12 New Mama Must Haves And A Few Bonus Bits

Today I am lucky enough to have the lovely, Latino, music loving Mama, Astrid from Adore Re Mi kicking off a series of guests posts on Calm to Conniption while I surrender to life with a newborn for a little bit.

Astrid is sharing her top new Mum must haves and other important bits and pieces to have on hand when you are about to welcome a new munchkin into your life.

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Hi everyone and thanks Karin for having me over. Can’t wait to see photos of your newborn!

I’m Astrid from Adore Re Mi, a blog about music, inspiration and family stuff.

Like Karin, I’m pregnant with my second, sleeplessly entering my third trimester with a very active soon-to-be 4-year-old girl.

When I was pregnant with my first, I spent many hours researching and reading up information on what I needed for the first year and post-pregnancy.

I had seen so many of the same boring checklists, baby clothes, towels etc. I was looking for more specific essentials. It was tricky for me as I didn’t have any friends with babies yet, I was the first in the group and I didn’t belong to a mother’s group. So it was all trial and error, spending $$ because who knew babies have an opinion!

Now that I am pregnant with the second, two of my friends are expecting and I love helping them out when needed (unsolicited advice is out!)

So I have compiled a visual list of what helped my family and I by recommendations from other parents, kind of like pay it forward style, a list that can be put into good use.

There is no way I would have thought a ‘nose sucker’ would be my survivor or the multi-use muslin wrap would work as a big tissue when I cried over spilt milk.

THE 12 ESSENTIAL POST-PREGNANCY LIST FOR MUMS & BUBS.

(From top to bottom)

For baby:

• Vicks: add to the soles of your child’s feet when sick with a cold.
• MedeScan Thermometer: I have the same one and it’s worth the price, no need to probe. You can read the temperature of the room too.
• Baby Comfy Nose: Is the best online buy. The agony of hearing your baby suffer from a blocked nose is awful. This is the solution. No filter needed either!
• Muslin wrap: a multi-tasker for wiping up mess, burp cloth, light blanket, pram cover, muslin ‘cloth’ for your Christmas pudding.

For mums:

• Tissues: After your baby is born expect a roller coaster of highs and lows. Who is to blame? Hormones, your partner, a whole lot of new!? If it worsens, talk to your GP.
• Diary: Remembering + sleep deprivation = forgetfulness. The bigger the family the better the use of a diary/calendar or app.
• First Aid Kit: say no more.
• Soft pinky nude colour lippie and BB cream: You’d rather sleep than to spend time on putting your make-up. If you are a natural, prefer make-up free you are a lucky lady. If you need to hide that zombie look, BB creams can multi-task for you, light foundation, SPF, concealer and makes your face glow. The lipstick makes you look more alive and you can apply it without a mirror. My two essential products for Mums.
• Nappy bag: I bought a cheap one to start off with until I realised I wanted a nappy bag that doesn’t look like one and also your husband can carry it without feeling like a princess.
• SRC recovery shorts: These were my best investment. It’s a bit $$ but once you wear it, it holds everything in place. Great for C-section and loose vaginamites. I wore it for over a year as a spandex under jeans in winter and long dresses in spring before it got too hot.
• A basic black dress: And lastly, a basic dress for all year around. One you can dress up or down. The idea is keep it easy and simply. This dress is baby friendly and good for breast-feeding.

Other worthy mentions:

Panadol for babies, (for a natural alternative, visit your local health store); upgrade phone storage (for all those baby snaps); kitchen full of snacks to keep handy; meh! to make-up, big sunnies to hide tired eyes.

Pre-pregnancy: belly belt carries your baby load, relief from heel, knee and back pain. Roomy, comfortable shoes or orthopedic insoles are a cheaper option available from chemists.

 

And lastly, important numbers to keep handy:

• Mother Safe
  (Sydney) 93826539 (non-metro Sydney) 1800 647 848
  Mon –Fri 9-5pm

• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
  Free helpline 1800 882 436
  Available 24/7

• Poison hotline
  13 11 26

• Your local hospital, GP & dentist

• Partner and friend’s number (when you are in state of shock, you easily forget)

It’s so comforting to know you will always have support at any time of day and night

 

I hope this helps you, whether you have a baby or not, you can pass on this information to mums out there who are overwhelmed with the baby industry. Now if you excuse me, I’m going to… zzzZZ

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Hi, I’m Astrid from Adore Re Mi.

My blog Adore Re Mi is a place where I can express myself through the good and bad of the everyday life. It stems my visual and creative ideas to inspire you via home and the heart.

You can find Adore Re Mi on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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