Drum roll please… This might be the longest blog post I have ever written ever. I hope this can be a blog post you can refer back to over time! I poured so much time & research into this! I wanted to write the blog post I would have loved to read during my first pregnancy.
I wanted this blog post to feel like you and I are sitting down for coffee and I am giving you the down low on every baby product and my thoughts! Now remember every baby is different, but I think this will give you a really great place to start!
Quick note – I am going to be doing separate blog posts a s part of this baby series! Here is what is up next:
- How and Where to Shop for Baby
- Breastfeeding Essentials
- Nursery Reveal
- PostPartum Prep
- Birth Bag
Let’s Dive right in!!
SLEEP
- Ollie Swaddle – I know these are expensive, but what is so great about them is there is one size that grows with your baby. A lot of the other brand come in each different size so I found you are spending more money once you buy all of the sizes and they don’t work as well. I loved having two, one for when you have a blow out and need to wash the other, but you could definitely make it work with one.
- Hatch Sound Machine – This is the basic one that we have. They have since come out with a fancier one for $20 more, but honestly I don’t think you need it. We are grabbing this one for our room since we have two babies and need another (it’s only $20 so a more affordable option if you don’t want to spend the money on the Hatch)
- Monitor – Eufy for Non-Wifi (Our Preference) & The Lolli Pop Baby Monitor for Wifi
- Note that both of these work great for multiple kids you just get another camera. Or you can buy it with two cameras.
- Bassinet – We bought this one because I LOVED IT. However, another affordable option is to get the newborn insert for you pack n’play and just setting that up in your room & very multi purpose.
FEEDING
Essential
- Bottle & Accessories
- Bottle Brush (you just buy new heads here)
- Como Tomo Bottles – used with Asher and were great.
- Avent Glass Bottles – trying these with this baby because I would love to be using glass. Also – I would recommend just getting the bigger size with the slow flow nipples to start. Then you can use them all the way until they are the year. Asher only used the small bottles for like 3 months & I just think it’s a bit of a waste.
- Bottle Drying Rack – We used a friends old boon one and it was great, but then I broke it (totally my fault). When I went to buy another I loved this one because we can use it after the baby bottle stage as a normal drying rack! & it’s prettier.
- Burp Cloths
- My Breast Friend Pillow – my breast friend pillow or boppy is a cheaper option, but I like the my breast friend especially in the young stages. I did buy the boppy for this pregnancy because I’ve heard it’s great as they get older. Will give my full comparison after baby, but in my opinion can’t go wrong with the my breast friend.
- Milk Storage Bags
- I used the kiinde with Asher & did not feel like they laid super flat. Also it doesn’t measure the milk ounces correctly & expensive.
- Karrie Locher who is the best resource of all things breastfeeding on instagram recommended these & my best friend loved them too so I am using these with baby 2!
- Other Feeding stuff for later
- I will be doing a whole breastfeeding blog post, but these are kind of the “baby feeding” essentials in my opinion.
Non essential – these are the things that are nice to have, but NOT essential by any means! We have and love a lot of the though.
- Bottle Warmer – Did not love the one I had with Asher it was this one. For this baby I think we are going to go without it and then just buy one if we really miss it. My friend doesn’t have one and just says she heats it up under warm water in the sink or in a bowl & it’s nice not having the extra appliance.
- If I do get one I will try out this one. It has amazing review on amazon.
- Reusable Breast Milk Storage Bags
- These look awesome for travel etc, but I have not tried them.
- Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair – even though they don’t use this until 6 months I would register for it because if someone buys it for you then you don’t have to buy it later. I think this high chair is WELL worth the price especially if you do baby led weaning.
- I don’t think you need the fabric inset for it. Just my personal opinion.
- A lot of people love the Ikea one with the Yeah Baby Goods inserts for a cheaper option, but I have not tried it myself.
- Gathre Mini Mat – We keep this under the high chair at all times and it is the BEST.
- Here is a more affordable option from Amazon, but I don’t own it so I cant speak to the quality.
- Baby Brezza for formula is amazing
- Bibs – we never used for bottle feeding really only the silicone ones for when he started solids.
- Nursing Cover – You could just use a blanket, but I do like how this one goes all the way around me so I does not accidentally fall off & it doubles as a carseat cover (note – be really careful in summer over your carseat because they trap heat in)
** I will go over all of my breastfeeding & pumping essentials in my blog post coming next. x
STROLLER
Wow I could do a whole blog post on all of my thoughts and research on strollers. Honestly if you want this let me now in the comments haha. I researched so much with Asher & this baby and feel SUPER confident in my recommendation in this area.
- MOCKINGBIRD STROLLER – Y’all this thing is the real deal. I actually never came across it when I was pregnant with Asher, but it has become super popular. It’s very similar to the popular Uppa Baby Vista, but 1/3 of the price and I think by far just as good. Here is everything I bought for it. I may do a whole review on just this stroller because its that good.
- This is the exact stroller we got – the single to double in black with the watercolor drops pattern and the penny leather.
- Accessories we bought
- Travel Stroller – ZOE STROLLER is the most highly recommended travel stroller for 2 I have seen. Looks really easy to fly with and take places. & is supposed to fit through all door way! (obviously an extra, but if you travel this would be nice)
- DOONA – Preston considers this his #1 must have. It is amazing and we love it for several reasons. However – it is $500. For us it was worth and used a ton because we kept it in Preston’s car and we travel a lot and used it regularly for that!
GEAR
- Car Seat – nuna exec is what I would get if you want one amazing car seat form infant to booster.
- However – we opted for the infant carseat Nuna Pipa Lite and then the Nuna Rava. Honestly, kinda wish I would have gone with the exec and that is probably what I will get for baby 2 because it turns into a booster. We will have to buy a second booster later with the Rava
- Car Seat Mirror – love being able to see him in my rear view!
- Pack n’ Play – guava lotus – chaper one
- Diaper Bag – you could just use a tote you already have with a tote savvy insert. This is what I do a lot. But if you are looking for a “true” diaper bag I would go with freshly picked. I also use my stony clover tote a lot for travel.
Non Essential
- Snuggle Me Organic and Cover – WE LOVE THIS! for around the house, especially in the newborn stage. The reason I put it as non-essential is you can always put baby on the ground on a blanket or in their bassinet.
- Bouncer – We received this one from Bloom Global and sold our Baby Bjorn one because they are the same price and the bloom global one is prettier & feels more comfortable for newborns to me. This one also has batteries if you want and can sooth them.
- We do not use any “walkers”, you can check out milestones and motherhoods instagram to learn more if you are interested.
WRAPS
- Solly Baby Wrap – I love this wrap for when they are little and then the Loop Wrap for when they are older. These would definitely be my first choice.
- Baby Bjorn – My husband loves the baby bjourn wrap. It is super easy to use and clip in.
- Sakura Bloom – This one is beautiful and I also have it and love it, but definitely more expensive.
DIAPERING
- Changing Pad and Cover – I know there are a lot of fancy ones like this Keekaroo and Hatch one I highly debated. However this is way cheaper and I like that it isn’t cold on their little body. Also my favorite covers are only $10 and so I just have several and throw them in the wash as needed!
- Diapers – We don’t have a lot of space or I preferred doing a diaper subscription as opposed to getting a ton of diaper that I couldn’t store. We got several from our life group and that was perfect to get us started but I would just love a gift card honestly. I am trying out the Coterie ones. Also have heard great things about seventh generation and huggies special delivery so we might grab those in newborn since he won’t be in them long and then start our subscription at size 1.
- Wipes – Honest Wipes and Water Wipes.
- Gathre Changing Mat – We love love our gathre one. I also found this one on amazon, but I have not tried it.
- Diaper Cream – This one is the only one we have used because we love it.
- Bum Brush– This is so nice so you do not have to get diaper cream on your fingers.
Non Essential
- Ubbi diaper pale – I love that you can use normal trash bags with it
- Wipe Dispenser – This is the ones we have, but my mom has this one from Amazon and honestly like it just as much I might grab it for downstairs.
BATH CARE
- Bath Tub
- Older bath tub for sitting
- Bath mat for the tub
- Honest Bath wash and lotion
- Towels
- Wash Cloths
- Frida Mom Derma Frida
- Nail Clippers
- Nose Frida
- Whale Faucet Cover and Toy Holder
MISC
ON THE GO
essential
EXTRA THINGS I LOVE
- Honest Baby Detergent
- all the baby blankets and muslin swaddles (they are just so sweet in them but I do not at all think you need many) 5 would be plenty, but people love to gift them.
- Lovevery Play Mat and Subscription
THINGS I WANT TO TRY BABY 2
THINGS I DO NOT THINK ARE WORTH IT
- 4 Moms Mammaroo
- Boppy Lounger – I think the snuggle me is way better & you do not need both.
- Humidifier ( I would just buy it if you need it we have only used it once and it wasnt really necessary)
- Owlet sock – Kinda wish I had it those first two weeks but was just fine without it and especially for the price point.
FAVORITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS FOR MOTHERHOOD!!
I have a lot of my favorite things linked in my Amazon Store Front and my Like to Know It! Also in the Shop Pages on my Blog. I hope all of this helps a new mama!
I would love to hear y’alls thoughts and suggestions in the comments!!
XX,
Lain
