There I was, pregnant with my first, walking through Babies R Us to set up our baby registry and feeling so overwhelmed with the amount of baby gear and gadgets there were! I remember leaving that place and second guessing if we had added everything that we would need for our new baby.
I didn’t know the difference between what I really needed and what was just a heavily advertised piece of junk. The more people I asked, the longer and more expensive the list got.
Eight years, and five kids later, I have had many opportunities to figure out what is useful and what is worth leaving on the shelf. So don’t stress, I’ve got you covered. Here are my 10 essential items that you will need to survive the first year of parenthood.
1. A Quality Baby Carrier
With my first born, we bought a cheap baby carrier (like a $30 one) thinking the brands like LILLEbaby and Ergobaby were just an overpriced piece of cloth. Don’t make the same mistake. If it’s in your budget, buy a quality baby carrier. This one item makes keeping up with other children, household duties, or getting out of the house a breeze! I have tried both LILLEbaby and Ergobaby and love them both. My babies preferred the Ergobaby carrier. Probably because the infant insert that is required for the Ergobaby Original or Ergobaby All Position 360 carrier is much more comfortable. So don’t forget the infant insert if you are considering one of these carriers!
2. Baby Swing
I think the most important thing to look for when buying a swing is to make sure it is not a battery operated one. Obviously you want batteries as a back up option in case of a power outage. But, double check that it has an AC plug so you don’t go through a butt load of batteries.
We have gone through a couple of different swings. Mostly because our older children try to use them and burn the motor out. But, our favorite baby swing was a fisher price dual motion swing similar to the one below. You can turn it to swing side to side or forward to back. Also, it plays fairly decent music and has a mobile you can turn on and off.
3. Diapers and Wipes
I know, this is an obvious one! If you have a Sam’s Club or Costco membership, buy diapers and wipes there. My one tip with diapers is to not heavily stock up on newborn diapers. My kids were all around 8lbs when they were born so they all outgrew newborn sizes fairly quickly. For newborns, my favorite brand is Huggies Snugglers because they have a nice cutout on the front of the diaper for the umbilical cord after birth. When the cord falls off, I prefer Pampers Swaddlers. The back side of the diaper sits a little higher than other diapers. So it seems to reduce the amount of up-the-back-blowouts we experience. These diapers got your back, literally and figuratively!
4. Booger Sucker
Don’t laugh, I have no idea what else they call these. The hospital will give you a blue bulb-looking thing. So whatever you do, don’t lose that or forget it. Your baby will experience their fair share of snotty noses and congestion. This little thing is the best at getting boogers out of their tiny nasal cavities. As first time parents, we bought the battery operated ones. They don’t have near enough sucking power to get anything out of that itty bitty nostril. So don’t waste your money. Also, I have heard great things about the NoseFrida being another great option! But, I have personally never used one.
5. Bath Seat
I know most first time parents prefer a small plastic tub to save on having to fill an entire tub for one little baby. But, for us, since we have multiple kids bathing at the same time, we like the Summer Deluxe Baby Bather. The best thing about this bath seat is that it is small enough we can still fit two more kids in the tub at the same time. It also has multiple reclining levels so you can use it until they are old enough to sit in the tub on their own.
6. Bumbo
No one ever told us how much we would use this! When we visit family, this is the one thing I always forget to pack and will beat myself up constantly about forgetting it. It is a great place to put a baby when my arms are tired of holding them. Plus, I don’t have to worry about their wobbly body falling over and getting hurt. Another great tip, when they are about 4-5 months old, is to sit them in their bumbo in front of a mirror. Babies don’t recognize themselves yet so they think they are playing with another baby. Be sure to follow me for more parenting hacks (ha!)
7. Activity Center
Jumpers, jumperoos, activity chair, whatever you want to call them. I’m a big fan of gadgets that require no parent sponsored entertainment. They can wear themselves out jumping and playing with little supervision so I can run downstairs to rotate laundry or use the bathroom. This tends to replace the baby swing at about four months old in our house. But, even our toddlers try to climb in and play. They should advertise it as fun for the whole family!
8. Breast Pump, Bottles, and a Hooter Hider
I love that most health insurances will provide a breast pump now. If you plan to breast feed, it is important to have a good, quality breast pump and bottles to feed your baby for when you are away from them. I 100% support women that breast feed in public. However, for my own comfortability, I prefer a nursing cover, or hooter hider, as I like to call them. But, if you’re planning on formula feeding, don’t be surprised if it takes a little bit of experimenting with different bottles before you find a nipple your baby loves.
9. A Place to Sleep
Originally, we bought an expensive convertible crib for my first born, and then he rarely used it. I hated waking up multiple times a night, sitting in a stiff chair to nurse, and then falling asleep while he was nursing. Not only is that dangerous but it also results in a badly kinked neck.
So, we decided to co-sleep with all of our kids. I know, I’m a rule breaker. But, I sleep better and my babies sleep better when they are right beside me. There are all sorts of different places for your baby to sleep, like bassinets, dock a tots, and pack and plays. Whichever option you choose, I support you and your decision!
10. Car Seat
As you know, you won’t be able to leave the hospital without one. With our first child, it was the first and last time we used an infant car seat. They are bulky and extremely awkward to carry. An infant carseat and stroller combo is a great option if you plan to venture out often to places that require a lot of walking.
But, because I hated the infant car seat, we now always buy convertible carseats. If you plan on having kids back to back, like we did, I recommend looking at carseats that are smaller in width. That way, you’ll be able to fit three carseats in the back seat with no problem. My favorite convertible car seat, because it’s also really affordable, is the Cosco Easy Elite All-in-1 Convertible Car Seat.
The Most Essential Thing a Baby Needs is You
Preparing for a new baby is stressful! It is crazy to think how much stuff comes from one tiny, little human. But remember, a baby’s most essential item, is you, Mom. Most of the other items are just a bonus. So take a deep breath, you got this!
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