It has been exactly 3 weeks since miss Avery was born! I love her so freaking much! It is pretty wild what a blur the first few weeks are when you have a newborn. And it’s amazing how many online orders I’ve placed since the day she got home. I thought I had everything ready to go for when we came home from the birth center, but I was incorrect. I had many things I didn’t even need and never even used. Obviously everyones needs are different, but hopefully my list helps you prep for your own postpartum period a little more! All these items were game changers for me, along with my postpartum meal prep freezer meals!
Most Helpful Items For Myself
Frida Postpartum Underwear – I wore this underwear for the first two weeks and wore a couple pairs per day if any bleeding leaked through from my pad into the underwear.
Frida Peri Bottle – I filled my bottle with a sitz bath brew to help with healing.
Gigantic Pads – I bought a bunch of ice pack pads then didn’t use them at all. I just found them really bulky and uncomfortable. So I had my SIL head to Walgreens when I got home from the birth center and buy me as large of pads as possible. I don’t have a brand I recommend because they are all gigantic and annoying, but they saved me during those first few days of heavy bleeding.
Haakaa – This is fantastic with catching letdown when you’re breastfeeding on one side. I’m able to get a couple ounces at a time and use that to feed Avery from a bottle later that night.
Elvie Milk Catchers – And when I don’t feel like messing with the Haakaa, these catchers are super helpful because you can just slide them into your bra.
Manual Breast Pump – I thought I would use my electric pump more, but I’ve found that this manual pump works a lot faster than the electric and I get a few ounces in minutes.
Silverettes – These are a breastfeeding must. One of my nipples cracked after the first day of feeding while I was still getting the hang of it and these healed them within a day. Silver is incredible!
Nursing & Pumping Bra (Code PALEOMG20 for 20% off) – I love this bra so much and wear it almost every day. It’s my favorite of all the nursing bras I’ve tried.
Lily Pads – If your breastfeeding boobs are like mine, they like the leak everywhere and ruin every bra and top you have on. These pads stop leaks all together! Such a game changer.
Nursing Pillow – This pillow is by far the best. I also have a boppy and kind of hate it. This one is so much more comfortable.
Water Bottle – Get a water bottle for every room in the house that you plan on being in. When you’re breastfeeding, you’re constantly thirsty. I have a water bottle in our bedroom, the nursery, and living room.
Electrolytes – Make sure you’re getting enough electrolytes in so you’re actually absorbing your water! I have an electrolyte packet every morning and every evening now.
Most Helpful Items For Avery
Snuggle Me – Avery is in this multiple times per day, every day.
Super Soft Blankets – We’ve never used so many blankets in our life. So thankful to all the friends who gifted us blankets. I never thought we would use them all and we absolutely do. This one is my favorite because it’s breathable, but still has some weight to it.
Pacifiers – These are saving us right now. Avery is a bit fussy at this stage and the pacifier is really comforting to her, which really saves my nipples at times.
Pack & Play – We have this set up in our living room and it’s so helpful for a changing and napping station. Can’t recommend it enough when it comes to the room you’ll be in the most.
Baby Bjorn Mini – I’m using this carrier almost every day. It’s super easy to put on and get her in, without having to do all the wrapping like other carriers. And it puts her right to sleep as soon as I start walking around.
Stability Ball – We bought a nice rocking chair for our living room and a beautiful rocking chair for our nursery…all Avery wants is to be bounced on a stability ball. Our backs are killing us. But bouncing on the balls soothes her so we keep bouncing awayl
Slow Flow Preemie Bottles – I didn’t think I would give Avery a bottle this early on, but it has been a game changer for sleep. I go to bed at 8pm, Brian gives her a bottle in the evening while I’m sleeping, and then he brings her to me to breastfeed her at 1am, and then he goes to bed. We both are getting 5-7 hours of sleep per night because of this arrangement and it’s all because of introducing a bottle early on.
Baby Bottle Sterilizer – I use this for Avery’s bottles many times per week and it cuts down on cleaning time.
Doona Carseat to Stroller – Having a carseat that turns into a stroller makes life SOOOOO much easier.
Baby delight baby bouncer – our 3 month old has so much discomfort from gas and BMs, this seat puts her in a comfortable position while still giving her freedom to move. Wipeable diaper changing pad – blowouts get worse the older they get. And angelcare bath seat. Bath time is a real favorite these days. Taggies- first toy she will consistently grasp and show interest in. Next purchase will be a hip carrier baby seat because she hates the baby wearing carriers, needs held ALL day and mommas tired! Never thought I’d give in to all the baby stuff.
Also, the sleepea swaddle!!
I’m embarrassed that I’m LOVING these posts even though I’m not even preggo yet…. Getting a bit ahead of myself, but whatever! Post more! You’ve got me nerding out on baby led weaning now… I should probably try harder to get pregnant! LOL.