Image: Shutterstock
As soon as you find out you’re pregnant we’re sure you have a list of items to purchase at the front of your mind. Parents-to-be can get excited and pull the trigger on buying all sorts of baby things. Be it something necessary like a crib or a carseat or just loads of baby clothes and gadgets specifically for your baby. The truth is that most parents end up not using the majority of the stuff they buy for their baby. After all, they grow up so fast and might not get the opportunity to wear all of the clothes or play with all of the toys they’ve bought. It can be hard for new parents to really track down what they need after the baby arrives. Realistically speaking, the mother needs a few things both of herself and to make life with a newborn easier. So, if you want to know what you should be stocking up on and some items you need to buy before the baby arrives, we’ve got you covered. Just read on to know them all!
1. A Comfy Bed
That’s right! If you’ve ever wanted to get a softer or firmer mattress, wanted more pillows or a softer duvet, now is the time to do it! Chances are that you are going to be spending a lot of time on your bed. The bed is a pregnant woman’s best friend. This is where you come to lie down and rest whenever you can and this won’t change after you give birth. In fact, you’ll spend more time here, recovering and tending to your newborn baby. So make sure that you’re comfortable and that you have many types of pillows to accommodate your aches and pains. Make sure you pay close attention to the material in which your pillows, covers and duvets are made up of. Fabrics like cotton are more breathable whereas materials like silk, although soft, can be quite heaty and suffocating.
2. A Snack Bar
Image: Shutterstock
You don’t need to add a whole rack of snacks in your room, but keeping a small basket full of your favorite munchies is a great idea. Moms, you’ll spend a lot of time breastfeeding your baby in the first few weeks and you’ll tend to get hungry often. So, if you’re in the middle of nursing your little one and can’t get up to fix yourself a meal, just reach over to your snacks box and you’ll be good at least until your baby is done feeding. These don’t have to be unhealthy snacks either. You could keep a couple of protein bars as they are easy to hold and eat with one hand and mainly consist of healthy ingredients. They’ll also keep you feeling full for a while. So try to assemble a small snack basket on your bedside table and reap these benefits once your demanding baby arrives.
3. A Rolling Cart
You may not need a snack bar on wheels but you will definitely need a rolling cart to stay organized and have easy accessibility to a million things at once. Just having a diaper stand near the changing table won’t be enough. The best thing to do is get a two or three tiered rolling cart so that you can keep your nursing supplies, diapers, toys and whatever else your baby needs next to you while you easily move from room to room. This way the cart comes with you and you never have to run around the house looking for things in case of an emergency. And there tend to be a lot of emergencies where babies are involved.
4. Athleisure
Image: Shutterstock
We’re sure you didn’t expect to see this on your list but there’s a good reason as to why they are here. As important as it is to give your body time to rest and recover, it’s also important to slowly move about and stay healthy. So, going on walks or doing some easy exercises can do wonders for your body. Get your hands on a few stretchy and comfy athleisure pieces so that you have the support and structure you need to feel active. But please remember that there is no such thing as “bouncing back” after having a baby. Your body needs to rest and you need time to settle into yourself. So, take it one step at a time!
5. Lots And Lots Of Diapers
Image: Shutterstock
You will be genuinely surprised by how many diapers a tiny little newborn can go through. Stocking up on diapers so that you don’t need to do an impromptu trip after your baby arrives will save you so much time and stress. Make sure you’ve bought enough to last you for the first month so that you don’t panic when you suddenly run out of diapers.
Bringing a baby into this world is no easy task and neither is taking care of them and yourself once they’ve arrived. So make sure you have everything you need to make this task manageable and hang in there!
