1. Tykelight! This is a brilliant solution to the night light that lets out the perfect amount of tinted light. We actually put it in the bassinet (which is next to the swing Aiden will actually sleep in) and it illuminates just enough to not disrupt sleep but you can see what's causing the baby whimpers (babies are loud when they sleep!). It's like a night light that you can easily carry with you or shine under your hand pump at night to make sure it is lined up.
2. Bigger trash in the bathroom - Mom is technically wearing three diapers while baby only wears one. I think I need my own diaper champ to lock away the musty milk smell of those shields.
3. Be sure that the diaper lining is folded out and lined up, especially important before putting baby in the car seat to go to the doctor.
4. Have at least two robes and be sure that one of them isn't too warm and fuzzy, because you will have some serious night sweats.
5. Don't be shy about the lansinoh cream and be sure it's the real deal (no alcohol or too many chemicals which can be hard on the baby) Use it right after the baby is finished.
6. Get some sort of set up for easy meals - Look to get some variety in the mix for the easy meals like breakfast and lunch. Try to think about whether you can prepare it with one hand.
7. You'll want a good hand pump to go along with a good dual pump if you plan to pump... plan to pump if you want more than an hour away from the baby to go to the dentist.
8. Buy handy freezer boxes for the bags of milk that you can store. The bags will expand when they freeze and you have to be careful they don't leak (and in the bins they stay in order by the date)
9. Have some light antibac lotion handy for right after diaper changes. Be sure your soap isn't too rough on your hands because you will wash your hands a lot.
10. Tissues everywhere baby eats. And paper towels as back up everywhere you need wipes.
11. Keep cameras out in the open to easily grab. Baby won't be as smiley if you have to leave and come back for the shot. Don't be shy about shooting away, but it will take a while to sort through to share your favorites (easy to do with one hand while feeding though).
12. It's totally worth having a sterilizer. Some say that the dishwasher gets too hot and the plastics can be affected. Also, it's nice that the sterilizer is also a good place to store the stuff sterile and let it dry. It's especially helpful to clean your delicate pump parts.
13. Buy twice as many thank you notes as you might expect you'll need.
14. Disposable breast shields are a must for the first month or so (don't go cheap - medela were my favorite). Then the reusable, washable mesh ones work pretty well because you will leak less.
15. Take some practical advice from friends - encourage them to give you advice in fact. Most won't really give it unsolicited. You don't have to take all advice, but usually it will clue you into something you weren't familiar with before.
J's bonus tips:
1. Have everything out of the box and ready to grab. Have diapers out of the box and wipes popping up in the box. Do not wait to assemble anything. You will be too tired to deal.
2. Take a baby moon if you can to spend time as a family.
3. Pull outfit up as far as possible during diaper changes or he will pee on it. The cuter mom thinks that outfit is the more likely he will leak on it somehow.
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