I'm a New Mom, What Do I Need?
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New Mom Must-Have Items You Won’t Regret You Bought
Becoming a new parent is WILD. You spend 9 months preparing, reading, watching videos, taking classes, talking to friends, listening to podcasts, creating registries, and so much more! The thing is, it was all focused on the new baby we were bringing into this world and none of it was focused on me.
There are a few things I wish I had known that I try and share with others as they enter their pregnancy journey.
Breastfeeding Accessories for Moms
Breastfeeding is “hard” for so many reasons. I really never understood what people were talking about when they said breastfeeding was hard. I had heard some people had a tough time with latching but that was really all I knew. Once I started breastfeeding, I soon figured it out!
Mila did latch in the hospital and she seemed to be feeding OK. The thing was, it seemed to last forever! And once we stopped, she’d sleep for maybe 30 minutes to an hour and then she needed fed again. But the time prior had already lasted 50 minutes! I realized this may be a part of the “hard” thing.
Once we got home and we continued with breastfeeding in the comfort of our home, the pain in my nipples really started to kick in. They were bright red and burning. I started dreading the next feeding. I was using nipple cream but it didn’t seem to be helping. Before I knew it, my nipples were literally bleeding. I remember one time Mila unlatched and she had blood on her mouth. I was freaking out. I had spoken with a lactation consultant and she had given me further tips on the latch and told me the chapped skin and bleeding should improve as I got used to it.
Then on Day 3, the engorged breasts kicked in. On a normal day, my boobs are quite small. Just barely filling a B cup. During pregnancy I was closer to a C cup and now that I was breastfeeding I was experiencing the fluctuation of feeding (draining them) and then filling up again. But on this 3rd day they were massive. They felt like they were up in my neck and like they were going to explode! The lactation consultant explained that they were engorged but to try just feeding Mila to drain them a bit and to absolutely not pump (unless only a very small amount to find some relief) because that would train my body to think that whatever was drained during that pumping was what needed to be refilled. She advised a hot shower and massaging them down, then placing ice packs on them when out of the shower.
I did this whole cycle for about 2 days and they finally went back down, all the while, bleeding and absolutely killing me. I also discovered I had flat nipples, which means because they didn’t protrude much, it made it harder for Mila to latch. This was a big reason for the amount of pain it caused me when she latched.
For probably 3 weeks or so, I had to give myself positive talk right before I started feeding Mila because I knew what was coming. The initial latch was so painful my feet would fly up in the air and my face would scrunch up in pain (and I’d sometimes cry). So yeah…breast feeding is hard. A few products I used that seemed to help overtime and other products I later learned about once it was too late are:
I liked this nipple cream because it was a wetter consistency, which made applying much easier when my nipples were in a lot of pain. It’s also organize and climate pledge friendly!
I wish I had known about these because I think they would have really helped between feedings. They help with soreness, cracked nipples, irritations, and cuts.
Medela SoftShells Breast Shells
I did use these breast shells between feedings which helped keep in my nipples pulled out, protected them from rubbing against my shirt or bra, and even caught dripping breast milk so it didn’t get all over my clothes.
POSTPARTUM RECOVERY ESSENTIALS FOR EVERY NEW MOM
If you have given birth naturally, your lady parts are all sorts of damaged. Not only has your vagina been stretched like never before but you may also have had an episiotomy or a natural tear during the process. To say you’re feeling a bit sore would be an understatement. In the hospital, your nurse will show you how to care for the area and prepare a healing pad inside a very sexy pair of mesh underwear. This includes a sanitary pad, witch hazel pads, a peri-bottle, and Dermoplast. They send you home with some of these items so you have supply for the next few days but I found myself needing to buy extras of everything to keep me going until I healed. Here’s everything I purchased and used at home:
Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear - The mesh underwear they provided at the hospital was far too loose and couldn’t support the weight of everything going on inside. I had received this Frida Mom Postpartum Essentials kit, which included a few pairs of their disposable postpartum underwear and they were a game changer! They fit snuggly, keeping everything in place, and when I was done with them each day, I could just toss the whole hot mess. Most of the other items in the kit I didn’t need because i had received them at the hospital so don’t waste your oney on the whole thing. I wound up using about 10 of the Disposable Postpartum Underwear.
Full coverage pads - Inside your postpartum underwear you’ll start out with a pad. I suggest something pretty long and absorbent. Not only will you bleed for several days but your bladder control is also at its lowest following delivery so you’ll want to make sure you soak up any accidents.
Pre-Moistened Witch Hazel Pads - the soothing relief of witch hazel pads are a MUST when trying to reduce the pain and swelling. I received a 50pk of these Pre-Moistened Witch Hazel Pads and then wound up buying another package of 100. You use about 3-4 everytime you go to the bathroom so you need to stock up.
Dermoplast Pain Relief - This pain relieving spray is a must have! I used it every time I went to the bathroom. In combination with the Pre-Moistened Witch Hazel Pads this really helped soothe the area and make it manageable.
Colace or Dulcolax Pink - Although they’ll likely give you a stool softener in the hospital to ensure you have a bowel movement before you leave, you may also want to be prepared at home. Pushing can be scary and sometimes painful after you’ve had labor so in order to ease the ability to pass a stool, a stoll softener is definitely recommended. Check with your health care provider on which stool softener they recommend.
Large Water Bottle - You need to hydrate LOTS after having a baby. Not only is it necessary to drink plenty of water to keep your milk supply going, but you need a bottle that can hold plenty at a time. I love these Simple Human 32oz bottles. They have an easy to carry handle, the water stays cold for ages, and they have some super cute patterns.
Snacks - Keep plenty of snacks nearby in your usual breastfeeding locations. Breastfeeding makes you hungry and sometimes, you’re stuck there alone for ages. Having a few easy, healthy snacks by your side is a great idea. Think mixed nuts, peanut butter pretzel bites, or granola bars.
NURSING ESSENTIALS FOR NEW MOMS
When it comes to breastfeeding, it’s key to have convenient tops and bras to make the whole process much easier! This means tops you can wear around the house, tops you can wear to bed, tops you can wear out, and tops you can wear while pumping!
Nursing tank tops - These are great for everyday wear around the house. They unsnap easily on both sides so you can usually handle it with just one hand (while the other one holds the baby). They are also supportive for those heavy breasts you’re now carrying. This option also allows you to adjust the straps in the back to a cross position.
Button Down Nightgown - In the evening I always preferred a loose option, since I would typically be in a fitting tank top for most of the day. This Button Down Nightgown makes it easy to open for middle of the night nursing and allows you to stay cool and comfortable.
Nursing Tops - A better look for when you’re getting out of the house (yes, you do finally leave the house) are more casual tops with openings that make it easy to nurse without having to lift up your entire shirt. You can even get away with a button down henley or a super cute and comfy jumpsuit.
Pumping Bra - a pumping bra is a must-have if you plan to pump. Typically, you’ll pump just after nursing and the last thing you want to do at that point is sit and hold the bottle while you pump. As a new mama, you get very little time with free hands so make the most of your pumping time and strap those suckers on with a good Pumping Bra!
FORMING MOMMY FRIENDSHIPS AND FINDING YOURSELF AGAIN
Lastly, as a new mama, you may feel lost. Sure, you may (make that will) feel like you’re lost on how to do everything right, but you may also feel like you’ve lost yourself a little bit or you feel isolated from the world. I highly suggest joining a mommy-and-me group. Being a new mom, the thoughts of motherhood are all consuming and you may not want to feel like you’re constantly dumping all of that on friends or family who aren’t in the same boat as you. Joining a mommy-and-me group puts you in a space with a bunch of other mothers going through all the same things you are! You’ll discover you’re all just as confused and unsure of things as the others and there will be space for venting, questioning, supporting, and finding yourself. In my mommy-and-me we had a mom’s night our scheduled for us with a pre-fixe dinner in a fun environment, full of new moms who just needed a moment to be independent from their babies and reconnect with themselves and new friends. I found it to be incredibly healing and it reinvigorated me. Look one up near you and go for it. You won’t regret it.
Quick reference list:
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