Genuinely helpful stuff to have when caring for a new baby

Adverts.ie

Seriously, get the app. Everything you need for a baby can be bought for a fraction of the price on here.

Boba Wrap

Baby was a couple weeks old before I figured out how to use the wrap, and ever since then it’s been on me or my husband nearly every waking hour of the day.  There are so many advantages to baby wearing, it saves my back, allows me to cook/use the computer, but best of all it soothes baby even during the fussy early evening period and sends her to sleep in seconds.  Get your hands on one a few weeks before your due date and practice the tie with Youtube videos and a teddy!

Boppy Pillow

I received a generic nursing pillow while I was pregnant, with a bean bag filling, so I didn’t think I needed to get a Boppy despite hearing everywhere that it was indispensable--particularly for breastfeeding.  After weeks of propping up my oversized baby with pillows; my back, neck, and shoulders were aching, so I got the Boppy and it does not disappoint. The stuffing is firm and it fits snugly around my waist to keep baby well placed on the boob.  It’s not quite a hands free set up, but I have a lot more flexibility to read my kindle or use my phone.

Haakaa Pump

I was so nervous about breastfeeding without my midwife nearby that we bought an electric pump on the way home from the hospital.  It was silly to attempt to use it while still getting used to latching and feeding baby--it hurt my nipples and made me more stressed out.  A week later I heard about the Haakaa, it’s a manual silicone “pump”--a soft receptacle that latches on to your free breast while baby is nursing. It’s comfortable, very easy to use, and stops you leaking everywhere!

Spare Phone

There are lots of gadgets you can buy for baby which you probably don’t need if you have an old smart phone lying around. We used Spotify for playing white noise, and a “walkie talkie” style app as a baby monitor. Also useful for taking photos/videos when your phone has fallen down the back of the changing table.