New Baby Must Haves!
I spent a LOT of time trying to find the best baby products for when my daughter arrived. I had gone through this process two times previously with both of my sons and each time I learned something new. Each child is completely different and each child will use baby products differently. There are things my son Logan used that my son Isaac had never used. There are things Isaac used that we thought were must-haves for Logan, that he wasn't interested in or didn't like. After that, I learned to just buy the basics with Madeline, and to gage how she was liking those basics before investing in something bigger. So far, I haven't needed to purchase anything else and we got very nice products but saved money by not over buying. This is what we had to prepare for her and products that after thorough use I would definitely recommend for the arrival of any little ones!
*Note: Your life style will dictate what you should get. Think through things like if you travel a lot, if you live in the city versus the suburbs, if you spend a lot of time outside, if you plan on driving most places or walking, etc. because that will impact what you need. Don't just go by any old list. I made that mistake with my first son and we ended up with TOO much stuff we never used and realized that different products would have been much better for us. These are the products that worked for my family.
Essentials
1. Crib: worth investing some money in or finding a good quality one at a consignment shop. We used the same one with both boys and then refinished it for our daughter
2.Crib Mattress: also worth getting nice one! Sleep can be hard enough to come by, you don't want an uncomfortable mattress to be part of the problem
3. Car Seat: I used Chicco with both boys and really liked it. It was easy to click in and out of the base and went easily into our stroller. With my daughter we moved to the Britax B Safe 35 because it had an easy conversion for our stroller. It is NOT easy to get in and out of the converter on the stroller but aesthetically I like how it looks and it is a very safe carseat.
4. Stroller: I cannot say enough great things about the City Select. This stroller was great with one baby, fantastic with two, and now works even better with three. We have a glider board for our oldest son that attaches to the bottom back bar, my youngest goes in the front seat, and the car seat goes above him. There is lots of room for storage underneath. Eventually a regular seat will replace where the car seat is. Aesthetically it looks very nice, it is easy to get in and out of doors (the bane of any mother with a stroller), and it is lightweight and folds up very easily to fit into small spaces in your car.
5. Baby Monitor: We got security cameras. They were cheaper and we can use up to 4 different screens in different rooms to view all of our children. Amazon has a ton to chose from to meet your needs.
6. Thermometer: I read mixed reviews on the Kinsa before I purchased it. I love it though. It is super easy to use, keeps track of all readings so that you don't have to remember them or write them down when you are worried about a sick little one, and has a converter so it works with most iPhones.
7. Baby Carrier: I really like the original Bjorn. Wraps weren't for me. The Bjorn is easy to use, safe, and not that expensive. We have two (one for my husband and one for me) so that we don't have to readjust the straps.
8. Nose Frida: I turned my nose up at this when my sister-in-law first told us we needed one. And, I am SO thankful that we have one. When your baby is congested with a stuffy nose this is the best. We have used the bulbs too to clear their noses but they are super harsh and painful on a baby. This is a lot easier and you control how much suction is being applied. There are so few medicines you can give your little one that this is a really nice alternative.
Diapering
1. Diaper genie: Because no one wants a house that smells like poop! It is easy to empty and seriously cuts down on smell!
2. Diaper Rash Cream: I swear by Desitin. I have used the Butt Paste, the A&D, the all natural kinds, but Desitin is what works for my kids. Each one of my children was prone to diaper rashes for different reasons. My son Isaac always got them after the pool. My son Logan only got them when we were traveling. And my daughter Madeline never got them until we moved her to real food. The poop she produces is super acidic and even if you change her diaper immediately, the Desitin is necessary.
3. Baby Wipes: I like Costco's brand and Honest Company.
4. Diapers: I swear by Costco's brand of diapers. If your babies diaper ever explodes, it is filled with lots of tiny gel beads. This happened all the times to my sons at night. Costco's have never done that for us and are also cost effective.
5. Changing Pad/ Table: Honestly with our first son we were never up in his room to use the changing table. With our second son and daughter that is all they have been changed on.
Sleeping
1. Humidifier: Yes. Yes. Yes. When a baby is congested or has a dry throat and nose it is the worst because there are so few ways to help them breath. The use of the humidifier while they sleep saves you lots of stress!
2. Sound Machine: We have used this little lamb from Pottery Barn with all of our kids! It has a bunch of different sounds, adjustable volume, and batteries that last for days. It's easy to travel with and super soft if they grab it.
3. Bassinet: We loved this bassinet for all of our children. I like to sleep with them in it right next to my bed so I can keep a close eye on them. We got this one because it is sturdy (we have two big dogs and didn't want one that could easily knock over) and it matched our bedroom set. It becomes a toy holder when you are done that we've used for their stuffed animals. The only issue I have with it is that they tend to stick their legs and arms through the holes and get stuck when they get older (around 7 months) and wake up very angry if that happens!
4. Sleepers: I am not a fan of swaddling. If it works for you- awesome! But, I didn't like to do it to any of my children. These sleep sacs where a fantastic alternative. They keep your little one contained and snug without being too restrictive. They also don't have any buttons (buttons are the bane of my existence with baby clothing). The Halo Sleep Sac is also wonderful. It provides a little more room as they grow but also leaves them feeling secure. All of my kids slept through the night from 4-6 weeks on so either what we were doing at night worked and/or they were just good babies in general. Either way, we did the same thing with all three and it kept our sanity!
Bathing
1. Baby Bath: We tried multiple baby baths with all of our children. We had the tub with the shower nozzle and temperature control, the tub that was just a tub that went into your bath, the kind you use in the sink... Out of all of them this one was by far my favorite. You can use it from birth until they can sit up, it raises them up high enough that they get a nice soak without getting their face submerged at all, it is easy to get them in and out of when they are wet and slippery, and it isn't expensive.
2. Baby Shampoo: I like Johnson & Johnson for my older kids but I've heard it has harsher chemicals in it than others. I love Honest companies baby shampoo. It smells so nice and is easy on their skin.
3. Wash cloths: get a couple! You don't need a ton but they are definitely a necessity.
Feeding
1. Breast Pump: This is a MUST. Your boobs will feel like they are going to explode even if you are solely nursing. I was between the Medela and Ameda for a while. Everything I read had them as the two best ones. I originally had the Medela with my first son and it was ok. But, with my third I revisited which one would be best. I ended up with the Medela again because it is not super loud, it is easy to use, and easy to clean. During my research I learned that it is absolutely vital that you do not use the same breast pump with more than one child. There is bacteria that gets into them that you cannot clean. Make sure you get a new one with each child, almost every insurance will cover one per child for you.
2. Pacifiers: I put them in this section because my daughter always wants them right after she is done eating. My two sons never used them (literally ever) but I am so glad we had them for our daughter. She exclusively likes the Philips AVENT BPA Free Freeflow pacifiers.
3.Nursing Pads: Because your boobs will leak everywhere.
4.Boob ease: This saved my life when my nipples felt like they might chap.
5. Bottles: We love the Como Tomo bottles. They are very cute and are supposed to feel like a boob for the babes.
6. Formula: It is not bad to have on hand even if your breastfeeding! I only breast fed for two weeks with each of my kids and then moved exclusively to formula. The Similac sensitive was great with all of my kids. Costco has Kirkland that is the same as Similac and much cheaper!
7. Hands Free Pumping Corset: I didn't have this with my first two children but my life would have been so much easier if I had! This thing is a miracle worker (especially if you have more than one kiddo!).
For Mom
1. Diaper Bag: I have two and this one is my favorite. I had the Pottery Barn Classic Diaper Bag with my first two and I LOVED it. But, with three I needed something that was slightly more organized. The Petunia Picklebottom Intermix is a THE GREATEST DIAPER BAG ALIVE. (Okay, that was a little overdramatic) But it really is amazing. It has connectors that you can attach to any stroller, is a back pack or a tote, is seriously organized, and has plenty of room for all your stuff.
Lounge and Play
1. Activity Gym: This Activity Gym from Pottery Barn Kids is so much fun for my daughter. We had different ones for my sons that were just as good, a lot less cute though. They don't make this specific version anymore but they have other nice ones. This type of mat is great for tummy time too and it allows my daughter to work on her eye hand coordination while she tries to grab the stones and mirror.
2. Boppy Newborn Lounger: I did not have this with my first two sons and it was the best thing to have with my daughter. We brought it to the hospital and it was a great way for people to be able to hold her without worrying about making sure to support her neck or if she was going to flail out of their arms. She is 6 months old now and still likes to lounge in it periodically. The other Boppy pillows that are crescent shaped never worked for my kids. My kids were too tiny when they were young and then too big and mobile by the time they were supposed to use it. This Boppy Newborn Lounger is great for any moms-to-be out there!
3. Play yard: Guava Lotus Play Yard/Travel Crib: This is the best play yard you can get. It is extremely easy to set up. There are videos all over it's website that demonstrate how it literally only takes seconds. It is light weight and easy to carry (it can be worn as a back pack). We have traveled across the country with it and used it in hotels, family houses, on vacation, in the back yard, at the park, you name it! It is also very easy to clean if there are any spit up or diaper issues. We've used it with all three children now and it still looks new!
4. Joovy Spoon Walker: This walker is so simple and it is so perfect. The height adjusts as your baby grows. It has an easy to clean tray that you can use when you feed them. It has a visually friendly design. It is not too big. You can attach lots of fun things to the tray for them to play with. Can't say enough good things!
5. 4Moms makes great seats for your little one. The rockaRoo is the newer version of the one I got (pictured left) that they don't make anymore. I bought two so I wouldn't have to bring them between rooms but I should have only purchased one. It is super easy to move, collapses well for travel, and my daughter has loved it from the time she was a newborn till now at 6 months.
6. Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome: If you plan on being outside at your house, going to the park, or have a smaller space for living in, this is a great alternative to a play yard and so easy to break down and set up. It is small, provides shade, and provides the perfect amount of room for your little one! We have used it outside, in the living room, at our friends and relatives houses. It has allowed our daughter to roll around in places where pets are that keeps her at a safe distance but still gives her freedom without taking up a ton of space.
7. DockAtot: Now, I was highly skeptical of this product at first. I do not co-sleep with my children in my bed and I read all about how it didn't meet the regulations set up in the U.S.. But, I still saw how this is a great product even if you are not using it for co-sleeping. I never leave my daughter unattended so I was not worried about her smothering in the sides, plus it is built with breathable fabric to prevent that. It was a savior when I was cooking, folding laundry, or needed a break to sit down on the couch. She couldn't roll out of it and was nice and snug when she was laying in it. She would almost always fall right asleep. Alas, she has since grown out of it and I have not purchased the bigger version. They make two different sizes to accommodate growing munchkins though.
Last but not least! If you are making a registry I would definitely recommend BabyList.Com. You can put items from all different sites onto it and you still get a discount at the end for items that haven't been purchased. It was so easy to use. Plus when someone purchases something they fill their name out. So you have a complete list of who got you what in case you forget from your shower!
