Whether you’re a first time mom or a mom that needs a refresher, I have compiled a list of essentials that will help you welcome baby into the world. Now of course everyone knows you are going to need diapers, wipes, clothes, and a place for the baby to sleep so I have not included those on the list.
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Get Registered
My sister, who is a first time mom decided to use Amazon for her baby registry when she found out she was expecting. She’s a BIG time online shopper, so naturally she chose Amazon for literally all her babies needs.
Long gone are the days of physically waddling around to multiple stores and scanning items to put on your registry. Now you can create your registry from your computer through Amazon.com or by downloading their app to your phone.
Having a baby registry on Amazon made it so convenient for both my sister and all who chose to purchase from her registry. One neat thing I discovered is that Amazon gives the registrant a completion discount for up to 15% towards any items left on their registry.
As a pregnant woman, the last thing you want to do is leave the house for something you can do from home, so save yourself the hassle and fill up your registry from the comfort of your own home.
You can sign up here. Happy shopping!
After you’ve registered, use the list below as a guide to make sure you have everything you need to get you and your baby off to the right start.
Breastfeeding/Nursing
- Breast pump– this is a no-brainer if you will be nursing/breastfeeding. The one I had when I was breastfeeding my son was the Medela Advanced Personal Double Breast Pump.
- Nursing cover -this cover is super cute and versatile. Not only can it be used for a nursing cover, but also a car seat cover, shopping basket cover, even an infinity scarf! How neat is that?! A nice bonus is that this pattern is gender neutral, so it can be used for boys and girl alike.
- Nursing pillow– when my son was younger I used the typical U-shaped nursing pillow. Recently I came across this Brest Friend nursing pillow that looks to be even better! This pillow straps onto mom and has a back pad that adds additional support to prevent unnecessary strain on your back neck and arms. It also has a neat little compartment to keep your maternity supplies in reach. I’d say this is a win!
- Disposable nursing pads– definitely come in handy because you just pop them into your bra and throw them away when you’re done. These pads have a barrier that prevents milk from leaking onto your shirt, definitely better than the reusable ones that I used.
- Burp cloths– your baby will be spitting up on everything, make sure you are protected.
- Nipple cream/butter– to heal cracked nipples, which may happen the first few days/weeks you are breastfeeding. This is a lifesaver!
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Feeding
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- Silicone baby bibs-this bib is easy to clean and has little pockets in the front to catch the messes that don’t make it to your baby’s mouth. Best of all, not scratchy velcro to irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.
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- Bottle cleaner– These brushes will definitely make your life easier. Save yourself some cleaning time by buying these when you need to hand wash a quick bottle or two.
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- Bottles- These are perfect for breastfeeding moms who need an alternative to nursing or to give dad a chance to bond with baby. The nipple is made to mimic moms nipple to make for an easier latch.
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- Highchair– this high chair is convenient and not too bulky. It easily straps onto any chair and comes with removable tray for when baby get older.
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- Dishwasher basket for bottles-Trust me, you are NOT going to have time to fuss with hand washing bottles and breast pump valves. Do yourself a favor and grab one of these racks to wash your baby’s bottles and accessories. You wont regret it!
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- WubbaNubPacifier – This isn’t your typical pacifier. The animal attached to the pacifier makes it easier for baby to grasp and keep in their mouths. And there’s lots of super cute options!
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Health
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- Medicine kit w/thermometer This kit has a lot of great starter items inside. You will probably use this more than you know.
- Nose Frida– This is a baby nasal aspirator that works by manually aspirating the nose by suction from the mouth.The concept sounds gross, but I’ve heard this is a life-saver when it comes to curing a stuffy nose. Don’t worry! It has a filter so that no snot will be transferred to the person doing the sucking.
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Diapering
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- Changing pad – this changing pad doubles as a play mat to keep your baby engaged while at the same time keeping them getting messy while getting their diaper change.
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- Diaper pail– this one does a great job of masking stinky smells
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- Diaper rash cream – this is a very popular healing ointment that a lot of moms use for baby’s sensitive skin. It helps with rashes or any other skin conditions that are common to babies.
Travel/On the go
- Travel System– Having a travel system like this one helps you easily transition baby from car to stroller without having to physically take your baby out of their seat. Simply click the seat into the stroller and go. This system easily folds by allowing you to only have to use one hand and has a large storage basket for all your necessities.
- Diaper bag– This backpack is very roomy so there is plenty of room to put all your essentials in. I also love the fact there is a pouch in the back that allows for easy access to the stuff on the inside of the bag, so no digging for the things at the bottom.
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- Shopping cart cover– No mom wants their baby exposed to the nasty germs found on shopping carts or anywhere else for that matter. Put your mind at ease with this shopping cart cover. This one has a lot of cool features like toys and a place for your phone so your toddler or little one can watch their favorite show while you focus on shopping! Another plus is that it’s super easy to install and uninstall. The cover rolls down conveniently into a hand carry pouch.
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- Car seat cover– protect your baby from the elements and keep them safe from touchy strangers with this easy to use car seat cover. It easily fits any car seat because of it’s shower cap-like design.
Bathtime
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- Bath tub– this tub will support your child from infancy to toddler age. It has a sling that is used for the newborn stage to provide total support of baby. Once baby is older, you can easily remove the sling. There are 2 different levels of incline to either sit your baby more upright or to allow them to recline more for those who can’t quite sit up on their own.
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- Baby towels– this set of towels comes with 3 hooded towels and 20 washcloths! These towels are soft and gently on baby’s skin. I’ve even read that some moms use them as burp/cleaning cloths. This set is a great value indeed.
Gear
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- Baby carrier– this baby carrier in particular caught my eye because of the canopy hood that not a lot of baby carriers have. The hood helps block the sun without blocking your view of the baby. The carrier can be worn in the front for smaller babies and in the back for older children.
Other
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- Pack n play– great for laying baby down for a nap and also can be used as a changing station. Also a safe place to put baby to let them play while you get things done.
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- Baby monitor– as first time moms (heck, moms in general!), we all get a little paranoid about our baby and constantly need to be reassured that our baby is safe. What better way to do this than buy investing in a baby monitor. With this monitor you will be able to have eyes on your baby 24/7. It has cool features such as infrared night vision, 2-way talk back, room temp display, and lullabies.
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- Memory book– I just found my memory book while cleaning up the other day. I so regret not taking the time out to fully document all my baby’s precious moments/milestones for the first year. I highly recommend getting and using a memory book to have something to look back on and cherish in the future. This book allows you to record everything from conception to your baby shower guests/gifts and of course all of baby’s firsts. This book goes all the way up to 5 years old!
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- Bouncer– useful for those times you need to sit your baby down while you get stuff done. It has hanging toys to keep your baby entertained and also has an option for gentle vibrations to soothe baby and help them relax.
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- humidifier– use a humidifier to prevent dry air from aggravating baby’s nose or skin. It’s also great for relieving stuff noses.
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Well there you have it! I hope this post was helpful in making sure you have the staples you need to welcome your new baby into the world.