Now that I’m thinking about welcoming our second baby this fall, I’m starting to give thought to all of the things I did right and all of the things I want to do better this time around.. Like, I probably wasted over a thousand dollars on rockers and bassinets trying to find something our daughter would sleep in but alas she only wanted to sleep with us so I’m definitely not wasting money on those things again. Also my husband and I did not do aaaanyyy prep on our marriage before our daughter’s birth so this time we’ve got at least 2-4 appointments a month with our marriage counselor as well as a trip planned for just the two of us before this new little woman arrives.

Some things we did do right, however, was to pre-make and freeze a month’s worth of soups and stews. That was seriously the BEST decision we ever made so I’ve scheduled a whole week for this in my third trimester (I love the recipes in The First Forty Days ). And hands down, one of my absolute favorite things I did for myself last time was to splurge on products to make my shower and bath time feel extra good because let me tell you, there is nothing better than those first showers you take in the hospital and coming home. Whether this is your first baby or second or tenth, I decided to put together a list of some of my favorite splurges in these categories to help make your post-birth shower ritual that much more luxurious.

1. True Botanicals Body Mask $48
2. Vitner’s Daughter botanical face oil $185
3. Agent Nateur unisex deodorant $21 (lavendar and eucalyptus)
4. EDIT: SOLD OUT
5. Organic Monica + Andy lounge robe $65 (seriously the best robe you will ever find for post partum days. The fabric is not only organic but it’s a really soft, light weight material that is so perfect for how much you sweat in those first weeks after birth.)
6. True Botanicals shampoo , conditioner and body wash $28-$34 (I did a LOT of research into organic body products and True Botanicals wins for best shampoo, conditioner and body wash. I wasn’t too impressed by their face serums but the shampoo, conditioner & body wash are really great products).

Not pictured but some alternatives I also love:

1. Hyaluronic Avid + B5 face serum $12
2. Glossier Milkydew face wash & FutureDew face oil $34
3. Barefoot Dreams robe $99 (I LIVE in this when I’m at the point in my postpartum recovery where I’m just sitting on the couch breastfeeding all day all night long and my nursing sweats have calmed down a little, so weeks 2-6. Also, I’m a size 1 but I like to buy this as a 3 so it’s ultra oversized and cozy)

Simply by Suzy is a luxury photography studio in Chicago specializing in pregnancy photography, birth photography, newborn photography and family photography. If you’re interested in having a mom and baby bath time session contact me HERE for more information, or if you’re interested in seeing more newborn sessions click HERE and HERE.