New baby amiright? You have waited so long for this tiny human to show up and now….what? This is the hardest thing I have ever had to learn! And what I have learned barely applies to another new baby that is also created by me!

In all honesty, that little baby is so lucky to have you and you are the person BEST equipped to take care of them. Think about that. In all your worries and fears, you are the BEST. Don’t forget that when you feel like you are lost.

Here are 5 things I have found that actually can help you while you learn about your baby and adjust to having them outside of you. This is a basic list and will not work for everyone but I am a firm believer that we don’t need all the things people tell us to buy. So here goes:

Baby Swing

Truth be told I haven’t had a swing with all my babies. I didn’t get one until my 5th! And it was a hand-me-down gift! I don’t know how I got by without one before. It has been great while I am trying to write this blog, run around after his siblings and just trying to get dinner done. This one is similar to the one I was gifted. However, there are cheaper ones and way more expensive ones. All I know is having one that moves on its own is amazing so whatever you decide, get the electric one.

Stretchy Panties

I know they aren’t pretty.

Now having a baby is hard and it gets messy. This is true for cesarean sections as well. I have had babies both ways but most recently it has been c-sections. However I wish I would have found these panties that stretch all over with my natural births. They are elastic enough to hold ALL the pads in place AND they don’t dig in anywhere. This was crucial this time for me because my incision and surrounding area were incredibly tender and I could not handle pressure of any sort. These undies kept the pressure away from that area and all the other things in place.

HUGE Water Cup

I LOVE ice water. I love it when I am pregnant and I love it when I am nursing. I like the 40 ounce size so I only have to refill it 6 times a day. I kid, I kid. But sometimes it is that much. It keeps my cold stuff cold and warm stuff warm. It has a straw hole in the cap and it is way better than those plastic cups they give you in the hospital.

Nursing Bras

I love these Cake Maternity nursing bras. I have tried and tried bras throughout my pregnancies and nursing. These fit the bill. Support and comfort. I mean as comfortable as can be when you are engorged and sore. My only complaint is that I need to wear pads in my bras for a few months postpartum. One of my Cake Maternity bras came with the ability to put a cup into it but not the other. I don’t know about you but I dislike the lumpy bumpy look of a nursing pad in my bra. I tend to always try to get bras with a cup. It is great there is an option but how about we just include it? Looking at you, bra people. Edit: one other complaint- they get pilly. That is annoying. I am a mom and can’t always get my laundry into mesh bags. However they are still holding up well.

Update- I found Auden bras at Target for half the price that are wire free AND have a built in cup for shaping! I can’t find them anywhere else. But they pill really easily so they don’t stay looking nice very long. But comfort is key here.

Lansinoh Nursing Pads

I have always used the Lansinoh nursing pads. I love them. They are thin and absorbent. I have a Haakaa that can collect on the side you are not nursing from so you don’t have to waste precious milk. But sometimes you are in a store and hear someone else’s child cry and my boobs want to respond. So pads are essential for this. Also the packaging is recyclable. Win! I also have the washable version. So if you are looking for an even more eco-friendly option that is the route to go.

Pads

Of course we are talking about period pads. Menstrual flow pads. BUT dare I say the ones I am talking about are the hospital version?! I really love these because there is no fanciness. I don’t need beautiful packaging for this mess. I also don’t need wings. I hate them and I don’t think they work. But it is pretty hard to find plain pads and no wings! So I order the same ones the hospital gives you and they work perfectly in my stretchy undies after baby.

There you have it. Five things that you actually need and can use. Enjoy your babies!

What is something you can’t do without?