Postpartum Must Haves To Stock Up On Before Baby Comes

• Fridamom supplies– The hospital provides you with these kinds of things but it makes a big difference for me when I bring my own supplies to the hospital. The maxi-pad ice packs are amazing.
• Nursing Pads– I typically use these disposable ones but there are wonderful washable ones as well.
• Lanolin– Trust me.
• Hakaa– This wasn’t a thing for my first baby but once I got one it was a game changer. It helped me store so much extra frozen milk with my second and third kiddos. Also definitely get the one with the cap because it’s heartbreaking to knock it over in the middle of the night. I used this in lieu of a pump plenty of times and was so glad I had it.
• Nursing pillow- Absolutely a personal choice which one you use. I registered for a Boppy with my first pregnancy and ended up buying a “My breast friend” about two days into my nursing journey. This was what my lactation consultant suggested and I’ve used it for all my kids.
• Loose, forgiving clothes-Doesn’t matter what brand or if they are new, just that you can wear them comfortably and they give you easy nursing access. I love nursing pajama dresses for the immediately postpartum time and then usually opt for a piko shirt and leggings as time goes on.
• Ollie Gray Nursing Bra– After nursing three different kids for almost a year each, I think I can safely say I know what I want out of a nursing bra and Ollie Gray is my favorite. I will do a full review soon, but for now just trust me and get yourself at least one if not several of these.
• A heavy duty water bottle- Fill up a massive bottle to have next to your bed or nursing station overnight. I usually never drink from a water bottle with a spout except for overnight nursing. There were too many accidental overtired water spills all over me and baby that necessitated starting to use a lid. Its also really helpful to be able to open one handed because I usually get super thirsty as soon as I start nursing. I typically use my hydroflask for overnight and then something a little less bulky for during the day.
• Nursing entertainment- Doesn’t matter what you choose but definitely have a plan for something to entertain you. Staying awake during the overnight feedings can be hard and having something to entertain you is very helpful. Whether its the library app, a good podcast. a new vlog episode, or a bingeworthy TV series, find something that can keep you up.
• Frozen foods- If someone asks you for a baby gift idea instead of asking for an actual gift ask for a frozen meal. Or do what I do and just stock your freezer with Trader Joe’s and Costco frozen meal options. Either way works.
• Pumping supplies- Even if you don’t plan to pump or bottle feed it is always better to be prepared.
• A comfortable nursing place- Make yourself a little nursing or pumping corner in each section of your house. For me upstairs in my bedroom is always the first spot and then downstairs I have a comfy recliner with a table next to it.

While I would say there are plenty of other things to add to this list, with modern day online shopping you can get what you need as you need it so it’s better not to get too much in advance. Online overnight Amazon shopping is totally fair game when you are feeding a newborn and there’s always something you’ll need but didn’t think of in advance. Just have the essentials for the first few days and then order or have someone pick up what you need. No need to have absolutely everything before baby comes.