Surviving the Rollercoaster Ride of Pregnancy & Newborns: 20 Mom-to-Be Necessities
Hey moms-to-be and new moms! Let's talk bellies, boobs, and babies. Time to dive into the wonderful world of pregnancy and postpartum essentials. There's no doubt in my mind that the timeframe from early pregnancy through the first six months of my now toddler's life were the most challenging I've ever experienced. The saying "surviving not thriving" was used frequently in my house. As someone who has completed that rollercoaster ride and is onto the next, I am here to help new mamas with products I found along the way were life-savers. I've got you covered with these 20 must-haves that'll keep you healthy, sane, and prepared through this wild ride of early motherhood.
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Let's face it, growing a tiny human is like being a superhero on a cellular level, and every superhero needs her vitamins! Ritual's prenatal vitamins saved me dearly in the first trimester as swallowing other vitamins made me want to vomit (IYKYK). These lemon scented all in one vitamins spared me the nausea, so they're like a daily superhero in a lemon cape for moms-to-be. With essential nutrients like folate, omega-3 DHA, iron, and vitamin D, these vitamins ensure you and your little one get the nutrients you both need. As someone who tried at least 4 different highly rated prenatal vitamins, I can tell you this is the only brand I would recommend and use during my next pregnancy. I also still take their post-natal vitamins now. They also have a 30 Day Happiness Guarantee. $15 Off your first order through link.
When morning sickness hits like a freight train, these nausea sweets little lifesavers are like a sweet kiss from the nausea gods. These are delicious, all-natural sweets packed with nausea-fighting ingredients like ginger and vitamin B6, providing sweet relief when you need it most. While everyones experience is different, these worked better for me than any other anti-nausea tricks or products you may find on Amazon.
When pregnancy insomnia strikes, and it will for most, Unisom SleepTabs save the day (well the night). These were recommended by my OBGYN as totally safe and even taking half a pill works wonders at night time. It's also recommended for anti-nausea during pregnancy but I found it made me a little extra sleepy, so didn't love taking it during the day. It's a non-habit forming sleep aid that helps you drift off to dreamland faster and stay asleep longer, so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. I still use these occasionally when I want a solid early night of sleep.
I have two favorite companies for pregnancy and postpartum products for mama and first one is 8 Sheep Organics. They cater to the unique needs of moms during pregnancy and postpartum with thoughtfully designed products with all clean and natural ingredients. The Pregnancy Survival Kit I liked here includes all the products I used on my motherhood journey. During the second trimester I frequently had restless leg syndrome at night which would both keep me from sleeping and wake me up in the night. So after some research I started using their Peppermint Foot & Leg Rub at night before bed and bam problem solved. It prevents leg cramping and help relieve aching and swelling ankles. To help me relax before bed or if I had specific areas of pregnancy-related pain, I use the Sleepy Body Lotion. It promotes deep sleep and eases sore hips or low back, and minimizes restless legs. For my growing belly I used the Immortelle Belly Balm each night before bed and the True Belly Serum in the morning. These two products have very different textures but in their own ways helped to moisturize, reduce itch, soften the belly skin, and prevent stretch marks. It wasn't until the last few weeks that I got a few stretch marks, but they have completely faded and can barely be noticed now thanks to these epic products I continued to use after having my son. It's worth it I promise. The photo I took here also includes the Junior's Bedtime Lotion I use on my babe at night. You can read about that in my Baby & Toddler Sleep post here. Get 10% Off 8 Sheep Organics products with Code ALYSSA02630.
The ultimate cuddle buddy for those nights when your belly feels like it's harboring a bowling ball. This Milliard U-Shaped Pillow is designed to support your belly, back, hips, and knees. It provides the perfect balance of comfort and support for a restful night's sleep. Having tried two other pregnancy pillows of different shapes first, this one is 100% the best quality and at a good price. You can use the U-shape either direction (U curve at your head or feet) and enjoy relief on your back and hips in many ways to shape it. I don't know how anyone pregnant sleeps without these.
Tinyhood Courses are like having a team of experts in your pocket, ready to tackle any parenting question or concern. My husband and I took the Expecting Collection: From Baby to Birth course when in the third trimester and it taught us everything. From delivery to breastfeeding, baby eating to infant CPR, and diaper changing hacks to sleep assistance recommendations, I am so glad we took this course. The courses come in bite-sized lessons so they are not overwhelming and deliver expert advice delivered straight to your sleep-deprived brain. I highly recommend this course to every new mom.
The Boppy Nursing Pillow Original is a breastfeeding essential for new moms. Its unique shape and firm support help position your baby at the perfect angle for comfortable feeding sessions, whether you're breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. It is especially helpful if you are like me and need a C-section, in which case having a baby laying directly on your belly for the first several months is not comfortable. This is the MVP of breastfeeding support, because everyone can use a little help and no one likes feeling like they're wrestling an octopus during feeding time.
Let me tell you, I tried so many different brands of nursing and pumping bras thinking they would all do about the same thing so it would be no big deal. Wrong. Most of them are either not comfortable, not supportive, not functional, not cute, or a combination of all. Kindred Bravely has absolutely nailed the perfect nursing and pumping bra. Yes, they are spendy compared to others (I tried all those cheaper 5 pack ones on Amazon first too, big mistake). Seriously though, this is a piece you want to make an investment in as you will wear it quite literally day and night for what feels like forever at the time. These bras have strong, comfortable support and light padding which helps for larger breasts. They have easy latch clips to take down for feeding times and a hole for fitting a pump head into. Unlike the other brands I tried, these hold the pump firmly so you can be HANDS-FREE! Hallelujah.
Earth Mama Organics is my second favorite pregnancy & postpartum care company. If you choose to breastfeed, the best self-care you can do is to use Earth Mama Nipple Butter. Breastfeeding moms like myself swear by it for soothing sore, cracked nipples because it is the ONLY thing that gave me relief during the early months of motherhood. It is made with organic ingredients like shea butter and olive oil and is safe for both mom and baby. The lanolin-free nipple butter provides instant relief and protection. Cracked, raw nipples are no joke, and your boobs deserve some TLC. Earth Mama really looks our for moms with quality products that produce results. My photo here includes some of my other favorites. Get 10% Off your order through the link with code MOMMINGSIMPLIFIED
Whether your nips are raw or you are leaking milk, Silver Nursing Cups will save the day. These reusable nursing cups catch excess milk and protect your clothes from embarrassing leaks, all while promoting healing thanks to the antimicrobial properties of silver. Honestly sometimes during the first few months postpartum all you want is nothing on your boobs after feeding, and with these on under your bra you can get that feeling.
You can keep your baby close and safe while you sleep with the Halo Bassinet Swivel. As someone who had a C-section, this was one of the best purchases I made because it gave me easy access to my baby without having to get up or out of bed. Sitting up & down or moving in general is so hard after surgical birth. The 360-degree swivel design of this bassinet allows you to easily bring your baby closer for feedings or changes, making nighttime responsibilities slightly less painful.
When you need to quickly warm up bottles of milk or formula, the Phillips Avent Baby Bottle Warmer is an easy winner. It has a simple, easy to use design that fits almost all bottle shapes and you get a perfectly warmed bottle to your chosen temperature in minutes. It was so helpful for feedings and gave me peace of mind that my little one was getting a bottle not too hot or cold.
Let me introduce you to my secret weapon for hassle-free feeding times. If you end up supplementing with formula, this Baby Breeza Formula Maker is a #MomHack that saves you so much time, hassle, and mess. Oh and you can make a bottle from your phone in bed so its ready seconds later when you get to it! This revolutionary machine mixes, heats, and dispenses formula with the push of a button, saving you time and ensuring perfectly mixed bottles every time. It is not cheap, I recognize that, but as someone who ended up needing to supplement with formula, I wish I had purchased this sooner.
Colic is a nightmare and the ultimate daily mood killer, and these bottles are like magic for gassy babies. Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Bottles are so popular are beloved by moms and babies alike for their innovative anti-colic design. Trust me when I say the cute shape, texture, or pretty bottles don't match up to these ones. My son struggled with gas until we switched to these bottles and there was a night and day difference in his overall demeanor. They have a unique vent system that reduces air intake to help prevent gas, spit-up, and fussiness, keeping your little one happy and comfortable. Just save yourself the struggle and buy these from the start.
15) Spectra - S2 Plus Electric Breast Milk Pump:
Breast pumps can be so frustrating or so helpful, or a combination of both really. I first tried the cute portable ones that fit in your bra, then the hospital manual pump. Finally after much research I determined that the most consistently positive review pumps were from moms using the Spectra brand. This Spectra S2 Plus electric pump gave all the variations of speed and power needed, and all the parts gave a firm seal which was the issue I had with others. It accomplishes everything I needed and helped me to get more supply than I was previously producing from other pumps. Bonus, it's HSA & FSA eligible.
One of the hardest parts of having a newborn is the inconsistent sleep. When you need a little extra help coaxing your little one into dreamland without resorting to a lullaby marathon, Dreamland Baby has you covered. The sleep swaddle by Dreamland Baby is designed to provide gentle weight evenly distributed across your baby's body, promoting relaxation and better sleep. It allows for either arms swaddled in or out of the sack depending on preference, and they have transition sleep sacks as well. My son still sleeps in the largest size weighted sleep sack they have and sleeps soundly 11-12 hours a night in it! Get 15% Off your order through the link with code ALYSSACORVIN
For the battle scars earned during surgical childbirth, I used Earth Mama Organic Skin and Scar Balm. Your scar is a badge of honor, and you need to treat your postpartum skin to much-needed TLC. This organic balm is specially formulated to nourish and heal C-section scars, stretch marks, and other areas of compromised skin, leaving you feeling soft and supple. After using this for the first 6+ months postpartum my scar has become so light now with very minimal 'shelf effect'. The balm is good for massaging the tissue around the scar once approved by your OBGYN to help heal and avoid thick tissue scaring below the skin. Get 10% Off your order through link with code MOMMINGSIMPLIFIED
Almost every mom knows the struggle of hair breakage or loss after baby, but now say goodbye to postpartum hair woes with K18 Leave-in Repair Hair Conditioner. This treatment has done wonders on restoring my damaged hair, leaving it stronger and more resilient than ever before. You need quality hair products now, because postpartum hair loss is real, and your locks deserve some love too.
When your newborn is napping on you midday and you are struggle to nap along with them, you can block out light and promote relaxation with the NodPod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask. It's unique design applies gentle pressure around your eyelids, mimicking the sensation of being held or hugged and helping you drift off to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. I wish I had this at the very beginning, but I'm still using it to this day to help me fall asleep at night and it works wonders.
Listen, some of you may scoff at me having this product on the list of necessities, but hear me out. When you are exhausted, worn down at home in your sweats after sleepless months, sometimes you just want to feel a little more alive when you look in the mirror. It's hard not to be a critic of you postpartum body. I found with Lux+ Unfiltered products I could get that pregnancy glow back and look more awake somehow without the sun damage by using the Bronzing Face Drops. The drops blend seamlessly into your favorite moisturizer or foundation, and give you a natural, sun-kissed glow year-round. This company makes products that are vegan, non-toxic, and high quality so safe to use around baby. Who says new moms can't have that beach vacation glow? Call it silly, but I found that small things I could do to bring my confidence up at this phase made a huge difference to my overall happiness.
With these 20 essentials by your side, you'll be ready to tackle anything motherhood throws your way with grace, humor, and a touch of bronzed perfection. Remember, you deserve to take care of yourself too, not just your new babe! Treat yourself - you deserve it! 🌟💕 For more mama self-care and #momhacks, check out my other blog posts and follow me on instagram for all the updates & discounts @MommingSimplified!
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