2 Week Survival List For Newborns & Moms

I am a list freak.  I have lists typed up on my computer for everything, and when I need a list, I just print one and it takes the thinking out of repetitive things so I ensure nothing gets forgotten.  Lists I have on my computer are anything from travel packing lists for each of my family members, a typed list of schedules/routines, regularly grocery item lists for individual stores, lists of restaurants we like to eat at (sounds dumb but how often do you and your spouse sit and think of what sounds good for dinner out and could use a list of local places you often forget about), lists of whom I've sent Christmas cards to in the past, a never ending to-do list, many of lists from my wedding planning days, etc... just to name a few of my many, many lists!

I'd like to now take the time to share a list that I created 2 weeks after Annie was born.  A list in which I went back and pulled before Claire was born and now that Claire is 6 weeks old, I still find the list pertinent to her first few weeks of birth, when things are crazy and you need to be as prepared as possible.  Therefore I'm sharing that list with you today!

2 Week Survival Guide For Newborns and Moms:

This is the all-encompassing list I’ve used for the first 2 weeks for both of my babies.  It might be more than what most folks need but these are all the things I’ve used so far and it has made my life so much easier than not having these items.  May this help future mamas out there.

For BABY:

• 6-8 Newborn Onsies (size 0-3 months are too big for both Annie & Claire, at 6 weeks old Claire is still wearing newborn sizes), forget cute clothes right now, they won’t fit into them (take that into consideration when taking newborn pics, chances are they will not fit into those cute clothes you’ve bought them.  Best for newborn pics: diaper covers, hats, swaddle blankets, headbands, etc.  Etsy is a great online source for newborn accessories.)

·       3-4 Swaddle Sacks (newborn size)

·       1-2 Swaddling blankets

·       1-2 warm baby size blankets

·       3-4 pairs of warm socks

·       Boppy

·       2 Boppy Covers

·       8-10 burp clothes

·       2-3 pacifiers 

·       Formula (the premade 2 oz bottles are great but powdered formula works too)

·       160 diapers will get you thru 2 weeks, we like Pampers Sensitive Swaddlers because they give an indication line if they need changed which takes the guess work out of if they need a diaper change or not (Note, I used slightly more than 160 diapers in 2 weeks with Claire).

·        2 economy size packs of wipes will get you thru the first 2 weeks, we like Pampers Sensitive

·       Vaseline and butt paste.  Vaseline for around her inner thighs where the diaper rubs and rash cream to stay on top of preventing rashes (Note we only used Vasaline with Claire, we have yet to use rash cream on her.)

·       Diaper changing pad

·       2 Changing pad covers

·       4 Changing pad cover savers

·       Diaper Genie

·       1-2 Diaper Genie refills

·       2-3 hooded bath towels (could use any soft towel though really)

·        2-3 soft wash clothes

·       Baby soap

·       Small Space heater (super helpful to keep her warm and happy while changing and bathing, also great to keep them happy during newborn photos)

·       Baby moisturizer

·       Small bristle brush for cleaning hair and helping with cradle cap

·       Baby oil, have been using this in her hair to help with dry spots

·       1-2 hats, I generally only have been using these after baths to keep her extra warm and a warmer hat for when we leave the house

·       Bundle Me for the car seat (if cold out)

·       Car Seat and 2 bases (base for Daddy’s car, base for Mommy’s car)

·       Sound Machine (we have used both one that plugs into the wall and a travel size one to tote in the car seat)

·       Crib

·       2-3 crib sheets

·       Waterproof crib mattress saver

·       Crib mattress

·       Rock N Play for naps or to keep bedside

·       Pack N Play  

·       Swing for naps

·       Tummy Time Mat

·       Vitamin D Drops

·       Gripe Water (we have not had to use this yet but there were a couple of times we probably could have)

·       Mylicon Gas Drops (we never used these with Annie but finding it much more effective than gripe water for Claire, highly recommend Mylicon).

·       Microwave bottle sanitizer

·       2 small tubs (don’t wash your bottles in your kitchen sink, use a tub within your sink to keep things sanitary)

·       Bottle drying rack (not a super necessity, can just dry on a towel if you don’t have one)

·       Video baby monitor (I think the Motorola video with night vision has made my life at night sooo much easier!  Peace of mind to check on her in bed and see that her breathing ways are not obstructed.)

·       Dreft laundry detergent

·       Dreft stain spray

·       Non-toxic furniture/toy wipes or spray (I like Dapple brand).

·       Dapple bottle soap

For MOM:

·       Diaper Bag

·       Lanolin Cream (I carried mine around everywhere)

·       Nursing Pads (100 for first 2 weeks)

·       2 packs of feminine pads (sorry I know… but it’s a necessity so I gotta list it)

·       Ask for a week’s worth of the hospital throw away underwear before you leave… trust me.

·       Breast Pump and all pumping accessories (bottles, pump pieces, slow flow nipples, etc)

·       Pumping Freezing Bags (don’t need a lot for first few weeks)

·       Prenatal vitamins (yes you still have to continue taking these if nursing)

·       Fenugreek pills (supposedly helps your milk supply if you take these, unsure if I think it does or not)

·       3-4+ nursing bras

·       A no-hands pumping bra

·       A robe for your own comfort when it’s the middle of the night

·       Stool Softner pills for a full 2 weeks (another one of those TMI’s but you WILL want it folks)

·       Makeup removing face wipes – especially helpful in hospital when you don’t want to get out of bed

·       A good camera for all those precious moments

·       If your spouse can’t help for the first week, I highly recommend help for the first few days at the very minimum; I needed my husband for a lot of help as well as my own emotional support as things were crazy for a few days! 

·       The book and DVD The Happiest Baby on the Block.  It’s truly worth your time to read and watch, the technique really does work!

·       The book The Sleep Lady, highly recommend studying this before baby is born, I have found it very helpful and both of my babies sleep well when I apply the book’s methods.

TO-Do’s once Baby is BORN:

·       Make all changes to your insurance plans/flex spending accounts

·       Set up Daycare start dates

·       Schedule newborn pictures, 6 week postpardum check up, and baby's first few doctor appointments

·       Do not allow more than 1 or 2 guest visits a day, it will throw off all sleeping/feeding schedules

·       Set up Baptism with church

·       Birth Announcements

·       Thank You Notes for gifts and a good supply of forever stamps

·       Create a Memory Book and jot those memories down while they are fresh!

Diaper Bag Necessities:

·       5 diapers (our outings haven’t been more than 2 hours at a time and 5 diapers is more than enough) 

·       Wipes

·       2 sleeper onsies and an extra shirt for mom

·       Plastic bag for soiled clothes

·       Burp cloths

·       Changing pad

·       2 pacifiers

·       Rash cream

·       Small Noise machine

·       Baby face & body wipes (Johnson & Johnson makes some travel size ones) 

·       Extra socks

·       Extra hat

·       Swaddle blanket

·       Formula/milk in a small packable soft cooler with ice packs

·       Nursing cover