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New Mama Must-Haves

Okay mamas! Let’s talk about all the things that kept me sane during the first few months postpartum, AKA my new mama must-haves.

A couple of weeks ago I shared all my favorite Newborn Essentials that I loved for the early days with Luca and now it’s time to spill my new mama secrets. Because when it’s 8am and you’re already covered in puke (and probably poop), you need a little pick-me-up… or a giant glass of wine with breakfast. That’s acceptable right!?

Here’s a list of some of the things I’ve loved in early motherhood. My mama must-haves range from nursing staples to postpartum healing tools, to practical and comfy clothing, to beauty must-haves that will make you feel pretty behind allllll that spit-up.

If you’re looking for more reading I have two great posts going into more detail on C-section recovery (CLICK HERE) and tips for nursing while recovering from a C-section (CLICK HERE).

New Mama Must-Haves: Nursing

A good nursing bra

(1N) is a serious lifesaver. You will be popping those puppies out every couple hours (slash every 30 minutes if you have a cluster-feeder like I did). I LIVED in these Kindred Bravely sleep-style nursing bras day and night for the first few weeks. Then I started wearing the Marvella everyday nursing bra when I had to go out and be a presentable human. Their nursing tanks are also incredible! Use Code COVINO20 for 20% off your order (works either on Amazon or directly on the KB site!)

Reusable Nursing pads

I loved the reusable nursing pads because they are super soft and in all honesty, more comfy on my beat up nipples.

Lansinoh Lanolin

Your nipples can get pretty torn up during the first few weeks of nursing, even to the point of cracked and bleeding. Mine got to the point of a cracking but luckily never bled. I used lanolin to help calm the soreness and heal the cracks. BUT here’s a great tip: even more helpful than this ointment was rubbing breastmilk on them and letting them air-dry. I no joke walked around/sat there topless until they dried. That was a tip my doula/lactation consultant gave me and it legit worked better than any balm or ointment ever did for me!!

Nook nursing pillow

This pillow was attached to me, I seriously took it everywhere because it was so comfortable to nurse with it! I loved that the materials were organic and it provided a bigger surface area for the baby than the boppy nursing pillow.

Haakaa suction breast pump (150ml) 

Yes, you will need an actual pump but this contraption was more for releasing some milk pressure, especially in the middle of the night when I would wake up engorged. Or I would put it on the opposite breast from what I was nursing on to catch the letdown. The best part is it’s NOT a manual pump, you suction it right on and it gravity does the rest. This little thing is so efficient I could get up to 5oz. in a few minutes!

Medela Pump in Style and these extra parts

I luckily got my Medela pump through insurance, (which you should too if they offer it!), but the extra parts are KEY so you’re not washing like a crazy lady after each session. I bought two of these extra sets.

Kiinde Breastmilk Storage Starter Set 

I found these pouches to be the easiest for milk storage both frozen and in the fridge. Also, Luca took right away to this nipple, we started him on it at 5 weeks. He’s been getting about one bottle a week since he was that age and has never had an issue!

Oat mama bars/snacks/homemade food

I was/still am hungry ALL. THE. TIME. Even more than I was during my pregnancy! Snacks like bars, fresh fruit, nuts, and granola were my go-to’s and homemade meals from friends and families got us through those first few weeks. I still snack on my Oat Mama bars almost daily, use code COVINO for 15% off your order!

Yeti 30oz Rambler

Nursing moms need to drink alllllllll the water!! If there’s anything I notice about my supply its that it is directly related to my water intake. The one piece of advice I can give you about increasing your supply is to DRINK MORE WATER! And have a good water bottle/cup on hand to make you remember!

New Mama Must-Haves: Beauty

Makeup Must-Haves

I don’t know about you guys but for me, the tiniest bit of makeup can make me feel human again. I recommend Tarte Shape Tape (1B), I use the shade ‘light sand’ to conceal those tired-mom under eye circles. Then add a dab of this Stila Cheek Tint in shade ‘Lilium’, or the Beauty Counter Cheek Tint in shade ‘hibiscus’, to give your face a little life. If I was really feeling fancy (and had a couple extra minutes) I would throw on my Beauty Counter Tint Skin (3B) to even out my skin tone (I use shade is ‘linen’) and also some of my favorite mascara.

This Revitalizing Chlorophyll Face Mask was a go-to for me. It detoxifies your skin via microcapsules of phytonutrients (one of which is actual chlorophyl which I think is super cool) and I noticed more radiant skin after just one use. PRAISES!! Because dang does nursing literally suck the life out of you!

Hydrating Face Mist

My skin has been extra dry since having Luca/starting nursing. On top of investing in a bunch of hydrating serums and moisturizers, I tried (and loved) this Hydrating Face Mist. It was super quick and easy to spray on throughout the day if I needed an extra boost of moisture!

Lip Balm

Word to the wise: get a good lip balm (or seven like me)! My favorites are this Sugar Lip Treatment by Fresh or this Lip Conditioner by Caudalie.  My lips were soooo chapped! Maybe it was the cold weather or maybe it was from how draining nursing is, either way, lip balm was a necessity!

Dry Shampoo

Because you will go days without washing your hair. Dayssss.

Dry Brush and Body Oil

This could also be listed under postpartum healing as well! My legs were extremely swollen for about two weeks after my C-section and the doctors recommended dry brushing as a way to reduce the swelling. Not only did it feel great but the oil smelled amazing and it definitely helped!

New Mama Must-Haves: Clothing/Accessories

Baby Wrap

I honestly don’t know what I would have done without my wrap! Especially during those early days when Luca was extra fussy and wouldn’t let me put him down. I absolutely LOVE babywearing and will do it for as long as possible. My favorites for newborns are my Solly wrap and my Tuck & Bundle wrap.

Freshly Picked Diaper Bag

My absolute favorite diaper bag on the market! Not only is it chic, it is also super functional – the set up is super organized with all it’s internal and external pouches. It even doubles as my everyday purse it’s that cute and functional!

A nice nursing nightgown

Or this super soft nursing pajama sleep set was also essential – early motherhood is all about comfort! I highly recommend trying the Dwell & Slumber dressing gown too if you can catch them in stock!

Joggers or comfy sweats

I needed the softest and loosest sweats during the early days because everything irritated my incision!

Compression Leggings

Especially these belly bandit compression leggings! I loved how they made me feel put together – they are super high-waisted and smooth you out in all the right places!

Eventually, I started wearing these Spanx leggings and I will say they are expensive but they are my favorite to date and I’m looking forward to breaking them back out this fall!

Robes – Luca was born in the winter and I just loved the extra coziness of a good robe! I wasn’t into bulky robes because I needed quick, easy access, but these all did the trick – try this Pinkblush Robe, this Nordstrom Robe, this other Nordstrom Robe or this one.

Calming Scents – Get a nice candle or essential oil diffuser! I am a firm believer in scents/essential oils for creating moods and atmosphere. There are a lot of trying (stressful) moments in early motherhood and diffusing oils/burning candles with calming scents helped me tremendously.

The Baby Book by Artifact Uprising

Take my advice, do your child’s baby book! I purchased this before Luca was born and I think it is the most beautiful one on the market today. I am so happy I have the memories tucked neatly and beautifully away in this book.

Coffee

Alllllllll the coffee!!! Because NO. SLEEP.

New Mama Must-Haves: Postpartum Healing

I decided to add a section specifically about healing because C-Section recovery is NO FREAKING JOKE. I also included some items for vaginal healing because I was prepared for a vaginal delivery and purchased all the things beforehand.

Kindred Bravely C-Section Panties 

These would also be good for vaginal-delivery moms. They are SUPER soft and high waisted, never irritated my incision. I used the mesh undies from the hospital for about a week and then switched to these. Use Code COVINO20 for 20% off your order!

C-Section Scar Away Strips 

I started using these as soon as all my glue fell off. Side note, if you can choose how your incision is patched up go for the glue!! I had zero issues with my incision healing, it came off super easy and my scar is barely visible now!

The Bellefit corset

This corset worked wonders for me. I started wearing this at three weeks postpartum (for the first three weeks I used the hospital-provided girdle which was AMAZING, especially with recovering from a C-section). I purchased two (one XL and one L) like they recommend because I eventually shrunk enough and needed the smaller size. This corset 100% aided in healing my core. It made me feel more “together” when I really felt like straight up mush. Use code CHRISTINE20 of $20 off your order!

Maternity Pads or Depends

For some reason, during my postpartum healing, I was allergic, or at least extra sensitive, to all pads! These pads were the ones from the hospital and were the only ones I did not have a reaction to. I couldn’t do the depends because of my incision but I would have otherwise!

Breathe Mama Breathe by Shonda Moralis

I needed this mindfulness reminder! You will love this book too. I took about 5 minutes to myself each day to read a little bit of it and it was so helpful for my mental state.

The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson

This book was extremely validating and comforting. I was so thankful for this book as well as the great Facebook and Instagram mom communities I found.

Postpartum Sitz Bath

I purchased this because it had great reviews, I did not need it but would recommend it for vaginal-birth healing.

Earth Mama Peri-Spray

Great reviews on this one too!

Fridababy Momwasher

Yes, I had a C-section and I STILL LOVED this spray bottle! It just makes you feel fresh and clean because – real talk – the bleeding is A LOT. Also for vaginal deliveries, it helps to spray warm water down there the first few times you pee! Its ergonomic shape makes it super easy to use too!

Laxatives/prune juice – These are an absolute MUST. In case no one has told you yet, you’re going to need some help with that first poop. It’s like birthing another baby. You’re welcome.

Bonus Tip!

Take these items from Hospital for yourself: girdle, maternity pads, maternity underwear, dermoplast, witch hazel wipes. I even asked for more the day before we were leaving the hospital. The nurses were more than happy to provide us with the extra goods!

And take for baby: hospital blankets, diapers, wipes, ointment packs, brush.

Shop My New Mama Must-Haves

I linked all the items possible. If you don’t see an image below scroll up to wherever it is linked above (in pink). You got this mama!