8 Baby Items You Need To Have
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Whether you’re putting your baby registry together or shopping for parents-to-be, these are a few must have items that I use consistently! There are so many resources out there and especially as a first time mom, it can be overwhelming. What do I actually need? What can I get new parents that they will use? So I wanted to highlight some specific brand/types of items that I love!
Gerber Baby Flannel Burp Cloths
The Gerber Flannel Burp Cloths are my absolute favorite. We received these as a gift at our baby shower for our second son. I instantly fell in love with them and proceeded to buy two more sets! They are large enough to cover everything, even when your baby likes to move his head and spit up down your arm or chest – right where the burp cloth DOESN’T cover (yep, that’s my kid).
It’s the perfect size to fold up in my diaper bag or store in the drawer as well. We had some other ones with our first that were way too small and we constantly had spit up on us. I couldn’t find bigger ones at the time so we bought super soft hand towels and used those at home. But these are perfect! I recommend them to all my mommy friends. There are all sorts of styles!
Boy: Hedeghog(4pk), Blue Fox (4pk), Brave Tiger (4pk), Blue Fox (8pk)
Girl: Pink Fox (4pk), Pink Princess/Stars(4pk), Clouds(8pk)
Gender Neutral: Grey Lil Lamb (4pk), Elephants (4pk), Clouds (4pk), Over The Moon (8pk)
Boppy Pillow
The Boppy is my all time favorite nursing pillow. It’s comfortable for me and babe, it comes in cute patterns, and there are multiple uses for it other than nursing! In fact, my little one is currently sleeping in it. He has tummy issues so the slight upright position is just what he needs sometimes.
I got a new one when I had my second baby but I still have the Boppy from my first. I packed that one with my hospital bag and use it for when we are at our parents’ houses for extended periods of time. It’s my travel Boppy! Having a second is definitely handy. You can also purchase an extra cover as well.
Amazon: Notebook Black and Gold Animal Print, Multi Colored Jungle Animal Print, Neutral Wildlife Print
Target: Pink Floral Stripe Print, Neutral Jungle Print, Gray Animal Print, Gray Watercolor Leaves
Walmart: Storybook Stripe Print, North Park Print, Midnight Garden Print, Earthy Tones Woodland Print
Carter's Swaddle Blakents
I received a set of these at my first baby shower. These instantly became a go-to and I have at least 6 sets of these – no joke. These blankets are great for swaddling. Lightweight, stretchy, and the prints are so stinking cute. All. Time. Fav. These and the burp cloths will forever be my must have baby items and my go-to gifts for parents-to-be. So do yourself a favor and stock up on these! My two year old still uses these as his blankets.
So as I’m updating all the links, I’m having a hard time finding a large selection of these. But Target has two sets and I’m hoping they are the same ones. Gray Sheep (2pk) and Pink Elephant (2pk).
Carter’s has this one set listed online: Animal Print (2pk)
Here are the blankets but these are listed at a high price (just linking for reference): Carter’s Swaddle Blanket (2pk)
Baby K'Tan
This is my favorite baby carrier! I tried another one but it had so many clips, I was overwhelmed and my son wasn’t very fond of it. So I found the Baby K’Tan Carrier on Amazon and loved it! I like that I don’t have to wrap it myself, I just have to put it on and put my baby in it. I am using the same one for my second and also purchased the active version for my husband. He is a hot box so with a more breathable material, it’s perfect for him. There is also an organic version and I found it at a few other retailers also.
Amazon: Baby K’Tan Original, Baby K’Tan Active, Baby K’Tan Organic
Target: Baby K’Tan Original, Baby K’Tan Active
Overstock: Baby K’Tan Original, Baby K’Tan Active, Baby K’Tan Organic
Nordstrom: Baby K’Tan Original, Baby K’Tan Active, Baby K’Tan Organic
Car Mirror
For me, this is a must have. I like to be able to see my little’s in the back seat especially when they are really little. During the newborn stage, there were times when they would cry hysterically and then stop abruptly. If I wasn’t able to see them and know they were okay, I would end up stopping and checking on them.
Story Time: When we were on our way home from the hospital with our second son, we were in my husbands truck and we didn’t have any mirrors up. We generally only use his truck on weekends as a family (and I usually ride in the back for the first few months but we had two car seats in the back and figured he would be fine for the 15 minute ride home) so we didn’t put any in there. When we were on our way home, this exact thing happens – he starts to hysterically cry and then stopped all of a sudden. We pulled over quickly to make sure he was okay. I ended up climbing in the back seat over the car seat base (mind you – I just had a c-section 3 days before) for the remainder of the car ride. So lesson learned – just get and install the car mirror!
We use the Brica Car Mirrors and they work great!
Backpack Diaper Bag
I’m linking my current favorite but a backpack diaper bag is a MUST for me. I had a typical one shoulder diaper bag at first but it was constantly falling off my shoulder, it was driving me crazy! Then I purchased my first backpack diaper bag – it was a game changer! I purchased a new one when my second was born and really like this one. I actually have two of them! Twice a week, James is with his grandmas so I have one to send with them and the other with Luke’s items since I tend to run my errands on those days.
I currently am using the Skip Hop Forma Backpack. I like the way the top opens – it keeps everything organized and nothing falls out. Two cup holders on the sides for the boys’ or our cups. It has two pockets inside where I keep diaper rash cream, lotion, and my nursing cover. The front pocket is deep and is perfect for my wallet, snacks (in the mesh bag it comes with), my wallet. In the very front zipper, I keep a small hand lotion for me, chapstick, and ill put my phone there. It also has stroller straps! I really like this one. I linked a few other ones above.
Stroller
Depending on if you have one kid or two (or more), I have different suggestions but a good stroller is a must. With our first, we had an infant car seat/stroller combo where the car seat locked into the stroller similar to this combo travel system. I hated the specific one we got but the idea – perfect. When they are little and sleeping, the last thing you want to do is take them out of the car seat and wake them! So this was super nice at the beginning. We switched to a convertible car seat and just used the stroller for a good chunk of time. Then I gave the combo away and ordered this umbrella stroller. It’s lightweight but very sturdy! Now that we have two kids, I also have this double stroller and love it! It’s not as bulky as I imagined, super easy to steer and maneuver, and has space underneath for storage (win!).
Changing Pad Liners
These changing pad liners are such a lifesaver! When they started to pee (or poop) while changing their diaper, I just tossed this in the laundry instead of having to constantly wash the changing pad cover. I even use these in the bassinet or on the play mat to protect the mattress/floor mat. I bought two sets and that usually lasts me between loads of laundry.
So here are eight baby items you need to have! As my baby grows, his needs will grow and so will this list! I’ll continue to add things as my little Luke grows!
What are your personal must haves for baby?
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