These are the products that I used a ton with my baby and they were an absolute must have for me. There are so many things that you put on your baby registry and so many items that they suggest for you, but some of them have high price tags and they just want you to buy the newest and greatest thing. Sometimes it’s worth it, but often enough there are amazon brands that get the job done without the hefty price tag. Here are the top 10 items I recommend for every new mama
1. My best friend deluxe nursing pillow
This was an amazing upgrade from the boppy. This pillow wraps around your midsection and has adjustable straps with a lumbar support area. My back ached so badly from breastfeeding until I started using this pillow. And my son loves it, it supports him as well so I usually have a hand free. If you are a breastfeeding mama or planning on breastfeeding, I would definitely get this pillow.
2. Electric Nail File
While there are so many to choose from on amazon, I had registered for the fridababy nail filer and I am so thankful I did. Trying to trim those wiggly baby fingers with a nail cutter was so frustrating, even when trying all the tricks of trimming your baby’s nails while they sleep or are eating. This nail filer is super gentle on baby’s hands, they have different gradients of coarseness for those delicate baby nails. Best part being you will never nick your baby’s fingers!
3. Tubby Todd
Tubby todd is a must have in every mom’s arsenal. This ointment is great for baby acne, eczema, diaper rash, dry skin, and cradle cap. I used this on my son after baths when he had cradle cap, and the dry skin was gone and the area healed within a week! It was amazing. I use it on any baby acne areas or dry skin around his face and hands, it works so well. It is fragrance free, very gentle on baby’s skin, and a little goes a long way so the one tub will last you a long time.
4. Nanit Baby Monitor
When we ended up having our son prematurely I was nervous to bring him home after having been on the monitor for the first month of his life. I was scared that he would stop breathing during his sleep and I wouldn’t know. This monitor helped give me peace of mind when bringing him home and let us all get some much needed sleep. Although not shown to prevent SIDS, this monitor uses the shapes on the baby wear to detect motion and monitors baby’s respiratory rate. If baby stops breathing an alarm notification goes off on your phone to notify you.
Nanit also provides sleep analysis, memories, and if you get the crib sheet will record baby’s growth as well. The camera is connected to your phone, so there is no additional monitor screen. This isn’t my favorite feature, I wish the camera came with its own monitoring screen so I didn’t have to keep my phone or ipad on all night, but it isn’t nice to get to check in on my baby while I’m working a night shift.
5. Hatch Sound Machine
The hatch sound machine also works as a clock and a nightlight that can be programmed and set to change color and sound, or turn on and off. This is wonderful for scheduling bedtime, nap/quiet time, and waking. We were allowed to bring ours into the NICU for our baby and it was a wonderful tool to help keep the space calm and comforting for our little preemie. When the curtain was pulled and the door was closed, the only things we would hear was our ocean themed white noise from the hatch, and our son’s alarms. It was nice to keep a soft blue light and keep lights dimmed or off for our preemie’s neuro protection as well. White noise is great for baby’s sleep, and being able to change and program it from your phone is a great feature.
6. Moby baby carrier
I got a Moby carrier, but I know there are several wrap baby carriers that work the same. I used this so much during the first few months with my son and it was perfect. This wrap lets you wear baby so you can have your hands free but was so great for my baby, it mocks the womb for baby where they are closely wrapped up, they can hear moms heartbeat and smell mom for the best rest. You can also use it for skin to skin time. This was the best tool for me when my baby would get restless or fussy and wouldn’t sleep, or on the days when my baby would cry any time I put him down but I needed to eat lunch.
7. Infant lounger
Other than the baby carrier, this was my son’s favorite place to lounge and sleep during the day. It was also great for baby pictures, and newborn play time. My preemie didn’t like being laid flat on the ground during the first weeks we brought him home, we used this to lay him in his play gym so he could still look at black and white photos, and bat at toys. There are many cheaper options available, but I really liked the snuggle me organic infant lounger and felt like it was worth the money. I also put it through the washer and dryer when it was soiled and it held up great.
8. Bottle Warmer
Even if you are planning on breastfeeding, I would still recommend getting the bottle warmer. You can use it for formula or expressed breast milk stored in the fridge. It is small and doesn’t take up a lot of counter space, or can be easily stored. I liked this one because it can be preset for heating times in the fast mode, or you can set a temperature for continuous warming. It warms the milk in a water bath which helps preserve the nutrients in the milk.
Hack: if using this with formula, you can keep the water warmed in the 24 hour mode, and then just add the formula powder to the bottle when baby is hungry. Warmed bottles are always ready.
9. Changing pad
Some people may not feel like they need a changing pad at all, and I can understand that. Sometimes I ended up changing my baby’s diaper wherever we were at the time it needed to be changed. On the floor or on the couch with just putting a pad down. However, every time I had to change a poopy diaper, to the changing pad I went. I did not want to risk getting poop all over the rug or couch even with something underneath him. Baby’s do crazy things, like start pooping again once you’ve started changing them. I was glad to have a designated spot for such occurrences.
There are so many fancy changing pads out there. I went with a traditional changing pad mattress and got an easy to clean cover for it that was wipeable but could also be put through the washer and dryer. I like that I can easily move this one to different surfaces, it’s easy to clean, soft and comfortable for baby, and has sides to prevent baby from easily rolling off. I don’t feel like spending the extra money on a fancy changing pad was really worth it for me.
10. A good Breast Pump
Did you know that your health insurance will help you get a breast pump? Either by covering the cost completely or giving you a significant discount on an upgraded pump. There are several websites you can use, or your lactation specialist can help while you’re in the hospital and have one ordered for you and delivered to your house. I ended up using three different breast pumps during my breastfeeding journey because I had a preemie who could not breastfeed right away. I first used the hospital’s breast pump while we were in the hospital. When it was time to come home, I needed to get a different pump though, because I had gotten the elvie wearable pump that goes in your bra, and they don’t recommend using this until your milk is established. So I went with the spectra pump because of all the different modes it has. I would have only gotten the spectra pump if I would have known I’d be pumping as much as I needed to with my preemie. The wearable pump i got was supposed to be for when I went back to work, not for when I was home during my maternity leave and trying to establish milk supply. So if you are planning on expressing milk with a breast pump and not exclusively breastfeeding, I recommend getting a hospital grade breast pump and not just a wearable pump.
Honorable mentions
Here are a few more items that my son really loved during the first few months and that I would get again.
The lovevery play gym and toy sets
Lovevery does a wonderful job at giving you toys and ways to play with your baby at their developmental age. My son has always loved this play gym and all the toys that come in the kits
Bjourn bouncer and toy bar
My son loves this bouncer, but I have to say he doesn’t love it nearly as much if the toy bar isn’t attached. I got a cheaper toy bar off of amazon that is more colorful and interactive for him and he loves it. I also love that the bouncer folds up so easily and is so easy to store and takes up practically no room.
Infant car seat stroller combo
I really like the chicco key fit 30 set we got, it’s durable and gets the job done. I feel like a lot of the other car seat and stroller combos have gotten really pricey, and you use it for such a short period of time before you are upgrading to the next size carseat.
The best part about having the set was how easy it is to click the carseat into the stroller. I loved that I could easily go for a walk in the park, or use it to run into the store.
The peg pergo high chair
Wow is this thing awesome. Super easy to clean, has a toy bar attachment you can use instead of the food tray when needed, and it reclines! We have used this since my son was about 10 lbs, I put one of the infant seat inserts in it and put him in the high chair while slightly reclined to makes sure he has enough head support. He’s in the kitchen with me while I’m cooking or doing dishes and he plays with the toy bar I set up, and listens to music and loves it. He also has sat at the dinner table with us which makes actually being able to eat dinner so much easier! I haven’t even had the chance to use it for feeding him yet, but I’m sure it will be great for that too.
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