So It Begins

I’ll always remember the night I went into labor: my boyfriend at the wheel of the CRV we’d just bought to replace his beloved but battered bachelor-mobile; my mom and 14-year-old sister ensconced in the back seat. The first contraction had arrived as I ate a bite of cake after dinner; much to my surprise, the next one followed promptly five minutes later. And in a disorienting matter of minutes we were barreling across the George Washington Bridge, the freezing black depths of the Hudson below, the lights of Manhattan ahead.

This Romper issue, So It Begins, is all about meeting you in moments like that one: assuaging some of those worries with concrete, helpful advice and the message that we are all in this proverbial 2003 CRV together...

How does a notoriously private, uber-successful actor and new mom become a lifestyle guru? For Laura Prepon, one hard boiled egg at a time.

By Ej Dickson

Sponsored by Target

When you're expecting a baby, everyone has lots of unsolicited advice. But how about a comprehensive guide to labor, delivery, and your baby's first days from women who've done it recently? Here you go.

Here they are, the product recs our editors send around when one of us is having a baby. Just pretend you're receiving it as one long text — "I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! AHHHHHH!!! OK, *HERE* IS WHAT YOU BUY:"

Fawn Security Blanket
It's inevitable: Your baby will likely adopt a lovey of some form at some point during their early life. You might as well give them the cutest options you can possibly find, especially since it may stick around for decades. Use code ROMPER20 for 20 percent off sitewide from 1/15/19 - 2/15/19.
Elvis The Duck
What makes these simple yet adorable bath toys so superior? There's no hole in them, which means there's no opportunity for mold to collect within. You'll never have to toss these rubber duckies. Use code ROMPER20 for 20 percent off sitewide from 1/15/19 - 2/15/19.
Baby Bottle
If you're being honest, you're probably mostly drawn to these bottles because they're so darn cute, but they serve a very useful purpose: They are designed to mimic the actual shape of a breast filled with milk. Your baby will appreciate that they have something soft to hold on to (the silicone bottle itself is soft and malleable), and you'll appreciate how easy they are to clean. The wide opening means you can really get in there (even without a bottle brush), or just throw it in the dishwasher.
Baby Monitor
Clear view of your baby from your phone? Check. Temperature reading? Check. Track baby's breathing and sleeping patterns? Check, check. This new baby monitor, designed by military engineers, does a lot more than entry-level monitors but doesn't involve wearables. You can even watch your baby when your wi-fi signal drops, because hey, it happens. Use code ROMPER10 for 10 percent off from 1/15/19 -2/15/19.
Infant Car Seat & Stroller
The beauty of this infant car seat is that it is actually a car seat and stroller in one. The wheels seamlessly fold into the base of the car seat, which makes taking your baby in and out of the car (especially a napping one) a breeze.
Silent, Wearable, Smart Pump
It's likely you'll go with whatever breast pump options your insurance will cover, but if you're able to splurge and hate the thought of being tethered to a loud pump, the new, wearable Elvie works like a dream. You charge it in advance (it'll last multiple sessions depending on the duration/frequency you use it) and tuck it into your existing bra – you won't even have to buy separate pumping bras. Pump directly into the washable cavity at one of the seven suction levels, so you won't have to buy expensive proprietary bags to use it, and the app will tell you how much each side is expressing. And if you need to, you can buy just one side for $279. Units start shipping to the U.S. February 7.

Remember how 9 a.m. used to feel like the start of the day, and then you became a mom? Romper's ongoing Instagram series #Before9am celebrates all you do before most people have their coffee. Check out actor, country singer, podcaster, and businesswoman Jana Kramer’s morning routine with a newborn and a toddler, which is packed with multiple wakeups and feedings plus, you know, actually doing her stuff.

I was up at 2 trying to calm my little one, and then an hour later was feeding Jace. Took a nap and then smacked Mike on the back when I heard him crying because it was his turn. It was my turn again at 7. This time it was waking up my baby girl for school. Breakfast and then making lunches and just in time for a drop off at school. All done by 9am and wouldn’t trade any of my mornings for this. Us ladies surely can run this world.

Check out more #Before9am on Romper's Instagram .

How Much It Cost Us To Prepare For Our Baby

Dear Jenny: I'm Pregnant, Tell Me Everything I Need To Know About Having A Baby

Admit It, 'Giraffes Can't Dance' Is Genius

A La Cart: New Year, New Me

Contain Yourself: Rebecca Minkoff Shows Us Her Pumping Drawer