#ForNewMoms - PART 1: Pregnancy & Newborns

The stuff I wish I knew as an expecting and new mom...

With the news of our second baby on the way, I started organizing all our old baby things and found a little stack of advice cards, that I received as part of a baby shower gift with my first baby. It was part of a lovely little basket filled with tried and tested products from a fellow mom. Back then, this was an absolute lifesaver! To a new mom-to-be, who knew nothing about raising a baby, she shared the products that she simply could not live without. This got me thinking about what I could now share with new and expecting moms, about low-tox living, essential oils and just products in general that made my life so much easier.

It all started as a series on my socials called #ForNewMoms in which I shared some products, tips and experiences along the way of pregnancy and motherhood, but I soon found myself going back on my posts again when I was looking for baby shower gift ideas. So I decided for the sake of finding it all again when you really need it, to summarize it all into two articles, Pregnancy & Newborns and 3 Months and Beyond.

So whenever you find yourself wondering what you still need to get for your new baby, or you want to get a new mom something that they'll actually use... you can find it all conveniently listed and easy to access.

Two Tone Storage Baskets - The Crazy Store

This is where it all started! These two-tone baskets from The Crazy Store have been a total game changer... and you don't have to be a mom to be converted!

They come in various colours and sizes to suit almost any organisational need that you might have. I first used the one I got as part of the gift basket to keep little socks organised in the nursery, but they have since made their way into almost every other room of our house and even the caravan!

They are so convenient for little clothes that don't quite fit into big closets or drawers and work wonders to organise toiletries and cosmetic products and the bigger ones make great toy baskets.

Oh Lief Natural Olive Baby Products

I discovered @ohliefnaturalproducts while I was still pregnant with my first baby and just before I started using essential oils. I was looking for a baby safe insect repellent, seeing as though Markus was going to be a January baby and this was recommended to me by a fellow mom.

Apart from the beautiful packaging, (I'm a sucker for good packaging) this is a proudly South African brand that is made from natural ingredients that are gentle on sensitive skin. I started off with their Natural Olive Insect Balm and soon started using the Tummy Wax to care for my skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks on my growing belly. Once Markus was born, it doubled as a "boobie balm" that didn't have to be wiped off before each feed as well as an "all over balm" for dry hands and chapped lips - this was so convenient as space in a nappy bag gets a little limited during those first few months. Speaking of space, they have the cutest little trial kit that is perfect for nappy bags or if you first want try out the products, it also makes a great baby shower gift!

If you're not so savvy with essential oil DIY's just yet, don't quite have time to make your own products or you just want a natural alternative to mainstream products, this is a great low-tox brand for any mom!

Pure Beginnings Natural Baby Products

There is something truly special about the smell of a freshly bathed baby. In those early days, I became far more mindful of what I was using on my baby’s skin, which is how I discovered Pure Beginnings through a small baby shower gift. From the first use, I was hooked, especially on the bum cream. Unlike the thick, sticky ones that cling to your fingers, this one glides on easily, absorbs well, and makes nappy changes so much simpler.

What I love most is their low-tox approach. Pure Beginnings products are made with natural and organic ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals, parabens, sulphates, and synthetic fragrances. They are gentle enough for newborns but can be used by the whole family, which made them a natural choice for me as a new mom navigating sensitive skin and hormonal changes. It is one of those brands that quietly becomes a staple in your home.

Feather the Owl Diffuser (Young Living)

I firmly believe that every new mom should be blessed with Feather the Owl! Like many new moms it was on my "nice-to-have" list due to finances, but it is definitely something that I now recommend as a "must have"!

This little guy was a very generous baby shower gift and came at just the right time. I was struggling with terrible pregnancy insomnia which coupled with anxiety about everything ahead was not great for me or our baba. We had it running with some Lavender essential oil that very evening and had a good night's rest for the first time in days!

After my son was born, it has become a very important member of the family and one of the first things that we would pack when going away for a night. The white noise function, paired with a familiar smell, made sure that Markus felt at home no matter where we spent the night. It made bedtime so much easier and it will definitely be a part of baby Jana's bedtime routine as well!

Ningxia Red Wolfberry Nutritional Supplement (Young Living)

Believe me this is not just for new moms - this is for ALL moms! I discovered Ningxia Red after becoming a Young Living Brand Partner and experimenting a bit more with the other products that they have available. If you (like most moms) are tired, irritable and just feel a little worn out... then this is going to become your best friend. I literally survived my first trimester of this second pregnancy, thanks to Ningxia Red!

So why Ningxia Red you ask? Ningxia is a superfood supplement that contains wolfberry, cherry, pomegranate, plum, carrots, oranges, beets, raspberries, blueberries, apple, spinach, broccoli, grape seed extract and essential oils. It's high in fibre and protein and contains vitamins A and C. These vitamins help boost the immune system and it also contains essential amino acids and minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron and copper. All these amino acids and minerals support your immune system and strengthen your bones and muscles.

I have noticed a massive improvement in my energy levels when taking Ningxia Red, especially with the afternoon slump that we all so often get stuck in. It has also been amazing during cold and flu season, as an extra immune boost, but also when we needed to recover from a bug. This is a whole-family favourite for moms, tots and dads!

Baby Carrier (Ubuntubaba & Fabric Wrap)

This was a gamechanger with my firstborn and still is. With Markus, I read up a lot about the "fourth trimester" and benefits of "baby wearing" and we experienced it first hand. Not only did it give me the freedom to carry on with my daily tasks, but it provided such special bonding time between me and baba which truly made those first three months so much easier.

I have both an Ubuntubaba as well as a Noo noo pie baby wrap carrier and would recommend both brands / types of carriers for different reasons.

The NooNooPie wrap carrier was great for those very early newborn days and on the slightly cooler days, when I could tuck in the little feet under the fabric. It however got a bit more uncomfortable as the days grew warmer, but we still used it a lot! They are also really affordable and a very good start to babywearing!

Our Ubuntubaba has been one of the best investments that I've made as a new mom! They're a bit more expensive, but you can get pre-loved ones in really good condition, which is how I bought my Stage 1.

The cotton fabric is breathable and light, especially for summer babies, keeping both mom and baba nice an comfy. It's been researched and is ergonomically correct which gives me as a mom a sound heart. I also loved the fact that it grew with my baby and "on" my husband - let's just say he didn't believe in the "magical sleepy dust" as first but eventually was the first to ask if we had packed the carrier before we left the house!

We have since upgraded to a Stage 2 as well as Markus has grown and both these are one of my number one recommendations to new moms!

Quality Maternity Wear

I have many products and brands that I wish I knew about or invested in as a new/expecting mom with my first pregnancy.

One of these was Cherry Melon Maternity, but they have closed since writing this original post. With my first pregnancy I bought "cheaper" maternity clothing from local chain stores, which I ended up throwing out again straight after Markus was born because they simply did not last or were not flattering at all post partum. I did invest in one pair of jeans from Cherry Melon, which lasted through my first and my second pregnancy and are still good as new. I have since purchased a few more statement pieces from this proudly local brand over the past two years. There are some really good Maternity clothing brands in South Africa, and although they can be expensive, it is really worth the investment.

If you are pregnant, a mom, planning on starting a family soon or just in search of good quality comfortable clothes... this is definitely one of my top recommendations. Believe me, comfort is key!

MILK Lactation & Collagen Bars

Breastfeeding can be tough... there are so many factors that can play a role, from supply issues to latching and more. With both Markus and Jana I experienced some speed bumps - they both had lip and tongue ties, meaning that they could not effectively latch leading to them not gaining sufficient weight in those crucial first few weeks. All this stress led to a drop in my supply on some days, when things just got a little too tough.

I got some help in both cases and I can not recommend a good lactation consultant more if you plan on breastfeeding! In a world where, sadly, moms are encouraged to give up so easily, there are absolute angels out there that help you to fight until you get it right. After we got help with Markus, I ended up breastfeeding him for just over a year and I'm planning on doing the same with Jana, thanks to some wonderful ladies and their passion for breastfeeding.

Caring for a newborn is tough enough at times and the last thing a mamma needs to stress about is supply and that's where these lactation bars from Milk Lactation Products have been a lifesaver! Not only have they been a much needed snack on those days where I found myself still in pajamas, running around after a toddler with a newborn, not having eaten anything by 12:00 in the afternoon, but they have really made a difference in my supply on the days where I could see a slight dip. They are cane sugar free and anti-colic which means they are not only good for mom, but for baby too and they really taste great. I used them with Markus two years ago and they helped immensely when I went back to work to keep my supply up while adjusting to pumping and they were one of the first things I stocked up when Jana was born.

They also make amazing blueberry collagen bars, which are great during pregnancy or even if you just want to give your skin a boost while having a healthy snack.

They are available online and at BabiesRUs.

Progessence Phyto Plus & Endoflex (Young Living)

Let's talk postpartum hormones! ...or just hormones in general.

We all know that hormones can wreak havoc especially after giving birth. The mood swings, emotions an hormonal breakouts, all while taking care of a newborn... cue my two best friends from Young Living and a definite must have for not only new moms but all women! Progessence Plus™️ Serum is formulated specifically for women and features some of Young Living’s most-loved essential oils, including Frankincense, Bergamot, and Peppermint. It uses only the purest plant-based ingredients and is formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or dyes and provides a natural source of progesterone from wild yams to help balance hormones.

EndoFlex essential oil is a powerful blend of oils designed to support emotions, wellbeing, and balance. It is highly supportive of the endocrine system, which consists of collection of glands in our bodies that secrete hormones directly into our circulatory system. We have endocrine glands in our brains (the pineal gland, pituitary gland, seat of emotions), in our pancreas, ovaries, testes, thyroid, parathyroid, hypothalamus, gastrointestinal tract, and adrenal glands. It is very popular for women to use and diffuse this essential oil when they are going through transition times in their bodies but it is just as beneficial for men too. I used both these products pre-pregnancy and had to stop using them while I was pregnant. I could immediately feel the effect of the pregnancy hormone imbalances and could not wait to start using this powerful combo again after my baby's birth. The appearance of my hormonal breakout improved within days and I could feel my emotions stabilising a lot after I started using them again. I apply Progessence Plus™️ Serum in the evenings, rotating applications between my wrists and ankles. In the mornings I apply Endoflex to my neck and wrists. The normal application ratio for both products is about 3 - 4 drops, but I removed the dropper tops and replaced them with Young Living's aromaglide roller fitments for easy application. I do however dilute my Endoflex with a carrier oil 50:50. The lists of testimonies and benefits of these products are endless and I won't bore you with that here, but I am always available to share more information on these products or to help you order. I just definitely needed to add them to my list of must haves as they are part of my daily routine.

MammaMoo Silicone Pump & Breast Shields

If you are planning on breastfeeding or you are a breastfeeding mom, this one is for you. The @mamamoobreastfeeding silicone pump and shields have helped me to build up a good freezer stash, without having to pump a single day up until now!

This nifty little "pump" attaches so easily and it collects the let-down from the side that you are not feeding from. In the past four months I have collected and saved enough to keep Jana fed for at least a week and I'm still going strong everyday. It's all just let-down that has been collected and saved. The shields are just as great, and can be re-used and all the milk that would have ended up in a breast pad in the bin, does not go to waste between feeds.

The Stella Clip

This proudly local product really surprised me with its versatility. It's so much more than just a stroller / breastfeeding clip, you can use it to keep almost anything up or tied away, which is a lifesaver when you are a mom. I mainly use them to keep up blankets on my stroller and when using my Ubuntubaba, as well as when breastfeeding in public spaces, but they have come in handy to keep dangly toys close by and to hold a jacket that did not fit in the nappy bag. They go so much further than baby and toddler phase, which is amazing since they are on the expensive side, but so worth it! They're so aesthetically pleasing compared to other stroller clips, coming in so many beautiful leather colours and stitching options.

Their Instagram page @TheStellaClip has tons of ways to use them.

Clicks Made 4 Baby Nappies & Wipes

I have always been a fan of BabyClub by Clicks and their #Made4Baby range, especially the wipes, as they are extremely well priced and such good value for money. But I honestly never really thought about using their nappies until I saw a review from another mom and influencer. After trying a few other "cheaper" alternatives to the well known brands I decided to try the Clicks Made 4 Baby nappies, and I have never looked back! Did you know 1 in 3 moms use Clicks Made 4 Baby nappies for their babies? That’s not surprising after I tried them myself!

Their nappies are highly absorbent with leak guards and added wetness indicators, which disappear as the nappy gets fuller. A soft backsheet provides great comfort for your little one and they come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit your baby's needs. They even have pull ups, which are stretchy and so comfortable and I was really surprised with the quality compared to other leading brands.

But for me the best part is the affordability! They are regularly on promotion if you buy two or more packs and you get cashback if you are a Clicks Clubcard member. I started using them quite late with Markus, but I am now officially one of the 1 in 3 moms that use these nappies for both my kids. You'll thank me later - give them a try!

I'll be doing a follow up post, with more products that were favourites is our household from 3 month and beyond!