Laura's New Mommy Must-Have List

I found this kind of thing helpful when I was pregnant, and since I know about a billion young people who are expecting babies, I think it's my duty.



Things you need:



FOR MOM:

• A lactation consultant, if you're breastfeeding. Get a good one BEFORE you deliver. You'll need her from go-time.


• A shoulder to cry on. Maybe 2. The first couple weeks are highly emotional, stressful, scary and exhausting. There isn't enough Kleenex out there to help a new mommy. Find lots of people who have done this before and accept any help that's offered. That includes meals, errands, cleaning, prayers and crying. You might have been pregnant with this little person, but he or she is still a complete stranger who doesn't give two poops about how you feel. You do not know this person, and just because you have a connection to them does not mean you're going to fall in love right away and never find them to be exasperating and frustrating. Babies are a big adjustment and falling in love takes time, just like any relationship. Speaking of poop, I'll be right back.


• Lots of water


• Ibuprofen


• Underwear you don't love


• Stretchy clothes

FOR SLEEPING

• A good lullaby album- "Sleep, Baby, Sleep" by Nicolette Larson is Lucy's favorite. It may be on repeat in our bedroom, but Lucy hears each song like it's the first time, so we have to suck it up and let it play. She loves it, and we love her when she's sleeping.


• A co-sleeper or bed nest. Baby does not want to sleep alone. Prepare for this in advance. You can't spoil a newborn, so let the little angel sleep with you.


• Zip-up sleeper bags- Carter's makes really good ones. Nobody wants to match buttons at 3am.


• A working remote for baby's "play time" at 3am.


• A good bouncy seat and lots of batteries. I would take all the weird dangly toys off. It makes it easier to get baby in and out, and there is nothing worse than an overstimulated and confused infant.


• Waffle-weave receiving blankets- they're stretchy, thin and easy to swaddle with.

FOR BREASTFEEDING

• Two or three brand-new really soft towels. You do NOT want to use your everyday "they dry so well" scratchy towels, believe me. Just spend the money and buy something super soft.


• Lansinoh Super Soft Nursing Pads. A warning: These are the best ones out there, but they're individually wrapped. A word to the wise: Unwrap them all at one time and restack them in the box. Just trust me on this.


• About 20 cloth diapers. There is nothing glamorous about feeding a newborn. Surround yourself with absorbent material.


• Soothies- they're in the feeding aisle at Walmart and Rite-Aid. I wouldn't use them past day 5, but I wouldn't go to day 5 without them.


• Ibuprofen


• A breast pump, even if you plan on that "on demand" nonsense. Some women produce enough milk to wet-nurse an orphanage. I have the Evenflo comfort something. You don't need anything ridiculously expensive, but you need something.
  
• Sports bras, nursing bras and nursing tanks. Buy them all.
• The Nursing Mother's Companion- I would read this twice, maybe three times, before ever attempting to latch a child onto your boobie. Breastfeeding is a natural thing, but it's a very unnatural process. Babies have a terrifyingly strong grip.

FOR GOING OUT

• A Moby Wrap. Best thing since sliced bread. You can make one for about 5 bucks and learn how to use it online.
• Shout Wipes, OxyClean Mini and Tide Pens.

I will add to this as I find things that are necessary. I think I spelled that wrong.