New Baby Essentials for Mom

Hello blog of mine! I know it has been a little while since I have posted here. Life has been busy...most especially with the addition of Baby #4 to our family! He is now almost two months old and I feel like we are finally getting into the swing of things around here...well at least most days. :)

Since we have had a newborn in the house the past little bit, today I wanted to share some of the things I love using as a mom with a new baby around. This list doesn't include things you use for baby (although those lists are helpful too!), but the things I have needed for myself to help me navigate all the changes that come with having a baby. So here we go!

Comfy and cute pajamas or lounge pants
My pajamas and lounge pants were severely lacking before this baby was born. It had been awhile since I had updated that area of my wardrobe. After a baby and with a changing postpartum body, it takes a little while before I am dressing in normal clothes again. But I still want to feel at least a little put together. With cute lounge wear, I can stay in it all day but not be embarrassed if visitors come over to see the baby. And honestly, as a mom there are days long after my baby is a newborn that I need a day here and there to stay in my comfy pants and still feel OK answering the door! I purchased these ones on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, and I have loved them. They are soft, comfy, and cute. With cute lounge wear, you can pretty much find good options in almost any store. It's so nice to have a few for when baby comes!

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg
This is my favorite baby book by far! Tracy writes about how to work with your baby and know how to interpret and understand their cues and cries. She gives practical advice and information for feeding, playing, and sleeping with her EASY routine. I was given this book by my sister before I had my first baby, and it helped me so much I have read it again and again before I have had my other babies. I also occasionally refer back to it when I need a refresher about something or have a question pop up with my baby. It is a really great resource!

A good nursing bra
If you are nursing this is pretty much a 'duh!'...but I wanted to share a little tidbit I discovered this time around. I have a hard time finding good bras that are my size and fit well...add in needing it to be a nursing bra and it can be almost impossible for me to find one that works. Well, a few weeks before my little guy was born I decided to go to Nordstrom and have them size me for a bra. I was getting so discouraged though with all the nursing bras the lady in the store kept bringing me, they just didn't fit right or look good! Then she told me that for an extra $16.00 Nordstrom could turn any bra into a nursing bra. Really? I had no idea! After that we were able to find a bra that fit perfectly, and I paid the extra fee to have it altered into a nursing bra.

Now...is that bra more than I have ever payed for a single item of clothing? Yes, it is. But I have never been so happy with a nursing bra after having a baby. It is wonderful! And given that a bra is pretty much the only item of clothing I wear every single day, I feel like I will certainly get my money's worth out of it.

So if you are like me and find it almost impossible to find nursing bras that fit and work for your body...here is one more option you can look into.

Speaking of nursing...

Another must-have for me is Newman's Ointment.
Here is an article I found explaining a little more about it. I know some people haven't heard of this. It is an ointment to put on sore nipples while breastfeeding. My doctor prescribed it for me after my first was born, and it was a lifesaver! You can have your doctor write a prescription for it, and get it filled at any compounding pharmacy. Since having it with my first, I ask my doctor for a prescription a month or so before my baby is born and have it on hand. It makes that transition to breastfeeding so much smoother.

Finally...having some Freezer Meals on hand is essential for me with a new baby! I will be posting another article in a few days on how I prep my freezer meals before baby is born.

Those are a few things I would tell a mom with a baby on the way to do for her! What would you put on your list?