Before we get to anything pertaining to actual arrival of a baby, let’s first acknowledge that pregnancy is pretty crazy. Your body instinctively knows to make the most incredible, and let’s be serious, shocking changes while it morphs into a safe and nourishing haven for your little one. Your body has become someone’s home…I still look down daily at this bump of mine and feel so amazed by that simple fact.
Thanks to the power of the internet and all the connections we are able to make online or through social media, I surprised myself by immediately acquiring a few basic necessities the moment I found out I was expecting. I didn’t have a list prepped or anything like that, but having scrolled through enough raves reviews from other mamas, it seems my brain had already stored away some of the best for when it came time to acquire them.
Here is a look at some of my musts for the months leading up to meeting that new little human of yours…
1 / Storq Basic Bundle – This set of four garments single-handedly got me through the first half of my pregnancy. I found myself wearing at least one of these items almost every day, mixed in with my non-maternity wardrobe. The quality is fantastic, everything washes well, and most importantly, they are comfortable…A must as you continue to get considerably less so.
2 / Mushybooks – Yes, you will definitely want to have one of these once baby arrives, but it is also a great thing to get started on ahead of time. I love the modern designs from Mushybooks! There are spots to record many of your pregnancy milestones, thoughts and baby’s development. I ordered the Dreamcatcher design with extra pages to be filled with notes to baby at my shower!
3 / Non-Toxic Nail Polish – Just as with any other lotions, sprays and balms, nail polish also falls into that category of products that need to be reviewed while pregnant. Although only in small amounts, nail polish can be absorbed into your body, so it’s important to find a brand clear of any bad guys…Specifically toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and formaldehyde. I have recently fallen in love with the Deborah Lippmann line, not only for the great colours, but it also lasts and is super easy to remove.
4 / Protective Blanket – Another one of my first buys, this blanket made me feel a little better about all of that time sitting with a laptop on, well, my lap. It may be a little overkill, I get that, but I can’t imagine having a ton of tech sitting right on top of baby is a fantastic idea. This solution put my crazy mama-mind at ease. Neutral colour, light-weight and easy to pack…I use this blanket all the time. It is also the perfect size for the stroller later on!
5 / BKR Waterbottle – Far better than plastic both for you and for the baby. I love the BKR bottles because they are easy to pop in the dishwater and they don’t pick up any nasty smells or flavours from filling with anything other than water. I use the 1L size so it’s easy for me to track how much I’ve had to drink during the day.
6 / Sea-Bands – These babies were a fashion accessory of mine for at least the first four months. They definitely didn’t solve all of my problems when it came to keeping things down, but they did help take the edge off. I also found it reassuring that during early pregnancy, a time where you’re still trying to figure out what’s in and what’s out in terms of treatments, it was nice to have an easy and all natural option to turn to.
7 / Zoe Organics Baby Oil – This natural product line is fantastic for the whole family, and it took a lot of the worry out of picking a clean, effective product to use during pregnancy. And, even I love the smell, which I didn’t think was possible with this sensitive tummy of mine.
8 / The Kind Mama – Yep, there are a lot of books out there…This is where I started. I had already read (and loved) this one and this one before finding out we were expecting, so I was looking for a read that would guide me through a healthy pregnancy. I really loved this choice! It was clearly organized into bite-sized sections, and I appreciated that it was written from such a personal perspective.
I would love to hear about any more finds you feel should have made this list, so leave your suggestions below!
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