17 Unexpected Registry Must-Haves Our Editors Swear By

Just about every mom of the What to Expect staff agrres: Tubby Todd's multipurpose ointment is magic, so don't waste your time trying anythin else. Made from natural plant-based ingredients, including colloidal oatmeal to help soothe irritated skin and jojoba and camellia leaf extract for moisturization, this salve soothes many of the skin ailments that often plague newborns. 

"My daughter had a terrible eczema reaction to the tubs of baby Aquaphor I had diligently stocked up on prior to her arrival," says Elizabeth Buxton, What to Expect's Director of Commerce Content Strategy. After seeing hundreds of What to Expect community parents rave about Tubby Todd, she immediately switched and saw instant results. 

While you might have spent a painstakingly long time picking out your changing pad and sheet, you’ll quickly learn that a fabric surface isn’t always practical. "I bought disposable changing pads right after we got home," says Stephanie Porter, What to Expect's Creative Brand Director. "So much easier than having to clean up and replace a fabric changing pad." Sarah Darby, What to Expect's Associate Director of SEO Content Strategy, deemed disposable changing pads the MVP of her postpartum period.

These absorbent, leak-proof pads prevent laborious cleaning at home and work well for diaper changes on the go. You can also sleep on them during your first few nights postpartum to sidestep messy leaks. Or, if your baby is like mine and has a horrible diaper rash, you can place them under your baby for some naked tummy time to air out the rash.

If you deliver vaginally, you’ll learn to deeply appreciate witch hazel, which reduces the swelling and inflammation ~down there~ caused by hemorrhoids, perineal tears and stitches. This foam version can be pumped directly on your maternity pads to coat hard-to-reach places in the days following childbirth.

I didn't get much "me time" those first few weeks after my daughter was born, but I demanded 15 minutes each night to sit in a sitz bath, which is often recommended to support perineal cleansing and ease postpartum recovery. After a recommendation from a friend, I made it more spa-like with some Pink Stork soak. Free from fragrances, the salt soak can draw out bacteria and helps reduce swelling, which is exactly what you need. 

Even though those hospital pads are free, they are huge and heavy, adding to postpartum discomfort. That's why Elizabeth and I both opted for Always Discreet underwear. The mesh option is significantly more comfortable than the hospital-provided briefs, and it includes a built-in pad to eliminate extra bulk. Plus, they're not the ugliest pair of underwear.

This portable, donut-shaped cushion takes the pressure off your perineal area with a reusable gel cold pack so you can do things like eat and breastfeed upright, no wincing required. Bonus: The machine washable cover means leaks are no big deal — and you won’t have to huff and puff to blow it up since it auto-expands and deflates easily.

Between producing milk and healing from birth, the last thing you want is to become dehydrated. And despite being a big water drinker (I'm never seen without my tumbler), I got bored with my plain H2O after a while. So I started adding Liquid I.V.to a glass or two a day. In addition to giving your water a fruity flavor boost, these contain electrolytes to help keep you hydrated and running. Plus, they're free from sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Hoards of new parents swear by oatmeal to increase their milk supply. Science vaguely attributes it to oatmeal’s iron content (since low levels may curb milk production), but its anecdotal evidence has withstood the test of time. I'm personally a fan of Kodiak's instant oatmeal cups; they're ready in under a minute and are packed with 14 grams of protein per serving, which, when paired with the fiber, keeps you fuller longer.

My breasts were in so much pain postpartum, and traditional ice packs just didn't cut it. After seeing hundreds of 5-star reviews for Lansinoh's breast gel packs, I immediately added them to my cart. Fitting under your bra for subtle but substantial relief, the pads come with washable covers so you don't have to worry about the ice being right next to your skin.

As an added bonus, these gel packs can be thrown in the microwave to not only provide relief but also help stimulate milk flow. Another instance when the covers come in handy: They help regulate the heat, keeping the pads warmer for longer.

Whether you're dealing with clogged ducts or struggling with letdown, a massage could be the answer. But getting the technique down can be difficult (not to mention it requires both hands). Instead, consider Momcozy's lactation massager. The palm-sized silicone tool molds to your breast and has three points of contact for a more efficient massage. There is also a heating component which, as mentioned earlier, further stimulates letdown.

Between my daughter struggling to latch and initial supply issues, I was desperate to save any drop of milk I could produce. It wasn't until I met with a lactation consultant that I decided to buy the  This manual pump relies on natural suction to attach to the breast and express milk — no cords or batteries required. This helped initiate my flow at the start of sessions, but also made it easy to keep my supply steady if my daughter decided she only wanted one boob's worth of milk at a feeding. Bonus: This model comes with a suction base so it stands upright on surfaces and lid to help prevent spills.

Between my daughter struggling to latch and initial supply issues, I was desperate to save every drop of milk I could produce. It wasn't until I met with a lactation consultant that I decided to buy the Haakaa silicone milk catcher. This manual pump relies on natural suction to attach to the breast and express milk — no cords or batteries required. It helped initiate my flow at the start of sessions and also made it easy to maintain my supply if my daughter decided she only wanted one breast’s worth of milk at a feeding. Bonus: This model comes with a suction base so it stands upright on surfaces and a lid to help prevent spills.

Unless you want to hold your pump in place, you'd be wise to invest in a nursing bra (or two). Our favorite: The Kindred Bravely dual-purpose bra. Perfect for nursing and compatible with all standard pumps, you simply unclip the front pannel and you're good to go! Plus, Kindred Bravely's bras are available in regular (B to D), busty (E to H) and super busty (I to K) cup sizes, so it's easy to find the right size. 

When you’re new to nursing, milk leakage can be unpredictable. These super soft, machine-washable nursing pads made with soft velour pull moisture away from your breast skin and keep it from soaking through your shirt, saving you from leaks, inconvenient outfit changes and discomfort. Because they’re reusable, you don’t have to worry about filling your baby’s diaper bin with your own trash — and hey, chances are you’ll be throwing in load after load of laundry for the little one, anyway.

One of the downsides of pumping: Cleaning all those parts. And if you plan on exclusively pumping, that time by the sink adds up. But Karla Martin, What to Expect's Senior Photo Manager, found a shortcut with Medela's quick clean wipes. Though not a substitution for a daily, thorough cleaning, Karla found these wipes helpful during her middle-of-the-night pumps. "With these, I could quickly wipe and disinfect my flanges and other pump parts from bed rather than walking to the kitchen," she shares.

Because the wipes are alcohol-free, you don't need to worry about rinsing them off post-wipe. This also means you can use them on pacifiers, toys and other items your baby is bound to put in their mouth.

OK, hear us out. Or, rather, hear Karla.

"I stored breastmilk that I pumped overnight here in this little fridge so I don’t have to go downstairs to the kitchen fridge," she says. "This sat on my bedside table, so between this and the Medela wipes, I didn’t have to leave my corner of the bed overnight."

It really is a genius and shockingly low-priced investment. And at 9.84 by 7.09 by 10.35 inches, it can fit right on top of your nightstand — or on the floor without taking up too much real estate. You can also use it to store supply-enhancing snacks in case you need a bite overnight. (No judgment! You need the extra energy now more than ever.)

This firm, wrap-around-the-waist pillow helps you perfectly position your baby for nursing while providing lumbar support that takes the pressure off your back, neck, and arms. It gets bonus points for having a pouch — ideal for storing a water bottle, nipple cream or other essentials you might need during long nursing sessions.

Your doctor will likely recommend taking a stool softener to help with postpartum pooping, but there still might be some discomfort when the time comes. Enter Elizabeth's game-changing purchase: the TUSHY Ottoman. The chic stool helps you sit in a way that "unkinks your colon" to allow for a smoother, pain-free number two. You can eventually use this as a stepping stool when your baby-turned-toddler is ready to potty train.