Babies just need to eat, sleep, and soil their laundry when they're first born.
That's it. They don't have to have warmed wipes, fancy toys, elaborate outfits-none of that! So since all they mostly do is eat, sleep and dirty their diapers, here are my absolute favorites in those categories and how to get the most bang for your buck.
Eating:
I have been blessed to be able to nurse both of my babies. Since I'm not as familiar with bottle-feeding, I am sharing what I like for nursing.
For nursing my big must haves are:
I like this one, both for the price, and because the top provides a good view of baby. With having to use a shield, a cover is a huge hassle, but I want the ability to modestly cover. This has been the best option for me.
Something I discovered with Baby Girl is a Haakaa!
Since I do not pump, it allows me to express milk for the occasional bottle, without the noisy, cumbersome pump. I also have an over-supply problem, so this also helps with comfort levels when just getting started.
Burp Cloths
These are some I just got for baby #3 and they feel absolutely amazing! You want something large and absorbent, and these fit the bill. I had some flannel ones with my daughter that weren't my favorite, and with my son, my mother-in-law DIYed cute material onto these plain Gerber cloth diapers that worked great! Cotton is the way to go when it comes to burp cloths, and they can be as cheap or expensive as you want to pay.
These are honestly these are the only 3 things you need (and let's be honest, you don't even need that! If you still want to cover up, the blankets I mention in the sleep category can work just fine. I just like the ones recommended because of view of baby.) I also recommend a baby tracker app. They have some for free that will help you keep up with what side you last fed on. Sleep deprivation is a thing, so any help during the brain fog is great!
Extras:
Boppy Pillow. If you splurge on anything-splurge on this!! It helped so much during that first month, trying to figure out how to properly hold baby to nurse. I've also heard they are great for those with C-Section recovery, as they hold baby.
Bottles for expressed milk. Just like diapers, each baby prefers different kinds. Since each time I don't know if baby will be able to be nursed, I collect the bottles from the free baby boxes you get from registries. You can sign up for an Amazon Registry, complete the checklist and get a free baby box! I have found it's well worth it and use many of the samples to figure out what best fits baby. The free bottles also give me options for when the Hubby and I go on that first post-baby date and need someone else to feed the baby.
Sleeping
Sleeping is probably the most worrying thing to a new parent. I've had both a 'bad' sleeper and a 'good' sleeper, so I'm going to try to help you with the things that are absolute must haves!
Bassinet
With Little Man our budget was quite small, so I needed something that could serve a dual purpose and decided on this Pack and Play with a bassinet on top. It worked out wonderfully for both babies. Unfortunately, the bassinet part got bent on a trip, and we are having to buy an actual bassinet for the new little one. I chose this one, based on price and reviews, but I will let you know how it works out!
I liked having the baby so close to me and also loved the dual purpose of the pack and play and the bassinet. It's something that grows with them!
Swaddles
Here is where I step out of the budget world and recommend you get Aden and Anais muslin swaddles! They are amazing and I haven't had any brand feel as soft as this brand. Plus, I am still using a blanket or two from Little Man. They serve so many purposes (you can lay them down on them, use them to wipe spit up, nursing covers, whatever!) and have lasted so well. What I did with Baby Girl was register for my favorite set, and then shop around at TJ Maxx, Burkes, and other such stores for cheaper sets. I really like to have at least 6, as they go through them very quickly in the beginning.
White Noise
I'm guessing this could be a controversial thing, as some people don't like to have their kids dependent on noise for sleep. I have found, however, this helps so much during those first few weeks. It can be as cheap as a free app on your phone, a small fan in your room, or an actual white noise machine. We have a fan in our room for under $20.
Extras:
This is more for naps rather than night sleep.
A basic swing. This has lasted through 3 kids already (my friend borrowed it with her kid) and is on it's last leg, but will last through this one as well. Sturdy, good swinging motion, and 'basic'. The high dollar ones can be hit or misses (even with basic swings, you just won't be out as much money).
My favorite bouncer. This is great for mobility. I used it as a way to be able to shower with baby in the room with me. It also worked out great for homeschooling hands free.
My favorite wrap. I actually don't have any experience with other wraps, but this one has worked fine. I used it the most with Baby Girl, as it tended to get warm with a summer baby. I am curious how much I'll use it this time around. With Baby Girl I used if for about 3-4 months.
Sleep sacks. You technically don't NEED this, but they are amazing for transitioning out of swaddles. Baby girl loved to put her hands near her face, and these were perfect for that.
Diapering
I am not going to recommend any brand of diapers, as each one of my babies have been allergic to different ones. Instead I am recommending my favorite accessories to keeping baby clean!
I love this one! It's perfect for the night stand but can travel with you throughout the house. You don't actually need a changing table (I got mine for free, so I do use one), but it is handy to have a place to store diapers, wipes and diaper cream where they are at the ready. You can also keep a spare outfit to keep handy.
Diaper bag
I have had a different diaper bag with each kid, so I don't feel super qualified to give advise. This is the one I got this time, and it is very sturdy and incredibly roomy. Since I will have 2 under 2 I felt a backpack was a necessity this time around.
Soaps and Creams
This is another area where each baby is different. Baby Girl is highly sensitive to any other diaper cream but Destin and A+D. Some are wary about scented soaps and lotions while others aren't. This is another area where if you are unsure what you like or what baby is going to be able to handle, you can get a free baby box and try out all the samples before settling on what you like best.
I know I am missing things like clothes and toys, but I wanted to cover these essential categories. I'll put some of the 'fun stuff' in my Amazon recommendations (note: links are affiliated). When I share with you the room tour and baby's hospital bag, you can see my picks for clothes and other items. This will be on Facebook and Instagram, so be sure to follow me there!
Also, if you missed it, Here are the other baby themed posts in our July series:
No comments:
Post a Comment