Day 2 π: Baby Gear Essentials List
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Yesterday we zoomed out on the big picture. Today let's zoom in on the thing almost every first-time parent gets stuck on: baby gear. I've been a postpartum doula for more than 10 years, and here's something I've noticed about the parents who struggle less in those early weeks. It's not the ones with the most gear. Not the fanciest bassinet. Not the perfectly curated Amazon registry. It's the ones who understand what's normal for a newborn. Because when you don't know what's normal, everything starts to look like a problem. Every grunt. Every crazy colored poop. Every feeding that never seems to end. Cue the 2am googling spiral. "Is this sound normal?" "Why is my baby grunting?" "Should they be sleeping this much?" One of the biggest parts of my doula work is helping parents understand what's typical. That's what stops the second-guessing before it starts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- π YOUR DAY 2 GIFT: This is the list of what you'll actually use in the first month. Registries get overwhelming fast. And expensive. You don't need a potty or baby locks right now. You need the things that help your baby acclimate to life outside the belly. And more expensive doesn't mean better. π My favorite baby tub is $20. Why my doula clients love this list:
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β’ no house full of stuff you won't use or regret buying β
β’ have what you actually need when the "is this normal" moments come up. π CLICK HERE to grab the Essentials List π π€ NEWBORN NUGGET "Normal" for a newborn looks nothing like normal for an adult. Crying, grunting, rooting, cluster feeding, and short naps are all typical, even when they donβt feel that way at 2am. When you understand whatβs normal and have the right essentials:
Knowledge + the right gear = π ππΌ ONE SMALL THING TO DO TODAY Open the Essentials List and click the two links at the top (part 1 and part 2). This way you can see what the items on the list are. Then go ahead and check off if there's anything you've already purchased or registered for. Iβll be back tomorrow with Day 3 (and another gift) π xoxo, Valerie Trumbower, PCD(DONA), CLC Certified Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor P.S. If you want to see a video explaining the number one sleep mistake first-time parents make click here: newparentsacademy.com/freeβ |
New Parents Academy
Day 12 π As this Summer Baby Prep Series ends today you should be proud of yourself! You did something most first-time parents don't. You prepared before your baby arrived. That alone puts you ahead. After a decade as a postpartum doula, I can tell you the parents who feel calmest aren't the ones with the fanciest gear. They're the ones who understand what's normal, know what to watch for, and have support lined up. π That last piece is the one people skip. Usually because it sounds nice but...
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