Top 10 New Mom Essentials: What You Really Need

You’ve prepared and prepared. You’ve picked everything you think you might have needed after reading countless articles, and you’ve thrown it all on your baby registry for everyone to spoil your baby at your upcoming baby shower. We’re always so concerned about the must-haves for newborn life, but have you ever thought of the must have’s for new moms?

We tend to leave ourselves out of the equation quite often, and we’re actually the ones who need the most amount of love and support right now! Instead of just ensuring your baby’s needs, feel free to add a few of these mom must-haves to your baby registry or your list of things you’ll need for yourself!

There are so many nursing bras to pick from that it might seem overwhelming. However, supporting your ladies after birth is extremely important. Even if you’re not planning on breastfeeding, you’re still going to need a comfortable bra while your body goes through massive changes after childbirth. Hormone surges, discomfort, and overall pain are all things that can be helped with the proper support postpartum.

We recommend getting a couple of good bras to sleep in, several to wear during the day, and one that helps with hands-free pumping too!

Not only a pregnancy must-have, but this is also a mom must-have too! You may be spending lots of time in bed after birth (not sleeping, however), and being comfortable is vital. A body pillow not only keeps you comfortable but is also a perfect tool for holding a baby or feeding a baby too. Most of them can wrap around your waist or be put into any position you find comfortable, which also helps. Check out our complete list of the best pregnancy pillows here!

It’s easy to feel disheveled and overwhelmed in the 4^th trimester. But being comfy doesn’t have to only include a pair of old pajamas – invest in something that’s still comfy and cute! Something with really soft cotton (bamboo is our favorite) will help you feel comfortable in your own skin. These can go right from the hospital room to the bedroom at home!

Buy this – now. You’ll thank us later. No matter the birth you go through (whether via cesarean or vaginal), you’ll need one of these nifty tools to help make going to the bathroom as pain-free as possible. (Although that may be hard to do at the beginning!) Some hospitals give you a peri bottle before you leave, but the upside-down fabrication of these peri bottles is unlike anything else. We highly recommend them!

Hydration is crucial after birthing a baby. And after nine months of pregnancy, you may already have this down pat – or if you suffered from nausea and morning sickness, you may not have been able to stomach as much water as you would have preferred. Hydration after birth is even more critical as our bodies are trying to recover from what it’s been through over the last few months and childbirth.

If you’re like me, remembering to drink water can be a hard one which is why I love having a large water bottle on hand at all times. I also love a water bottle that keeps the water cold, so you do not constantly have to fill it with ice cubes.

How can you be hands-free with a newborn at home? Strap them on you with a baby carrier to get some work done! Some babies like to be carried more than others, but the thing to keep in mind is that there are so many different babywearing carriers available. (Also, practice is key!) One mom and baby might like a ring sling, and another mom and baby might love a wrap. They are all fantastic carriers, so definitely put these on your list so that you can try them out as a new mom and see which ones you prefer. You’ll appreciate having your hands free every once in a while!

Postpartum recovery can be challenging, and it can be harder if it’s not your first baby. You might experience cramping and discomfort as your uterus contracts back to its normal size before becoming pregnant. There are, of course, things that you can do to help with this, and heating pads are one of them! Try to have a few in the house so that you’re covered (literally and figuratively) in every room!

Another must-have product to keep on your nightstand is a good nipple cream. This product helps prevent you from experiencing cracked or blistered nipples that might come with the 4^th trimester. Not all moms will experience it, but it is something to apply regardless because we’re all about preventative care.

Just as important as hydration, keeping a full stomach is essential as a new mom, although it might seem like an impossible task to ever complete. Life can be busy, but having a snack accessible at any time can do wonders for recovery and your milk production. Some snacks can help with milk supply and production if you decide to breastfeed—a snack that both fills you and your supply simultaneously!

There are so many amazing alternatives to cooking at home these days, and takeout can get old (and expensive) quickly. We love a good meal preparation service – they provide meals ready to cook, usually once a week, to your doorstep. The last thing you’ll want to think about as a new mom is what to cook – these programs can save the day! Give yourself a break and make dinner time enjoyable instead of a chore.

We hope this list allows you to rethink the things you need as a new mom. Sure, there are a million products out there that might make life with your newborn easier. But the most important person besides the baby in that 4^th trimester is YOU. If mom isn’t getting the care she needs, how is she supposed to successfully take care of anyone else? Add these to your Amazon cart, throw it on your registry, or head to the store for a quick errand and pick a few of these up. You won’t regret it. Take care of yourself, mama!

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