Starting on the right foot: What moms should buy before their baby arrives into the world
As you look down at your very pregnant belly, you’re probably feeling a handful of emotions. Love… Excitement… Pride… And of course everyone’s favorite, overwhelming anxiety. With that due date fast approaching on the horizon, the prospect of imminent parenthood can seem extremely daunting. It’s only natural to feel unprepared leading up to it, but the reality is many many have done it before, and so can you.
It’s true, once your little one comes into this world parenthood will come at you fast and hard. But while this time is a bit of a trial by fire, it doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to help prepare yourself. One way to hit the ground running is to stock up on all those things needed for motherhood, both for yourself and your baby. Which is why we’ve prepared two checklists- one for things moms should buy for themselves, and one for what they should buy for their baby. Let’s check it out!
What mom needs before baby arrives:
1) A quality breast pump and nursing bra– Between taking care of your child, the home, and your office job, meeting your baby’s breastfeeding demands is a tall task for any mom. Which is why a quality breast pump and nursing bra is your best friend. A quality hands-free electric pump like the S9 Pro or S12 Pro from Momcozy can help you meet your baby’s demands while giving you the freedom to move around and take on the other responsibilities in your life. A quality nursing or pumping bra allows for quick and convenient access for feeding or pumping and offers extra comfort and support for engorged breasts.
2) Nipple cream, breast hot/cold packs, nursing pads- Yes, whether you’re nursing or pumping, everything in life will seem to revolve around either your little one or your breasts. With issues ranging from dry, chapped or sore nipples, to engorged breasts and mastitis, be sure you’re stocked up on the essentials that can give you that sweet relief when needed.
3) Blanket- This one may not seem so obvious, but with all that quality time spent nursing, holding, or playing with your little one, having a nice mobile blanket to keep you warm wherever you are will make your time much more comfortable, especially during the colder months.
4) Post-partum care- Let’s be real here. The recovery and transformation process your body goes through post-partum is no joke. Stock up on all those little things that can help your body navigate this process more smoothly, including perineal ice packs, extra large maxi pads, stool softeners, post-partum recovery panties, and post-partum pajamas among other items. These items, while not glamorous, will make your life much easier. Remember, your mental health is just as important during this period. Put together a list of professional and medical help you can reach out to, and know, there’s no shame in seeking help if the going gets too tough!
What a baby needs:
1) Car seat- You’ll need a car seat for your baby much sooner than you think- As in, the ride home from the hospital. Your baby’s first seat will need to be rear-facing to protect your child’s head, neck and spine. Make sure it’s been installed and ready to go before it’s time for your baby to enter the world.
2) Bottles- Unless you’re breastfeeding your little one every single time on demand (highly unlikely), you will need milk bottles for storing your milk and feeding your baby. When choosing a milk bottle make sure it’s as close to the real thing as possible, and convenient to use and clean. Anti-colic bottles have an off-center nipple and angled neck to imitate the natural angle of breastfeeding, which is good for preventing your baby from swallowing too much air when feeding, and controls milk intake.
3) Milk warmer- Obviously any breastmilk not immediately fed to your baby should be stored in the fridge immediately. But milk should be rewarmed when the time comes to feed again, as babies prefer milk closer to body temperature, and the fat layer needs to properly mix back in. Whatever you do, don’t just warm it back up on the stove or by nuking it in the microwave- this destroys key nutrients that your baby needs. A dedicated milk warmer like the one from Momcozy can quickly bring your milk back to the right temperature, while preserving those essential nutrients.
4) Choose a good diaper and baby wipes, and stock up- The moment your baby comes into this world is the moment they start ‘producing’ at a staggering rate. Instead of struggling to buy enough diapers quickly enough to keep up with your little one’s production, choose a good diaper and stock up.
A good diaper should ‘baby’ your baby’s butt. This means it should be soft (for minimal friction), absorbent and hypoallergenic. With trial users giving praise to its softness, Momcozy sub-brand BabyCozy’s Bouncy Soft diapers are a good choice that fulfills all the above.
A good idea is to start with at least 50-100 newborn diapers, and the same amount for the next size up.
Naturally, with all those diaper changes you’ll also need lots of baby wipes. Maintaining moisture and protection is critical for a newborn baby’s skin, so choose a baby wipe free of alcohols and additives, that also includes moisturizers, such as BabyCozy’s Coconut Nourish wipes.
5) Baby care products- Stock up on at least a month’s worth of baby care products, including any lotions, creams, soaps, infant-safe sunscreen, baby wipes- really anything that would come into contact with your baby’s skin.
When choosing baby products, natural is the name of the game; everything should be free of alcohol or any other additives. Your baby’s skin is sensitive, so you only want the gentlest of products ever coming into contact with their skin.
6) Swaddles- Not just for cute Instagram photos, swaddling protects your baby from their startle reflex and also keeps colicky babies calm by eliminating their anxiety through imitating your touch. Remember, your baby’s skin is not like yours, and will require something softer than a standard towel or blanket. Soft, non-abrasive fabrics such as cotton or bamboo swaddles are best.
7) Nursery basics- You don’t want to be caught unprepared to house your little one when it’s time to come home. Prepare your baby’s sleeping space beforehand. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should sleep in the same room as their parent for the first year to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Preparation should include a crib or bassinet, mattress, bedding, and diaper changing table.
Since you can’t always be in the same room as your little one it’s also a good idea to invest in a baby monitor. Look for a monitor with wireless capability, long battery life, a large screen with night vision, and 2-way talking capabilities, so you can always keep tabs on your child. BabyCozy’s baby monitor is a good option that comes with all of the above capabilities.
8) Clothes for every season- You don’t want to wait until it’s too cold or too hot before buying weather-appropriate clothing for your little one. Before your child comes into this world, make sure you’re stocked up on baby clothing for every season. This includes cold weather clothes like hats, onesies, and mittens, and wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for the summer to protect against the sun’s rays.
9) Thermometer-From the moment your baby comes into this world he or she will be exposed to all the germs, pollutants and allergens that come with it. As much as it may pain you to hear it, they absolutely will get sick at one point or another. While most ailments won’t necessitate anything beyond your love and care, having a thermometer to check your little one’s temperature is critical just in case anything goes south. Digital rectal thermometers are best to get more accurate readings.
Final thoughts
As you’ll soon find out, parenthood is more than a full-time job. As stated by BabyCozy representative Cherry Yeow, “It can be overwhelming, but if you have the right preparations in place, you can at least hit the ground running.” She continued, “Plans can always change, and sometimes you may feel like you’re doing a bad job. But as long as you keep a proactive mindset and your baby feels loved, that’s good enough.”
This blog post was sponsored by BabyCozy.com. For more last minute things to do before baby arrives visit their website to prepare!
