Top 5 Baby Items I Couldn’t Live Without

01/18/2017

It can be really difficult to navigate the world of baby “things”. There are so many gizmos and gadgets to choose from and as a new mom it’s hard to figure out what you actually need vs. what just looks shiny. As a mom of 3, I’ve been through my fair share of baby items. With my first born, I wanted to register for everything under the sun. I knew my second would be a NICU baby so all I really needed was a double stroller to keep up with my then two rug rats. Now that I’ve welcomed our newest addition, I have a pretty clear idea of what’s needed to keep your sanity as a new mother no matter how many little ones you have.

Here are the top 5 items I couldn’t live without as a mommy:

Swaddles

After the first 2 weeks, the blankets just won’t do it. Actually, let’s be honest, if you’re new to the game, you’ll likely be all thumbs trying to swaddle a tiny newborn. You’ll watch the nurses in the hospital do it with such ease and think ‘I can do THAT!’ Then you’ll get home and suddenly your tiny burrito will look more like a loose taco.

There are several swaddle brands out there, but I recommend one that allows your baby’s arms to be secured while allowing space for their legs to move freely. My third baby loves his swaddle; he’s so used to it that as soon as it goes on his eyes start to close.

Bouncy Chair

Baby snuggles are THE BEST, but at some point, you’re going to want to put the baby down while he or she is awake. Cue the vibrating chair. You don’t need a super expensive one either; my first had a furry, fluffy contraption that has since gone missing while my second and third used a relatively inexpensive one my mum picked up to keep at her place.

Baby Carrier

Me wearing my second baby!

Baby wearing is looking to become a major trend in 2017 and for good reason! I own two different carriers and absolutely love them both. I have a flexible woven wrap style (that took me a good 3 days to learn how to wrap) and a more sturdy ergonomic style carrier that I use when my babies are a bit bigger.

Sometimes even the calmest babies don’t want to be put down. There are days when there will be a seat with your name on it (an perhaps an imprint to boot!). Baby wearing allows you to keep your hands free allowing you to get a little bit done around the house or even squeeze in a tiny workout. The movement of your body and the close proximity to your chest usually knock your baby out in record time.

A GOOD pump (and bottles… shhh I cheated with this one)

This one is a little controversial but if you do choose to breastfeed, you will want to invest in a good pump. It’s helpful if you find yourself with low milk supply and is crucial for a night out on the town. I say to invest in a good pump (or rent one) because they are the most efficient and usually yield the most milk. I had a low quality one with my daughter that couldn’t get the milk out to save its life so with my second I invested in a hospital grade pump so that I could go and have a mommy minute and leave the baby with daddy; it’s still going strong with baby number 3.

Bassinet

Before I had babies, I swore up and down that they would sleep in their crib from day 1 and I would simply shuffle back and forth between my room and theirs every time they woke up for a feeding – well, you know where that went!

The nurses will tell you that your baby will eat every 2 and a half hours and while that may be true for some, others will nurse around the clock or wake up for reasons unknown, all of which require your attention. Having a good basinet by the bed helps everyone get a little more rest at night – plus, who wants to stub a toe navigating the darkness in a sleep deprived haze?

*Mommy of 3 Tip – Get a basinet that doesn’t rock or one that can be locked in place without rocking. While the rocking motion is great to get babies to sleep, it’s difficult to keep them asleep. Usually when the baby moves, the basinet moves which will startle them awake.