Last-Minute Items to Have Before Welcoming Your Baby

You’ll want to have these disposable changing pads on hand when you’re ready to take baby on an outing or over to visit friends and family. They provide a sanitary surface to change baby and are easy to toss when you’re done; use them with or without a reusable changing pad. “Disposable and regular changing pads were critical and I didn’t even know about them,” says Catherine Donaldson-Evans, What to Expect Deputy Editor, adding that these are super easy to pop in your diaper bag. You can also have a stash at home for those times when your regular changing pad covers are in the wash.

If your newborn catches a cold, you’ll want to have the Nose Frida on hand. Once you get over the ick factor, you’ll join the legions of parents who swear by its ability to clear mucus from baby’s little nose. Essentially (as the name suggests), you’re sucking the snot out of baby’s nose — in a totally hygienic way, of course, so you’ll never ingest any mucus. If it turns out your little one is susceptible to colds, invest in extra filters. 

For some moms and babies, breastfeeding is second nature, but for a large section of women, it doesn’t come so easily (and there’s zero shame in that!). Nipple shields are like a stretched out version of a nipple you would use on a bottle. They’re placed over your nipple and are intended to make it easier for your newborn to latch. They specifically help with flat or inverted nipples and overactive letdowns, plus they protect your nipples while still allowing for plenty of skin contact. Make sure you order them in the right size for your breasts — they’re available in three sizes: medium, listed here; small; and extra-small. (The product page has a helpful chart to help you decide which size to buy.)

If you delivered your baby, it’s normal for your vagina to be swollen and sore for some time to come — and you may still be experiencing hemorrhoids. Witch hazel is known to be nature’s remedy for both, cooling and promoting healing, and is safe enough to use on these sensitive areas. These pad liners from mom-favorite brand Frida are infused with witch hazel and are sized just right for your sanitary pads. What to Expect Senior Video Producer, Jamison Hermann, shares this tip from when he and his wife welcomed their baby: Put them in the freezer before you go to the hospital so they're nice and chilled when you get home.

While using an app on your phone makes a perfectly good white noise machine for you, if you don't have one already, you’ll want to snag a trusty, stand-alone white noise machine for your nursery. This Yogasleep white noise machine is rechargeable, more affordable than other sound machines and even small enough to attach to baby’s stroller. It plays three different sounds and has a soft LED nightlight. 

No nursery is complete without a tube of Aquaphor. The petrolatum-based balm can be used to prevent and treat everything from diaper rash to eczema to dry, chafed skin. You can even rub a little extra into your own cuticles, elbows or lips. Aquaphor is also available in a tub, but we prefer the tubes as they’re more hygienic when applying with your fingers.

Tons and tons of moms have challenges breastfeeding, including slow let-down, engorgement and pain. That’s where these handy disks come in. You toss them in the microwave prior to nursing or pumping, and the heat soothes clogged milk ducts and encourages milk to flow. Or, toss them in the freezer so the cold helps relieve swelling and pain. 

What to Expect Editorial Director, Christine Mattheis, reports that these were a game-changer. "I Amazon Prime'd these after I got home and they made a big difference," she says.

Several parents on our team recommend having plenty of swaddles on hand. If you didn’t already get these at your baby shower, you’ll definitely want to order a set of SwaddleMe Original Swaddles before your little one arrives. Swaddles wrap baby into a comfy cocoon that helps her stay asleep for longer. How? They keep your little one’s arms tucked in so she doesn’t wake herself up when her startle reflex kicks in and she flails her arms. But getting the hang of a swaddling, particularly on a wriggly baby, takes some getting used to, which is where these swaddles come in. They attach with velcro, which is a shortcut to a perfect (and easily adjustable) swaddle.

If there’s one thing we can guarantee your baby will be using every day, it’s diapers! You’ll want to make sure you’re getting ones that won’t leak and are easy to change. Pampers Swaddlers are all that and more. The special liner pulls wetness away from baby’s delicate skin to keep her comfy — a definite plus at nighttime. The newborn size is contoured in the front to allow space for your little one's healing umbilical cord, too. Finally, the color-changing indicator lets you know when baby’s wet, so there’s no guessing if she's ready to be changed or not.

If you’re welcoming your baby via labor and delivery, stash up some  sanitary pads. You can expect to bleed for up to six weeks after delivery, and tampons aren’t an option for new moms. Enter: Always Infinity Pads. Don’t let their slimness fool you; they are plenty absorbent — moms swear by the overnight version — and the wings help protect the sides of your panties, too. (Pro tip: Before you leave the hospital, ask the nurse for some extra pads to take home with you.)

Countless parents stress that this pacifier is the only one their babies would take, and it’s easy to see why. These What to Expect award-winning pacifiers are made of BPA-free, medical-grade silicone and are easy to clean (just pop them in boiling water or your sterilizer and you’re good to go). The simple one-piece design is unique in that you can place your finger in the paci nipple to help your little one suckle. They’re also available in pink and purple and a cute bear shape.