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As our littlest grows, I thought it would be fun to do some posts highlighting my favorite baby items. My plan is to write about my very favorite/most-used baby items during each stage. This week, we’re starting with the newborn phase {0-3 months}.
Keep in mind that I’ve become more of a minimalist with the addition of each child. Not only have I learned what works best for us, space is limited. So, these are baby items I really do love. I didn’t include car seats or strollers because those are a given. 🙂
1. Medela Pump In Style Breast Pump Backpack
If you are planning to nurse, I believe that a breast pump is a necessity. As a first time mom, I didn’t understand why I needed a pump if I planned to nurse my child. If you need to be away from your child (which I recommend to any mom), then you need a breast pump. Even if you will not be returning to work, a breast pump is very helpful when learning to nurse. Babies are learning and your supply is still regulating itself.
The reason I recommend this breast pump is that it is a double pump, making the process so quick and easy. Even if you don’t think you will need to pump very often, this pump makes the process so much quicker! It’s very portable, yet very powerful. I used this for 9 months when I pumped for Brady {he couldn’t nurse due to his cleft palate} and it worked great. Most of the time, I powered it with electricity, but it still worked well when I used the battery pack. Medela also has a good warranty and great customer service. They actually sent me a new pump when I felt like the suction was starting to go on it and it was at my doorstep the next day, no questions asked.
2. Boppy nursing pillow
While these aren’t a necessity for a nursing mother, they are so helpful…especially for a new mom who is still learning how to breastfeed. Though I don’t know from my own experience, I’ve heard these are helpful for nursing moms who are healing from a C-section. And before you shrug your shoulders at the thought of buying a pillow solely for nursing, these can be nice for propping up baby or when baby is learning to sit up.
3. Carters Receiving blankets
I use these for so many different things for baby- swaddling, as a lightweight blanket, or even as a burp cloth or “changing pad” for diaper changes. I love having these around and find myself reaching for them constantly throughout my day.
4. Swaddle Me/swaddling blankets
I’m a huge fan of swaddling my babies, especially in the early months when baby jerks and startles easily. The nurses at the hospital seem to be experts at the swaddle, but for those of us who just can’t seem to master the swaddle, these swaddle blankets are a lifesaver! They are easy to use and I love that they are made of a lighter-weight material so baby doesn’t get too warm.
5. Fischer Price My Little Lamb Seat
This is the specific baby seat that we own, but there are probably countless others that would work just fine. Bottom line, there are times when you need to put baby down and know they are safe. This baby seat vibrates and plays music, which our babies love. In those first couple of weeks, this seat is where our babies often napped.
6. Pack N’ Play
Our babies typically spend their first couple of months sleeping in our bedroom. We bypass bassinets and keep our babies in the pack n’ play until they transition to their own room. We also use this when we travel or need to know the baby is safe (in the backyard or at the beach). Once baby has transitioned out of it for nighttime sleep, I usually keep ours in our trunk just in case we are in a situation when we may need it. We’ve gotten so much use out of ours!
7. Infant Bathtub
I don’t normally buy items that baby outgrows quickly, but this infant to toddler bathtub gets a lot of use in our house for the first year. We use the sling attachment when baby can’t sit up but remove it when baby was a little older. This fits great over our sink, but I’ve also used this by just placing it in the bathtub in the bathroom when baby is older and sitting up better.
8. Reclining Feeding Seat
These are not a necessity at this stage since baby isn’t eating food yet, but I love using this. The recline allows baby to sit at the table with the rest of the family during mealtime. It’s also nice when you’re in the kitchen cooking and want to have baby in the room with you. As baby ages and learns to sit up, you can adjust the seat and it becomes highchair for baby. Even if you prefer full-size highchairs, I’d recommend choosing one that can recline.
What are your favorite baby items for newborns?
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