When you’re a new mother, you don’t know what you need for your hospital stay and the first few weeks of motherhood. So, this is my effort to help all of you expecting mothers. These are the products that I could not live without. Please share if you know an expectant mother.
The boppy makes it very easy to breastfeed or formula feed your baby. The pillow fits snuggly around your waist. You can also use the boppy to prop the baby up as he or she grows. As a breastfeeding mommy, I could not exist without my boppy. I can type on my computer and breastfeed at the same time because of my boppy!
Receiving Blankets
You will need lots of blankets in the beginning, especially if your little one is born during the colder months. Most of the time, hospitals are freezing, so the receiving blankets will come in handy. There are many kinds of blanks, but I like the 100 percent, soft cotton ones.
Swaddle Me Blankets
I never mastered the swaddle despite the nurses’ attempts to teach me. If you can’t master the swaddle with a regular blanket, and you’ll learn that it’s all about the baby’s swaddle, then these ready-made swaddle blankets are for you! Target sells several options.
Diaper Cloths
You will need diaper cloths to clean up little throw ups and to use when placing baby on your shoulder as a barrier between his or her sensitive skin and your clothes. I don’t have a preference for diaper cloths. You can get them anywhere.
Diapers (Pampers)
The hospital will provide you with diapers, but you can always bring your own. I love Pampers Swaddlers. In my opinion, Huggies are not as soft as Pampers.
Baby Wipes (Pampers Sensitive)
I’m not a big proponent of using baby wipes when a bathroom is accessible. I prefer using a warm wash cloth to clean up my little ones. My son has never had a diaper rash as a result. However, when I’m out and about, I love Pampers’ Sensitive Baby Wipes. My children have not had bad reactions to them. Also, as your little one gets older, baby wipes will come in handy for cleaning up hands, faces, and messes.
Towels & Wash cloths
The nursing staff will give your baby the first bath, but if you want to keep your little one clean during your hospital stay, pack some towels and wash cloths. The flimsy wash cloths that some stores sell don’t work as well as the thicker, larger cloths.
Johnson & Johnson Naturals Baby Wash
I really love this wash for my babies. It’s tear free and it’s mostly natural meaning no parabens, fragrance or the other yucky stuff.
Burt Bee’s Baby Lotion and Baby Bee Diaper Ointment
If you like natural products like myself, then Burt Bee’s Baby collection is a dream. It’s pricey, but it’s worth it. I love their baby lotion and diaper ointment. Both have light scents and are thick enough to keep baby moisturized.
Pacifiers
My son never wanted a pacifier. He sucks his thumb, but my daughter loves a pacifier. These are her favorites. Most times, the hospital will give you a pacifier, but if you want to bring extras, these can be found at any grocery store or retail store like Target.
Formula
If you’re not going to breastfeed, then you should research some formulas and bring them with you to the hospital. I had a C-section for both babies, so my milk did not come in for a few days. My son lost weight so I had to supplement with formula. My favorite brand is Enfamil. The hospital has formula, but if you want a specific brand, bring your own.
Many formula brands for newborns have the ready-to-serve bottles so you will not need to bring bottles, but you should have some on hand just in case. My favorite bottles are Medela and Avent. Both brands are BPA free and available in most retail stores.
If you are going to breastfeed, Earth Mama’s natural nipple butter is a must have. Breastfeeding can be painful until you learn how to properly latch the baby onto your breast. Your nipples can also chafe. This nipple butter is light and it helps heal inflamed nipples. Pack it!
Nursing Cover
You will probably have many visitors after your baby is born. If you want to maintain modesty, but still keep to your breastfeeding schedule, you will need a nursing cover. The Bébé Au Lait Nursing Cover is the one I use. I like it because it has a rigid rim around the neck, so you can look down and see what you are doing. Some covers don’t have the rigid neck.
Breast Pump
Most hospitals will rent you a breast pump during your stay, but I think it is best if you bring your own. You will need a breast pump to get your milk up after delivery. Depending on how you deliver, C-section versus vaginal birth, it may take a few days for your milk to come in. Pumping helps to get the milk flowing faster. I chose a Medela breast pump, and I love it.
Onsies and Baby Clothes
Unless you’re fine with your baby staying in the little undershirt the hospital provides for the duration of your stay, you will need onsies and baby clothes. Even if you’re due in the summer time, I would bring full body, closed-toe onsies because hospitals can be very cold.
Car Seat
The hospital will not let you leave with your baby without a car seat. Britax makes the best car seats in my opinion. Graco makes pretty good car seats, but they’ve had a recall in recent months because of their buckles. My advice is to research car seats and recent recalls so you can make the most informed decision.
Mommy Must Haves
As a new mommy, you will need clothes, a bathrobe, toiletries, and slippers. Bring your Bible, music, iPad, and cell phone if you are having a C-section and will be hospitalized for four or five days. Also, bring an extra pillow for your husband so he can sleep comfortably on the pullout bed. You will also need sanitary napkins. The hospital will provide some, but if you have a preferred brand, bring your own!
I hope this list helps all of you expecting mommies! Experienced moms, do you have anything to add to this list?