New parents can be overwhelmed when trying to find out what their new baby will need. Your first baby can be quite expensive and if I can encourage one thing, it would be to purchase gender neutral big ticket items that can be reused for future children. Besides the obvious needs of a crib and car seat, these are a few of my simplified baby must haves.
Baby K’tan Baby Carrier – My baby K’tan carrier is by far my favorite carrier I’ve purchased. I purchased three different ones for all three of my babies. The K’tan I bought because I needed a comfortable, supportive way to carry my newborn daughter post c-section. I loved that I could carry her in a pouch like position right next to me, making it easy to meet needs of a nursing newborn. She was really happy in this carrier and would cry if I tried to carry her in the Ergo we have from my older daughter. For a newborn up to four-month-old I would recommend the K’tan.
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Wide Neck Bottle – I used Dr. Brown’s Bottles with all three of my babies. These are bottles are supposed to help reduce colic (thankfully, none of my kids suffered from it) by reducing the amount air that can flow into the nipple. I like the wide neck bottles for nursing mothers. The wider nipple made it easier for my breastfed babies to transition between bottle and breast.
Summer SwaddleMe – When my babies were newborns they would not sleep at night unless they were swaddled tightly. If we “burrito wrapped” (husband’s term) our babies tight enough, they usually slept better. As long as my babies could not get their hands into their mouths in the middle of the night, nighttime feedings were usually every 4 hours as opposed to all night feedings.
COACH Baby Bag Tote – This Coach baby bag was a total splurge, but well worth it. I take and use my baby bag everywhere for the first two years so I decided to purchase a bag that was both durable and looked great too! It is easy to wipe clean and has a number of pockets inside to store items and it includes a changing pad. When I will no longer need this bag to meet baby needs, I can transition it for work.
LillyBit Uptown Diaper Clutch – I am the queen of zip lock bags. I use baggies for everything. When my son and daughter were babies, I kept their diapering needs in zip lock bag inside of the diaper bag making it easy to grab the baggie and change them without digging through the entire bag. With Lulu, I purchased this diaper clutch at Target and it is super handy. Now, instead of dragging out a baggie full of diapers, wipes, tush cream and changing pad, I can grab this cute clutch out my baby bag tote and change Lulu with ease. It also makes it easier for daddy when he takes baby without mommy. He really doesn’t want to drag around a Coach baby bag tote.
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Calming Lotion, Shampoo and Wash, Diaper Ointment – I’ve been using Burt’s Bees Baby Bee for nine years. I love the scent of these baby products. The lavender calming lotion quickly absorbs into my baby’s skin. I like the original scent shampoo and wash, not the fragrance free version. A little bit of the shampoo goes a long way and the large bottle has lasted me for a year, making it a great buy. The Baby Bee diaper ointment is by far the best tush cream I’ve found. The downside, it’s pricey. I’ve tried a lot of other natural and organic diaper ointments but the other creams were not as thick and didn’t do a very good job of protecting my baby from diaper rash. My babies never experienced a diaper rash while using Baby Bee diaper ointment.
BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen – I live in Florida and sunscreen is a must! I protect all three of my kids with BabyGanics because it protects up to 80 minutes – even after a dip in the ocean or pool. I love that it is a mineral based 50+SPF lotion that provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
Brush and Comb Set 2 Pieces – There’s something cute, charming and classic about this wooden brush and comb set. I’m always searching for affordable natural, organic products for my kids and this natural wood set with natural hair bristles keep my baby’s hair soft.
Safe Lift Universal Foldable Crib Mattress – I bought this wedge to keep my daughter’s head elevated while she slept. The angle makes it easier for your baby to breathe and aides in better digestion by helping prevent acid reflux. My baby always sleeps better with her head slightly elevated, especially with excess drooling from teething.
What would you suggest to new parents as a must have for baby?
