Baby Gear Basics: What You Really Need for Your Newborn

Host Kaile Garcia interviews Karthik Gangiredla, a Seattle-based dad and founder of birchstore.com, about what newborn gear parents truly need and how to avoid being overwhelmed by unnecessary products. Karthik says newborn needs fall into four categories: sleep, feeding, transportation, and diapering with essentials like a safe bassinet or crib setup (firm, flat, bare), bottles or breastfeeding supplies as needed, an infant car seat, and diapers/wipes plus a changing surface and diaper bin. He advises buying minimally at first, then adjusting based on baby temperament or medical needs (e.g., contact napping, startle reflex, reflux, preemies, sensitive skin) and following safe sleep and swaddling guidelines. He explains Birch as a curated store and toolkit with a universal smart registry, checklists, trackers, research library, and a Trust Score using safety and review signals, offering free US shipping and generous returns. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free! Complete our survey and enter to win a $50 gift card: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P8GTTR3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Kaile Garcia welcomes Dr. Ricki Pollycove, a longtime Bay Area OB/GYN, to discuss what’s normal and not normal in postpartum recovery. They compare healing after vaginal birth and C-section, noting that discomfort varies with the birth experience and that reducing perineal swelling by positioning hips above the heart can lessen pain and speed healing. Dr. Pollycove explains typical C-section pain triggers (coughing, sneezing, laughing, sometimes urination) and factors that affect recovery, including excess weight gain. She emphasizes postpartum nutrition and hydration—high protein, lower carbohydrates, and ample fluids—to support mood, energy, and wound healing. At the 6–8 week visit, common issues include breastfeeding nipple pain, relationship support, isolation, and mood changes linked to low estrogen while nursing; she also recommends evaluating anemia, thyroid function, possible UTI, and considering safe estrogen support when needed. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free! Complete our survey and enter to win a $50 gift card: ⁠⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P8GTTR3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newbies host Kaile Garcia interviews Theresa Hunt, a level three NICU nurse in Northeast Ohio, about what parents can expect during a NICU stay. Hunt explains NICU levels 1–4, which babies are admitted (including those born before 35 weeks), and how transfers work when higher-level care is needed. She describes typical assignments ranging from “feeder growers” to critical infants needing IV medications and respiratory support, and shares ways nurses prepare parents by setting expectations and involving them in care through touch, diapering, weighing, skin-to-skin, and feeding practice. The discussion covers breastfeeding in the NICU, pumping, “nuzzling,” lactation support, and measuring intake, along with discharge milestones and corrected/adjusted age. Hunt outlines night-shift routines, visiting policies, and common items families bring, and ends with a story of a 22-week infant who survived without deficits. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free! Complete our survey and enter to win a $50 gift card: ⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P8GTTR3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Kaile Garcia welcomes Lori Harding, a Dallas-based Pilates instructor and solo mom of an under-one-year-old, to discuss working out postpartum and its physical and mental health benefits. Lori shares her planned C-section birth story due to placenta previa, her IVF baby born on World IVF Day, and returning to exercise about eight weeks postpartum after being medically cleared. She explains contemporary Pilates on a reformer as strength-focused training distinct from classical Pilates, and describes how she supports postpartum and pregnant clients with modifications, accessible transitions, and encouragement to listen to their bodies and give themselves grace. The episode includes at-home movement ideas (squats, lunges, light weights, standing core) and Lori’s “aha” moment from her first postpartum class. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free! Complete our survey and enter to win a $50 gift card: ⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P8GTTR3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having a newborn is fun, messy, loud and so exciting! You may be thinking of taking a newborn class with your partner to learn the ins and outs of caring for your new bundle of joy! Today we are diving deep in the joys of motherhood, what you will walk away with at one of these classes and so much more! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free! Complete our survey and enter to win a $50 gift card: ⁠https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P8GTTR3 For more information about Suma Metla or Three Little Ducks click here! Don't forget to check them out if you are located on Oahu and subscribe to their newsletter for more information! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Summer like weather come summer showers! & It’s great being outside with your baby when you can but sometimes that is simply not possible. Today we are talking about playhouses! Why you should bring your baby to one and if they are worth the hype! Jessica Lawson with The Palmetto Playhouse chats about why she created this playhouse for families, how playhouses can be beneficial for those under one and how to enjoy your time at one! If you are near the low country be sure to check them out! Also don't forget to follow New Mommy Media on Instagram for more information giveaways and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you choose to breastfeed your baby or formula feed, cosleep or have your infant in their own room, start your baby on purees or baby led feed,  you might be feeling ashamed about your parenting decisions. Today we are taking a deep dive into shame that you might feel during motherhood and ways to help navigate these feelings! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have successfully birthed your baby! Now, you are being asked whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding, nursing or pumping… feeding your infant can be hard and finding what works for both you and your baby can be even harder! Today we are diving deep into why feeding your infant is more complex than parents are told! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information giveaways and more. Our handle is @NewMommyMedia and follow us on Patreon! You get behind the scene clips, blog posts, videos and the episodes a week early and ad free! Complete our survey and enter to win a $50 gift card: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P8GTTR3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you have a three-month-old, a six-month-old or you are wanting to celebrate your little one turning one at Disney, today we are chatting about taking your baby to a Disney Theme Park! What are the best rides to go on? What are rides you should avoid and what shows or parades are a must see! We will discuss all the tips and tricks on taking your baby to Disney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newbies guides new mothers through their baby’s first year of life. Episodes feature newly postpartum moms as they celebrate the excitement of becoming new parents, as well as the emotional and physical struggles of recovering from childbirth and caring for a newborn baby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices