new mom Archives - Easy Mommy Life

Breastfeeding Essentials Every New Mom Needs

Ophira8 CommentsDecember 21, 2021August 4, 2017

Read time: 4 minutes

Breastfeeding essentials every new mom needs

Breastfeeding can be a rollercoaster ride. Right from the initial euphoria of baby latching on, to doubt and anxiety about milk supply. For first-time moms breastfeeding can be an overwhelming experience. It can be quite intense and an eventful journey to say the least. But with a balanced mindset and preparation, you can settle into your routine with the baby and succeed at breastfeeding.

This is a minimalist list of breastfeeding essentials you will need. These will help make the journey through breastfeeding a little more comfortable.

Breastfeeding Class

Correct knowledge at the start of breastfeeding is crucial to long-term success. Not many moms think of investing in a breastfeeding class and regret later for not having known certain information when they first started.

An online self-paced breastfeeding class is best suited for this very reason. You can take the class at your own pace and all the information is always available to you even after you complete the class.

This especially helps when breastfeeding throws a curve ball when you least expect. There may not always be time to call a doctor or LC, in such a case you can quickly refer the information sheets from class.

Breastfeeding Pillow

As a new breastfeeding mom you will experience arm and back pain. After going through an exhausting labor experience you will now have a mini human attached to you all the time. It’s not easy. But a breastfeeding pillow offers good support for your arms and back. This is a purchase that you don’t want to skip. I used my pillow until my son grew out of it at about 3 months.

Nipple Butter

You may experience sore nipples due to constant latching, unlatching and inexperience in breastfeeding. A natural nipple butter can be used between feeds. This helps moisturize the sore area and heal any cracks and bruising. I find nipple butters with calendula extracts to be quite helpful for quick healing.

Water Bottle

Breastfeeding makes you super thirsty. It is handy to have a water bottle by your bed side. In fact I place bottles all around the house since I get thirsty quickly and with no warning when breastfeeding! This is one breastfeeding essential you can’t skip.

Nursing Pads

The first few weeks of breastfeeding usually bring with them breast engorgement and leaks. Leaks can happen at times even when you are in an established breastfeeding routine. Nursing pads are a savior especially when you go out with baby. You don’t want your nice clothes to get spoilt.

Breast Pump

Once your milk supply is established a breast pump can give you a much-needed break from constant feeds. Pump milk when the baby sleeps and let a family member take over the next feed. You can use this time for yourself. Get some sleep, catch up on a book or go out with friends. I personally found an electric pump easier to use with better output compared to a manual pump.

Snack

Round the clock breastfeeding can make you ravenously hungry. I found the combination of dates and nuts to be the most filling snack. I even kept some by my bedside for midnight cravings. Other snacks that I found filling [when I could literally eat the entire fridge and didn’t want to pile on those calories] were hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter sandwiches, hearty soups and smoothies. Read my post on easy snacking ideas for breastfeeding moms to know more.

Nursing bra

A good nursing bra is an important essential. Try to look for ones with clickable clasps these are easy to unhook when the baby is in a hurry to feed.

Nursing cover

When traveling with a baby or when out and about a nursing cover is a great option to feed in public. You can even use a big wrap or shawl if you have one. Always pack one in your diaper bag.

These were some of the breastfeeding essentials that all new moms need early on. Which ones do you swear by?

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Must Have Newborn Essentials Checklist

Ophira5 CommentsNovember 24, 2018August 2, 2017

Read time: 8 minutes

It’s always a challenge for new parents to narrow down on a list of items they need to be ready with once their little one arrives. The sheer amount of information available online can be overwhelming and leave you a bit confused.

Recently a pregnant friend of mine asked me to help her out with a newborn essentials list and hence the inspiration for this post. I have curated a list of products that have been tried and tested by me on my baby.

I have categorized products as per the need they serve. Some points that apply to all baby purchases are:

Babies grow fast; in the initial months, the entire wardrobe changes every 2-3months. Be judicious with the number of clothes you buy for any given size.
Buy clothes with natural fabrics and minimal dyes to prevent rashes.
Always test a new skin care product by applying it to a small patch on the baby’s arm. If there is no breakout or reaction within 24 hours consider it safe for use.

Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials. ~Meryl Streep

Let’s get started:

Clothing

The number of clothes you need depends upon the weather and your washing routine. I’m providing a rough estimate of the numbers:

Jhablas [Baby Vests] – 12. Jhablas come in cute colors and are made of light cotton fabric. They keep the skin ventilated and your baby comfortable in hot climates.
Sleep Suits – 4, Onesies – 10. Buy front opening or Kimono style sleepsuits and onesies. They are easier to slide-on a newborn.
Caps – 3. It’s a good idea to be cautious when buying caps, as some babies don’t take to them. Start off with buying a couple and gauge whether your baby finds them comfortable.
Socks and Mittens – 3 pairs.

Recommendations:

Sleep

Baby Blanket – 5. My son was born in the summer. I bought organic cotton blankets by Nino Bambino. They are soft and have lasted my rigorous washing routine. For colder weather, I recommend knit blankets by Pluchi. They are thick and good quality material. Get 3 soft summer friendly ones and 2 winter blankets.
Swaddles – 7. Muslin swaddles are easier to handle compared to cloth swaddles. You may even try readymade swaddles.
Quick Dry Sheets and Bed Protector – 5. Babies pee all the time – everywhere, enough said.
Baby Monitor.

Recommendations:

Feeding

Breastfeeding Pillow – All new mothers should have one. I have already spoken about why you need a breastfeeding pillow and I can’t stress on it enough.
Nipple Butter – My recommendation is Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. It’s an all-natural formula and very effective in treating sore nipples.
Breast Pump – Electric breast pumps are far more user-friendly than manual ones. They save a lot of work and contain fewer parts making them easier to assemble and clean.
Sterilizer
Bottles – Keep 6 for exclusively pumping or formula feeding. If you are only pumping occasionally then 3 should suffice.
Breastmilk Storage Bags – These will come in handy when you start to build your stash.
Burp Cloths – 3 muslin burp cloths
Bibs – 3 cotton/muslin bibs

Recommendations:

Bath

Hooded Towels – 3
Baby Bath Chair – The first few weeks we gave baby bath the traditional Indian way. Once he was a little bigger in size we moved on to the bath chair. The chair comes handy from about 2 months of age to more than a year. We still use it at 17 months.
Baby Wash – My hospital recommended Sebamed baby wash for newborn baby. This wash has a very light fragrance and mild on baby’s skin. It helps maintain the pH balance of the delicate newborn skin. Later, I moved on to other more natural products like Earth Mama Angel Baby Shampoo And Body Wash and Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo And Body Wash. I love both these brands. They are made using natural ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about the baby coming in contact with harmful chemicals on a regular basis. Both of these worked well on little ones skin too, with no irritation.
Natural Diaper Balm – I don’t use a lot of products on my son’s skin. I use diaper cream only in the night before bedtime. The rest of the time I just make it a point to clean him properly ensuring that the diaper area is dry and change diapers often. We have never had a case of diaper rash because of this routine.
Virgin Coconut Oil – Since I didn’t feel comfortable using too many products on my son’s skin, I stuck with virgin coconut oil for his massage and to help moisturize his skin from time to time.
Baby Lotion – On the occasions when I did want to use lotion on him I used Sebamed or Aveeno. Both of these brands are a good choice as they are made for babies delicate skin. A plus point about Aveeno baby lotion is that it has no added fragrance.
Cotton Balls – Mothercare cotton balls are the best for baby’s soft skin. They are in a larger size compared to other cotton balls in the market. This helps make cleaning easier. We stuck to using cotton balls and warm water to clean diaper area for about 7 months of baby’s life. Once he started getting wiggly we moved on to natural wet wipes.
Washcloths – You will need lots of washcloths at least 24, to begin with. Washcloths are used for everything from wiping baby’s drool to bathing them to helping wipe off those runny noses. I have tried a few varieties and the best ones in the market are Mothercare washcloths and Mumma’s Touch washcloths.
Baby Care Kit – You will find baby care kits in the market that contains all the essentials like a suction bulb, nail clipper, thermometer, comb and sometimes even a toothbrush. These are a great buy.

Recommendations:

Diapering

Diapers – You will need Pampers Newborn diapers to start out with; at least 2-3 huge packs.
Langots – 24, In the initial days baby pees and poops a lot, you need at least 24 at hand if you want to have an alternate day wash routine. I liked the langots that come with padding in the center. Though it can’t absorb the complete pee, it lasts longer than regular non-padded langots in my opinion.
Changing Table – A designated changing table is highly recommended as you can keep all the nappy changing essentials at hand.

Recommendations:

Out And About

Stroller – We personally didn’t buy one, in our situation it didn’t make sense having one. But it may differ for you especially if you plan to travel with your baby.
Baby Carrier – A baby carrier made more sense in our case, as this was a hands-free way to carry the baby and also the more portable option for us in our city.
Car Seat – A car seat is a must! Get the baby into the habit of sitting in a car seat from the very beginning it helps in the long run.

Recommendations:

Other Things You Might Want

Baby Rocker or Baby Bouncer – To keep baby in a safe place when you are busy.

Recommendations:

Fisher Price Rainforest Friends Comfort Curve Bouncer

Phew, that covers the newborn essentials any new mom should need. Hope this helps you too!

This blogpost contains affiliate links. These links provide me with a small percentage commission but don’t cost you anything extra.

10 Unique Gift Ideas For New Moms

Ophira9 CommentsJuly 2, 2024June 16, 2017

Read time: 5 minutes

Wondering what to buy for a new mom in your life? Do you want to get her something unique, thoughtful and practical? I have exactly the list for you! The new mommy in your life is going to love you for selecting these gift ideas. Let’s get started!

New Mom Survival Kit

Collect all the essentials that the new mom will need. Be creative! This kit can be tailor-made to your friend’s interests. Essentials you can pack are:

Lip balm
Body butter
Shower gel
Cozy socks
Magazines
Snacks
Hand cream
Chocolate, etc.

A combined mommy and baby basket is also a good idea!

Breastfeeding Class

Correct knowledge at the start of the breastfeeding journey is crucial to long-term success. Not many moms think of investing in a breastfeeding class and regret later for not having known certain information when they first started. An online self-paced breastfeeding class is best suited for this very reason. The class is self-paced and the information is available to participants even after completion of the class. There is no better gift than the gift of knowledge.

Baby carrier

Baby carriers are awesome gifts. They secure the baby while in motion and help the parents multitask. I was introduced to babywearing when a friend gave me her Anmol wrap and there was no looking back from there. Babies enjoy being close to mother and there is no better way to make the mother-child bond stronger than babywearing

There are so many different types of carriers in the market. Ring slings, standard full buckle carriers, hybrid types of carriers – to name a few. Popular Indian brands are Anmol Baby Carriers, Soul Slings, and Kol Kol Baby Carriers.

Professional Photoshoot

Want to do something extra special for the new parents, why not gift them a photoshoot. It is an expensive gift to give so you might want to team up with a group of friends.

The opportunity to capture the newborn stage of your baby’s life is something every parent wants. Of course, goes without saying your gift stands out as the best they receive. High-five!!

Food Delivery

A food delivery or tiffin service helps new parents to get some time off home chores and spend time with the baby.

I missed my mom’s cooking when she returned to work after a month at home with me. All that pampering with soups, smoothies, hot meals brought down to a few freezer stashed meals. I was dreading cooking again, looking after baby and the house.

This idea is therefore perfect for a friend that lives in a nuclear setup. Ease her stress on the home front by sending home-cooked meals. Your mommy friend will appreciate your gesture so much.

Food Basket

In case organizing hot meals is difficult for you then assemble a basket with healthy options for the new mom.

Nature’s Basket does a lot of food baskets for those who want a ready-made option. Alternatively, you can make one at home too. Just add all the healthy snacks and fruits you can think of.

In India, people give methi ladoos to a lactating mother, but let’s face it no one is going to be eating ladoos all day. So try and come up with different snacking options. Healthy snacking options for breastfeeding mothers are:

Dry Fruits (Almonds, cashews, apricots, pistachios, etc.)
Seasonal fruits
Box of Dates
Lactation Cookie s
Rice crackers
Granola bars
Hummus and other dipping sauces with bread
Nut butter
Herbal or fruit infusion teas for mothers who like drinking tea but can’t consume much caffeine.

Water Bottle

A nursing mom gets thirsty often, and a water bottle can be her best friend. Get your friend a water bottle with a time marker so she can track how much she drinks in a day or even better – get it customized! It will make her smile and feel special every time she drinks from it.

At-home beauty services or massage

Moms are always short of time be it a new mom or a seasoned mom. Personal grooming takes a side step in the process. Going out of the house to get anything done is a chore that moms dread.

Book your friend a home beauty service or massage. Call a local spa or salon or use a beauty service app like Urban Clap to book an at-home appointment.

Cute Pajamas

Woman in bed drinking coffee in her pajamas

The new mom may not even have time to look in the mirror. She is probably running around the house in her old t-shirt and leggings.

Make her feel special with a cute pair of pajamas. If she is a breastfeeding mom get one with a front open top, so it’s easier to feed.

Date night

Last but not least. Gift the new parents a dinner date at their favorite restaurant or café. Nothing beats a little time out from their baby world.

They can recharge their batteries. Reconnect with each other and return home energized and raring to go again.

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New mom gift ideas — Happy Parents equals Happy Baby!!

I hope my list helped you find the new mom in your life a beautiful and thoughtful gift.

Do leave a comment on what you got or if you have any unique ideas of your own.

This blog post contains affiliate links. These links provide me with a small percentage commission but don’t cost you anything extra.