All of the things! What you really need for baby's first few weeks

Getting pregnant is magical. If you are like me, once you are far enough along and feel comfortable, you tell everyone the news, from your closest friends, to the Starbucks barista. If you are a first time parent, you have a big job ahead of you: figuring out how to prepare for this new addition. You need ALL OF THE THINGS to raise this child properly, right?

Using my own experience as a parent and as a postpartum doula, I have tried to narrow down five of the absolute must-haves, both for parents who are preparing for the biggest job (and joy) of their lives and their adoring friends and family who can’t wait to purchase ALL OF THE THINGS for the baby.

Note: this is not an exhaustive list. I do not tackle strollers, car seats, diapers, and much more. My goal is to outline a few key items that I have found essential during the first few weeks of a newborn’s life, while also providing some tips about purchasing to save you money and sanity.

Swaddles

Have you ever had the experience, usually when you are falling asleep, that you are actually falling? You startle and jump a little bit. This happens to your baby a lot. It’s called the moro reflex and usually lasts until your baby is three to four months old. I come across many moms who say, “My baby just doesn’t like to be swaddled, so I don’t do it.” I urge them to keep trying each day while showing them techniques to soothe their baby while he or she is getting used to the swaddle. A swaddle will help mitigate this reflex and help baby sleep. You don’t have to buy fancy products (and there are a million options out there); you can just use swaddle blankets and wrap that little baby burrito as tightly as possible. I find, however, that a Velcro swaddle blanket is the easiest option, especially as you fumble around in the middle of the night. These Halo brand sleepsack swaddles have been the favorite in our household.

Breast Pumps

You will most likely be able to obtain an electric pump through your insurance. Many women do not realize this, and instead they register for one. Check out your options through your insurance first. In addition to an electric pump (especially the Spectra S2), any of my clients will tell you how obsessed I am with the Haakaa silicone breast pump. This thing is the best. It takes some practice to get used to it, but it is an amazing way to collect milk from the opposite breast from which you are nursing. I have not personally found it to be an adequate substitute for an electric or a more traditional manual breast pump when you are replacing a feed (i.e. if mom is away from baby and baby is taking a bottle), but it is a genius way to build a freezer stash without having to add a pumping session in addition to the hours of nursing you are already doing in one day.

Footed Pajamas

One word: zippers. Your newborn will live in those adorable footed onesie pajamas for the few couple of weeks, and any veteran parent will tell you that the ones with snaps can absolutely end you in the middle of the night. Buy the ones with zippers. Register for the ones with zippers. All zippers; all the time.

(And make sure to get at least a couple in newborn size. We made the mistake of thinking that 0-3 months and newborn sizes were interchangeable, and our first child -- born eight pounds, two ounces -- slept in our only newborn-sized item his first night home from the hospital: a completely adorable but entirely-inappropriate-for-sleep miniature tuxedo shirt with bow tie attached. Whoops.)

Health and Hygiene Items

Newborns are naturally congested. Unless their congestion interferes with feeding, you really do not need to do anything about it. It is a good idea to have a bulb syringe, which should be provided to you if you birth in a hospital, and/or a Nose Frida, on hand along with some saline in the event that you do want to clear their tiny noses. If there are big brothers or sisters in the house, especially toddler-aged, the potential for a cold is greater, so be sure to have the necessary items ready just in case and monitor the baby very closely. You also want to have a thermometer on hand because fevers in a newborn are serious business, and you do not want to have to venture out in the middle of the night to buy a thermometer if you suspect a fever. You will need a rectal thermometer along with a water-based lubricant (Vaseline or petroleum jelly can lead to an inaccurate temperature reading). Lastly, consider some miniature nail clippers. While newborn nail tips are actually quite easy to just peel off – and many parents find this method less anxiety-provoking than using actual clippers – consider having a pair like these on hand. Some babies come out with talons that can do a number on their little faces.

Postpartum Doula

There are a zillion other items that every website and mommy blog will tell you that you need. And yes, some of them you may need eventually. One thing you can be sure that parents will need is support. A postpartum doula provides physical and emotional support for the new mother, which in turn benefits the entire family. She helps prepare meals; handles light housework; provides evidence-based breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and newborn care advice; and most importantly, instills confidence in parents as they navigate their new world with their new addition. So, instead of buying that oh-so-adorable newborn-sized party dress that will absolutely never, ever be worn (or will be pooped through almost immediately), how about pooling some funds with other friends and family and treating mama to a postpartum doula? Most postpartum doulas charge between $35-$50 per hour and some offer special packages for baby shower gifts (including me!). Three hours of support for a few days during the first few weeks can be life changing for any and all parents.

What other items were essential for you in those early weeks? Comment below!