The Ultimate No BS Registry You Have Always Wanted!
For You:
Newborn care class: Sleep and feeding are by far the two biggest struggles people have postpartum. Especially if you’ve never had a baby or taken care of one for an extended period of time- prepare yourself ahead of time!
A childbirth class/books. The MamaNatural Online Birth class is amazing, hypnobirthing books/classes (The Mongan Method, or HynoBabies), virtual classes (many educators will customize these!) and The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin is great for your partner! These help you to to feel more in control and prepared for what may happen and to give your partner an idea of how to support you through different scenarios.
A better postpartum/postpartum doula/lactation consult: seriously, a game changer. You may have heard of people having a night nurse or night nanny- postpartum doulas are specialists in not only newborn care- but postpartum healing and feeding. If you need a referral for a lactation consultation, reach out to us and we can set you up with someone who is amazing in person or virtually.
Meal train!: A great idea is to set this up ahead of time, have people bring freezer meals before the baby is even here!
A good coffee maker: Long night mean you have to re-energize in the morning, and we love coffee! If you don’t already have one; score a good coffee maker from amazon!
A comfy robe: you don’t need an overprice boutique hospital gown from online, bring a comfy robe to the hospital or birth center instead!
Pads, Underwear, Fridamama, and disposable underwear: Depend silhouettes, pads, high waisted underwear, fridamama peribottle,You could be bleeding for 4-6 weeks- enough said!
Dermaplast perineal spray (blue cap)
Stool softener/pain relief
Iron/5-HTP/marshmallow root: the postpartum trio, iron helps you heal faster and restore blood supply, 5-HTP is for postpartum mood support, and marshmallow root helps with milk supply
Eye mask and ear plugs: these help you get in the zone in labor, and also help to take the edge of if your baby has colic or crying spells in the evenings!
Nursing bras & comfy leggings
Non-slip socks: if you have a home with stairs these are a must have
Huge water bottles/basket for snacks: nursing makes you super hungry and thirsty! Stock up and create a little station for yourself near your pump. (get sized for the right flanges prior to birth! Don’t let postpartum be the first time you open your pump)
For Baby:
Baby Swaddles The trick to swaddling is a tight swaddle. Youtube videos of the DUDU Swaddle is my go-to method. Some alternative swaddles that are easier- Full velcro- Halo sleep sack swaddle,Arms up- Swaddle UP by lovetodream, Velcro tabs- SwaddleME brand Sometimes if it is cold or the baby is small, I will wrap them in a muslin swaddle then put a Velcro over it to keep it tight. Merlin’s magic sleep suit is an awesome alternative to swaddling as well! (Life hack: gauge your baby’s body temp based off of their ears! Hot or cold their ears will tell you!)
Sleep sacks (Once they are out of Swaddles and are rolling over)
Zip Up Sleeping Pajamas (Who invented button snaps?)
Burp Cloths (or prefold cloth diapers, super absorbent!)
Newborn Outfits (within your hospital bag pack some small like preemie, some larger! Shop a color palate for a gender neutral hack that can be used for multiple kiddos, add a bow of you’d like!)
Diapers & Wipes- Water Wipes is the best in my opinion and Honest Company diapers or Kirkland brand from costco (look for a wetness sensor on the front of most diapers) If you are doing cloth, Green Cheeks in Pittsburgh offers a cleaning service!
Nipple cream- Earth Mama baby angel or Lanolin
Probiotic drops- BioGaia brand helps your baby’s new gut adjust to the outside world! Seriously like night and day with gas and fussiness
Frida windis- You’ll want them before you need them, have them on hand for those super gassy nights!
Milk Catcher- We give our clients one of the Milk Is Love catchers if they hired us for birth services or placenta services, Haakaah brand works well too!
Pacifiers- Wub-a-nub style that you can put your fingers into! If your baby is having trouble with latch we recommend avoiding pacifier use, but I haven’t seen nipple confusion many times in my career so if you are worried about this chat with your provider!
Hats/socks because they get lost everywhere
Diaper cream/Pittsburgh Paste (available over the counter or there are some DIY recipes online! I love Desitin or Butt Paste Brands)
Silicon Butt Brush for Diaper Cream
Breast pump —your insurance will provide it, we love the Spectra S 2
Antibacterial Soap
Bottles ComoTomo or Dr. Browns are our favorite! followed by TommieTippie!
Bottle Lawn/bottle brush
Vitamin D Supplement (if you are breastfeeding), gas drops, gripe water, thermometer, Tylenol, vicks!
Baby nail electronic file
Saline Spray and a Nose Frida or an electric nose pump for when baby is stuffed up
A safe sleeping space for your newborn: Crib, Pack N’ Play, or walled sleeping yard!
Something you can put your baby down on: Dockatot, snuggleme, or Boppy to rest baby in!
Sound machine App for your phone (or an Amazon Alexa)
Car seat and stroller (Chico KeyFit 30 is a nice lightweight cheap option, Graco Extend to Fit is a good option for older)
Baby Wrap- Wrapsody, Ring Sling, Moby Baby, k’tan
Crib sheets and waterproof mattress protectors
Baby monitor - Some have wifi/video some do not! Reminder that ones with apps require you to always have your phone on and charged- which is sometimes harder than it seems!
Humidifier
Snuza or Owlet Sock for Monitoring- not a must but great for high anxiety parents
Diaper bag backpack- you’ll need the free hands
Trash can for diapers with lid- Amazon has specific ones to trap smell
What else would you add? This is an ever-growing list! Help us add to it!
