A running list of the things we actually bought, tried and loved before and after our baby arrived — with honest notes from mum.
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For when you're heading to work, when your baby sleeps a long stretch and your breasts get overfull, or when your baby won't latch. Being hands-free is amazing — you can pump anywhere, even out at a restaurant.
A more affordable hands-free alternative to the Elvie.
Milk storage bags — a must if you're pumping; you can freeze them to use later too.
Babies sometimes can't latch at first — I used these for the first week. Keep one on hand just in case; the hospital may be out of the size that fits you.
A nursing pillow — it makes things easier not just for the baby but for you too.
Being able to unclip the bra easily is a real luxury, especially if you want to nurse while you're out.
A nipple everter — in my first week my nipple wouldn't come out easily, and this helped.
Nipple cream, fully organic (I used it after every feed — since it's organic you don't need to wash it off before nursing again).
For soothing the breasts — these really helped me.
A milk-boosting tea. Early on I was constantly anxious about whether my baby was getting enough, so I drank it all the time. My supply went up — whether it was thanks to this, I honestly don't know :))
A natural supplement to support milk supply (again, my supply went up — was it this? I still don't know :))
Pain reliever and fever reducer for mom (I had a C-section, so I took it for the first 3 days).
We got the 200mg for now (after a C-section, 3 a day — your doctor will prescribe, so check with them). It helps keep the incision from getting infected. For C-sections. You can take it every 6 hours, before the pain starts, until your doctor says otherwise.
I bought the set — it comes with different teats up to 6 months. My baby loved these because of the wide neck.
A variety box so you can see which bottle your baby takes to most comfortably.
I got a separate rack for drying the bottles after washing.
My lifesaver — it washes, sterilises, and dries whatever you've hand-washed, all in one.
Great for keeping milk you've prepared warm or cold while you're out.
My extra pair of hands — the product most worth its money, thank goodness it exists :) The luxury of napping the baby on my chest even while cooking.
I used this wrap before the structured carrier — comfortable too.
My son is 2 and I still use this bag — so practical, tons of pockets.
A mosquito net — an absolute must if you're giving birth in summer especially.
A wipes dispenser — we attached it in the car for easy, quick wipes.
Between a bouncer and an electric swing, we went with the electric one — thinking of the rocking to help them sleep.
Even without electric rocking, babies have a lot of fun in the bouncer — they discover they can move it with their own little kicks.
Sends some babies straight into a deep sleep.
Since we go to basketball games, these were constantly useful for us :D
A head-shaping pillow to prevent flattening. I didn't use it much, and my son's head turned out just fine :)
Up to age 1 especially, these muslin cloths get used every single day.
For tiny hands, these are so much more practical than nail scissors.
This is the oil I used — I chose it because it's compatible with the Frida Baby humidifier.
You'll always, unfortunately, need a thermometer.
My favourite — it always matches the hospital's reading.
We chose this one because it tracks oxygen and heart rate.
I bought a year's worth and I'm so glad I did — time flies. I got these basics in every size, for each month.
With a short-sleeve bodysuit underneath, this sleepsuit is enough for sleeping.
Baby wipes — a 12-pack lasts until you're back home. Considering you change 8–10 nappies a day early on, this became my favourite wipe, and I tried almost every brand.
Newborn nappies with the umbilical-cord notch.
For the first 3 months I cleaned the nappy area with just cotton to prevent nappy rash.
A baby bottom-wash spray — handy when you're out and the baby has a big poo and needs a proper clean. Not available in Turkey right now.
Use it daily as a moisturiser when changing your baby's nappy. Any ointment brand works, or you can use Vaseline.
Nappy-rash cream — we only use it when the baby actually has a rash. It works fast and clears it right up; my number one for rash.
Formula (6 single-use bottles per box; once opened, keeps 1 hour at room temperature or 24 hours in the fridge). One of the best brands to supplement breast milk or for babies who won't take the breast.
To soothe the baby's skin after a bath — you can also just use real olive oil.
An organic foam baby shampoo — because it's a foam it doesn't cause cradle cap in newborns. 3 bottles is enough for the first few months.
Definitely get one — a baby cream to keep for any emergency: dry sensitive skin, burns, eczema, and so on.
4 boxes is enough for a full year. Give 1 drop a day from your baby's very first day; if you pick another brand, make sure it's organic.
Drops for gas, hiccups and getting the bowels moving.
The box should say NEWBORN in the top right. One box of gas drops.
Use either Little Remedies or this one — whichever your baby responds to.
The box should say NEWBORN in the top right. 2 boxes (nasal drops).
(Suitable for 4 months+) for cough and runny nose, fully herbal.
(For cough and runny nose, 2 months+) — a good alternative to the Mommy's Bliss one.
My son started brushing his teeth with this — because it goes on your finger, it really caught his interest.
When he couldn't quite bite yet, I put fruit inside and used it as a teether too.
After the birth the hospital gave us this, so it's the only brand I know. My son didn't use any other pacifier, so it's not a product I have deep experience with.