When you register at stores for a baby, its a blast and a half. Maybe you did research on the best stuff to buy; maybe you’ll just point and shoot. You want the cutest stuff; you want the most practical stuff. Regardless of your choices, when that baby comes its a whole new ball game. 3 months into the game and there is stuff that I can’t live without! Stuff that I didn’t register for. Thank goodness for borrowing, in-the-know friends, and good ole’ fashioned learning as you go!
After some contemplation, I’ve complied a list of stuff that I can’t live without, I wish I would have known to register for, and some absolutely MUST-haves!
- Aden & Anais-Swaddle Blankets & Burpy Bibs
Can’t live without my Aden + Anais stuff! I hadn’t heard about a lot of different baby brands, much less Aden & Anais. But after getting the swaddle blankets and burpy bibs at the baby shower. This brand will be my go-to for all future gift giving! Theswaddle blankets are light enough that I don’t feel like Kinsey will get over heated in them. This is especially great for walks during the day and upcoming summer! They are cotton muslim fabric, easily washable and just plain fantastic. I’ve even draped one over the stroller on our walks to cover from the sun! The burby bibs are also made of cotton muslim. They are absorbent, wash easy, and are cute functional. Some of the prettiest burp rags have no functional value and end up being stuffed in a drawer! Hubbie also give this brand an A+! He scrambles for them come feeding time!
I looked up everything I could about baby registries and what you needed vs what you didn’t. I came to the conclusion we didn’t need a wipes warmer. Reviews said they weren’t worth it. When we got one at the shower, I plugged it up and thought we’d try it anyway. Boy was I WRONG. Kinsey hated anything cold the first 2 months. Hands, wipes..you name it she would scream immediately. The warm wipes sure did help at 3am when we were barely awake and already had a screaming, hungry baby. While you might still think you don’t need one, I humbly beg to differ. No, it’s not a necessity but it sure is a convenience! (this is the one we have)
If you decide to breastfeed and pump, you need one. I didn’t put much thought into pumping until my milk didn’t come and pumping was the only way to stimulate production. While borrowing the hospital’s pump the first few days, I felt like a prisoner. I couldn’t do anything. I had to sit there holding those stupid cups feeling like I was in a torture device. (It really reminded me of one of those weird exercise contraptions from the fifties, think the weight-loss belt thing.) I use mine 2-3 times a day. It allows me to actually function while pumping. I’ve put on makeup, eaten breakfast, or played on my Ipad. Again, not a necessity but a HUGE time saver! You can actually use your hands! I have this Medela one because it was the only one at Babies R Us, at the time. Others might work better.
This is probably a no-brainer. Go middle-high end on this. We have a really nice swing that was a really nice gift. We did actually put this on the registry and take it for granted. In the beginning, it was the only way Kinsey would nap and the only way we could eat a meal together. Taking turns consoling while the other one ate got old really quick. Our swing has music, lights and a mobile. We’ve used it so much that the mobile part stutters and clicks loudly it wakes her up. The swing got drug to every room in our house. It is was our safety blanket as much as hers! (this is ours.)
Any kind of sound machine is probably great. Any kind of soothing “white noise” is an amazing sleep aid. Our preference is the Sleep Sheep, another gift I didn’t know I needed. It might be the best invention ever for our house. We happily discovered that Kinsey gets quiet when water is running. So rather than running up our water bill, this little sheep helps her calm down enough and lulls her to sleep. It comes with a timer features, volume control and a few other sounds. We only know the rain sound. It’s all we need!
There are quite a few nursing pillows out there. I have a Boppy and am borrowing the My Brest Friend. The My Brest Friend is my BEST friend. I’ve used both things and the Brest Friend wins hands down for feeding! The Boppy is great for so many other things, but not the overal winner for feeding. My Brest Friend is supportive styrofoam that clips around you. It helps SO much when feeding. It brings baby more to you. I drag thing from room to room every night! For the past three months, I haven‘t had it with me probably 4 times total. Seriously, a life saver. It gives more support for your back and more proper positioning so you aren’t leaning over to feed baby. It saves a ton of back ache!! Plus its cover is washable for those horrible spitups. I don’t know where I would be without this one. Thank goodness for lovely B for lending it to me. Trust me, this is the WINNER!
I was super snobby about a body carrier or wrap. I just didn’t see the point. Once again, I will eat my words. I have a Moby wrap that gets used numerous times weekly. My hardest thing with Kinsey has been time management. I can’t seem to figure out paying attention to her, napping, and getting stuff around the house done. It’s still a slow process, but my Moby wrap helped quite a bit. I can wrap her up and get laundry folded, work on the computer, and continue to keep going. Its breathable fabric and frankly I LOVE having her so close. She falls asleep on my chest and there is nothing better. I got the Moby wrap because our Babies R Us had very little choice. I’ve been thrilled with it but have heard great things about others. Don’t scoff at baby body carriers. There’s much more to them, including the loving time you get!
I hope this list helps some prego ladies out there who could use some advice or even help you next time you have to give a baby gift. Again, these are items that I’ve found after a few months I can’t live without.
What were your baby must-haves? I could always use a few more helpful tools in my new mommy belt!
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