Hi, as a first time mom there is no end to the advice and opinions of other people. Folks always seems to know what’s best and it can be annoying.

There are some things that are pretty essential so I am sharing some of the things that really helped me. This is a post that contains affiliate links which means if you purchase from me I et a commission. So that being said, lets get into it.

The first thing on my list is a Changing table (Here ). Some people feel its not necessary but I am not one of them. When you have a baby as beautiful a blessing as it is it is also a trauma.

Your body has lost an incredible amount of blood and as a big hole inside of it were the placenta was growing and giving baby life and nutrients for the last ten months! You could have stitches and now youre going to be getting less sleep and holding a baby pretty much all the time. All this to say your back will probably be sore! For me having a spot that I could always put the baby for a second was really helpful. Its true that you can change your baby anywhere but I followed the tradition (as best I could) of keeping a quarantina. Its a bit ironic because it was before covid and before quarantine was a word everyone was familar with. I used my changing table for about two years and so it was wort the investment for me. Also, if its too expensive, put it on your registry and see if people can organize to get it for you.

Next up we have the Travel system car seat and stroller (Here ) . When I was pregnant I was working at Piercing Pagoda before it rebranded as banter. One day a mom, her daughter, and baby stopped by to ask us some questions about baby jewelry. I asked for the name of her stroller because it looked amazing and it was a Chicco. Strollers are baby cars! They’re really important. The one I got was a travel system. A stroller and car seat combined. I had to upgrade the carseat already but I still have the stroller. Its been four years. By far one of the best investments. It folds up really easily and is nice and sturdy. The amazing thing about the Chicco travel systems is that it converts! So it can old the car seat when your baby is very young but it can also serve as a regular stroller wen theyre older. The mom of the mom who spoke to me runs a daycare. She as for twenty years. This came highly recommended and I recommend it further! Strollers like cars get updated pretty quickly so this link is not for the exact model I have which I couldnt find but its the closest and most updated one. Whether you have a car or not having a safe way to carry your baby is crucial to moving into this next state with ease and comfort. having a new baby is having a new life that needs you constantly. Everything changes. The smallest things now become tasks and routines that need plans and support! If you run out of food and need to get to the grocery store its not a 20 minute drive, 40 minute walk, or even hour journey. Its an excursion! having safe, easy, convenient and readily accessible ways to transition your baby take some of the stress out of this. Which brings me to our next thing:

The Boba newborn baby carrier (here). The carrier wraps softly around your body and gently cradles your new infant! Its also helpful if your baby is breastfeeding because it makes access really safe and easy. For me the hardest thing about the Boba carrier was learning how to put it on! After that it became probably my favorite tool. I wore it legitimately every day. Or close to it. The wrap was a necessity for my parenting style. It gave me free rein to use my arms to do just basic things like get myself food or remake the bed or take out old diapers without worrying about my child. Additionally there are so so many benefits to this kind of carry.

New moms and babys have a special bond. One that produces Oxytocin, or, the love hormone which makes everyting sweeter. Skin to skin is especially important to this process and the boba helps with that. Your breasts as a new mother can change temperature to cooler and warmer to give your baby the comfort they need to thrive. Also if your baby catches the sniffles within 30 minutes of breastfeeding your breast milk components will change to incorporate antibodies to boost your babies immune system and fight off whatever might be affecting them. Amazing right? It really helps, and like the changing table, it is incredible for your back.

This next one is probably more for ~ mmmm maybe three months or six months and up.
Did you know babies can drink from an open cup? It’s amazing right? Sucking on straws can be tricky for little humans and some parents prefer not to use baby bottles. Sometimes bottles and nipples can get confusing. Also tough sucking straws can change how a baby uses their jaw, and the shape of their teeth. When I saw pictures of moms letting new babies drink out of open cups I was amazed. And I got some! My baby never used a straw or bottle. The straw came much later in toddlerhood. These used properly can also help baby with coordination. Baby cup open (Here). Obviously the only thing new borns are drinking is milk or formula but this cup is great for that and when theyre a bit older, water and juice also.

I had a lot of experiences that made me feel like having a floor bed was something that would help my parenting journey and I am so glad to say I was correct. Next on the list is a Queen floor futon (Here ).
I did endless research on safe bed-sharing and decided that at least part time, co-sleeping would be best for me and my baby. I did also get a bassinet for beside the couch a chair or anywhere it might be useful. I recommend co-sleeping. When done safely, bed-sleeping and co-sharing can be really really great for parents and babies. There are many dangers to bed sharing so I recommend doing your own research if you are deciding but Ill give you a few of the most obvious dangerous ones are – the things not to do as a co-sleeping parent. Number one: No form folding pillows. Tempur pedic or any other brand those memory foams are a definite no-no.

Next, no smoking or drinking. This might seem obvious but it needs to be repeated here. If you have a new born you are more tired than you have ever been in your life. Plus your brain is different! The thing they call, mommy brain is a real phenomenon. You can research it for details but your brain is reforming to make way for all the new and little life saving details you need to keep in mind. As your body and brain undergo this massive transformation while healing from birth, things might be forgotten AND again, youre more tired than you have ever been before. This means that if you used to drink two lasses of wine a night or three beers or a drink or whatever that needs to change IMMEDIATELY. This is not a dictation of how to be sober or a judgement of lifestyle but after drinking your body relaxes differently. Some people also roll over or move a bunch during rest or sleep. honestly my recommendation is not to drink at all for three months after having a baby but if you drink your baby should always go in the bassinet that night.

Smoking is very different, too. When you smoke the carbon monoxide clings to your clothes. If you smoke in a tee-shirt that you wear near your baby and your baby falls asleep they could have a higher risk of suffocation or they might just sleep deeper than usual and their bodies alert systems might not tell them straight away that they need more oxgyen.

This is scary stuff and I really dont want to come off scary! This is just to help you because a well informed and present parent is a good parent! If you must smoke (tobacco) make sure you *ALWAYS* cane your clothes before coming near baby and if you must smoke (cannabis) change clothes AND baby should not be bed sharing.

Now, the floor bed is like a life hack to joy and simplicity if you ever find one.

For me, I have a lot of physical and spiritual connection to sleeping on the floor but there are more safety benefits, too!

Another safety alert for bedsharing is cracks. If your bed is next to a wall and there’s a big crack baby could get stuck.

When baby gets big enough they could roll over and fall off the bed, a distance wich is potentially small to you but could be critical to a newborn. These concerns dont exist and are readily remedied when floor sleeping / bed sharing!

You can either place your futon in the middle of the room so that if baby rolls off nothing happens to them or up against a wall with no gap so they are safe. You can put your back to the wall and keep your baby close to you in a C shape.

Then, as long as there is nothing that can fall on you or that baby could grab, you are safe! You can sleep peacefully and comfortably as long as possible. There are so many reasons for baby to wake up so my rule was to follow the adage to, sleep when the baby sleeps. That sleep is so needed and really helps!

Next on the list are these plastic bins. You can get these or build a cubby system. The bins are less expensive and require less labor so for today we will discuss those. Clear plastic bins (Here).
Remember that thing I said about mommy brain? If you are at ALL neurodivergent that feeling intensifies. If you have any kind of postpartum depression, baby blues, or need severe healing support the same is true. having plastic bins that are easy to move, stack, and access, can make a world of difference. You can see what you are grabbing and get to things you need easier and in less time. And there will be a lot you need. diapers, changes of clothes, snacks, baby blankets, nail clippers, thermometers, spit up clothes, baby safe soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions. And then all your stuff. Changes of clothes, pads, creams, an extra charger, anything you need you can see and grab. When a baby is cluster feeding and screaming at the top of their lungs is not the time you want to be looking for things. Time will be of the essence! These are great and I do recommend them.

Heritage shop rose water ( Here ) is next up. Its literally one of my favorite skin care and aura upgrade processes. Rose water spray is something I have used long before I had a kid and is something I love still. Finding a little time for some kind of skin care routine saved me a lot. I didnt have time to often wear makeup or dress like I used to or go out so much but I was able to wash and moisturize my face before bed and it was important. Roses dont just calm your skin, they open your heart. Roses are one of the few herbs that can be used almost universally. It can be used anytime and also the aromatherapy component is sweet.

Baby bath tub (Here) & Draft baby detergent (Here)
The baby bat tub is really crucial and you cant go without it and Dreft is so funny, I love it. Dreft is like Chap Stick. Where Im from people dont even say my lips are chapped I need lip balm they say I need Chap Stick. Its synonymous with lip hydration! And Dreft is synonymous with the baby detergent. Babies have such sensitive skin! They need special protection. Regular detergents, scented and chemically are not the best but Dreft is the way to go. Its really important and you may not know or think of it so thats why I remembered for you and put it on the list.

For our final segment I want to introduce you to the life changing idea of a breastfeeding corner or baby feeding corner. I dont remember where I first saw it online but I know it was after I had my baby and I thought it was such a perfect idea!
A baby feeding corner is key to comfortable feeding sessions (read: not losing your mind)! If you dont know about it I would love to tell you about cluster feeding. New babies regularly go through this wild marathon frenzy called cluster feeding. It happens for a while around some major leaps / growth and brain developments. Moms online changed my entire pregnancy and matresence! They showed me with their kind knowledge and experience what I could do. Cluster feeding doesnt last forever but it can seem intense and overwhelming at first. I remember in one cluster feeding session my son ate for two days straight. There were a few hours of rest and breaks but legitamately two days and if I hadnt known in advance about cluster feeding I wouldnt have made it. honestly, since I did, I set up a breastfeeding corner, put on game of Thrones, and told myself it wouldnt last forever! Then I became a goT superfan.

Remember that stuff I said about your back being sore? It goes double for your neck and shoulders! A breastfeeding pillow is sort of another necessity. It keeps baby safe and happy and helps you stay protected from too much neck strain. With it you can get into a cozy groove. I recommend the Boppy breastfeeding pillow(Here). I also really am pleading with you to have Lanolin nipple cream (Here) on deck. The first time my nipples cracked I thought I was dying. I took a picture of my face in sheer agony to remember to never f^ckin leave the house without that sh*te again. Please have something handy for your nipples. You do not want to ever feel this feeling and I mean that sincerely. have a Water bottle (Here) handy because staying hydrated is really, incredibly, so and super important. And snacks! have so many snacks on deck and have meals ready! Please have snacks. have diapers and wipes, maybe a book and journal, have e-e-e-e-everyting you need and youll be good to go!

Thanks so much for reading. If you enjoy my mom content be sure to let me know. There were so many open and vulnerable moms online who helped me through this journey and Im proud to be doing the same.

Much Love
and Congratulations
You got this!
xxxo, the balkan bruja