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Setting Up for Your New Baby: 5 Items to Get You Going

There is a lot of stress around preparing for your baby’s arrival, from setting up a nursery to making sure you have support postpartum. As your due date gets closer it's easier to feel overwhelmed by all the lists and to-dos. The truth is if you are too overwhelmed and don’t get it all done, there are really only a few things you truly need to get you through the first few weeks.


As a birth and postpartum doula for over 7 years, mother of 2 kiddos, and a prenatal yoga teacher, I have spent countless hours researching, discussing with other moms and trying out many of these items myself so that, hopefully, you don't have to sift through hours of your own research. Here you will find the top 5 items that will help you feel less stressed, more prepared and, hopefully, more relaxed before going into labor. Knowing you only really need to think about these 5 items in order to start your postpartum journey can help you release anxiety and get you relaxed and ready for labor (when it's time)!


Keep it simple and remember that you do not have to get everything all at once. So before you go down the rabbit hole of google hunting the long lists of items needed for baby, do yourself a favor and start here.



Here are the top 5 items to get you going:


 

#1: Car Seat


This is the only thing that you literally cannot leave the hospital without. If you have a homebirth it is still important to have a car seat for any doctor appointments, emergencies, or errands postpartum. I recommend getting a car seat that has a high safety rating, is lighter in weight (remember, your baby will add to the weight of the car seat when carrying it around!), and easy to clean. For those times when you need to do a quick wash when there is a diaper blow out or spit up you do not want it to take 45 minutes just to remove the cover from your car seat! That being said, most car seats will feel heavier than expected and still take a bit of effort to clean. Lets try to minimize that effort. 


My top 2 Car Seats:


#2: Co-sleeper/Bassinet


When you first get home, your baby will be going from sleeping to eating mostly, then to sleeping, eating, awake, repeat. Having a comfortable, accessible sleeping arrangement for your newborn will ease a lot of stress and anxiety that may come up as you navigate this new experience. Part of releasing this anxiety has to do with keeping your baby near you most of the time. I have rarely seen a newborn sleep in their own room, alone in a crib, from the beginning. Which goes to say that you have time before moving your little one to their own room and nursery.  If you choose to co-sleep or simply have a cozy, safe way to keep your baby near you during the day, there are a lot of great options out there to choose from that will give you peace of mind knowing your baby is near you. There are options for in-bed co-sleepers and bedside options. I have included one of each below.


My Top 2 Co-Sleepers/Bassinets:


#3: Breastfeeding Pillow:


The first few weeks involve a LOT of sitting with your baby near you or in your arms. Comfort is key. Make sure you have a breastfeeding pillow that will allow your arms to be free, support your little one’s head, and protect your back. It is easy to feel stiff during these first few weeks and having enough support when you are feeding your newborn is crucial for comfort.  When your baby is just a few weeks old they are tiny! Whether you are breast or bottle feeding you will benefit greatly from a pillow that is a bit stiffer and as your baby grows you may prefer to transfer to a softer version. I, personally, found the soft version cozier, but the harder version more versatile and mobile! 


My Top 2 Breastfeeding Pillows:


#4: Diapers and Wipes


I put these together because they are a package deal. Even though diapers are important to have, chances are the hospital will give you a few to take home with you and I recommend asking for a few extra to go along with that. Wipes can be picked up from any local drugstore, but I have a few I prefer and recommend for gentle skin. It is worth noting that it is actually better not to buy TOO many newborn diapers because depending on birth size your baby will most likely grow out of the newborn diapers at a quicker pace. 


My Top 2 Wipes:


*I am not recommending diapers, because I have found that each baby’s body really responds differently to different diapers. I recommend trying a few brands to test the ones that work best for your baby, prevent the most blow outs and are the most gentle for their skin.


#5: Carriers


If you have a carrier you can probably get away with not having a stroller for a bit! Don’t get me wrong, having a stroller is helpful and beneficial, especially if it has a snap-in system for your car seat, but it truly is not as important as a carrier in those first few weeks. From taking walks around the house, rocking your baby to sleep, or simply keeping your baby close as you run errands, having a carrier can make mobility much easier during those first few months.


My Top 2 Carriers:

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