As a new parent, you are constantly reading in magazines about what to have ready when the baby comes home. These are usually lists filled with just the right products every newborn needs from an adorable layette of matching onesies, to the wipes warmer for babies little tushie. This is not that kind of list!
Instead, 2 seasoned moms are telling you a few things they couldn’t live without those first few weeks.
1) A swaddling blanket. Whether you have to steal it from the hospital (they have nice big ones) or buy cosy organic swaddling blanket (products link here to Swaddle Designs Organic), the art of a good swaddle will provide you with hours more sleep when your baby isn’t jerking themselves awake every 20 minutes
2) The number of a great lactation consultant and a great breast pump rental facility. No judgement here about whether you need to breastfeed, but if you do decide to, these are two things most new moms end up needing in the beginning. While I have heard of those mythical few moms who breastfed easily from the beginning – we weren’t among them and my lactation consultant and breast pump became my early companions those first few weeks. A great nursing pillow is fab too. I loved the My Breast Friend.
3) A sling and a birthing ball – Okay the reality is , that great birthing ball you got will be much more useful after the baby is born. Whether you are using a simple sling like the Peanut Shell (link) or a carrier with more bells and whistles (link to Ergo), you will find that the best way to check your email at 3am and get the baby back to sleep at the same time is to strap the baby against you and sit and bounce on the bouncy ball as your chair at the computer.
4) A handsfree phone headset. Whether you are nursing or bottlefeeding, you will spend many hours cradling your newborn and trying to get them to fatten up with milk. The first few months this is an excellent time to catch up with everyone you know and complain how tired you are.
5) A reclining Swing. My favorite is one of the ones by Fisher-Price with the little mobile. My baby loved swinging and loved looking at the mobile in later months. It was a great way to have dinner together with your husband without holding a baby. Or to rock a fussy baby to sleep when they have their first cold and don’t want to be lying flat.
6) A Stroller. Okay, we know we are biased here but this is a great way to rock a baby to sleep for that fussy afternoon period while you are out walking with a friend, getting back into shape, or just sitting at a local café and enjoying a muffin. I had a stroller with bassinet and loved it but anything with full newborn recline does the trick for comfy newborn slumber.

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By: Jo & Melissa The Baby Gear Gurus www.letsgostrolling.com “Wherever Summer Takes You, Let’s Go Strolling has all the products you need to make your life even better!”