The Ultimate New Mom Guide to Prepare for a Newborn

You did it! You’re going to be a new mom!

I am so happy for you and I cannot wait for your amazing journey ahead. I remember when I first found out I was pregnant I had a million questions… ALL of which had to do with what I needed to buy and have in my hands for the first few weeks of motherhood! 

There are SO many things that you think you need after reading over a thousand blogs and a few parenting books, but honestly…most of it is not necessary.

I want to save you both time and money by compiling a list of the absolute essentials that I needed for each of my kids when they were born.

With over 80 essentials you will have plenty to choose from and will have a good idea of how and where to start when you go to register for your baby shower.

As a disclaimer, some of the links below are affiliate links so I will be compensated for recommending these products to you, but there is no additional cost to you for clicking through to the products on the list….and I definitely appreciate your support.

So, dive into THE ULTIMATE LIST below and if you have something that is a mommy MUST that is not on the list, be sure to leave a recommendation in the comments so that you can help out new moms who read this post.

Photo by Christine Olson Photography 

The Stuff No One Tells You You Need:

1. Batteries in Bulk – From swings to baby monitors to noise machines and toys – we are constantly needing batteries around this house lately. Stock up. 
2. Dry Shampoo because you will never have time to wash your hair – like ever. LUSH is my personal favorite brand, but there are tons out there! My bottle has lasted me over a year and I use it almost daily. 
3. Dock a Tot – So they can sleep well. THIS my friends…is heaven sent. 
4. A Crock Pot because ain’t nobody got time to cook dinner on a stove or oven after having a baby! 
5. A Swing That You Can Plug In – out of FOUR swings that we have tried, I am going to keep it real. This Fisher Price one has been both of our baby’s FAVORITE one out of all of them. 

Best Places to Find Affordable CUTE Clothes:

First, I recommend you checking out our Instagram here, where I TAG all of the shops I get our clothing from in all of our photos. So if you see a shirt or outfit you like on there, just click on the photo one time and the tags will show up!

1. For YOU during pregnancy: PinkBlush Maternity is one of my faves {LOVE their robes! I wore mine my whole hospital stay and for the entire first month of postpartum. Maybe took it off a few times to wash it, but would put that thing RIGHT back on every day!}
2. For YOU after pregnancy: It is ALL about being comfortable! I live in leggings, yoga pants and over sized tees…maybe I get dressed up once a week for date night or a special occasion. 😉 Some of my favorite places to shop for me are Target, H&M, Forever 21, Daisy Love Boutique, Sloan & Bri and Sexy Modest.
3. For BABY BOY & GIRL: Old Navy, Target and H&M. Some of my favorite online shops for babies and toddlers are Beau Hudson, Sugarplum Lane, Rags To Raches and Freshly Picked.
4. For MOMMY & MINI MATCHING: Sly Fox Threads, Hello Apparel,  SandiLake Clothing.

The Embarrassing Things that are ABSOLUTE Necessities:

1. An amazing nursing bra – LOVE The Dairy Fairy! 
2. Nipple cream – You will need at LEAST one whole tube. If not three. After a while your nipples adjust, but the first few weeks are ROUGH and this stuff is a life saver! 
3. A 6 week mark night out with your man – you both deserve it! Go to the spa. Go on a date. Get a hotel room. Do something FUN and romantic and sexy with that guy by your side! The six week stretch is a long time. 
4. Preparation H Medicated Wipes – You will use them! 
5. Stool Softener Powder – People do NOT tell you, but trying to go to the bathroom after you have a baby is so hard. Milk of Magnesia did the trick for me! 

C-Section Must Haves:

1. Belly band – Pressure Wrap. The hospital will give you one too and I am telling you… WEAR IT! 
2. Toilet seat extender because ouch. 
3. Frozen Maxi Pads – it hurts down there! These are the only thing that helped me feel better besides pain pills. 
4. Stretch Mark Cream – Because let’s be real…we all get them. 
5. Lots of Advil – Bring on the pain meds! 

For Getting Around: 

1. Doona – THIS stroller right here is a mommy game changer for us modern moms! You can check out the video of me with ours here! 
2. Mirror For the Car – so you can see what’s going on back there! 
3. Car Seat Cover – There are tons of cute ones out there! A few of my favorites are Copper Pearl, Covered Goods and Milk Snob! 
4. Blue Tooth Tool for Hands Free Car – Safety first folks! Annnnd you won’t have any extra hands. 
5. iPad Holder for long trips – Couldn’t travel without this thing.

Nap Time:

1. White Noise Machine – puts the baby to sleep and most importantly KEEPS them asleep! 
2. Owlet Smart Sock – I could NOT live without this. It brings me the peace of mind I truly need every single night. Check out my full review here.
3. Baby Wearing – I am obsessed with baby wearing with my second. It’s the only way I am getting anything done around here! 
4. Swaddles – There are so many amazing swaddles and blankets out there! I LOVE Hooray! Baby for swaddles, Tightly Wrapped for sleep sacks and Saranoni for the softest blankets. 
5. Halo Bassinet – my favorite bassinet out there! I love having my babe sleep close to me the first few months and this bassinet has it ALL. The fact that it swivels every which way was such a blessing ESPECIALLY after a c-section! 

Protecting Your Baby From Germs:

1. Purell on Bulk – Can’t have enough of it! 
2. Baby Bottle Drying Lawn – My favorite thing EVER, especially for bottles, nipples and pumping parts!
3. Leather Pacifier Clip – Love PaciDoodle’s personalized clips that keep the pacifier from falling on the ground. 
4. Shopping Cart Cover – also love the 3 in 1 nursing covers, car seat covers AND shopping cart covers from Copper Pearl! 
5. Soft Laundry Baby Detergent: Dreft is my FAVE! 

For When the Baby Gets Sick:

1. Now Clinic – Online care over the phone. SO great for us mamas when we get sick especially, so we don’t have to take our littles to a sickie doc’s office! 
2. A digital thermometer – Always have one on hand! Especially to know if your new baby gets a fever – within the first three months, even the slightest fever shouldn’t be taken lightly and your baby should see a doctor immediately. 
3. Humidifier – you will absolutely need one of these for those congested nights.
4. Nasal Aspirator – I know that one sounds and looks so weird, but I promise it works! 
5. Video Monitor – So you can always keep a watch on that sweet little babe of yours! 

Bath time:

1. Baby bath tub and mat to go under bath – I also LOVE the Blooming Bath you stick right in your sink! 
2. A warm hooded towel with wash cloths – a necessity. 
3. Basic Grooming Kit for Fingernails and hair
4. Bedtime Baby Bubble Bath
5. Pee Pee Teepee for Moms of Boys

Getting Your New Baby Fed:

1. Breast Pump – I highly recommend the Medela Electric Double Pump! It’s fast, easy and does both sides at the same time. 
2. Soothie Pads – especially for those first few weeks of nursing and adjusting! 
3. Nursing Pillow – I also love the boppy for big sister to help hold the baby! 
4. Nursing Pads – For those leaky boobs! 
5. Bottles – My personal favorite bottles are Medela! Both my babes have loved them and they’re the easiest to clean!

Everything Diapers: 

1. Butt Paste – Diaper Rash Cream
2. PeePee Teepee for Moms of Boys – You will be shocked how many times you will get peed on as a new mom! Cover that thing up! 
3. Diaper Wipe Warmer – Not necessary but amazing
4. Changing pad – also not necessary but amazing
5. Subscribe and Save Through Amazon Prime – Diapers delivered RIGHT to your doorstep so you don’t have to even leave the house! Obsessed with anything that makes mom life EASIER! 

Things to Read so You Know You Aren’t Screwing Everything Up: 

1. What to Expect the First Year – Along with the App
2. The 5 Love Languages of Children
3. Fun on the Run 324 Family Activities
4. Your Baby’s First Year for Dummies
5. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

Things to do at 1 in the morning: 

1. A Subscription to Netflix
2. A Subscription to Audible (for those who love to listen to books)
3. Come learn how to start a blog with us at Mom Blog School (shameless plug haha!)
4. Plan for the day ahead – I am all about check lists and calendars! 
5. Take an online course about a subject you’re interested in (Udemy)

Places to Find Quick Recipes for Easy Dinners:

1. Six Sisters Stuff
2. Skinny Mommy
3. Pinch of Yum
4. Cup Cake Diaries Blog
5. Tasty on Buzzfeed

Splurges that Were Always on My Wish List: 

1. Google Home or Echo Dot – Automate hands free
2. Pre-made meal service (BlueApron)
3. Professional Cleaning Service
4. Roomba
5. Tile app so you can always find your keys (life saver)

Thinking About Your Man: 

1. A coupon book for “favors” on your 6 week mark date
2. Thank you notes for when he takes the baby…more you thank the more he does
3. Dad’s Playbook – wisdom for fathers from coaches
4. Cute matching onesie shirt for him and your little
5. A Dad diaper bag that he can use while out with the kids – LOVE Fawn Design for BOTH of us to rock! 

I hope you LOVE this Ultimate New Mom Guide to help you prepare for your newborn! I am SO SO SO excited for you!

Being a mom is seriously THE BEST job in the world and I am forever grateful EVERY SINGLE DAY to have the opportunity to be a mom of two miracle babes.

My last piece of advice for every new mom is to LOVE it. To ENJOY it. And to CHERISH every minute of it. Life gets crazy. Life gets fast. But I promise it is worth it ALL and there is nothing in this world that is more rewarding and can bring you more happiness than being a MOM.

xoxo Danielle

Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

March 10, 2017 by Danielle Davis | 1 Comment