As I sit my weary self down to type this out, Townes (who is now four months old) has finally decided to surrender to sleep after a grueling hour-long episode of wailing, kicking and rejecting what her tired little body so desperately needed. Yes, the newborn days are behind us, but this is where we are today: hastily attempting to connect my feelings and thoughts to adequate words in between the fits and starts of nap time.
The best reminder I have learned to preach to myself more times in a day I care to admit is “This too shall pass.” Every day is a new day and babies cycle through phases as quickly as the wind changes direction, it seems. I spent a lot of Townes’s newborn days Googling and overwhelmed. I would think, “Holy Moses, is this going to be FOREVER?!” (I’ve never been described as melodramatic or sarcastic, I assure you.) I think this is totally natural and par for the course of early motherhood. (At least I’ll just tell myself that.) Having a baby is the most wonderful, difficult, monumental life change, a complete paradigm shift, and there is truly no way to prepare for it apart from experiencing it.
FYI I heard this a thousand times and kind of snidely, arrogantly told myself um yeah you keep saying that but that just won’t be true for me because you see… I have read all the mommy blogs. I have ordered all the right things. I have taken all the classes and read all the books and prayed all the prayers and organized all the drawers. (Ensue reality of a screaming newborn and the simultaneous shattering of my ego.)
However, I understand the “nesting/preparation” phase of late pregnancy is very real and to me, felt biologically essential. While the truth of the matter is that you already possess everything your baby truly needs (love, affection, nourishment) it’s definitely nice to learn about some items that help make the transition into motherhood just a little bit easier and enjoyable! And there’s always more where this came from, so don’t be afraid to comment or ask.
Just remember mama, this too shall pass. You’ve got this.
- Snuggle Me Organic– There’s a reason this is first. This was the thing I never knew we even needed (thank you Mom!) But now, four months in, I would make my husband drive across town at midnight for this little newborn nest of snuggly love (true story). It’s a sensory lounger that nestles the babe in just so, from when they’re newborns to well, at this rate, 18. We need to transition Townes out of it but she just loves it so much. It may or may not travel across the globe with us.
- Beco Gemini Baby Carrier– I love this carrier. I tried to love the Solly wrap and I still use it from time to time but found myself in parking lots with fabric all over the place, frustrated. The structure and easy wearability of this carrier are so nice, plus it has a pocket. I may be trying out some others soon, but this one is top knotch.
- Vava Touch Lamp– This thing is just gold. I had it on my nursing essentials too. We have two and they both travel with us wherever we go. One for the bedside for nighttime nursing, one for where Townes is sleeping.
- Lovevery Playgym– This Montessori-certified playgym (my MIL gave us) is perfect for ALL of baby’s developmental stages. It promotes rich neural networks and concentration with its specific designs and patterns. It also helps lay the foundation for motor skills and primes babies for language, reading, and concepts like object permanence. And on top of that, it’s just beautiful.
- Dwell + Slumber Baby Gown– I love that these beautiful baby gowns tie so I’m not fumbling with snaps and buttons during nightime diaper changes.
- Halo Sleep Sack– We are finally transitioning out of this after 4 months. After trying a ton of different swaddles and sleep sacks, this is what worked for our feisty girl who started breaking out of her swaddle in the hospital. We bought the newborn size and then the small and now she’s in the Woolino sleep bag.