My maternity leave starts today! What do you recommend a mom-to-be (cool kid products, self-care, handy tools/tips, books, etc.)?

Question

Dominiek Kampman · Answer

Hightide Gauze Handkerchief Emotion: Last week I bought this cute Japanese embroidered towl at my favorite store in Amsterdam. I think it is a perfect a stylish napkin for everyday use or while traveling.

Amy · Answer

Keep a box of heated eye masks in the linen closet: For those nights you can’t sleep or have a headache - grab a heated eye mask and dream well.

Amy · Answer

Medela SoftShells for Sore Nipple - 2ct: These saved me for the first six weeks when we were figuring it out

Bethany Poteat · Answer

Woolino Sleep Sack: These are not cheap, but are 100% worth it. You will need two for inevitable washing, but you will only need two from the time you drop the swaddle (around 3 months or whenever baby rolls) until 2 years. It works in all seasons, and will lay through multiple kids. Otherwise you will need varying TOG (warmth ratings) and sizes. This is such a good product.

Bethany Poteat · Answer

yoga ball: Skip the Snoo and get a yoga ball. Great for birth prep, AND magically helpful for getting a newborn to sleep. Hold the baby and bounce for a few minutes and then transfer to the crib. Top three baby recommendation!

Sarah Beck · Answer

Hobonichi 5-Year Techo (2026): An incredible gift to yourself to start one of these before your kids are born. I started when my youngest was 6 months, each page is a time capsule of days that would have otherwise been totally lost to the sands of time. Pair with the Canon SELPHY XQ20 to print some sticker pics for the blank page next to each day.

Kelsey · Answer

Bumco Baby Bum Brush aka the butt spatula: Either you’re passionate about the butt spatula or you think it’s the dumbest thing on earth, there’s no in between. But if there’s a chance you’re a person who would appreciate not touching diaper cream constantly, it’s a worthwhile $6.

JV · Answer

Mother Brain: How Neuroscience Is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood: Mother Brain explains the neuroscience behind new parenthood. It’s wild, but our brains change so much in the first six months. Parenthood is a journey I wish I could have read more about before it happened, but based on this books’ findings, I might not have understood any of it before going through it.

JV · Answer

How The Hell Do You Baby Led Wean? Solid Starts: An incredibly useful resource for baby led weaning. Founded by a passionate parent, built by a group of feeding specialists and pediatricians. I found the guides to be useful for meal planning which can be cumbersome in the early days. Their Instagram has a ton of videos, and the app has an extensive index of foods you can introduce to your baby when they show signs of readiness.

JV · Answer

r/science based parenting: A dose of this Reddit cools my baby-raising jets.

JV · Answer

Tracker For Baby Feed/Sleep/Diapers, Nara Baby: An incredible mother-made newborn app. Track wet diapers for the doctors (days 1-7.) I found the feed tracker to be extremely useful for my very sleep deprived brain! I could easily notate how long the baby took on either side, which side I finished nursing on last, or bottles e.g. how many ml the baby took and how long they were awake. 🐣 You can add your partner or a caregiver to the baby’s profile in order to update from their shift, etc.

Mary · Answer

Solly Baby Wrap: This carrier isn’t for everyone, but it saved me as a new mom!

Lulu Lefferts · Answer

Whoa Mama: Advice on Caring for Yourself During Motherhood: A group of friends who are mothers generously contributed to this guide for another friend of mine who is the first of her friend group to have kids.