Becoming a new mum can be overwhelming—we’ve been there. Even second time around, when you think you’ve got the hang of it, you’re faced with sibling rivalry and the new challenge of juggling two. We talk a lot about our personal experiences in class with our pregnant mammas, so we thought we’d put together our top 5 must haves for new mums during the 4th trimester.
1. Placenta Encapsulation – Sam’s Experience
Honestly, this was one of the best things I did. I tried it with my second baby and had my first experience to compare it to—what a difference! Five years on, and I still rave about it.
I used a local company called Placenta Essex, run by two lovely ladies, Nikki and Sheryl. The whole process was smooth and hassle-free. If you’re unfamiliar with placenta encapsulation, it involves dehydrating the placenta, grinding it down, and placing it into capsules. The placenta is an incredible organ, supplying essential nutrients and hormones to your baby during pregnancy, and encapsulation allows your body to replenish naturally with iron, amino acids, and essential fats postpartum.
From the very first capsules, I felt an instant surge in energy and an uplift in mood. My recovery was quicker, I hardly felt tired (which is saying something with a toddler and a newborn that never slept!), and my mood remained steady. If you want to read more about the benefits, check out Placenta Essex—they’ve helped thousands of mums with amazing results.
2. The Comb for Labour – Sammi’s Experience
During my second child’s birth, I used a comb as an acupressure tool and found it instrumental in managing my contractions.
The comb is used by squeezing and applying pressure to the acupressure points in your hand. This stimulates large nerve fibres in your hand, which can help to close off the pain signals coming from the uterus. It's based on Gate Control Theory of Pain.
Using the comb in labour has many other benefits including:
✔️ Easing anxiety
✔️ Stimulating endorphins
✔️ Increasing feelings of control
Like the tens machine, the comb only helped to a certain point but it was great at encouraging me to lean into labour and also to regulate my breathing. It's a simple, affordable extra tool to keep in your tool box.
3. Silicone Breast Pump – Sam’s Game-Changer
Feeding is always a hot topic, but let’s be clear—just do what works for you. No guilt, no pressure. Between Sammi and I, we did both: I combo-fed from the first week, while Sammi exclusively breastfed for 20 months. All our kids are thriving!
With my first baby, I used an electric breast pump and hated every second. It was noisy, not particularly effective, and made me feel claustrophobic. Second time around, I discovered the silicone breast pump, and honestly—it was a game-changer!
Here’s why:
✔️ You simply pop it onto the opposite breast while feeding, and it collects the milk that would naturally leak.
✔️ No wires, no noise, no hassle—just hands-free milk collection.
✔️ It tripled the amount of milk I’d get compared to my old electric pump.
✔️ It’s affordable, compact, and easy to clean.
The only thing to watch out for? Make sure your baby doesn’t kick it off mid-feed!
4. Reusable Breast Pads – Sammi’s Essential
These reusable breast pads were a must have after having both of my children. As someone who is generally very waste conscious I found these were a great way to use sustainable products whilst feeling really comfortable and protected from leaking. The pads come with a secure net to use for the washing machine and they clean up really well.
5. Stretchy Sling – Sam’s Favourite Memory
This is one of my favourite memories from the newborn days—long walks with my baby wrapped snugly in a stretchy sling. I used a Yogabellies stretchy sling, but they don’t make them anymore. That said, there are so many great options out there now, including wraps that require much less tying.
Once you get used to wrapping, these slings are so comfortable for both you and baby. Mine never lost its stretch, though I have spoken to some mums who found certain brands did. If you’re unsure which style suits you best, I’d highly recommend visiting a Sling Library for advice.
The benefits of baby wearing are incredible:
✔️ Promotes secure attachment and bonding.
✔️ Encourages better sleep—research shows babies who are worn tend to sleep for longer periods overnight.
✔️ Keeps your hands free while keeping baby close and settled.
Which One Was Your Must-Have?
We hope this list has been helpful! If you’ve got any must-haves that made your life easier as a new mum, drop them in the comments—we’d love to hear them!
(Some of the links to Amazon are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them—at no extra cost to you!)
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