Hi there! It’s been awhile since I’ve written anything – does anyone read blogs anymore? – mostly because I haven’t raced since October 2019 (😭) and haven’t really been inspired during this seemingly never-ending pandemic (please get vaxxed and wear a mask!).
But now that our little dude Jackson is here(!) and is somehow almost three months old (time, you’re a thief), I wanted to share the essentials that have gotten us through the first foggy newborn weeks and basically every day since . A list like this would have been so helpful for me, so hopefully you find it useful!
feeding
All the burp cloths! You seriously cannot have too many. I think they’re similar to bikes – n + 1! Our favorites are from Mebie Baby (muslin, absorbent, and fun colors and prints), Lewis (organic muslin, but one layer and way bigger – these are amazing and my favorite), and Willaby (12 super soft layers of organic cotton gauze!).
Snuggle Me Organic feeding + support pillow. Shaped like a crescent moon, this pillow snuggly wraps around your torso to support baby and your arm while nursing. Love that it’s made of organic fabrics in Minnesota! The covers are super soft, too.
Motif Luna breast pump (with battery). I opted for the Motif over the Spectra because it’s newer (Spectra hasn’t updated its pump for eight years). Definitely get the battery version so you aren’t stuck in one spot while pumping!
Hatch Baby app. This app is designed to coordinate with Hatch’s Baby Grow and changing pad (we don’t have either), but it’s also an awesome and simple way to track feedings, pumping, sleep, and diapers. The UX is well designed and easy to us (a must for someone who works in UX!). And I love that you can add a pic everyday.
sleep
Hatch Rest+. We keep this next to the glider – it’s great for middle of the night feedings. Our current favorite sound (there are 11!): soothing rain. I’m excited to try the sleep programs and time-to-rise features when Jackson’s older.
Dohm sound machine. We’ve used this for years, but the white noise is a must for Jackson, too. The rhom travel version is also great for the bassinet or car seat.
Snuggle Me Organic infant lounger. This lounger is so cozy! I went with this one (vs. the Dock-A-Tot) because it’s a snugger fit for baby.
Halo sleepsack swaddle. Nothing fancy here – just the sleepsack we got at the hospital. And Jackson loves it. (We bought a second fleece one as well as a couple basic cotton ones.)
Snoo smart bassinet. We lucked out and bought our Snoo third-hand from a friend, but so far we’ve only used it once (though Jackson sleeps in it every night!). He didn’t love the movement, but then again, we only tried it the first night we were home so maybe he’d like it now? So it’s not a must-have – because you don’t know what your baby will like until they’re here – but I love the design and would definitely buy again (at a discount).
UPPAbaby bassinet. This bassinet was part of the Vista stroller bundle, and to be honest, we didn’t think we’d use it much at all. But to our surprise, it’s one of our most used items! We keep it in the living room (on the stand, a must to keep it off the floor with two curious doggos who like to lick) and use for naps. And it’s what we take out for walks, too (and you better believe I’m gonna use it until he no longer fits in it because it’s so darn cute!).
Onesies. Like burp cloths, you can never have too many onesies! We have a good mix of basic white ones from Target, random ones we got as gifts, and super soft and stretchy (meaning easy to get over his head) bamboo ones from Kyte. Jackson sleeps in these under the sleepsack.
changing
Keekaroo peanut changer. Hands-down the best changing pad. It’s made out of non-toxic material that limits bacteria growth, is slip resistant and is impervious to any fluid. But the best part: it doesn’t require a cloth cover so it wipes down super easily with a wet wipe (meaning you won’t have to wash the cover every day! Why do they even sell ones with cloth covers?!). I can’t recommend the Keekaroo enough!
Ubbi diaper pail. For some reason, I thought we’d be just fine without a diaper pail because duh, we have other trash cans in the house. But then I came to my senses and we bought the Ubbi. It’s sorta cute, keeps in the dirty diaper smell, and tucks in perfectly next to the dresser/changing station.
Coterie diapers + wipes. I went back and forth on diapers for a long time and seriously considered cloth diapers. I finally decided on Coterie for a few reasons – they’re subscription-based (that you can update via text!), free of all the harmful junk that’s in so many other diapers, are fragrance free (a must for me), and are a basic white (I’m all about the basics rather than cutesy!). The newborn size didn’t fit Jackson (they oddly don’t have the extended tab near the velcro so there were leaks), but sizes 1 and 2 fit awesome and only one blow out so far.
bathtime
Stokke tub with newborn insert. Jackson loves bath time, and this tub makes it so easy and fun! It fits perfectly in our tub and the newborn insert comfortably cradles baby. Bonus that the tub folds up for easy storage or travel.
for you!
Hatch essential pumping bra. For the first month or so I held the bottles while I pumped, which usually meant I pumped one side at a time. Then I smartened up and bought a pumping bra. Hands-free is a game changer! And this Hatch bra is so soft and comfortable.
Hatch skin to skin bra. These don’t have a ton of support, but they’re super soft and make great sleeping bras.
Negative silky nursing bra. On the eternal quest to find a nursing bra that didn’t look like a nursing bra and still felt cute, I stumbled across this one from Negative (thanks, IG ad). Easy nursing access and enough structure and support so you don’t have a giant uni-boob.
Hatch nesting robe. So I’m a big fan of Hatch. I bought this robe for the hospital and pretty much didn’t take it off for a month. It’s super soft and I love that it doesn’t look like maternity.
Bodily breast pads. I found out the hard way – leaks all over a grey t-shirt – that breast pads are a must-have. Love these ones from Bodily.
Belly band. Nothing fancy here, as I used the one from the hospital. I wore it all day everyday for the first four weeks, and it helped me feel so much more stable and held together.
High-waisted undies. My go-tos: Arq and baobei. They look absolutely ginormous before you put them on, but they’re super flattering once you’re wearing them, and even better, they’re comfortable. The seamless front is perfect if you’ve had a c-section, too. I love and wear both for pajamas along with either a tank or the skin to skin bra.
Bink mama water bottle. We have like 100 water bottles in the house, but then I saw this one thanks to an IG influencer and was, well, influenced. I love that it’s glass, has a straw (annoyingly sold separately) and has markings to help track how much water you drink (because I’m a terrible water drinker!).
other
Branch Basics. The best household non-toxic cleaner – and it can also be used as laundry detergent! We use for pretty much everything, from laundry to bathroom cleaner to kitchen counter cleaner. Folks, stop using garbage toxic household cleaners (I’m even looking at you, Mrs. Meyer’s) and make the switch to better products!
Baby carrier. I really want to love the Solly wrap, but I cannot figure it out! It feels like Jackson’s gonna fall out of it, but perhaps we just need to try it again (and tie it tighter). In my Solly frustration, I splurged on a more structured Artipoppe zeitgeist carrier (no lie, this carrier was the first baby thing I wanted way back before we were even pregnant). It’s so well made and comfortable and the fabrics are gorgeous.
No Comments