Having a new baby (especially during covid) is quite a unique experience. I'm not only talking about being pregnant and laboring alone or with a mask on or going to appointments without your partner. I'm talking about the limited help, and having someone else to come and show you the way!
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This blog is all about the 27 things no one told me about the first 6 months of having a baby! What new parents need to know, and what is likely not on your registry! Please share with anyone you know who will have a baby during covid or has a new baby during covid!
On Instagram I asked what do new parents what must haves/must know forthe first 6 months, these were the responses!:
27 things no on told me about the first 6 months
1. Chin to Toe Zipper Onesie
I am a lover of hand-me-downs and am tight on the budget. This is one that I will continue to buy every time she grows out of them because holy crap does it make a difference when changing her diaper!
Get onesies where the zipper goes from chin to ankle, it is hard to tell when you buy online, but Gerber's “Sleep n' Play” is chin to the ankle and so are some Island Cloud onesies at target.
Double points if you can get a double zipper, one that goes from ankle to chin and a second that goes from chin to ankle so you never have to thread it! Is that confusing? Basically when the onesie is on there is a zipper at the top and the bottom so you can zip it either way!
2. Don't wait 6 weeks to introduce a bottle
I waited to give little lady a bottle until SIX WEEKS! Then, she wouldn't take it. There is apparently something as nipple confusion and you want to wait to introduce a bottle until she really has the boob down… 6 weeks might be too long
3. Bottle Box & Nipple Flow
Apparently, babies can be picky about the bottle they take, Babylist offers a “bottle box” that gives you a few different options before you buy the whole pack!.
There are also different “nipple numbers” the number means how fast the flow of liquid coming out is.
4. Shower curtain with viewing panel:
This one is a little ridiculous but actually made a difference for me. Do with it what you will. When I would shower, babe would usually hang out in her co-sleeper on the floor (I learned the more they spend time able to move aka not in a swing or other restricting device lol the better for development).
Well obviously, if she made a noise I would check on her… and also, if she made no noise I would check on her…
Instead of constantly moving the curtain I decided I wanted to just be able to see her so I bought a shower curtain with a viewing panel and it was AMAZING. It has mesh for the “viewing pannel” you can kind of see-through. If you're into this idea I say go straight for this one with a clear viewing panel.
5. Breastmilk Alcohol Test Strips:
We just got done being Sober Sally for 40 weeks (happily for our babies, I know) but sometimes we want a drink!
Is it okay? Well who knows, our bodies are all different. One thing I learned was the alcohol content in our milk is like the alcohol content in our blood. It goes up and then and it goes away. I thought I'd have to pump out the “alcohol milk” but no! But I always felt weird if I had a glass of wine and my baby started crying, these breastmilk alcohol testing strips give some peace of mind if you don't have a bottle ready.
6. Phone Sanitizer:
Once baby can start getting their hands to their mouth E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G else will follow! Especially the things that you show interest in… aka your phone!
I bought this phone sanitizer during covid and thought it would be nice when baby was here, and it is! I can throw some of her small toys in there and obviously my phone as well.
Now they have one without a charger and I'm jelly it wasn't out when I got mine
7. External Hard Drive:
It may be hard to believe, but I've never taken so many pictures in my whole life.
Everything she does is adorable or I want to remember forever.
I think 1-2 terabytes will last you a very long time. Most people think you should have 2 hard drives in case something happens to one.
The first option here is obviously a bit more durable, and everyone knows durability with babies is helpful. I bought the one on the right because it was pink. You do you, boo.
8. Portable Fan:
If you live in a warm climate this rechargeable fan was EVERYTHING for us this summer! The humm was great but most importantly it kept her cool on walks and in her car seat!
9. Portable Sound Machine:
100% yes you need a sound machine in baby's room, I'd also recommend one for on the go. We were told we needed a shusher and got two! Cons to the shusher are you need 2 hands to turn it on… nothing in parenthood should require two hands.
Below is the sound machine we use in her room and the shusher.
Sound machines are supposed to be effective because it mimics the sounds from the uterus!
Spotify Playlist for White Noise:
In the car, I use this Spotify playlist and it's amaaaaaazing! The whole car makes the noise
10. Diaper Caddy:
If you will be breastfeeding in multiple rooms you need this. I would breastfeed in my living room and then at night when I was ready to go to bed I packed this puppy. I put water, diapers, wipes, haakaa, an extra bottle to empty the haakaa, a snack, nipple cream (I've tried 3 other natural ones, this was my fav), and boob pads (I also tried 3 and these were my favorite, not cheap but totally the best) and I tote it all the way up, and then back down in the morning… while holding baby.
11. Drain protector:
5 months postpartum I thought I dodged the whole hair loss thing… I run my fingers through my hair and tons of hair comes out in my hands. Which also means so much water comes out when I wash my hair. I was using draino but ain't nobody love chemicals around a baby so I figured this drain protector was the way to go and so far so good!
12. Mattress protector:
This is a must unless you're looking for a reason to get a new mattress…
When you're pregnant you have no idea when your water is going to break (or how much liquid will come out. No, it's not always a lot like the movies).
Then, after your baby is born, mom has serious night sweats, baby spits up, boobs leak, and sometimes diapers do too.
Have you ever tried to spot-clean a mattress? Yeah. Invest in this protector, you just take it off and throw it in the wash. I bought this one, but that one has been out of stock and this one looks super similar and is made by the same company! I like it because there's no weird crunching waterproof sheet.
13. Audible:
I would love to READ some books about baby's development or ways to help her out as best that I can. I am busy all freaking day and I honestly can't tell you one thing that I actually DID. Audible is amazing because I barely have time to feed myself let alone READ so now I just listen and hope I catch at least 25%! haha #momlife
14. Two sets of pump parts:
I never pumped so this came from someone on Instagram but I thought it was so smart! They said to have 2 sets of pump parts, one for home and one for work so all you need to do is bring the pump back and forth!
15. Store pump parts in the fridge:
Again, this came from Instagram, instead of washing EVERYTHINGGG every. single. time. you. pump. They said to put the parts in a ziplock bag and store it in the fridge. Double-check with your doctor but he idea is that the temperature helps to prevent bacteria growth.
16. Supplements:
My doctor kind of said that Vit D is a non-negotiables for baby, but some of you had never even heard of it for your baby!
1. Probiotic: I would HIGHLY recommend taking a probiotic for you but also for your baby, if you're breastfeeding. An entire blog about it here.
If you're not breastfeeding, LoveBug also has probiotics for “tiny tummies” that you can pour right into the bottle!
HEYSHAYLA gives you 15% off LoveBug's website!
Probiotics help to build your baby's microbiome and immune system through the gut!
2. Vitamin D: The other supplement for babies is Vitamin D. This you'll put on your nipple before you nurse, on your finger, or right into their bottle! Vit D helps baby to absorb Calcium and phosphorous making bones strong.
3. Postnatal: For mom, grab yourself a postnatal (usually, it's just a multivitamin for a postnatal).
17. Breast Milk Cure-all:
It's incredible the amount of things breastmilk can help with to name a few:
- blocked tear duct: our babe had the goopy eye when she was born and I took a dropper of breastmilk and dropped it in her eye, boom fixed.
- Cradle cap: This is super common for babies to get, just a flaky scalp. It doesn't hurt them but looks a little wonky. You can leave it and it will go away or you can put some breastmilk on it!
- Ear infection: So I've heard, but I don't know a lot about this one.
18. Don't mix warm and cold breast milk:
That's right, when you pump or haakaa, don't combine different temperature milks. Let the milks booth cool in the fridge before you combine them!
19. Onesies shoulder flaps:
The onesie shoulder flaps are so you can put the onesie wide and put it on feet first!
Mind. Blown.
20. Hair around toes (and boys):
Apparently, hair can get wrapped around little toes, fingers (and boy parts). If the hair gets too tightly wrapped around it can cause the finger to swell. I told Seth this would only happen to parents who neglect their kids… how could you miss this? And then a week later it happened to our babe ????????.
It wasn't serious but it was wrapped around pretty good. I guess hair can get caught in their little footie pajamas, plus postpartum hair loss is REAL.
21. No Sex Drive:
I have an entire post about this here. But the gist is, like everything, it's different for everyone. However, typically while breastfeeding we have low libido.
22. Remove the Infant Car Seat Insert:
Apparently, (for my car seat) the infant car seat insert needs to be removed when baby weighs more than 11 lbs. and you need to switch to a convertible car seat at 30 lkbs. HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THIS.
Read your car seat manual! Read my blog about non-toxic car seats here.
23. DoorDash Giftcard:
This is HANDS DOWN the best gift card you can give to new parents! We got this in the hospital and ordered in some food. SO GOOD.
Click here to get $30 when you sign up!
24. Your baby might like cold milk:
This was in the Instagram poll, they said cold milk isn't bad for babies, it's just a preference. If your baby doesn't mind cold milk it can save a TON of time!
25: Your baby does not need a wipe warmer:
We didn't use one and my baby did JUUUUST fine. I've heard babies with the wipe warmers are very unhappy without it!
26. Do not give your baby honey:
Botulism, I linked an article about it, because I had no idea what it is. Regardless if you know what it is, don't give it to your baby before 1 year.
27. Learn baby's sleepy cues!:
Taking Cara Babies can be a great resource for sleep, I found their sleepy cues SOOO HELPFUL! Knowing when your baby is sleepy is important to make sure they don't get over tired.
bonus. Haakaa:
Yes, it does live up to the hype. It is incredible for catching extra let down while you're nursing babe on one side. When my milk first came in I was getting 12oz a day! Mind you, I had an oversupply but I was ONLY using the haakaa to collect milk! It also is amazing when your baby isn't hungry but you need some relief!
Bonus Bonus California Beach Co
(EXTRA 10% off whatever sale they’re running with HeyShayla)
I would honestly recommend California Beach Co. 10/10 over a pack and play. It is light, has a strap to carry, and sets up and takes down SO FAST (here’s a 1 min video showing it). It's amazing to travel with because of how easy it goes up and down and how light it is.
I hope this was helpful and gave you some ideas for what life will be like with a baby and some helpful tips to make your life easier!
xo Shay
