We’re almost five months in with baby number two and it’s incredible how familiar yet different the journey is when you’re doing it for the second time. There’s more confidence in basics like breastfeeding, diapering, sleep, and understanding cries but it’s also a new baby with a new personality. This post is sharing everything we’ve been using so you can know what you need to survive with a newborn baby.
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I wrote this post a year ago when Henry was only a month old but somehow it never got published. So here I am with my 15-month-old finally getting around to sharing my newborn must-haves because I hope it will help other moms! This is everything I loved and used to help me survive the first few weeks with a newborn. Also, if you want to start your own registry to remember these baby products, you can get started here.
2022 Update – We welcomed baby #2 in March and I’ve made an updated list of our favorites from the last 5 months! We’re reusing a lot of items but we’ve also tried out some new products that we’ve loved and wished we’d had the first time around. You can check out that post here.
This is a product I have recommended to any mom since Henry was born because it is one of the most useful items. If you plan on breastfeeding at all from the beginning, this is a must-have. For those first few weeks when your milk is regulating and you’re leaking a lot on the other side, you can use this to catch your letdown to save milk for later feedings. An added bonus is that it also saves you from being soaked in your own milk. I used my haakaa daily for the first 6-8 weeks while my milk regulated and I was able to save a large stash for whenever I left the baby. Instead of being hooked up to a pump, you can start your stash passively while feeding baby! I cannot recommend this enough.
If you want extra power for collecting not just when you’re feeding, then these small silicone shells that fit in your nursing bra are extra convenient (especially for staying dry).
14 months ago, my son was born and things did not go to plan. I was prepared for a natural birth but I got too tired to fight against the interventions being thrown at me for not progressing quickly after only having been at the hospital for a few hours. Things went downhill and I ended up with an unwanted c-section. Recovering from major surgery (people seem to forget that it’s major surgery) while dealing with hormones and a newborn is difficult but the repercussions from a c-section don’t end after a few months. Here I am, over one year later, with my postpartum update and I want to share how things are going for me, physically AND mentally.
I posted yesterday about our beach trip to the Outer Banks and I thought it might be helpful to follow up with what to pack for a beach trip with a baby. Babies tend to need a lot of gear to help make life easier and I wanted to make sure we were prepared! I’ve added an * next to the items that were unused but many of them I still would have taken anyways.
We had a snowstorm come through the area over the weekend and Henry got to see snow really see the snow for the first time! I think there was snow when we went to Massachusetts in November but that doesn’t count since it was already there and we didn’t “interact” with it.
I pulled Henry around in our new all-terrain wagon for a little while in front of the house and he actually fell asleep! I stopped to try and clean off the cars but he woke up so we took a few family photos and spend a couple minutes in the snow before going inside to warm up his cute little nose.
He didn’t seem to care too much about everything that was going on with the snow but I’m guessing that’s mostly because he was so puffy that he couldn’t really move. Haha he was so cute though.
You’ll notice that he’s blowing little bubbles in the photo above which is something he’s been loving doing lately. He loves to make silly noises while blowing bubbles and he’s just started using his tongue to make noises as well.
Henry’s first snow angel!
On Monday afternoon we went out for a walk. A lot of sidewalks had been shoveled but I figured we’d have an easier time if I carried him so I threw in the Lillebaby and headed out. He’s gotten so heavy that it felt like I was pregnant again! Funny enough I still didn’t weigh as much while carrying him as I did while I was pregnant. He enjoyed looking around for the first 15 minutes and fell asleep for the last 25.
The weather was cool but it was a beautiful afternoon. It was giving me significant throwbacks to when we lived in Michigan. I’ve spent 6 winters of my life living in Michigan and while I’m still not a winter person, it taught me to appreciate the beauty that winter can have. I do wish it could be shorter! I saw a lot of kids playing out in their yards and it brought back memories of playing outside with my siblings and made me excited for the future when Henry will get a chance to do this with us and then his siblings!
Time is flying by! Henry turned 3 months on the 16th of November! If he’s 3 months old… does that mean I can’t call my baby a newborn? *crying* Henry is a true joy and an absolutely beautiful baby. Of course, there are ups and downs, he’s still a baby which is a lot of work, but I love my boy more than words can reasonably describe. I live for his beautiful smiles and cuddles which help pull me through the tough moments of tears where I would love nothing more than to take away his pain and distress. I now better understand the phrase, “The days are long but the years are short.”
Sleep is usually one long nap in the morning and one in the late afternoon-evening. He sleeps around 8-10 hours a night sleep with an average 3-5 times up at night to eat.
Breastfeeding is still going well. It’s nice not having to worry about bottles or the finances of formula. He usually goes 2-3 hours between feedings but certain times of day are closer together. Brady’s offered to feed him bottles of breastmilk in the night so I can sleep but I haven’t wanted to give up my time with him yet. I guess I’ve felt that unless I’m pumping at the same time, I could be messing with my supply so I might as well do it myself. Besides, I feel like if I start, then there will be an expectation from others that they can have a chance to feed him, and I don’t want to give up my time with him just yet.
At 3 months, we’re still swaddling but we know we need to transition out of it. His main issue is that he’s very active with his arms and hands which get’s him frustrated in his sleep and he will wake up if you don’t pick him up. Up to this point the “super swaddle” changed our lives. Basically it’s a 2nd smaller blanket you use first that goes over the shoulder and arms and tucks under their body to keep their arms secure. I’ve heard some swear by the Magic Merlin suit or the Zippadee Zip but I’m not sure if we want to commit to spending the money on something unless we know it would work.
He really enjoys walks and looking up through the trees whether he’s in his stroller or the Lillebaby. It’s not always perfect, but 9 times out of 10, this kid loves being in the Lillebaby. He falls asleep every time. I’m going to guess he just likes the snuggles and bounces but whatever it is works for me, my arms need a break from time-to-time and he loves to be held.
Absolutely loves looking at himself in the mirror. It’s all smiles when this guy sees his face in the mirror. We even get an early chuckle sometimes.
Waking up. This goes for after naps as well, but Henry is always the happiest little baby boy when he wakes up in the morning. It can be hard waking up early but it’s easier when you’ve got a grinning baby staring back at you.
Chatting. When Henry’s facing you, you can often have a little conversation with him. He’ll making some sweet cooing sounds and usually was respond by asking him about his day and such. He loves these little interactions and starts getting happy-teary-eyed when he’s talking to you. We need to remember to get a video of it sometime because it’s so sweet and we get caught up in the moment.
In the first week that we were home, I downloaded the Wonder Weeks app that supplements the book by the same name. I’ve never read the book but the app has been helpful in understanding the developments that Henry’s been going through mentally. It’s been pretty cool to see that the things he’s doing and learning really does correspond with the the developments that are being described in the app. Highly recommend!
Henry’s First Halloween – throwback to 90s PJs from his Aunt.
At his 2 month appointment, he was 12 lbs 4 oz; based on our scale at home, I’d guess he’s about 13.5 lbs. Henry is still wearing 0-3 month size clothing but just starting to get to the point where he can wear 3-6. I just picked out some sweet and adorable Christmas outfits for him. So I can’t wait to put him in them.
I’m trying to walk more – I’d really like to lose the last 15 lbs (I gained over 45) and some before baby #2. My sister and I are planning to try and run the Chicago Half next fall so I’m working on rebuilding strength so I can attempt to start training in the spring.
Mom life is letting the baby nap on you when you’re hungry, thirsty, and need to pee because they take longer naps when they snuggle. Mom life is taking 3 times longer to go anywhere or get anything done because baby needs care and attention too. Mom life is looking forward to all the fun things that are coming but crying a little inside each day because baby is growing so fast and you know you’ll never have this time again.
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