A Guide For New Moms: Baby Must Haves!

 Welcoming a new baby into your life is an unparalleled joy, accompanied by a deep range of emotions and pressure to properly prepare. In the thick of the excitement, there's also a ton of uncertainty and hundreds of questions that arise about what essentials are truly necessary. After countless friends who are expecting new moms reached out to me with many questions, I decided to create this concise, yet informative guide. There will always be more you can buy, but my goal is to make preparing for your baby's arrival a little less intimidating and a lot more helpful. We all know about the must have necessities like a car seat, stroller and crib, and I hope to impart my mindful and non-toxic approach of what materials and ingredients are healthiest for your baby. With that at the forefront of my priorities, this guide covers the most important essentials that will support you and your little one from your very first day of motherhood and beyond!

Mommy Essentials

Let's start with mommy essentials because after all, without mommy, there’s no baby. So this is actually the most important section because you first need to take care of yourself before you can take care of your baby! When you leave the hospital, there will be a few necessities you want to make sure to have already waiting for you at home. Let’s start with your own bodily care. You will need a bunch of disposable underwear and pads. I suggest setting this up beforehand in your bathroom so everything is organized in one place. Once you no longer want/need to wear disposable underwear, you’ll want to wear 100% cotton high waisted ones that are so comfortable and hold everything in while your body is still healing and contracting back together. You’ll also want a perineal care peri bottle. In my experience with both my deliveries, the hospital provided one that I took home and used, but if you want to purchase your own, here is a good option. The hospital also provided me with a belly band that I literally lived in my first week at home. If they don’t give it to you, ask for one!! If you want to buy your own, this is a great one. As a new mom with a new baby, if you are nursing, you are now the ultimate food source for your little one. Nursing (or pumping) is a full time job and with that you’ll want to make sure you have the proper support to get you through this special and challenging time. You’ll want 100% cotton nursing bras. You will also be eager to ease the pain and discomfort you’ll feel after each nursing session so definitely get nipple balm - you often won’t find a new mom without it. I have to tell you a little secret though; breast milk is basically like magic. It is truly liquid gold and has incredible healing properties. If you squeeze out a little milk onto yourself after each nursing session, they will literally heal right in front of your eyes. I promise it will make you feel better. You also can’t nurse without being hydrated so definitely buy a lightweight, glass reusable water bottle that you can bring everywhere with you and electrolytes. Now let’s talk about fueling yourself with the proper nutrients. You will need tons of fuel and that will all come from your food intake. Think healthy fats, warming foods, soups, bone broth, not cold salads and smoothies. You need the most nourishing foods in the first 90 days postpartum so make that a priority so you can ensure that you will feel good. While this may sound silly, one of my tips for surviving the newborn phase is to shower every single day regardless of what you did, where you went, and even if you just stayed home all day. Take 5 whole minutes to yourself, shower with this relaxing body wash and when you come out lather yourself in my favorite extra nurturing non-toxic body lotion and belly oil. It smells amazing and is safe for you during your entire motherhood journey, prenatal and postpartum. Take an extra minute to dry brush your body for the perfect restorative ritual. You’ll feel like a whole new person when you walk out of the bathroom.

TIP: Ask for help!! Whether it’s from your husband, parents, siblings, don’t be afraid to ask for help and be clear with what you need help with. Our family members and friends are not mind readers; they don’t know when, where or how to help unless you explicitly say what it is that you need. Be patient with yourself, every part of having a new baby is a phase and each one will pass by so quickly. 

Feeding

My goal is to make this as simple as possible for you. There is always more you can buy, but whether you are nursing or bottle feeding your baby, these are really the most important things you will need. 

1. 100% cotton bibs and burp cloths, lots! GreenSprouts, Burts Bees 
2. Baby glass bottles with appropriate nipple size (you will need to buy bigger nipple sizes as your baby grows) Avent, Dr. Brown, Life Factory
3. A bottle warmer 
4. This is not essential but many women like to have a nursing pillow for their own comfort. I know moms that have never used a nursing pillow a day in their life, while others bring their pillow everywhere with them because they can’t nurse without it. It’s a personal choice, I never really cared for one, find out what your preference is. Here are a few different options: My brest friend, Snuggle me, Boppy
5. A breast pump - I’ve used 3 different pumps, if you have questions you can DM me but I’m not going to recommend any specific one since I always had a hard time pumping, with each pump.
6. Milk storage freezer bags - This is so important, try to stay away from plastic and use 100% silicone bags
7. A high chair as your baby grows older. Now there are some very modern cool looking ones you can buy, but my suggestion is to look for one with a seat that you can tilt back and one that is easy to clean. This Lalo high chair is my favorite because it checks all the boxes and converts into multiple chairs that grow with your baby over time!
8. Feeding accessories for when you start to feed your baby real food. Your baby will need different types of bowls, plates, silverware etc,. as they grow through the different stages. Look for 100% silicone, glass or stainless steel.  These are my favorite brands, have fun! :)  Mushie, WeeSprout, Green Sprouts

TIP: Both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are beautiful ways to nourish your baby. Every mom’s journey is unique, and the most important thing is finding what works best for you and your baby. Follow your baby’s hunger cues rather than stressing over strict schedules. This will help relieve any stress or doubts about how much your baby is eating. And don’t forget to take care of yourself! Stay hydrated and eat nutrient-dense foods, which are key to supporting your milk supply! 

Sleep

When your baby sleeps well, you will feel like a brand new person. It takes some time, but having the right things to set up a safe, cozy and womb like environment will help your baby get there much faster.

Here’s what you’ll need: 

1. Lots of patience, teamwork with your partner and the belief that every night will get better because it does!!
2. Your baby will sleep best when they are tightly swaddled up like they were in the womb. Being swaddled signals their brain that it is time to go to sleep. I love these 100% cotton and super soft swaddles- Halo, KeaBabies, Aden and Anais
3. A sleep sack for when your baby starts to push one or both arms out of their swaddle Halo, Burts Bees, Aden and Anais, Kyte
4. 100% organic cotton pajamas
5. This bassinet is the one I used for both my boys and I absolutely love it! It connect directly to the side of your bed making it so convenient for those midnight feedings. 
6. Bassinet cotton sheets, you’ll want to have more than one in case your baby poops through all their layers and it leaks onto the sheet, which they will, so be ready :) Organickid GOTS certified, KeaBabies 100% organic cotton  ​​
7. This sound machine is the one I use in my boy’s room. It’s best to have one that doesn’t connect to wifi or bluetooth since they emit radiation. I plug it into the wall instead of connecting it to wifi. This is the sound machine we take with us on the go and when we travel. 
8. Baby monitor - same applies - the ideal monitors are low EMF, Bebcare Hello Baby. I personally use the Nanit.  
9. A crib as a baby gets older - look for one that has Greenguard certification. The Nestig is my favorite! It converts from a mini crib to a regular size crib to a toddler bed. Best bang for your buck and grows with your baby! 
10. Crib mattress - This is the 100% GOTS certified, non-toxic, and zero flame retardant chemicals mattress I use in my cribs and absolutely love!
11. Crib mattress pad protector  - same company as the mattress, completely non-toxic and free of vinyl/PVC, phthalates, latex, and 100% GOTS certified cotton!
12. Cotton crib sheets

TIP: Establish a consistent bedtime routine as soon as you can. This can include a warm bath, gentle rocking, a bedtime story etc. Consistency helps signal to your baby that it's time to sleep, and creating a soothing environment will encourage better sleep habits over time. Also I always found keeping the room slightly cool and using white noise to mimic the comforting sounds of the womb, always helped my newborn settle down more easily.

Bath Time

Bath time becomes one of the funnest parts of a baby’s routine. They’re the cutest little thing in the entire world, and their smushy body submerged in water will melt you. Don’t forget to take pictures of these precious moments!! You’ll want them to last forever. While all of this is true, bath time can also be a very unsettling part of a baby’s routine for a lot of parents because it is nerve wracking to bathe a new baby since their bodies are SO slippery. You’ll want to have everything you need securely set up for bath time before even undressing your baby. There’s nothing worse than a naked cold baby screaming and crying in one arm while you scramble to set up the bath with the other arm. Here’s what you’ll need: 

1. Baby bath tub Skip Hop, Lalo
2. Bath filter
3. Non-toxic shampoo  Pipette or Dr. Green Mom (code:mindfullymommy)
4. Non-toxic body wash - Pipette or Dr. Green Mom (code: mindfullymommy) 
5. Non-toxic baby body lotion - Pipette or Dr. Green Mom (code: mindfullymommy) 
6. Non-toxic baby balm - Matys, Earth Mama, Dr. Green Mom (code: mindfullymommy)
7. Baby towels Burt’s Bees, Mushie
8. 100% organic cotton baby washcloths Burt’s Bees, Honest Baby
9. Baby brush

Changing Table Essentials / Organization:

1. Changing table with a changing pad - look for Green-guard certified Babyletto, Graco
2. Disposable liners to put over pretty changing pads in case of accidental leaks this way you won’t have to completely change the changing pad
3. Non toxic diaper cream Earth Mama, Matys
4. Diapers - you’ll want to avoid Phthalates, sodium polyacrylate, bleached fibers, toxic glues and wetness indicators which can contain 1,4 dioxane. Healthybaby, Coterie
5. Wipes Honest
6. Diaper pail 

TIP: After bath time, dress your baby in their pajamas right in the bathroom where it’s still warm and humid. This avoids the chill of an air-conditioned room and helps your baby stay calm and cooperative. Don’t pass up on these really special few minutes of bonding time to brush your baby’s head or massage their little body - these all have calming benefits for your baby that will naturally ease the transition to bedtime. 

Baby Essentials

When preparing for the arrival of a new baby, having the right baby essentials can make a world of a difference in ensuring that your home feels comfortable, prepared, and organized to cater to each and every one of your baby’s needs. Remember your home becomes a safe space for you and your little one. You can always add to this list but these are the true must haves: 

1. THIS baby carrier is my ultimate favorite! It’s mini yet sturdy, easily adjustable and my husband and I both wore this comfortably all the time whether we were walking around our apartment or traveling across the country. Having a carrier literally is the one thing that will allow you to still get things done around your home with both hands while your baby is either sleeping or resting on your chest. This will make it significantly easier for you to multitask. 
2. Car Seat and Stroller: often these go hand in hand. I used the UPPAbaby Vista stroller along with the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat which I will continue to use for all my future babies. I love it that much! 
3. Mirror for your car to see your baby in the rearview mirror. I promise this will give you immediate peace of mind during every drive. Don’t pass up on this small but very important item. 
4. Activity mat for tummy time which will also help stimulate your baby’s senses and encourage development and exploration. Tummy time is so important for your baby’s development and growth, and having this will help your little one practice every day. LOVEVERY, Fisher Price
5. THIS baby chair supports your baby during mealtime or playtime, encouraging healthy posture and interaction. It will move with your baby’s movements but it is not a swing chair.

Baby Cleaning Essentials + Holistic Baby Care and Wellness:

1. Non-toxic laundry detergent Clean People, Molly Suds
2. Dishwashing baby soap
3. Baby castile soap Dr. Bronners
4. Non-toxic magic stain remover!! This is seriously my favorite stain remover and works like magic!! Oil, berries, paint, poop, you name it - this stain remover REALLY works! You will be running to this at every turn as your baby explores the world of food and gets stain after stain on their clothes. I not only always have this at home, but I always carry around a mini one in my diaper bag!
5. Non-toxic baby body sunscreen ​​
6. Non-toxic baby face sunscreen 
7. Non-toxic toothpaste Radius, RiseWell
8. Infant Vitamin C drops (code: mindfullymommy)
9. Vaxclear (code: mindfullymommy) This is an incredible cleansing supplement to give your baby before vaccines as it aids in toxin elimination. 
10. Immunity boost for babies and kids (code: mindfullymommy) 
11. Bronchial Calm (code: mindfullymommy) This is great for temporary relief of an occasional cough and helps with thinning phlegm and mucus.
12. Vitamin D+K (code: mindfullymommy) This is the perfect Vitamin D supplement to give your baby. Breastfed babies are often deficient in Vitamin D, so it’s important to be consistent with this. 

TIP: Check out Dr. Green Mom for all things holistic care and wellness for your baby, toddler and whole family! Resources like this have empowered me to make some of the decisions I have made and care for my children in the way I do. I think you’ll also find great comfort in having this as a resource for alternative options and a wealth of knowledge. 

I know for many people this preparation phase can be extremely overwhelming and nerve wracking, but don’t make yourself crazy. Everything in life is a balance, and with every new baby that’s born, so too, you become a new mom so we're really all just learning together as we go! Just remember to be mindful in allowing yourself the patience and grace that you deserve and you will do the best you can! I promise, there’s nothing like it.

With love, Shoshi