My First Month & A Half Of Motherhood

The products I've used to recover postpartum + my favorites for baby (so far).

As of October 1st, I’ve been Lauren’s mom for a month. When this hits your inbox, she’ll be a month and a half old. My, how time flies.

I know the newborn stage isn’t everyone’s favorite, but I’ve always loved this phase. I’ve worked with kids - at every age - for a large chunk of my life thus far (I’ve babysat, nannied, worked at a daycare), and there’s just nothing better than newborn snuggles and smiles - at least, in my opinion.

Am I tired? Yes.

But, sleep deprivation is worth it. My baby girl is everything I dreamed of and more. The best part is that she’s mine; I don’t have to give her back at the end of the day! I get all the contact naps, morning couch chats, and evening dance parties I want.

One thing I’ve learned as a new parent is that every day is different than the last. Your toolbox, however, can stay consistent. The key is to find products that work best for you and your baby!

Of course, being a mom for such a microscopic amount of time in no way, shape, or form makes me an expert. Nor am I going to pretend to be. I just loved reading about and checking out the products first-time and seasoned mamas swore by before Lauren arrived, so I felt a little more prepared. (I still browse these lists, and probably will continue to as Lauren grows!)

Ergo, I thought I’d compile a list of the products I’ve been using the most and loving in these early days of motherhood, in case they would be helpful to any of my readers! I’ve divided them into two sections: Postpartum care for recovering mamas, and items for Lauren that I’ve used practically every day. Let me know in the comments below if any of these recs were helpful, and feel free to share any products YOU would recommend, too!

For postpartum care

Frida Mom Women's Postpartum Underwear

$12.97, amazon.com

My hospital was fantastic about stocking me up with enough high-waisted postpartum underwear to last probably more than a month postpartum. However, because I didn’t know what I’d be going home with, I bought myself these highly-rated disposables by Frida Mom before I gave birth. It was worth it! Unlike hospital underwear, Frida Mom pairs provide a little more compression, which was especially helpful after my c-section.

Fourthwear Postpartum Recovery Underwear

$39, nyssacare.com

When I was ready to move on from the disposable stage of recovery, but still needed high-waisted underwear, I received such a sweet package from Nyssa, and included in the box was a pair of the brand’s fourth-trimester design.

Beyond being a fantastic, high-quality undergarment, the high-waisted hipster (created in collaboration with OB-GYNs, Doulas, Midwives, and Pelvic Floor Therapists) also features a pocket to hold ice or heat therapy at the site of cesarean incision. My recovery has been, relatively, smooth sailing (since the second week, at least), so I haven’t had to use the pocket, but I plan on taking advantage of the genius perk once Mother Nature comes back around.

Gas-X Extra Strength Chewable Gas Relief Tablets

$6.31, amazon.com

You might be surprised to see Gas X on this list, but these minty tablets have been to my postpartum journey what Tums were to my pregnancy. Critical.

As someone who struggles with all the woes that come with IBS-C, the combination of tummy troubles, major surgery, and my uterus making its way back to normal size and out of the way of my intestines, things don’t always move smoothly these days. Gas has been especially painful to pass, so when I got home from the hospital, this was one of my first purchases (my nurses gave it to me a few times a day!). I also weirdly enjoy the taste.

Auden Women's Cozy Ribbed Wide Leg Pants

$25, target.com

HI. LET’S TALK ABOUT THESE PANTS.

You need them.

Whether you just gave birth or not.

Holy moly. When I say these pants are the most comfortable lounge piece in my wardrobe, I am not exaggerating. Fashion Instagrammer, Rylee Jade, influenced me to buy a pair in preparation for postpartum life, and it was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. The pants are ribbed and constructed from the softest fabric, plus stretchy spandex for optimal comfort. I didn’t realize they came in more colors until linking them here, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t considering buying a few more…

For baby

Britax Willow Grove SC Baby Travel System

$447.99, amazon.com

Britax was extremely generous to send my husband and me the travel system on our registry. This post is not sponsored, nor am I being paid to include the stroller-car seat set on this list. That said, I have used these two items a ton in the last month and change, and have a lot of positive things to say about the duo, but more specifically the stroller.

The Willow Grove stroller is easy to set up and folds down with a press of a button. It’s also a smooth ride for my baby and easy to steer. My only complaint would be that it doesn’t come with bells and whistles like a cup holder, or storage beyond the bottom. As for the infant car seat, I love the look of it, but while it gets the job done, it does not provide a lot of support for my baby’s head. My mom ended up gifting us bumpers so her head wouldn’t droop and fall forward.

BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini

$70.99, amazon.com

I love love love the Baby Bjorn Carrier Mini. It’s extremely easy to use, comfortable to wear, and supportive for my back. Lauren loves it, too. She almost instantly falls asleep as soon as she’s snuggled in. It’s perfect for leaving the house, but I do want to look into more of a wrap design for when we’re home and I’m back to work.

Enya Mond Luna Diaper Bag

$220, enyamond.com

Enya Mond’s is one of the most beautiful diaper bags I’ve ever seen. The brand gifted me the Luna in Brunette before Lauren was born, and I could not wait to put it to good use - and I have! This backpack has plenty of storage and compartments for all our on-the-go essentials, including an extra-large changing pad and stroller straps. Moreover, the bag doesn’t look like a diaper bag, but an accessory! I’ll be sure to get years of wear out of it.

Little Unicorn Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blanket Set

$44.95, amazon.com

We tried a lot of swaddles and sleepers; the Little Unicorn Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets are the only ones Lauren sleeps soundly in. We also use them as regular blankets when she’s lounging in her chair, or on the go in her car seat! She loves them and so do we.

Boppy Nursing Pillow

$35.99, amazon.com

Some people are lounger people, some people are boppy people. The Guerras are most definitely boppy people. It’s another lounge option for when Mommy and Daddy need their hands free, and it’s an excellent means of support for our arms when giving Lauren her bottle. I also like that there are a bunch of different covers you can get for the pillow, to swap out when need be.

Graco Soothe n Sway LX Swing with Portable Bouncer

$154.99, target.com

I went back and forth about whether or not I wanted a swing or a bouncer. Graco’s Soothe n Sway is both - and I’m so glad we registered for it! The chair disconnects from the swing, so I can station the seat around the house if I don’t want to be in the family room. It has two vibration and sound settings and a little mobile to keep baby’s eyes occupied.

Shynerk Baby Baby Car Mirror

$29.99, amazon.com

This neat gadget is way cooler than a mirror, in my opinion. I love having a sort of monitor in the car. Yes, it means extra wires to deal with, but it doesn’t make a mess.

AGTEK Rolling Organizer Cart

$44.99, amazon.com

OK, I’ll admit, I saw mom influencers waxing poetic about how amazing it is to have a diaper cart, especially in the first month when you’re recovering from childbirth, and decided I needed one too! Well, it turns out, I was right and so were they. Having a diaper cart is super convenient, especially if you live somewhere with multiple floors. This lives downstairs and I’m constantly stocking it with diapers, wipes, burp cloths, bibs, etc. I couldn’t be running up and down the stairs for changes post-caesarean, so this contraption was a saving grace.