8 Accessories Every New Mom Needs
Being a new mom can be overwhelming in more ways than one. There is the impending arrival of your new family member, the transitional period of bringing them home, and most importantly the actual birth. With so much going on, the last thing you need is to feel overwhelmed with all the baby product purchases that you don’t even know if you will use. To help you simplify the process, here are eight accessories that every new mom needs.
1. Car Seat
This is one of the first things that you will need once your baby is born. You won’t be able to take your newborn home from the hospital unless you have a safe and effective car seat installed in your vehicle. But it pretty much goes without saying that you want to ensure that you are purchasing a top-of-the-line car seat to protect your newborn. Car seat safety is essential, so you want to make sure you are putting in enough time to research this piece of baby gear before you ultimately make a purchase.
2. Stroller
Unless you plan to never leave the house with your new baby, you should invest in a stroller up front. But before you do this, choose your car seat. Many newborn appropriate car seats can be popped directly into the base of their matching stroller which makes it much easier to transition a sleeping baby from the car to the stroller. These adaptable stroller/car seat combinations are often able to transition with your child from the newborn stage to the toddler stage. Also consider what type of places you will be taking your stroller to. There are all different kinds of options that are equipped for certain types of terrain. Figure out what is important to you in a stroller before you start your research.
3. Breast Pump
If you plan to breastfeed, a breast pump is a must-have. Pumping isn’t always the most comfortable task, so it is important to choose a high-quality breast pump to help with the discomfort. You want a pump that is not only powerful and efficient, but also portable. This way you are not stuck in a chair for your entire pump session. Alongside your breast pump, you will also want a good pumping bra. This will allow you to stay hands free and have easy access to your breasts.
4. Swaddles
Swaddle blankets are a godsend for new parents. A properly swaddled baby is a happy baby. Swaddling helps your baby to self-soothe and eases them to sleep faster which allows for mom and dad to sleep better too. Make sure you have plenty of swaddles on hand to help your newborn to get a good night’s sleep. You might be wondering, “how many swaddles do I need?” – having a few extra sets ensures you’re always prepared for any situation.
5. Plain Onesies
Babies are messy. If you are a first-time mom, you may not even have a full grasp on the extent of the mess that a tiny newborn can make. This is why many new moms find having a stack of plain onesies on hand to be incredibly helpful. Buy them cheap and in bulk so you don’t have to stress when your baby has an outfit ruining accident several times a day.
6. Burp Cloth
You are going to want to make sure you have burp clothes so you can keep yourself clean while burping your newborn. It is very common for babies to spit or throw up while being burped. In order to avoid this happening all over you or your partner, invest in a stack of burp clothes.
7. Nipple Cream
We apologize if we are the first ones to break this news to you, but breastfeeding can really hurt. Your nipples can become cracked, sore or even start to bleed in the early days of your breastfeeding journey. This is where nipple creams come in. Apply your nipple cream in between breastfeeding sessions to keep the area soft and prevent cracking.
8. Breast Pads
The last thing that we’d consider essential for breastfeeding moms is breast pads. It is completely normal for your breasts to leak small amounts of milk into your bra. And although it is normal, that doesn’t mean it’s comfortable. Lining your bra with breast pads will keep you from leaking milk all over yourself and prevent you from having to do more laundry than you already are.
Getting Ready for Baby
Getting ready for your newborn’s arrival is both exciting and stressful. While these are a few of our essentials, make sure you are doing research and talking to experienced moms about the things that they feel were necessary when they gave birth. And remember, you can always go out and purchase anything you need or return anything you don’t end up using. Just relax and get ready for one of the most exciting experiences of your life.