I'm like a month and a half into this mommy thing and, while I was pregnant, I researched so many things and read so many must-have lists for babies/kids. Some of the things ended up being more useful than others (FYI I found those padsicles things for postpartum next to worthless) and I figured I'd share with you the things that I've been happiest with so far: MY must haves!!
(Also, while you're reading through, any links to products are through Amazon and I get a small commission if you then buy something).
1. HALO SleepSack
We were lucky enough to get a free sleepsack from the hospital but I quickly ordered 2 more after James had wet through/spit up on it enough. These are essentially a safer, easier, swaddle. It's a little sack that zips up and then there are 2 velcro flaps that you use to wrap around the baby and swaddle them (the velcro decreases the risk of them getting free and smothering him, so decreasing the risk of SIDS). It is a LIFE SAVER. Seriously, it's the only way James will sleep if he's not being held. I initially tried to keep it a nighttime thing but then, after weeks of him refusing to stay asleep when he was put down during naps, I just started always putting him in it for sleep and it's amazing. I honestly dread the day we have to transition him out of it.
2. Earth Mama Natural Nipple Butter
This was more of a must-have when James was brand new but I still love it and use it frequently. It's an all natural nipple butter but I've also used it on mine and James' dry lips and some dry patches of James' skin too. It always works amazing and feels so good.
3. Sleepers
Look-I had a baby in the winter so warm, cozy, sleepers are what he wears 99.9% of the time ((almost all of our sleepers are Carter's brand)! They're so simple to put on and so comfy for baby. I honestly hate putting him in like...real baby clothes because I'm spoiled by the sleepers.
4. Chicco Fit2 2-Year Rear-Facing Infant & Toddler Car Seat
I did SO MUCH research on car seats and the Chicco Fit2 came out as the perfect cross-section of highly recommended, safe, and price (quality but not obscenely expensive). Another thing I love about it is that your baby can fit in it from birth until they're 2 years old or 35 lbs (less clutter=a happy Kayle). Michael was super impressed by it the first time he checked it out and we've just been really happy with it--and, bonus, it snaps into the base SO EASILY.
5. BravoFor2 2-Passenger Double Stroller
This stroller goes with the car seat and, again, a huge perk is that I'll be able to use it for, like, ever. You can snap the Fit2 car seat directly into this stroller, which is great, AND there is a little seat and a little area to stand in the back so that when we have another baby James can sit or stand back there while the new baby sits in the front! Also, it folds up and reopens super easy. Because it's been cold and snowy we haven't gotten a chance to use the stroller yet but we totally love it and can't wait to!
6. JJ Cole Car Seat Cover
Again-it's cold. And babies shouldn't have blankets or heavy coats so the way we keep him warm and protected from the chilly air is with this awesome car seat cover. It was snowing the day we brought James home from the hospital and has been nothing but cold since we it's worked out great for us.
7. Cloth Diapers
I'm cloth diapering and LOVE IT. First of all-these aren't our mom's or grandma's cloth diapers, these days they're just as easy to put on as disposable (they have snaps or, sometimes, velcro). I'm not going to get to into it, feel free to do your research if you're interested (I highly recommend visiting Fluff Love University) but I have had an amazing experience. When James' circumcision was healing we used disposables and he wet through SO MANY OUTFITS. We have had a handful of leaks in the entire month since we started using cloth AND they contain blow-outs. Not to mention the cost savings--the one thing that's harder is I have to do a small load of diaper laundry every other day but it's super simple to do (breastmilk poops are water soluble so the dirty diapers just get thrown right into the wash). But, seriously, I love them. One of my favorite brands/types of cloth diapers I've been using (and the easiest) are the Bumgenius Freetime Cloth Diapers
. I honestly never thought I'd do cloth diapers but now that I am I want to sing from the mountaintops how awesome they are!8. Fridababy NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator
This is SO MUCH better than that little blue bulb that you usually use to suck out babies boogers. It seems gross because you essentially are using your suction to suck the boogers out BUT there's a filter, nothing gross gets to your mouth (and, in my experience, the booger doesn't even usually make it to the filter). Plus the aspirator is clear so you can actually see what you're getting out of that little nose. Michael was insanely skeptical but even he will admit it works well.
9. Stork Craft Tuscany Custom Glider and Ottoman with Lumbar Pillow
This is a super reasonably priced rocker but it is super duper comfortable, we have the white and blue one in the nursery and everyone who has sat in it doesn't want to get up!
10. Boppy Pillow and Nursing Positioner
This might be the item on this list that gets the most use. The boppy pillow makes it so so much easier to nurse James and, it's actually hilarious, as soon as he's laid on it he knows it's feeding time! I have my boppy with the gray (organic) elephant slipcover
-which is so cute-and I absolutely hate having to breastfeed without it (so I pretty much never do). So yeah, definitely a must-have (even with bottle feeding it makes it more comfortable to hold him!)11. Fisher-Price Shiloh Diaper Bag Backpack
A cousin actually gave me this bag, I didn't register for it, but it's amazing and I get so many compliments! There are an awesome number of compartments (including one specifically for wipes and an insulated one for bottles) AND it's so so so cute.
12. Mommy's Bliss Gas Relief Drops
Babies can have trouble passing gas when they're small and James has occasionally had some issues where it's gotten really painful for him. The gas relief drops have been a godsend-they help cause the gas bubbles to pop, essentially, and the Mommy's Bliss brand is natural so I feel ok about giving them to my little baby!
13. Summer Infant SURE SIGHT 2.0 Digital Color Video Baby Monitor
Again, I did a bunch of research, and this is the baby monitor we ended up going with. I like the video capabilities (and that other people can't intercept the signal) and it's one of the more reasonably priced, quality, video monitors. We use it all the time to check on James during his naps and makes us feel better when we let him cry for a little bit before checking on him (I promise we don't let him cry for long, just long enough to give him the opportunity to put himself back to sleep, which he oftentimes does!)
14. Fisher-Price Activity Gym
These are a classic in the baby world and there's a reason! James just started getting into it a few weeks ago and he totally loves it now! He has so much fun as he hits all the things overtop of him, and he tolerates tummy time on it, lol. As he gets older and works towards crawling it will be amazing to have, too. It's just a great baby toy/entertainment center.
15. California Baby Bath/Body Products
We use the California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo and Body Wash, Fragrance Free
and California Baby Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion - Fragrance Free for James' bath times and they smell awesome and I don't feel any guilt about using them on him (hooray for no random chemicals on my tiny new baby!)16. 4Moms Infant Tub
Speaking of bath time, this is the tub we use. The things that set it apart are the fact that it has a temperature monitor, so we're sure it's not too hot or too cold, and theres a clean water compartment + the section he sits in, which has a drain that allows the dirty water to drain out while clean water continuously flows in. We are really liking it so far and James does too!
Everyone is different, and my must-haves may not be yours, but these are the things that, at this point, I adore and feel like I can't live without!
