Preparing for the fourth trimester can definitely seem so daunting when you consider all of the different opinions and products out there. I personally did so much research on postpartum and newborn essentials and all of the things I should know before our baby came. It was overwhelming but helpful at the same time so I wanted to create a short and easy roundup of the essentials I actually ended up using for any new mamas out there to reference.
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Postpartum Care
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There are really only a handful of things you need for postpartum care. Some comfortable pajamas and loungewear, lotions and creams to soothe all those sensitive areas, and a good quality water bottle (Stanley brand is my favorite!). I used all of these in the hospital, too and they helped make the postpartum recovery process so much easier.
Breastfeeding (Exclusively Pumping) Favorites
Shop Breastfeeding/Pumping Essentials:
I personally only ended up nursing for about two weeks before making the switch to exclusively pumping. These essentials are pretty universal in their helpfulness for both journeys and they truly have made my life easier well into the fourth trimester. If there is ONE thing you snag from this roundup, let it be the Legendairy Milk Pumping Spray. It is a game changer when it comes to pumping and offering the comfort needed to make it a better experience.
Sleeper bras are also a must for comfort throughout the night and easy feeding/pump sessions in the middle of the night. I also have a few different pumps I like to use for different parts of the day. The Medela brand hand-pump is my personal favorite, expressing the most milk in the quickest time. My second favorite would be the Imani hands-free pumps which make my daily life so much easier as an exclusive pumper. I can take care of my baby, work and get chores done around the house at the same time and for that reason, they are worth every penny!
All of the other products pictured here have helped provide relief throughout my pumping journey and I honestly couldn’t live without them!
Newborn Essentials
Shop Newborn Essentials Part One:
There are so many great postpartum and newborn things here that I could write a million things about but I will keep it simple! For places to put baby down, the Snuggle-Me-Lounger was a must-have for the first month of our baby’s life. Full disclaimer: we have not used it much past that stage of her life because she out-grew it quickly but we used it SO much during those first few weeks that I still think it’s worth the investment. Our most used newborn essential would definitely be the Baby Bjorn Bouncer. Our baby loves sitting in it and we use it every day as a safe place for her to sit while we get stuff done nearby. The Mockingbird stroller is a family favorite, combining the luxurious style of a high-end stroller with a budget-friendly price. The bassinet attachment is a really nice bonus for the early months, making it easier for baby to nap while on the go. The 4moms Breeze Plus pack n’ play is great for a travel bassinet that you can also set up at home, too. We use ours downstairs for daytime naps and it has a changing pad attachment that we use daily to change her diapers!
For baby’s health, Little Remedies gas drops are a MUST. We couldn’t live without these for the first few months. They gave our baby so much relief when she was suffering from gas pains and they work almost instantly. BioGaia drops are great for breastfed babies – they combine a probiotic (to help with gut health and gas) and the necessary Vitamin D supplement that breastfed babies need.
I am also pretty sure that the combination of Water Wipes and Aquaphor is what has prevented our baby from getting a single diaper rash! So these definitely make the list for my must-haves too.
Everything else has definitely made our lives easier in a variety of ways and all get my stamp of approval!
Shop Newborn Essentials Part Two:
The Lovevery Playmat:
The Lovevery playmat is hands down one of my favorite baby items. We started using it for tummy time and short play just a couple of weeks after bringing our baby home and she has loved it ever since. It is equipped with so many developmental parts for babies to interact with and it looks beautiful, too! The design is easy to clean, easy to move around the house, and easy to setup!
Shop the playmat here and be sure to checkout their subscription service, too, which offers developmental toys for every age!
Bonus: What’s in my Diaper Bag
Shop my Diaper Bag:
Everything pictured here fits in my Fawn Design diaper bag and definitely makes our lives easier when on the go. It is true that you can’t be too prepared so spare onesies, backup formula, extra diapers, wipes and gas drops are a must! Stain remover is great for those unexpected blowouts, a wet bag is great for storing wet clothes, poop bags act as a great trash can on the go, and a collapsible changing pad makes diaper changes so much easier. I like to include a few things for mama, too, including claw clips, lip balm, lotion and my wallet!
Shop Primally Pure Baby Favorites here
That’s a wrap on my roundup of postpartum and newborn essentials for the fourth trimester! I hope you found this list to be efficient and helpful in your search for those must-haves postpartum. If there is something on your list missing from mine that you couldn’t live without, be sure to share it in the comments below to help out any other fellow mamas who stumble across this post!
And congratulations on your wonderful blessing, mama! xo
