Unexpected New Baby Essentials

Being a new mom is hard. Make it easier by getting these 7 unexpected new baby essentials that you probably won’t find on other baby preparation lists!

When I was pregnant with Ryan, I searched all day and night trying to figure out what I would need after he was born – diapers, onesies, bouncers, swings.. all of it. I browsed the hundreds of registry and new baby essentials lists to find out what kind of clothing, equipment, and other doo-dads we would need to survive. (I even wrote my own list.) While most of them were useful, many missed what I found to be my own unexpected new baby essentials.

Now that I’m pregnant with number two, I’m thinking about all of the things that helped me the most the first few weeks after Ryan was born. And to be honest, the things I found most valuable and useful were totally unexpected. So I thought I’d put together a collection of my most valuable unexpected new baby essentials for all of you momma’s to be!

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Unexpected New Baby Essentials

Netflix or other Streaming Service – For at least the first week, while you’re recovering and baby is learning how to live on the outside, there will be a lot of couch time. Did you know that daytime TV is the worst ever? It is. Get Netflix and start one of the many, many, many TV series that may peak your interest. (I highly suggest something not so emotional, because if you think pregnancy hormones are crazy..)

Huge cup with a lid and straw – I drink about a billion times more if I am drinking from a cup with a straw, so we usually have a few of them. But they are essential when you’re a new mom! Find the biggest cup you can find, and buy it. You’ll thank me later when you’ve finally found a comfy position, the baby has finally latched on – or fallen asleep on you – and the death thirst hits you. A lid ensures that no matter where you’re sitting, you can set it down without having to worry too much about it spilling.

Nook/e-Reader – My Nook is 5 years old at this point but still truckin’ along, and it’s my favorite new mom essential. You will have many nights when you’re exhausted and need something to keep you awake. I used to read books or magazines on my Nook to try to stay awake. My favorite thing about having an e-Reader is for midnight feedings or fussy moments (hours). I would stand at the dresser in Ryan’s room, prop it up, and read while rocking and nursing him back to sleep. You can adjust the brightness so that it’s not blinding/keeping the baby awake, and you only need one hand (finger!) to swipe to the next page.

Shelf camis – These are GOLD you guys. Seriously, buy as many of these as you can afford. If you’re nursing, they’re easy to pull down or to the side without having to mess around with a nursing bra, and they’re not hot so when you inevitably get the hormone sweats you won’t have on a billion layers (and you can layer a sweatshirt on top). I recommend stocking up on a bunch since diapers will leak on you at least twice a day.

Night Mode App – I actually just found this a few months ago during the time when I was weaning Ryan at night and we were rocking him a LOT. It’s an app that dims your phone screen a certain percentage that you choose – more than your phone’s setting do. It’s PERFECT for midnight feedings and Pinterest browsing while trying to stay awake. On Android, you can turn it on and off easily without having to open up the entire app.

An empty phone memory – If you’re like me, every few days your phone tells you to delete some things to make room for new ones. You probably delete the bare minimum (especially if your phone is full of pictures of your other kids/fir babies) and then go on with your life. I HIGHLY suggest deleting as MUCH as you can before the baby comes because you’re going to be taking a lot of pictures and you won’t have the energy to delete them later. (if you have a phone that can use a micro SD, definitely buy a new one. It’ll just save you time.)

Super quick snacks – The first thing I ate when we came home from the hospital was a package of instant oatmeal. I was so tired, sore and worn down that Alex came to check on what was taking me so long, and I was crying because it was too much work to stand that long. (PLEASE remember that everyone is different. Some people leave the hospital and can do jumping jacks. Not me. This is not here to scare you.) I highly recommend stocking up on some things that can be made and eaten in less than 5 minutes with minimal dishes. Instant oatmeal, (<– my fave!) fruit with nut butter, dried fruit and nuts.

 

Moms – what were the things you needed after baby that were unexpected? Moms-to-be – did any of these new baby essentials come as a surprise to you? Let me know in the comments!

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