Jack is three weeks old now, and I cannot believe how much he has already changed in such a short time.

As a first time mom, I didn’t know what to expect with bringing home a newborn. Does any mom really know what to expect, though?

I feel like you are in survival mode during the first few weeks — trying to balance feeding on demand, diaper changes, middle of the night feedings and diaper changes, sleep and food for you and your partner, work, and visitors.

It’s a lot to juggle when you’re new to the parent club and life tends to change daily with a tiny human on board.

I know this is my first go at motherhood, but I found there were several products and items that made life easier for me and that I can’t imagine not having during the first two weeks with baby Jack.

Most of the list is composed of things for mom because, let’s face it, recovering from delivery while caring for a baby is hard and taking care of yourself is crucial. You can’t give your child the best of you if you’re failing to take care of your needs postpartum.

As far as baby must haves during the first two weeks? I’m going to tell you what no one else will: They don’t require a lot. Beyond the basics of bottles, diapers, wipes, and a car seat, there are only three things on my list to make life easier during the first weeks home with baby.

My Guide to Surviving the First Two Weeks with a Newborn:

For Mom

  • Haakaa silicone pump: This is great for helping increase your milk supply early on. You can suction it to your free breast while baby is eating on the other. It also helps relieve engorgement when your milk first comes in. Make sure to save the milk that collects in the pump!
  • Pretty pajamas: I have been living in my pajamas while I have been home with Jack and having pretty ones that are nursing friendly make me feel better and feel more like me during I time when I don’t necessarily recognize myself when I look in the mirror.
  • Cozy sweater: Since Jack was born in the middle of winter, having a warm, comfy open cardigan to layer over my pajamas has been much needed. It’s easy to nurse in and is nice to throw on when we have visitors.
  • Colace: Don’t skip the stool softener, ladies! Even when you think you don’t need it, that’s not a risk you’re going to want to take.
  • Tucks pads: These are essentials for recovering from a vaginal birth and also help with hemorrhoids. Sorry, it’s not pretty but postpartum recovery isn’t pretty. The more you know in advance, the better off you will be.
  • Dermoplast: Again, this is a life saver if you had a vaginal delivery.
  • Perineal spray: This is a more natural spray for your lady parts. I found it most helpful for freshening up when Dermoplast wasn’t needed.
  • Extra towels and washcloths: What I’m about to tell is gross. But, no one told me that bladder incontinence happens after birth. I’m not sure if it was a side effect of delivery or the catheter I had, but I could not control my bladder the first few days after having Jack. I accidentally peed on my bathroom floor more times than I care to admit because I couldn’t make it to the toilet before my bladder would empty. Having extra towels I didn’t mind tossing in the trash if I had to was necessary to clean up the mess. Extra washcloths were also necessary for gently cleaning my lady parts those first days after delivery when things were still really sensitive and swollen. I would wet them with warm water and gently dab my downstairs.
  • Disinfecting wipes: Disinfecting wipes were necessary for sanitizing the floor after I peed on it.  
  • Frida Mom washer: The squirt bottle they give you as a perineal bottle at the hospital is garbage. The Frida Mom washer works upside down and is the best treat for your vagina.
  • Baby Tracker app: You are going to need to track baby poops, pees, sleep, and feedings, and this app makes it so easy.
  • Nursing friendly tops: If you’re breastfeeding, having tops that snap or button in the front makes accessing your breasts quickly much easier.
  • High rise compression leggings: I felt like my core was Jello after giving birth. Having high rise leggings that compressed my core helped me feel like my insides weren’t just floating around in my abdomen. Plus, putting on jeans immediately after having a baby is personal torture.
  • Comfortable nursing bra: This one has been my favorite. And as far as nursing bras go, it’s pretty cheap.
  • Washable nursing pads: I prefer the washable nursing pads because they are softer than the disposable ones and they don’t create additional waste.
  • Breast milk collection/storage bottles: These have been great for refrigerating milk I collect from my Haakaa and electric breast pump.
  • Adult diapers: The mesh panties and jumbo pads they give you at the hospital are great for the first few days postpartum. Once I was home, though, I preferred the adult diapers. They were much easier to put on and take off, they were more discreet, and didn’t feel big and bulky.
  • Regular maxi pads: Every woman’s postpartum bleeding is going to be unique to her. I was actually surprised that my bleeding wasn’t as heavy as I anticipated. After I finished my first package of adult diapers I was ready to use regular maxi pads.

For Baby

  • Newborn size sleepers with two way or bottom to top zipper: Everyone is going to tell you that sleepers with a zipper are better than ones with snaps, and they are right. BUT, sleepers with a two way or bottom to top zipper are hands down the absolute best of the best when it comes to baby clothes. Having a zipper that works from the bottom up makes diaper changes SO much easier.
  • Bedside bassinet: Having baby within arm’s reach at night makes middle of the night feedings and diaper changes easier.
  • Boppy Lounger: The Boppy Lounger has been an unexpected must have for us for Jack. It’s comfortable for him to lay in during the day. We place it on the couch or our bed and he hangs out in it while we get stuff done around the house.