Before my son was born, I read the books. Not all of them, but enough to feel mostly prepared. I knew swaddling was a thing. I knew newborns slept in strange stretches. I knew diaper blowouts weren’t just a myth.
But even with all that prep, there were things I didn’t know until I was deep in it—sleep-deprived, stunned, and standing in the kitchen at 3 a.m. holding a bottle I forgot to screw on properly.
So, this post isn’t a how-to. It’s a quiet little note to my past self—and maybe to yours, too—about the small things I wish I’d known. The stuff that sits in the margins between what the experts say and what life actually feels like.
Start with a Fresh Can of Formula—Just in Case
Even if your plan is exclusive breastfeeding, have a can of newborn formula in the pantry. Not toddler formula. Not something you find on sale. The real deal, just in case.
Breastfeeding, I learned, isn’t as simple as “pop the baby on and go.” It can be beautiful, but it can also be painful, slow, or filled with trial and error. Having formula on hand is not a failure—it’s a lifeline when everyone’s exhausted and figuring things out.
The Baby Brezza Saved My Sanity
If you’re using formula even part-time, get a Baby Brezza. It’s like a Keurig for baby bottles. One button, warm bottle, done.
I cannot overstate how much this helped me during those nights when I had one eye open and half a brain functioning. It gave me confidence when I couldn’t afford mistakes.
And believe me—losing breast milk because a bottle wasn’t screwed on tight still haunts me a little.
Simple Tools That Made Life Smoother
These aren’t must-haves for everyone—but they were meaningful to us:
- Nooie White Noise Machine: Plugged in for almost 3 years. Still works. Still helps.
- Bottle Sterilizer: Maybe not essential with modern plumbing, but for us, it created a rhythm and peace of mind. Clean bottles. No second guessing.
- Breastfeeding Cushions: We used them both for nursing and just propping our son safely while we got things together. Useful in those early, awkward weeks.
- Velcro Sleep Sacks: Because swaddling with a blanket at 2am isn’t a skill I ever mastered.
- Humidifier: Dry air + baby congestion = long nights. This made breathing easier (for all of us).
- Frida Nose Sucker: Gross? Yes. Effective? Also yes. Keep it nearby.
- Recliner Chair: If you have space, it’s worth it. I still use ours today—for reading books, holding naps, and stealing a few minutes of quiet after bedtime.
Looking Back, the Best Advice Was Gentle
What I needed most wasn’t more gear. It was permission—to not have it all figured out.
To change course if something wasn’t working.
To say, “This helped us” instead of “This is what you should do.”
So if you’re prepping for a baby, I offer this not as a checklist, but as a handful of things I wish I had in my corner. Some are objects. Some are small wins. All of them made the load feel a little lighter.
And if none of these apply to you? That’s okay. You’ve got your own wisdom. Trust it. Use what helps. Let the rest go.
Noah Wells
Still learning. Still rocking (in the recliner). Still believing you don’t have to do it all to be doing it well.
