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Rochester Local

What You Actually Need for Life With a Newborn

adjustment period, baby gear, blanket, bouncer, burpcloths, clutter, feeding, good health, healthy food, infant, just the basics, minimalism, mom mentor, necessities, newborn, newborn baby, nursing, postpartum health, rest, support team, too much

It’s no secret we live in a culture with the mentality that more is always better and bigger is always best.  We see it all over – with houses, cars, toys, meal portions, clothing, etc – where pricier, bigger, and fancier ranks you “more important.”  There are plenty of people who successfully avoided buying into this (excuse the pun), and then there are others who once did but are pulling back the reins.  We’re seeing minimalism rise up in all sorts of ways, and a lot of us parents are plain old tired of all the clutter stuff brings to our homes, minds, and lives.

I’m a mother and I’m a birth worker, and I never stop being amazed at just how much stuff we’re told we “need” for our children, even before they’re born.  It can be completely overwhelming, especially when you’re a first-time mom and have no real way of knowing what you will or won’t actually need for when your newborn baby is in your arms.

Yes, there are plenty of material items that are genuinely helpful and supportive when it comes to caring for an infant, so this list will include some of those.  Just remember that you don’t have to have a house full of things to take genuinely good care of your baby – purchase the necessities and then wait until baby is here.  Then you’ll know what you really will use.

Here are my suggestions for what to have in preparation for life with a newborn:

  • The Best Support Team You Can Build.It’s a bit unnerving just how rarely we’re advised to think through this aspect of parenthood.  Fact: you will need support during this vital adjustment period of parenthood. This is what we may need most of all after baby’s arrival – it isn’t a thing at all, it’s the practical support of people around us.  Think through what may help your days go smoother and who can fill those roles for you.  This could include setting up an online meal delivery calendar (just email it out to friends and family, or have someone do it for you), inviting your mom to stay with you for the first week or two, asking a friend to come over and babysit once a week from the newborn period during months 1-3 because you’ll have work to prepare for once again, hiring a postpartum doula to ensure you have a shower, laundry folded, food to eat, and a nap each day, etc.  Whatever feels right for you and your family – plan ahead for how others can help you.  I can promise that any truly loving friends and family members will be eager to support you however they can.
  • Comfy Place(s) to Sit and Rest
    Where will you sit while holding and feeding baby?  There is a lot of time during the first few months spent doing those two things, and your recovering, sleepy body will thank you for having a comfortable place to be.  This does not require the most expensive baby rocker either – pillows for propping can go a long way!
  • A Large Stash of grab-and-eat Food and Drinks Take advantage of offers from friends to bring food – you need nourishment for recovery and overall good health.
  • Many Burpcloths My husband and I (only half jokingly) said we could never have too many burpcloths.  We used them for everything!  There’s the obvious one of catching baby’s erps, but we laid them under baby’s bum for diaper changes (if there’s a little leak or spill, just swap it out for another cloth without needing to change the whole pad cover), stuffed in my shirt during breastfeeding to catch the unattended side’s drips, as a pad under baby’s head when he laid down on the couch or carpet, etc. – so many options here. 
  • A good bouncer seat for baby to chill in 
    Again, this doesn’t need to be fancy, it’s just a great place for baby to cuddle into so you can more easily eat with both hands, shower, etc.

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  • Some clothes, some blankets
    I know they’re all so dang cute, but there’s no need to go overboard here.  The cute baby clothes really will always be here, and it’s not worth buying a bunch of things a newborn baby will hardly (or never) wear or use.  Get the basics, then gather more as you go.
  • Plenty of diapers and even more wipes
  • Mom Mentors, Certified Lactation Consultants, and Your Pediatrician on Speed Dial
    Have these numbers handy before baby comes, and once you’re in full-fledged parenthood, you’ll be so happy if/when you need to contact one of these support people!

Congratulations!  Your baby will be in your arms before you know it.  These days are precious and fleeting – soak it all in and enjoy.

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