Guest Post Written by UGC creator Julianne Abshier

What's True?

I think the internet is full of well intended but excessive advice for new mamas. It can all just be a lot!

I remember feeling like I didn’t know what on earth to do leading up to delivery. Here are a few things that I learned along the way that helped me to survive and thrive in early postpartum. This is definitely not an all inclusive list, just some things that readily come to mind.

(I’d recommend doing these things around 4-6 weeks before your due date, but honestly whenever you can find the time is great). 

1. Meal Prep

This one was sooo helpful to me. My husband loves to cook. So while I’m sure he wouldn’t have minded cooking for me while I tended to baby— I needed his presence and support a lot more than I needed fresh-made cooking in those early days.

2. Set Up a Baby/Mama Cart

TOP TIER —  Snacks

Think of stuff you need to eat/drink to survive. For me that meant lots of protein and hydration to support me as a nursing mama. Other examples would be protein shakes, electrolytes, water, and nutritious snacks.

MIDDLE TIER — Nursing Musts.

For me this looked like pump supplies, hand pump (super helpful if your milk comes in really fast and you’re hurting), a silicone pump, nursing pads, nipple balm, silver nipple covers, and some lactation cookies.

BOTTOM TIER - Baby Support Items.

Maybe you could put some diapers here, wipes, burp cloths (keep lots of them handy — trust me), a couple of swaddles, and maybe a change of sleeper for baby.

3. Update your Wardrobe 

Button up shirts are the easiest way to feel stylish/put together while having easy breastfeeding access. Of course these can be thrifted/gifted so they don’t need to be a huge expense.

Don’t try and fit into pre-momma life jeans when you’re freshly postpartum! Clothes are meant to fit your body not the other way around. Buy/borrow/thrift some jeans that’ll fit you in this postpartum period. I liked wearing a paper bag style waist bc they fit immediately postpartum and also as my tummy shrunk back down a little. 

4. Add a Maternity Robe to Your Hospital Bag

One thing I wish I had packed sooner was a comfortable Maternity Robe. It’s an easy piece to have ready for the hospital, especially during delivery and those first postpartum days when comfort is everything. A soft robe makes it easy to layer over nursing-friendly clothes, stay comfortable while moving around the hospital, and have something cozy to wear when visitors stop by.

Even after you leave the hospital and settle in with your baby, a Maternity Robe can become a go-to postpartum piece for slow mornings, nursing sessions, and those first days at home. Having one packed alongside your other hospital essentials means you’ll have one less thing to think about when it’s time to head to the hospital.

5. Download a Baby Info Tracking App

In the hospital they got us started on tracking feeds + diapers on a paper log. When I got home I downloaded a free app called Nara Baby for keeping track of feedings, diapers, growth and such. Any tracking app is great, this one was just free + I liked it personally.

6. Enjoy!

Don’t get me wrong, life just gets better and richer when baby is here— but it can be fun to take some time to celebrate the last moments of your family as it is. My husband and I prioritized having a date night every week in the last few weeks because you never know which date night will be before baby joins the party. 

I hope these tips and tricks help you as much as they helped me in those early weeks of postpartum. No matter what you do to prepare for baby— you’re going to do amazing, mama! 

Bonus Tip: Diaper Organization

Also - I’ve seen a lot of how to pack a diaper cart advice— but for me, I changed most of my little guy’s diapers on the changing table + I think that what I used the most from my diaper cart was the stuff I put there to support my well-being. So in retrospect here is how I’d pack it.

I love love how my Parker Baby Felt Diaper Caddy fits PERFECTLY in the different tiers of my cart. The side pockets are perfect for the little items like nursing pads. I think my cart was from Walmart but you can find them at lots of stores. 💗

Before you go, check out our best selling baby products - approved and loved by new moms everywhere!

^^ Something you'll definitely use as a new mama? Our Burp Cloths keep feeding time clean. Oversized, absorbent, soft, and safe for baby -  these are the best you can buy! Snag a 4-pack set here.

^^ Our Drool Bandana Bibs don't just catch baby's drool... they also keep baby's outfit clean during meal time! Adjustable, soft, absorbent, and washer friendly - they are a no-brainer. Pick your favorite set here!

^^ Finally, keep meal time mess-free with our Multi-Use Covers! They double as a nursing cover, grocery cart cover, high chair cover, AND car seat cover - so it's basically your best friend for on-the-go parenting. Order here!