Baby Boy Turns 1! My Postpartum Must-Haves (and Regrets)

Nov 5

Hey mama,

I can hardly believe it, but my baby boy is turning one this week! Reflecting on this incredible year of motherhood—the sleepless nights, the sweet baby snuggles, and all the things I thought I needed but never used—has inspired me to share a few of my postpartum essentials and some items that, well, didn’t quite live up to the hype. Keep in mind, every baby is different, so take this as a guide, not gospel!

Not So Essential

Swaddles: I had so many, only to learn my son despised being swaddled. Lesson learned!

Baby Shoes: Before they start walking, shoes are purely decorative. Cute? Yes. Necessary? Nope. Save you cash.

Baby Brezza: Overpriced and slow. Honestly, making bottles by hand is way faster and way cheaper.

4moms Mamaroo: Used it for two weeks, then he acted like it was covered in spikes. It’s a hit-or-miss item.

Non-Two-Way-Zip Onesies: Midnight diaper changes with these? Pure torture. Two-way zippers or bust!

Perfect Nursery: We didn’t use ours until six months in. Focus on your space first; trust me.

Owlet Sock: Constantly disconnected and gave me more anxiety than peace of mind. Hard pass.

Bottle Sterilizer: Used it once, then never again. Soap and hot water work just fine.

Baby Towels and Washcloths: Regular towels work just fine. Save your money.

Essentials

Nipple Shields: A lifesaver for early breastfeeding struggles. Helped my baby latch when I was at my wit’s end.

Nursing Cart: Stocked with snacks, extra pump parts, bottle caps, burp cloths and milk storage bags. Keep it by your bed—you’ll thank yourself during those middle-of-the-night feeds.

Mini Fridge (or Ceres Chill): Because nighttime kitchen runs to put your pumped milk away are the worst. Total sanity saver.

Large Water Bottle with a Straw: Hydration is key, especially if you’re breastfeeding. You don’t want to mess with a twist-off top when you’re holding a baby.

Frida Peri Bottle: Way better than the hospital one. Think of it as a bidet for your vajay, and trust me, you’ll love it.

Bottle Drying Rack: Keeps bottles from overtaking your entire kitchen. A small, but mighty, organizational win.

Bonus Tip

Bring an Extra Bag to the Hospital. The hospital sends you home with postpartum goodies: mesh undies, giant pads, ice packs, witch hazel pads, diapers, and more. Load up on as much as they’ll give you—most hospitals are happy to share if you ask. Trust me, you’ll be grateful for those supplies when you get home! (Don’t waste your money on the Frida postpartum underwear, pads or ice packs.) The hospital stuff is just as good, if not better. PLUS its FREE.99!

Final Thoughts

Every mom, every baby, and every experience is different, but I hope this gives you some ideas. Thanks for being part of this crazy, beautiful, sleep-deprived journey with me. Now I'm going to cry my eyes out as I get Dimitri out of bed because I only have one day left with an 11 month old. 😭

With love and a big hug,