et me preface. After the arrival of my son, I quickly realized how much additional consumption and waste there is with a little one! At times, I felt guilty knowing how much more water, paper goods, and diapers (of course) we went through! While you will use and dispose of more than you’re use to, there are opportunities to reuse and repurpose items (when it makes sense to) to help offset! Saving you money (yay) and if you are like me, feeling better about having a smaller (although greater) consumption footprint and it can begin right at the hospital.

Hospital Provided Items

Knowing what to expect may help (dependent on birthing center or hospital). The hospital provided essential care items for both my baby and I. For me, this included mesh underwear, long & thick pads, peri bottle, medicated witch hazel iced cooling pads, Dermoplast first-aid spray, Lanolin breast ointment, diapers, large tub containers. For baby, this included, baby formula (we supplemented), baby soap, baby sponge, Medela mixing bottles and nipples, Medela breast pumping gear.

Going Home

Then on the day we discharged, our nurse told me, “Take everything that’s leftover, we are going to throw it away anyways”. She even told me to pack the bathing bucket and sponge from my son’s 1^st bath. Being polite, I obliged thinking I’d purge it anyway, but to my pleasant surprise I used just about everything!

here is a New Mom to be in your life and you want to get her something useful, thoughtful or maybe a gift she will think of you each time she uses. I hear you. So then, what do you get?
I am a 2nd time mom who likes to keep things simple and practical but can also appreciate the need for that little bit of something extra. These are my favorite unique gifts that I loved and used.

f you’re approaching your registry as a first-time mom, you may be a little overwhelmed at all the options, brands, opinions and suggestions on items you need. It can be hard to sort through the clutter.