Are you a new mom or mom to be out looking for items that are a must for a new baby? A few months ago, I gave birth to baby number 3! After our second was born we decided to get rid of the majority of our baby items, meaning we were really starting from scratch with the newest little guy! I knew that I didn’t want a bunch of items that weren’t absolutely essential ( a mistake I made with my first two kids!) So I made sure we purchased items that would add benefit, without taking up a bunch of space. I’ve rounded up my 12 favorite items that I absolutely love and I think you will too!
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Baby swing
The baby swing I had for my first two kids was a much bigger, much heavier, and much harder-to-move version of this. I found that it took up a lot of space no matter where it was. With 3 kids, plus 2 dogs, I knew I needed to save space where I could. Which is why I love this little swing! It sits low to the ground and is about the size of a car seat. It’s easy to move around from room to room without a major hassle. It comes with several swing settings from a low speed to a high speed, plus multiple sound options. It runs on C batteries, which I pick up several packs from the Dollar Tree store and each set lasts about a month. We’ve been using ours for a couple of months now, and it’s one of my favorite things that we’ve found! A definite must-have!
Baby monitor
A favorite baby item must-have is definitely a good baby monitor! I have always appreciated having our Vtech baby monitor system when the baby is asleep, and I am outside with the big kids. I have zero complaints about the overall quality! The monitor has a clear, high-definition video whether it’s during the day, or during the night. Features, such as the room temperature sensor, remote access from a smartphone or tablet accessible through the MyVTech Baby app, a camera that pans up to 360 degrees side-to-side, and tilts up to 80 degrees up and down makes this baby monitor system one of the best on the market!
Baby Bath Seat
I think this baby bath seat is one of my favorite finds that we have come across on our search for new baby items. Our first two kids had a regular baby bathtub that you filled with water. I found that those were such a hassle due to their size, and became gross after a while if they didn’t dry out completely or if they weren’t cleaned out regularly. The Angel Care Bath Support Seat is an easy bathtime solution that doesn’t take up much space, can be hung up to dry, and holds and supports babies until they can sit on their own.
Owl Sound Machine
I’ve always used sound machines with my kids when they were babies! In fact, my 4-year-old still uses hers! My sister-in-law gave this one to us after purchasing one for her kids and I love the look of it! This one has a built-in night light (the owl’s belly), with adjustable light settings. I’ve found that I like to keep it on the lowest light setting unless I need a bit of extra light when changing his diaper in the middle of the night. It also comes with multiple songs, sounds, and has an optional beam of light that projects stars onto the ceiling. The sound can be adjusted to stay on all night, or to turn off after 30 mins, 1 hour, etc. Most of all, I love the adorable owl design, as it goes so well with the animal theme of his nursery, while also looking like a cute piece of decor!
Swaddles
Adjustable swaddles are probably one of the top baby essentials that I recommend during the first few months! I have never been a fan of regular blanket swaddles as my babies always kicked their way out of them if I didn’t get it tucked in tight enough. I don’t have to worry about them wiggling out of these! Below I’ve listed my two favorite kinds of adjustable swaddles!
When our daughter was born we were given a Halo SleepSack Swaddle. She was a horrible sleeper, but I found that she would sleep better during nap time, and during the night if she was in her Halo SleepSack! The first couple of months, I tucked her arms inside so she looked like a little pink burrito! Once she was a little older I let kept her arms out. I was bummed when she outgrew it because she really did sleep better with it!
For our latest baby, we were given this 3-pack of adjustable swaddle blankets. My current baby is a much better sleeper than my first two kids, but I still make sure to put his swaddle on him at bedtime! It helps keep him warm and helps with those out-of-control baby reflexes that he still has. This type has the option to also have arms tucked in, or left out, which is nice because my little guy never liked having his arms tucked in!
Cloth Storage Bins
Cloth storage bins are some of my favorite items to have in the kids’ rooms. Not only do I use them for the baby stage of their lives, but they still use them as big kids! I hated just having cardboard boxes of diapers sitting in their rooms, so this was a cute solution to store their diapers, wipes, and creams. I currently am using these bins to store the baby’s little socks, hats, bibs, and extra swaddles. My daughter uses hers now to keep her books and stuffed animals. I love that they come in so many different colors, sizes, and designs! You can really mix and match to get your desired look!
Convertible Baby Crib
Baby cribs can be a pricy investment for your little one. There are so many different styles, designs, colors, to choose from! We have always gone with cribs that can be converted into beds for different stages of their lives. With an adjustment from the railings, a baby crib can be turned into a toddler bed. A few more adjustments after that, plus a bigger mattress, a baby crib can be turned into a headboard and footboard for a full-size bed for a bigger kid! I love the long-term use, and would much rather pay a bit extra for a crib that can grow with my baby, rather than a few separate beds along the way! Definitely, an item to check out!
Breathable Mesh Mattress
Just like the many different designs and styles of baby cribs, there are just as many options for the mattress that goes in them! In the past, we have used a standard baby crib mattress (THIS ONE is a great option!) Although, this time we decided to try a breathable mesh mattress for our newest little guy.
I had never heard of a breathable mesh mattress before until my husband brought it to my attention. This mattress is made for babies who prefer sleeping on their bellies and as it allows air to move freely through it. Our little one rolled from his belly to his back at 3 weeks old, so just in case he was an early roller from back to belly, we decided to give it a try. It is a little more on the pricey side as far as baby mattresses go, but our little guy sleeps great on it! It’s firm yet comfortable for him, and the mattress cover can easily be unzipped and washed.
{ Remember- Back is best! It is recommended for babies to sleep on their backs to help prevent SIDS. Although, this is a great option for babies who roll over early }
Humidifier
We live in a really dry environment (Colorado) so a humidifier for every kid is important, especially when they are sick! I love the look of this one! It can last through the night and can light up as a colorful night light as a fun bonus!
Nose Frida
If you have kids, then you know how awful it is when your baby catches a cold. Babies don’t know how to blow their noses and you’re left with a snotty, cranky, sick baby who can’t breathe. Well, the Nose Frida is here to save your day! If you aren’t familiar with Nose Frida, then you are in for a fun time. Hear me out here, mama. The Nose Frida helps get the baby’s snot and mucus out of their noses in a comfortable, non-invasive way, by using your mouth to suck the snot out of their nose. As the Nose Frida company states on their Amazon listing;
“It’s smart, It’s Swedish, It’s maybe a little strange. It’s the doctor-invented nasal aspirator that actually works!”
Indeed, a strange way of handling a cold, but I’ve been using this product since my kid first was born in 2015. We have dealt with a lot of colds since 2015, so trust me when I say that it actually does work! And no, the snot that is sucked out never reaches your own mouth. Babies won’t produce enough mucus and snot to fill up a fraction of the blue nasal tube.
Diaper Bag
Diaper bags always become my new purse once the baby is born. In the past, I used a regular, big, bulky diaper bag that looked more like a sad duffel bag before we were 6 months in. I knew this time I wanted something that was functional, stylish, and also allowed me to be hands-free. Backpack diaper bags are ideal for moms who are always on the go! And I can not stress enough how much I love having the extended changing pad that zips right out, and folds back up once you’re done using it. I especially love this kind that can fold out into a safe, hygienic space for the baby to lay down when needed. Who knew you could fit so much into a backpack?
Graco Stroller + Carseat combo
Carseats and strollers are another important investment when you have a baby! I’ve used the Graco brand since my son was born and never have had any complaints about the quality of their products!
I had this stroller and car seat combo for both of my oldest kids. I gave it away after my daughter outgrew it and of course, when I was buying for our new baby it was out of stock! We put a lot of miles on this stroller and it held up so well! The car seat clicked securely into place in the stroller and never felt as if it was going to tip-off. The storage basket underneath is large enough to fit a diaper bag, plus any other essentials you may need. This stroller is so easy to open and unfold while also light enough to get in and out of the car with ease. This combo is definitely one of my favorite baby items!
I decided to go with a jogging stroller this time around. I’ve always been into fitness, and love to run on my treadmill. I hadn’t ever had a jogging stroller before, so I gave it a try this time! Our baby was born in September, so the weather has been nice enough to take several walks around the neighborhood and I’ve come to love the jogging stroller just as much as the regular style. I haven’t ran with it yet, as he is still pretty little, but I can’t wait to get a good run with him around the park once he is a little bit older!
