What to Expect the First Year: (Updated in 2025)

by Heidi Murkoff

Buy life insurance for yourself (not baby).

disability insurance

Store breast milk for up to 4 days (96 hours) in the back of the refrigerator where temperatures are coolest (though ideally, it’s best to use the milk within 2 to 3 days). If you’re planning to freeze it, first chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator, then freeze.

Keep a small plastic bottle of water mixed with a little baking soda handy for spit-up spot cleaning. Rubbing a cloth moistened with the mixture on spots will keep them from setting and will eliminate most of the odor. Or carry a to-go spot remover. Or use a diaper wipe. And definitely get in the habit of pretreating spots when it’s time for laundry.

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