These were my must-have items for my first 6 weeks of motherhood.
In Part I, I will list my Mom essentials. Parts II and III will cover breastfeeding and the baby, respectively.
Admittedly, this list is long, and you can definitely survive without a lot of these items. The most important thing I had was the support of my husband and my mother. They allowed me to lounge with our newborn son all day long, setting the stage for a well-established bond and successful breastfeeding.
For Mom
- Frida mom peri bottle
This worked great for going to the bathroom during the healing process. The peri bottle also works as a baby bidet if practicing elimination communication.
Link: https://frida.com/products/upside-down-peri-bottle - Nursing gown
A relaxed fit dress with easy nursing access. This is comfortable for all day wear, can be used as a nightgown, an at-home dress, or even to go out in. I like the black one.
Link: Motherhood Maternity 3 in 1 Labor, Delivery and Nursing Gown - Men’s boxer briefs
So comfy during the last few weeks of pregnancy, and especially while recovering from delivery. I bought mine from Old Navy:
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=441582#pdp-page-content - Epsom salts
I’ve always had Epsom salts handy and they really helped when I had a clogged duct during the first week or two of motherhood. - Prenatal multivitamin
When researching prenatal vitamins, I used Lily Nichols’ list that she provides for readers of her books. I chose the Full Well prenatal, as they strive to include the more bioavailable forms of the vitamins required (such as folate, rather than folic acid). I was however disappointed when they did a revamp of the company (it was previously named Full Circle), as during that process they switched from glass bottles to plastic (understandably because of fragility during transport) but did not reduce the price. I was happy to pay more for glass rather than plastic, but the price stayed the same.
For updated advice on which prenatal vitamin to choose, follow Lily Nichols, RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist), CDE (certified diabetes educator) at https://realfoodforpregnancy.com/pnv. I encourage you to subscribe to her email list, as she publishes new blog posts frequently, sharing her most recent research on all things related to nutrition and well-being during pregnancy. - I also take organ supplements, as they contain the most bioavailable vitamins for us humans. When my prenatals ran out, I didn’t order more, and just stuck with the organ supplements. There are two brands that I recommend:
Ancestral Supplements
Heart and Soil - Vitamin D supplements
If you are breastfeeding, aim for a dose of at least 6,400 IU to ensure that your baby is well-supplemented. For more information (backed by science), read the following article by LLLI (La Leche League International):
Vitamin D, Your Baby, and You
and/or watch the following video by Ken Berry, MD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ7j6qBaB4s
Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, you should look for one paired with a fat (such as coconut oil). My go-to is the Sports Research brand, which I usually order from iHerb:
iHerb Sports Research Vitamin D with Coconut Oil - Sippy cup for mom (I brought mine home with me from the hospital)
- Non-restrictive nursing bras
Tip: don’t buy bras before the end of your third trimester; or just wait until your milk comes in, as you may grow more than expected (all the bras I bought during my third trimester didn’t fit me by the time I started nursing). My favorite nursing bras are Target’s Auden cross-front bras. They don’t have any clips and are very affordable.
Link: Women’s Nursing 2pk Pull Over Seamless Sleep Bra – Auden™ - Bath pillow
I was provided one at the hospital when I labored in the tub for a short while, and my husband suggested that we bring it home with us (since it was going to be disposed of anyway. I brought it home with me from the hospital for comfort when taking baths with the baby. - Books
For reading while nursing 24/7. The first two books I read when I returned from the hospital were LLI’s The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Jennifer Grayson’s Unlatched. Tip: I buy most of my books off of secondhand websites such as Thriftbooks and SecondSale. - Snail serum
I used this to relieve my itchy stretch marks during my third trimester.
Link: Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Serum - Coconut and/or calendula oil
For healing, cradle cap, chapped nipples, etc.
While I don’t have a favorite brand for coconut oil, I recommend searching for cold-pressed or unrefined coconut oil that is packaged in a glass container. Here’s a guide I found explaining the various labeling:
https://ultimatepaleoguide.com/coconut-oil-guide/how-to-choose/.
I order calendula oil from a semi-local NH farm, Bee Fields Farm.
Link: https://beefieldsfarm.com/product/calendula-infused-oil/ - Prepped fat-rich snacks: salami, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, etc.
- Fuzzy socks/slippers
These are good for the hospital and for home during fall and winter - Rocker/glider
Good for nursing, rocking the baby, and taking a break. A great place to search for affordable rocking chairs is Facebook Marketplace. - Foot stool (for nursing)
I have an ottoman to use along with my rocking chair and I have heard good things about the My Brest Friend Nursing Stool. - Extra pillows – for extra comfort while nursing
Pillows are extra important for me while nursing – elbow support while in the chair or while nursing on the couch - Cloth napkins (for mom)
It was so easy to make the switch from disposable stuff for adults when we decided to use reusable-everything for the baby. - Electrolytes (for mom)
I add Redmond’s Real Salt to my water as it contains more minerals than your average table salt. I also take their Re-Lyte capsules occasionally, especially on hot days or on days when I just feel tired. - My Only SodaStream Bottle; my personal seltzer bottle
I love seltzer, but we were purchasing too many cans, which often are lined with a BPA-containing plastic film. We therefore decided to make the switch to a SodaStream, which has not only saved our wallet and the environment, but freed us from a few toxins as well. - Hair buffs (for my afro)
I have not gotten a haircut since November (right before my trip to Israel with Itamar), and my hair is just growing up and up, but it’s looser than it was before I gave birth, so the hair buff does a good job of keeping my frizz out of my face.
Disclosure: I am not affiliated with any of the links I have provided above.
Also pictured: my sippy cup, boppy pillow, rocking chair, hair buff, and the very useful tray table
Nursing mom tip: I was pretty much topless for the first month or so, no one’s got time for shirts when they get full of leaky breastmilk or spit-up
Rotem Weisman, LMT, Doula 