Coming Home - What You Really Need
- Mila’s Mama
- Sep 5, 2020
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 30, 2021
*** DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL! ***
It is also important to remember that every baby is different, therefore they come with different needs. This is merely an opinion piece to help out any other lost mamas like myself.
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Ignore those huge lists of things you need for a newborn and take a deep breath! I promise you that you don't need it all.
So what do you need when you bring a newborn home from the hospital? The answer is quite simple - not a lot!
I was guilty of reading the endless lists of things to buy before your little one arrives and I will be the first to say that I was fooled. I wanted to make sure that new moms don't feel like they need to break the bank in order to properly raise their baby.
Besides the obvious need for diapers and wipes, here are the most important items that I, as a new mom, would recommend to any other new mom out there.
(Photos linked for your convenience!)
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BABY:
Car Seat and/or Bassinet Stroller
This might seem pretty obvious, but it's also extremely useful for many other means than simply getting home from the hospital. Here in Hamburg, we don't own a car, therefore the car seat is pretty much useless to us. However, we purchased this travel system with a 3-in-1 bassinet, toddler seat, and car seat that all attach to the same stroller frame. I cannot recommend something like this enough.
Mila was in the bassinet until about 4 months old. She had her own little bed on the go and it made walking around the city so much more enjoyable for both of us. The bassinet easily converts into a traditional toddler seat with safety harnesses. Additionally, the car seat can snap right onto the stroller frame for easy travel. These features were important to us, however, know that most families in smaller towns or cities that own a car won't need a stroller right away.
Crib, Side Bed, or Co-Sleeper
For us, we wanted to get Mila used to sleeping in a side bed from night one and I am so happy we did! Mila has been sleeping through the night (a full 9 hours) since the day she turned one month old and I really believe that was due to our solid routine we started and stuck with from night one.
The decision to co-sleep or not is COMPLETELY up to you. Every baby and every parent is different, so never let anyone judge you for the decision you make for your baby. We absolutely love having her next to us, but not in bed with us so that she is close enough to monitor, but still has her own bed to get used to sleeping solo.
Nursing Pillow
As a c-section mama, I can say that this was a Godsend. The nursing pillow is a blessing for new mamas trying to figure out the breastfeeding game. It's the extra support and comfort both you and the baby need. It's great for so many other things like support for your arms while the baby naps in them, a baby lounger, and even tummy time for the later stages.
Onesies
Long sleeve or short sleeve, it doesn't matter. You just NEED these. This will make all the diaper changing and dressing so much easier. Mila always wears onesies under her sleeper and her day clothes. It's also another layer of warmth for the tiny babies that are used to the warmth of the womb. It's without a doubt the single most practical piece of clothing you'll never have enough of!
Long Sleeve Sleepers
Footsie sleepers are the easiest and most practical thing to dress a newborn in for those long days and nights spend cuddled up at home together. Luckily for us mamas, many sleepers unzip from the bottom (like these linked here) for super easy diaper changes. Invest in a number of these and bonus points if they have hand covers like these do!
Receiving Blankets/Swaddles
Receiving blankets and swaddles were items gifted to us that we never realized would be as useful as they were. They were great to have on the couch, in the bed, and in the stroller to use in many different ways. My favorite thing about these is that they can be used on the go as a blanket, a nursing cover, a sunshade in the stroller or car seat, and even a changing table cover. They are versatile and highly recommended!
Burp Rags
One thing that's pretty universal in the baby world is baby spit-up. The most useful thing for that is having plenty of burp rags on hand. It helps for the spit-up and the drool and these easily rest right over your shoulder.
Baby Wearing Wrap
Babies come into this world shocked by the fact that it's not as cozy and warm as Mama's tummy. The easiest way to recreate this environment for your baby is babywearing. A cloth baby wrap is the best and the safest way to wear your newborn for the first few months of their life. It's extremely handy if you have a baby who doesn't want to be put down. It allowed me to get so many things done throughout the day while having Mila strapped right to me.
Swaddle Sleep Sacks
Again with recreating the womb environment for your baby, the swaddle is the classic way to do this. This sleep sack and swaddle combo was a lifesaver for the first months. It is versatile and easy to use with the option of arms swaddled in or out. The fleece option is great, but they also make a cotton one as well. Mila still sleeps in a sleep sack today!
Sound Machine
This was one thing that was not necessary for us right off the bat, but it's absolutely a lifesaver for most mamas which is why it made my list. Mila loved falling asleep to some kind of music, but we never left a sound machine on throughout the night. However, this is an amazing thing we have on hand and use more often now. It's certainly worth it!
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MAMA:
Haakaa
This is a game-changer in the breastfeeding world! The Haakaa is a manual breast pump that ultimately latches onto your breast and collects milk without you having to do anything. When my milk came in, I often needed relief in between feedings and this was the easiest way to extract milk and save it for later feedings. I use it still to this day and collect milk from one side as I nurse on the other. Trust me, you need this!
Breast Pads
Another must-have for nursing mamas are breast pads. I used disposable breast pads and regret not discovering the reusable ones sooner. There are a variety of reusable breast pads available on Amazon that are washable and reusable. I always recommend these for overnight and whenever you leave the house to prevent possible leaks.
Nipple Cream
If you will be breastfeeding, I recommend having this in your hospital bag. It will relieve the dry and sore nipples you'll quickly get while nursing. It helps relieve the pain and is safe for the baby so there is no need to wipe it off before the next feeding. I couldn’t have lived without this in the first week of nursing!
Nursing Bras
I bought these in my last trimester of pregnancy and I am happy I did. It gave me time to get used to them and luckily I had them for the hospital. It is yet another must-have for the nursing mamas out there. These in particular are a great price, machine washable, and really durable. Highly recommend!
Ice Packs
No picture or link necessary for this one, but these were something that came in handy that I never would have thought of in advance. I ended up needing a c-section and the recovery was pretty rough. The ice packs helped so much to relieve the pain and stinging of the incision when the medicine wore off. I suggest sticking a few of these in the freezer before the hospital just in case you find them useful after you're home.
Pads
The unfortunate side of postpartum is recovery and that will come with lots of bleeding for the first few weeks. For this, you'll need large (and I mean LARGE) menstrual pads. You will get plenty of these in the hospital so take as many as you can with you when you leave. You can always buy a pack of large pads in advance to have at home when your supply runs low.
Underwear
Two requirements here: high waisted and comfortable. With a c-section incision, anything tight or low waisted was way too uncomfortable and painful for me to handle. While I lived in the net underwear I took from the hospital, I also had many pairs of these Victoria's Secret hipster no-show panties that were unbelievably comfortable! Every woman has their own panty preferences, but I have nothing but good things to say about these.
Comfortable Robe
Last, but certainly not least, a comfy, cozy robe! This was yet another item that I bought beforehand, took to the hospital, and then lived in for the weeks following the birth. It was so uncomfortable to wear pants that were constantly rubbing on my incision so this was a great solution. It also made nursing quick and easy. Find one that is comfortable for you and enjoy it!
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I hope this list is helpful to you!
If you are an expecting mama, know that you will find what works best for you and your baby when he/she arrives. You can always buy things as you go along so don't stress the small stuff!
If you are already a mama, let me know what was most helpful for YOU. I would love for other mamas to have plenty of helpful tips and tricks to make the arrival of their little one as stress-free as possible.
And just remember...
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