Fiona is nearly a month old; it’s hard to believe it! The newborn days are such a haze with sleep deprivation and caring for Drake & Juliet as well, making my days long and tiring. We didn’t buy much of anything in preparation for Fiona’s birth. When you first have a baby you accumulate so many new products, but after a few kids in I realize that, at least for me, we only really need a few things in those first few months to keep both mommy and baby happy. Here are my 5 must haves for the newborn stage.
Swaddlers – I am a huge fan of the Aden & Anais swaddlers. I don’t like non-swaddled babies as I’ve come to realize they flail around a lot in your arms, as well as scratch up everything with those tiny finger nails. It’s better for everyone when baby is nice and swaddled and content. I learned early on when Drake was a baby that Aden & Anais swaddles were my favorite because the other brands I bought were too small to maintain a good tight swaddle. They’re also so soft for baby and are nice and lightweight for my summer kids. I love their designs and they work as nursing covers and car seat covers as well as light blankets when kids get older. I have the same set I used since Drake was born, and they have held up decently through 3 kids.
Bouncer – I never got a Rock and Play with Drake and by the time I had Juliet, I felt it was silly to buy a new product for a second baby since we had survived without one the first time around. It seemed even sillier to get one for Fiona since she is our last baby. Drake loved the swing when he was a newborn, but Juliet and Fiona both are bouncer babies it seems. I love the bouncer since it’s a lot smaller than a swing, and I can carry it around with me. Many times when Fiona is fussy, I place her in it and rock it with my feet while I sit on my computer to catch up my emails or watch a show, and she slowly drifts off to sleep in it. During the day time when she is happy, it’s the perfect little seat for her and I can even bring it into the bathroom when I’m taking my quick 5 minute shower. Since it’s summertime now ,when Drake and Juliet are playing outside I take the bouncer outside and sit on the patio with Fiona while watching them play. The bouncer allows me to free up my hands as well as give me a place to put Fiona down so we both don’t get so hot being so close to one another. It’s probably my favorite piece of baby gear since Juliet’s birth.
Nipple Shield and Lansinoh – For me breastfeeding has always been painful and torturous and I don’t think I would have ever managed to nurse any of my kids without a nipple shield and Lansionh. With Drake I didn’t introduce the nipple shield until over a week of horrendous breastfeeding where I was literally bleeding. I was given one with Juliet at day 2 of the hospital for the same issues. This time I came prepared and have never nursed Fiona without one, and honestly while it still hurts. But I haven’t had the bleeding and blisters as I did with the other two. I usually apply Lansinoh after most feedings, and together I think it has saved my ability to deal with breastfeeding, which is no easy task.
Button Up Onesies – Fiona, like most babies I imagine, isn’t a huge fan of getting changed and dressed. I learned early on with Drake that most babies seem to do better with clothing changes with button up styles vs onesies you pull on over their head. I mostly buy that style now; in the summer it’s one pieces and rompers and in the colder months sleepers serve the same function. It’s a little more annoying to do all those buttons, but it’s also a lot easier to deal with them when baby is calmer and happier.
. . . . .
What are your absolute newborn must haves?
grape / 87 posts
I certainly echo your sentiments about the swaddles and we also used the rock and play constantly for the first few months.
I formula fed at the start and would’ve been lost without “no more milk” tea and sudafed. There is very little information on how to take care of yourself to get your milk supply to dry up if you are not breastfeeding and everyone. It is already a difficult time physical and emotionally to come home from the hospital, but add in this pain plus who can forget every woman and their aunt who will shame you for not breastfeeding. There is an endless supply of support and education for breastfeeding women, but almost nothing for formula feeders.
pear / 1614 posts
Its so funny how every mama and baby is so different!! With my first, I had a full complement of BFing supplies that I couldn’t have lived without, but he spit up maybe twice in his life so no burp cloths needed. The second, BFing was easy but he spit up constantly. We never had any type of bouncer and dislike onesies, have always put our babies in tee shirts. I would say that with the first, having a carrier was just a nice bonus, but from the second child on, wearing baby to keep your hands free makes things so much easier so baby wearing device would be on my list! Hope you’re starting to get some rest and see through the fog of newborn parenting
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I am def gonna have my nipple shield on hand too for the next baby! I have flat nipples so the baby will prob need it in the beginning. Tho with my current DD, we didn’t wean off of it till after 6 mo! I guess next time I will try harder to wean earlier! It didn’t affect my supply or anything, but it was annoying to always have to locate it, have it around, wash it, etc.