Facebook is really good at advertising, not a surprise, so I have been seeing articles on what supplies new moms can not live without ( I assume most of these lists are all about selling things, but my list is not) and I thought I would make my own list, as I have less consumerism and a little more experience than most moms.
So here is my current grooves list:
1. Support belt- I need both my support belt and my chiropractor to keep my hips functioning this pregnancy.
2. Extra pillows on the bed- to keep stomach contents in their proper place at night and prop up legs
3. Good bras- I have searched high and low and the best I have found come from Target ( And they are the cheapest) https://www.target.com/p/women-s-nursing-seamless-bra-auden-153/-/A-54236901?preselect=54173405#lnk=sametab the sizes on both playtex and leading lady have been very inconsistent this year. And I have never found a $70 bra to live up to the cost. I actually like the padding this pregnancy because my nipples are extra sensitive and it protects them against the toddlers who crawl on me and bump them. This bra support a 38DDD pretty well, and even though it soft, I still get tired of it by the end of the day.
4. Skimpy dress- a knee-length mumu style that covers me enough to be allowed in public but keeps heat-trapping down to one layer of cotton. This is of course only because it is summer here. What you need will depend on your location and temps.
5. Heartburn meds- again about sleep
6. Hemroid cream- this is truly a life saver, and it doesn't take much. I am still using the same tube I bought with baby #5.
7. nursing pads- not needed now but very useful after birth, along with menstrual pads (I use cloth) and a few disposable supplies to make new motherhood slightly easier.
Next list: things I am preparing for baby.
I got rid of all my baby stuff 2 years ago, when I turned 40 and my youngest was over 2. I thought we were done (cue laughter).
1. A place to sleep. I like a bassinet next to the bed. A porta-crib also fits there and will be used when she outgrows the bassinet. Nothing fancy, as she will be spending most of time cuddled next to my breasts.
2. A place to change her in the family room. For many of my kids the ottoman became the defacto changing table. This time we are out of ottomans, so I turned a tote into a changing table/ottoman by attaching a changing pad onto the lid (thanks velcro), and inside I am storing her diaper supplies. We are cloth diapering, with prefolds and snappy, size-changing covers. We also use old towels cut up as diaper wipes (these can be tossed if I don't want to wash them). I used cardboard boxes inside the tote to separate and organize the supplies.
3. Clothing, as guessed at for sizing and seasons- bought mostly second hand at garage sales this summer. I have 8 children as guides on growth and timing for sizing. But basics like onsies and footies are almost always needed in all sizes and temps, and garage sales sell them for a quarter each verses anywhere from $2-14 each in the stores.
4. Receiving blankets- my mother-in-law makes the best ones, 45" square double flannel with cute designs. I have saved everyone she has made each of my 8 children and feel sorry for anyone that has to survive on store-bought versions. 8-12 of them I would recommend. (you could get by with 6 if you are on top of laundry).
5. An extra place to set the baby when she is not in my arms. At a garage sale I found the perfect fit- a little bouncy seat and a little swing, for $5/each. Do not buy new, they will only be used for a few months top.
6. Car seats- we splurged, bought new with an additional base so we can use the same seat across both cars. (after note, didn't work. The bases didn't fit in either the van or the car).
7. A place to wash baby- a sink with a towel on the bottom works for the youngest. Once they can sit the sink is still a great place, although the towel on the bottom isn't needed anymore. I find plain water is the best to bathe baby with. If something is extra sticky or stinky a little bit of soap can be used.
Things we will eventually need for baby- but don't need yet.
1. A highchair. I like to $20 from Ikea. They are small, cheap and have a washable cover. The child will only use one from about 8-16 months, so not worth spending lots of money on. Perhaps a nice garage sale find, but I find in our kitchen size means so much that Ikeas might just be the right choice again.
2. Baby dishes. She will need sippy cups, as we go from breast to cup without ever using bottles. I like having all matching pieces so everything fits everything else. 2-4 cups would probably be enough. Baby spoon can be useful, although I prefer the finger feeding stage, and when they come out of that they are usually big enough that regular spoons and forks will work. At most one set of silverware in baby/toddler size. I have never found a "Spill proof" bowl or plate to be of any value. (But bibs that cover any cute clothing would be a requirement).
3. Toys. Someday- don't rush, people love to give toys as gifts.
4. Stroller. Someday when covid-19 is no longer a major threat to baby we will be going out (also needs to be snowless outside to be useful), and an umbrella stroller is so worth having around- often kept in the car, for when its time to go and do things. I don't recommend a fancy thing, just a basic $40 (I ran over mine and found out new ones are now $70. Luckily I could replace the wheels for only $30) stroller that folds small and sets up quickly. If baby was born early in a normal summer we might have gotten a stroller that fits the car seat on top, but by the time we will need one this time she will be old enough to use the umbrella style with no problems.
5. Baby proofing supplies. maybe a few outlet covers, but for everything else just move the dangerous stuff out of her reach for the next 10 years (or get rid of them entirely). Rubber bands can lock cabinets together for stuff you can not move, but I do recommend high shelves for most things.
6. More clothing. Every healthy baby keeps growing, and garage sales are a great place to stock up on future sizes. Some people organize them by size in totes or paper bags, so they are ready when your baby is.
