one is great too as a lighter-weight option. We start with muslin swaddles (and use for burp clothes, changing table covers, and more) or the stretch jersey/modal swaddle  blankets and use sleep sacks the minute they bust out of swaddles or start to roll. We haven’t tried the Magic Merlin suit, the Nested bean ones, the Olly or any other special sleep sacks so can’t comment on those. Our kids were much better sleepers once they could sleep on their bellies or get out of their swaddle and we did just find without the sleep sacks that promise better sleep for your baby.

·         Sound machine. We got the Hatch for Cub#1, but with Cub#2 and Cub#3, we use this. I am meh on the Hatch especially at that price point (connectivity can be spotty, toddlers don’t follow colors or sound changes like they are supposed to, no clock feature for longevity as they get older unless you buy the updated version), but am onboard with a simple, 4 button, portable, chargeable, sound machine. This thing was a lifesaver on a 12hr car ride and easy for traveling. Still using this to this day!

·         Baby changing table light and/or night light. Either this one or a clip reading light.

·         Baby Monitor. We have tried the Infant Optics and it's just okay. For Cub#3, so far really liking one from VAVA – video and audio quality is much better, no Wifi if you’re worried about hacking/security and you can add up to 4 cameras. Still using the VAVA and it’s been great even across our larger house.

BABY GEAR

·         Backpack style diaper bag. Makes for hands-free, especially getting a baby in and out of a car or city condo stairs, restaurants, etc.

·         Car seat. Dependent on budget, your stroller compatibility, your car/what will fit. We went with the Nuna Pipa. We wanted one that we could use without the car-base for travel and Uber rides and was lightweight. Survived all three kids and it still looks new. Are there other options that meet the same standards for infant use at various price points? Of course.

·         Stroller/Travel System. Compatibility with a car seat is helpful but also one that matches your lifestyle and needs, folds easily, and you can store.  We have the Nuna Mixx2 from #1- it literally plowed the snow for us when we needed to walk Cub#1 to doctor’s appointments in the city, holds groceries, tons of packages/returns, etc. in the basket and handled city sidewalks really well. Are there other strollers? Absolutely. Do you need a full size, heavy duty stroller for an infant? No, especially if you're doing a lot of driving and/or don't want to have to keep lifting something that's 24+ pounds in and out of a car or in and out of your house (unless you have an elevator or stroller storage on ground level). Did we end up getting a more compact travel stroller (the Minu; UppaBaby customer service is A+), especially once we no longer used the infant car seat and for travel/air travel? You bet. Did we end up with a double stroller when we had two kids 19 months apart? Yes. Tip: If you think you’ll have a large baby and/or high % weight/height children, also check out Valco Baby in addition to the Nuna. We would have outgrown the 2nd UppaBaby seat weight-limit when Cub#2 arrived and rendered the UB Vista useless as a double. If the Nuna Trvl had come out with Cub#1, we would have gotten that as it solves the Nuna car seat compatibility and travel/more compact stroller situation and it’s still aesthetically pleasing

·         Travel crib. We have used this travel Lotus Guava crib a lot. It has been everywhere with us, internationally and domestically, and is probably our most used baby gear. Would 100% recommend. Given that it's on the floor, it has a higher weight limit for longer use as they grow and they aren't likely to outgrow the height as they are in a traditional pack and play. Are there other travel cribs out there? Sure. Are there pack and plays or other portable cribs? Sure.

·         Crib. With our smaller apartment with Cub#1, Stokke Mini. It fit through city door frames so we wheeled the crib in bassinet mode from our bedroom to the living room and then back at night. Not sure your house layout but for us, having something that could transform into a full size crib and be movable and have a small footprint were our priorities. Used in bassinet and crib mode for all three and still looking good and sturdy! I’d like to think because they were sleeping in a flat crib since day one, we didn’t have any issues once it became a full sized crib or when they transitioned to naps and eventual sleep in their room. They were used to the open sides and bigger spaces. See note in things we skipped re: dedicated bassinets, swings, etc.

·         Baby Carrier: ErgoBaby360 or whatever other updated version there is out in the market now.

·         Some place to put baby down. Baby Bjorn bouncer.

·         Play mat/place for baby on the floor. We have one by SkipHop.  Are there others?  Sure. Did I want one that didn't hurt my eyes? Yes.

·         Highchair. We first used the Joovy highchair. I wish we went with the Ikea highchair and a footrest from Etsy for it. Apparently (didn't know with Cub#1) babies should have legs at 90 degrees for support and optimal feeding posture. We’ve also used this travel high chair. Negative is the small tray and depending on your chair/table height, it may not scoot them in close enough but for space-limitation and travel purposes, grandparents houses, etc., it's A+. The Joovy is still standing for Cub#3 but there are other options on the market now.

·         Crib mattress. For Cub#1, we bought an Naturepeadic organic mattress from PotteryBarn. Would NOT recommend. On the plus side, it  didn't off-gas and its Greenguard Certified, however the toddler side is ROCK HARD, no matter how much we try to break it in by letting them jump on his bed so the “long term” use of infant + toddler stage isn’t what we thought. Skipped for Cub#2 as he went from the Stokke crib (also greenguard certified mattress) to a big kid bed. For Cub#3, went with the Newton mattress and so far so good! Soft but firm. Breathable. Washing can be tad challenging - wash alone or in a pillowcase as it can collect bits and things from the washing drum.

THINGS WE SKIPPED AND DON'T REGRET (OR SHOULD HAVE SKIPPED)

·         Changing table/furniture that can only be used as a changing table during the baby years. We put a changing pad on top of a dresser and have a basket to hold diapers and wipes. TIP: put a set of diapers/wipes in your living area especially if you have multiple living levels.

·         Boppy or other BF pillow. Had for Cub#2. Meh. Gave to a friend and didn’t repurchase for Cub#3.

·         Bath accessories like spout covers, that over the tub cushion, knee pads, etc.

·         Glider/Rocking Chair.  If you do want a glider/rocker, do test runs in-store as the gliding motion made me motion sick. Didn’t want them to get used to a rocking motion to always fall asleep because you’ll be somewhere where you don’t have your glider/rocker but you need them to fall asleep.

·         Fancy diaper bag - skip a diaper bag entirely if you have a tote or backpack you can use.

·         Dedicated Newborn/Infant tub. We took the plastic tub from the hospital (along with everything else they would allow us to take for free, diapers, wipes, etc.). Baby can't take a bath until their cord falls off, so you end up sponge bathing for a while anyways near a tub of warm water or you use the sink while they are small.

·         Diaper Pail. Used a larger plastic kitchen garbage can and emptied it frequently. May depend on your nose sensitivity and garbage-storage locations/abilities.

·         Nose Frida. Tried it and meh. Beau never used, didn’t like the ick factor. Nasal suction bulb was easier after using the baby saline spray. Don’t even know where it is for Cub#2 and Cub#3.

·         Fabric sling/carrier. Seemed complicated to me to figure out the wrapping situation. Skipped, no regrets. Used the Ergo instead. Ergo also has higher weight limits so you can use into young toddlerhood and made switching between mom and dad easier (easier to adjust to each person).

·         Rock and play, swing, bedside sleeper, co-sleepers, DockaTot, SnuggleMe Organic, Halo, MamaRoo, Snoo, or anything like that. Didn’t want them to get used to something only to have to deal with a transition to a different sleep surface later. TIP: If you do want a MamaRoo, Snoo, etc. check your local FB mom groups or Craigslist. Someone is always giving them away as babies outgrown them. Snoo also lets you rent them. TIP: If you want the Snoo, I have a contact who works for them and can get you a discount. TIP: Read up on recalls and safety of the rock and plays.

·         Baby activity centers, jumpers, etc. Suggest researching as to "container" usage and safety of jumpers before you spend in this category. We had a walker from Cub#1 (who loved it), Cub#2 barely used it and Cub#3 did not want to spend one minute in it and Cub#3 was our earliest walker so who knows.

·         Skipped Baby mittens. Instead, use baby socks if you have a scratcher (they stay on better).

·         Skipped swaddles with Velcro or snaps (hard to undo quickly and quietly), baby hats (not safe sleeping after recommendations were updated in 2019).

·         Bottle warmer--one less thing on the counter and I didn't want them used to solely  drinking body-temp milk especially with the eventual transition to cold milk. Hot water running did a good enough job warming up BM or with formula, we used room temp water to mix.

·         Baby Breeza/Formula Mixer-- It's the equivalent of a Baby-Keurig, but depending on the formula, you can make a big batch once in the morning and when you know how much they drink a day, just pour off into bottles. Skipped because we never had counter space and didn’t use formula in any amount or timeframe that would have made this helpful.

·         Wipe warmer. You've probably sensed a theme that we didn't want to get them used to something if we had to take it away (Snoo rocking motion, warm milk) and we put the wipe warmer into the same camp.

·         Baby Hangers. Tossed everything into a drawer. Only bought hangers recently for school clothes for Cub#1. Everything else is folded.

·         Parenting Books. I read one (Bringing up Bebe), we Googled the rest, or otherwise relied on our instincts and observations of our own individual baby. Still haven’t picked up other books for Cub#2 or Cub#3. TIP: Trust your instincts over anything else.

POSTPARTUM CARE. Some moms need none of these when they get home from the hospital and some (me) need all the extra help and healing/relief they can get. It's hard to determine ahead of time how your delivery and postpartum recovery will go, but better to have these on hand than suffer through.

 ·         Dermaplast/numbing spray

·         Tucks or witch hazel pads

·         Always (brand) adult diapers. Highly recommend, more comfortable than the mega pads they send you home with, no shifting, discrete under clothes for the first week PP, if not longer….

·         Pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil)

·         Colace/stool softener

·         Big water bottle

·         Vitamins

 I don’t have experience with C-sections but that’s another area that you can prepare for, because sometimes it’s an unexpected happening.