All you really need is . . .

Baby registries can be SO overwhelming and the pressure to have everything ready before baby arrives can be quite maddening. In reality, you only need a few things the first three weeks (or longer). Here are a few of my favorite things for the first three weeks.

FOR MOM

If you are breastfeeding . . . 

• Nursing tanks - I have about 6, so I don't have to wash them all the time. Helpful, as babies do dribble and spit up. I also love leggings and yoga pants right now and of course cardigans for over the nursing tanks

• Lanolin - save the nipples!

• Breast pump and set of bottles (check with your insurance, as they will probably pay for it!)

• Breast cooling pads - nice and soothing - http://www.target.com/p/lansinoh-soothies-gel-pads/-/A-12729475#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

• Heat compresses .. I use these:  http://www.target.com/p/lansinoh-therapearl-3-in-1-breast-therapy/-/A-14386190#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=lansinoh  - They are great to use before pumping, helps your milk let down 
  
• Pads for your tanks and bras . .. I like the washable ones, they are much softer :)

• 2 nursing bras (I am not large chested even now, so I can get away without one when wearing most nursing tanks)

• Water bottle with straw and lid - I get so thirsty while breastfeeding! Here is my favorite one to carry around: http://www.target.com/p/aladdin-double-walled-plastic-mason-jar/-/A-14272159#prodSlot=medium_1_22&term=mason+jar  - They also sell them at Wegman's right now

If you had a vaginal delivery . . . 

• Tucks witch hazel pads 
• Light and heavy pads (when you pump and nurse you may bleed more heavily)
• Dermoplast spray (They give you this at the hospital, but I wanted some upstairs and downstairs - really helps with pain)
• Larger, comfortable, cotton underwear - it isn't sexy time and you will want to be comfortable that first week especially

FOR BABY

 

SleepSack

Bundle Me

Rock N' Play by Fisher Price

• More burp cloths  and bibs then you think you will use (seriously - who wants to do laundry every other day for this purpose?!)

 

• If you have a boy who will be circumcised . . . gauze pads and Vaseline

 

• Aquaphor for dry skin (love this - it is gentle and really helps with their chapped skin - it is a little greasy though)

• Diaper change necessities (wipes, diapers, hand sanitizer) ... A&D is our friend for routine diaper changes  - We also loved our diaper caddy from Babies R' Us (we have one for each level and stock it with bibs, burp cloths, wipes, diapers, A&D, lotion, Aquaphor, pacifier, extra outfit, and it came with the changing pad) http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12326945&cp=&parentPage=search

  

  Sara Bear Diaper Caddy from Babies R' Us

 

• Hat for cold weather and the Bundle Me from J.J. Cole http://www.target.com/p/jj-cole-original-bundle-me-0-12-months-graphite/-/A-13054014#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=bundle+me

 

• Swaddle blankets and/or Halo SleepSacks - our baby breaks out of a swaddle, so the sleep sacks are better for us 

 

• Rock N' Play - this is such a snug sleeper, it helps babies feel they are in the womb. We love that it rocks and that it is washable! It vibrates too, but we don't really need that feature at the moment. http://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-rock-n-play-star/-/A-14583529#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=rock+n+play

• Snugapuppy bouncer - this is wear my little guy takes naps. It is snug and nice and upright for his little bit of reflux and washable (yay) http://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-deluxe-bouncer-my-little-snugapuppy/-/A-14588566#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=SNUGAPUPPY

 

• Bath supplies: shampoo, wash cloths, bath seat/tub, lotion - I love my bath seat, as it is compact and soft! http://www.target.com/p/summer-infant-deluxe-baby-bather-blue/-/A-13933368#prodSlot=medium_1_2

  

  Bath Seat

•  Sleepers with zippers (so much easier in the middle of the night) - The first two weeks we went through two a day and then week three I decided to dress the poor kid in "real clothes."
   
  
  
   

 We have it, but . . . 

• We have a swing, but he still doesn't weight enough for it (he may fly to Mars if we aren't careful) - we could have waited
• I have a Boppy and the first week I loved it. . . Now, it is kind of a pain. I keep it upstairs for the middle of the night, but never even use it during the day 
• Playmat - we are starting to use it more in week 3, but the first couple weeks you don't use it much and could always use a blanket
• Baby monitor . . we didn't need this until week 3 (I do love my video monitor though, now that we are settled enough to use it)
• His entire room - seriously. I am so glad it is set up, but we don't quite need it yet. 

 I might be forgetting a few things and will edit if I have.. but that's about it for now :)

All I wanted to do my first week was eat, snuggle, and shower at some point!