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One of the greatest blessings in the world is being a mommy to a newborn baby.
The sweet smells, the joys of bringing a new life into the world and bonding with a little mini-you is an incomparably beautiful experience.
But if we’re honest, as wonderful as it is, being a new mom can sometimes be a really intimidating experience to go through.
Now that I am on my second pregnancy, I realize that having the right baby products ready-to-use makes the transition from being a mom of none to a mom of one [or two or three or four – bless you, mommas] a whole lot easier!
You will have enough going on with nursing, lack of sleep and healing to worry about which baby carrier or thermometer you should buy out of the 300 options you are given.
My hope is that this list will make the task of creating your baby registry just a little bit less intimidating for you.
And not only have I listed 10 Baby Products that I Wish I Had As a First-Time Mom, I’ve also shared 11 of my favorite products that I did have with my first baby that made my life so much easier!
Isn’t Sutton so cute?! I can’t get enough of this picture!
P.S. All items are linked for purchase and I am happy to answer any questions that you may have in the comment section below!
10 Baby Products I Wish I Had
As A First-Time Mom
1. DockATot
Oh, man. This thing!! I recommend it to all of my new momma friends.
The DockATot is basically a dream! It is multi-functional as a co-sleeper and playtime lounger. I am so excited to have this product for my second baby and only wish I would have had it for Sutton. It is a great option for co-sleeping and also gives the opportunity to work with baby lounging right next to me – without worrying about him rolling over or falling.
It also offers a safe and comfy spot that lets baby rest, play, cuddle, do tummy time and get diaper changes. We used the Boppy Lounger last time and it honestly started to cause Sutton’s head to be misshapen and he almost had to wear a helmet, so when I received this product compliments of DockATot, I immediately saw that it would be a much better fit for our family.
We didn’t co-sleep, but I have a bunch of friends who did, and I think this is a great alternative to a bassinet. Not only is it soft, you can also just turn over and nurse whenever baby wakes up.
The DockATot offers two sizes (‘Deluxe’ for 0-8 months and ‘Grand’ for 9-36 months) so you get to continue using it if your little one loves it! Each DockATot is tested for breathability and is all-natural.
2. LILLEbaby Carriers
The LILLEbaby Complete All Seasons Carrier is widely reviewed online as the best carrier, beating many competitors including Ergo and Tula. I didn’t use a carrier for Sutton until he was almost 7 months (I was desperate at that point!) However, with a toddler in tow, I know that I will definitely need to use a carrier early on and I’ll willingly do so.
The LILLEbaby is amazing because it can be used from newborn to toddler age thanks to the flip up & down head support. This product has taken the best of all of the design elements – multiple carry positions, no infant insert, straps which adjust on both sides, a front pocket to store essentials and all in a similar price range to other carriers.
LILLEbaby sent us the ‘Oh, Deer’ style (because it’s so stinking cute!) with a mustard yellow interior and gray and white deer design on the exterior. It’s also incredibly easy to put on which is something that has prevented me from using carriers in the past.
3. Haakaa Breast Milk Pump + Milk Catcher
I couldn’t even begin to tell you how much milk I lost with Sutton. It actually saddens me to think about! I was an over-supplier, and while it had its perks, it was also incredibly frustrating. When Sutton would nurse, I would have a let down on the other breast and all of the milk would come pouring out all over me. I would be soaked by the time I finished nursing. I had no idea that something like this existed.
This magical little milk catcher and manual pump changed everything with Saxon! It has over 17,000 reviews with 4.5 stars for a reason! Don’t miss this one.
4. Binxy Baby Grocery Cart Hammock
I can’t even count on my fingers the number of times that I would take Sutton into the grocery store as a new baby, while he was asleep in his carseat, and I had absolutely no idea where to put him. It sounds like a small issue, but it always stressed me out. Some grocery stores have a holder for the carseat in the grocery cart, but it’s rare to find.
I was SO excited to discover the Binxy Baby Grocery Cart Hammock which fits most standard grocery store carts. It supports up to 50 lbs, so you can put your carseat in it (hallelujah!) or easily transfer the baby and allow them to lay down and sleep while you shop. You can use it until baby is about 6-8 months (or sitting up on their own!)
5. Love to Dream Baby Swaddle
We used Muslin Blankets to swaddle Sutton and my husband seemed to be the only one who could do it properly. Mine always got loose and it drove me insane. He would always wiggle his way out of our swaddles (he was very energetic from an early age!)
But these baby swaddles are a dream and make babies feel so cozy (just like in the womb – which is what is intended by the swaddles.) It is snug and has an easy zip-up feature with a little cloth so that the zipper doesn’t rub on baby’s neck. I wish I would have had this with Sutton; he would have slept much better! We used it on our second son, Saxon, and it was a dream!
6. My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow
Nursing is hard enough as it is for most mommas. It’s a huge blessing to find products that help to make it just a little bit easier. I used the Boppy to nurse Sutton, and while it was helpful, it honestly wasn’t the most comfortable in regards to positioning. My Brest Friend is the only nursing pillow designed to perfectly position baby for latch-on while supporting your body where you need it most. I love that it has a back rest for comfort and an adjustable strap with a silent release so that you can remove it without waking your sweet baby!
7. High-Quality Temporal Thermometer
The iProven Medical Ear Thermometer with Forehead Function is one of the highest-ranked thermometers out there. My son, Sutton, caught every sickness you could imagine. Any time we would take him to the gym daycare, even if he had just gotten over a cold the day before, he was sick again the next day. It caused this new momma a lot of panic and anxiety and our ear thermometer at the time was finicky. It never accurately represented Sutton’s temperature and was always drastically different than what the doctor’s found. I am definitely investing in a good thermometer that gives the right temperature for my second baby.
8. MilkSnob Breastfeeding and Carseat Cover
I actually have two of these, but for some reason they got shoved underneath a bunch of blankets and clothes in the closet and I never went looking for them. However, all of my closest friends have used MilkSnob covers and they are honestly the most convenient, reliable and cozy covers on the market (in my opinion.)
9. Bumkins Waterproof Bibs
Mommas have so much going on in their lives and the last thing we want to worry about is messy food all over our baby’s cute, clean clothes. Sutton basically lived in bibs for the first year of his life and I wish I would have had something more effective than the thin, cotton bibs we purchased for him.
The Bumkins SuperBibs have fun designs – from modern patterns to super cute Disney options – and they are lightweight, easy to wipe down, machine washable and waterproof. They are sized to fit 6-24 months with an adjustable velcro closure and have a pocket for keeping spills contained (as much as possible with a toddler, right?) Although I would say that if this baby has reflux and spits up like Sutton did, I’ll probably start using it a lot earlier if possible. 😉 If you can prevent even a little bit of mess on your floor, I’d say these are a win-win!
10. Owlet Smart Sock Baby Monitor
And last but definitely not least is the Owlet. Although the Owlet comes at an expensive price of $300, the peace of mind that it brings (in my opinion) is honestly priceless. SIDS is terrifying for any new parent and the thought of it kept me up night after night as I placed my head near Sutton’s mouth to triple check that he was still breathing.
The Owlet gives every parent the ability to know if their newborn baby is healthy and breathing properly. The Smart Sock uses pulse oximetry to track your infant’s heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep. That information is then communicated to your phone which notifies you if your baby’s heart rate or oxygen levels fall outside of preset zones. Amazing, right!? Now you will be able to sleep just a little bit more soundly than you would have without it.
11 Products that I Did Have For my First Baby That
I Refuse to Live Without:
1. Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Carseat
There are so many carseats to choose from and considering that it is such a crucial product to own, it’s important to do your research! After thoroughly looking through a variety of carseats and talking with other parents, we decided to go with the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio seat. It is a high-quality seat and well worth the money! It has a rear-facing design and seats little ones from 4 to 35 lbs. and up to 32″ tall.
The seat base made it super easy to put the carseat in the car and take it out with just one click (it can be installed without the base as well!) It’s also compatible with the City Mini GT Stroller (see below) and locks in with one easy click as well. I’m also all about the 5-point adjustable harness and that is offered with this seat along with elastic straps to keep the harness out of the way when placing the baby in the car seat. We are so thankful that we had this carseat for Sutton and look forward to having it with our new baby as well!
2. City Mini GT Stroller
The City Mini is the limousine of strollers. It offers a one-hand open and close option and has the capability to fit nearly every brand of carseat. I started jogging with it when I was about 8 weeks postpartum and still run with it with a 2 1/2 year old. It is seriously so easy and smooth! This was by far one of our best purchases and I highly recommend it! [I have heard the BOB Stroller is great as well! Do some research to figure out which one is best for you.]
3. Lanolin Nipple Cream
You guys, nursing can be extremely painful! If you’re one of those mommas who can breastfeed without a hitch, consider yourself blessed.
We stocked up on Lanolin, filled our cabinets and diaper bags with it and I have already added seven more to my registry for our new little one! I used this religiously while nursing and it was absolutely crazy how much it helped with pain and how quickly it helped me to heal – especially at the beginning when Sutton was learning to latch.
Tip: In case you didn’t know, you aren’t supposed to put butt paste or cream on cracked skin or intense diaper rash. We used Lanolin on Sutton instead when he had bad diaper rash, and every time we did, it healed him overnight. We love this stuff!
4. JuJuBe Diaper Backpack
We switched from a traditional diaper bag to this diaper bag backpack when Sutton was about 6 months old and we would never go back. We currently have three of these and I have gifted all of my close friends with them for their baby showers because they are that amazing. My husband might even love them more than I do – and that’s saying a lot!
These diaper bags are machine washable (thank goodness) and come with a memory foam changing pad that slides into a little hidden compartment in the backpack. The insulated bottle pockets help to keep your milk warm or water cold and the front pocket has a place for your keys and your phone.
If you’re like me and like to carry your purse along with your diaper bag, you can just throw this onto your back – which helps to disperse the weight – and continue carrying your purse like you did before you had to prepare for an hour just to leave the house. 😉
5. MamaRoo Infant Seat
We used the Mamaroo the day we got home from the hospital and nearly every day after that. It was so relaxing to Sutton and the variety of movements kept him asleep for long periods of time [and what new mom doesn’t pray for a sleeping baby?!] The pricing has decreased since I purchased mine but is still high ($250) and a Rock ‘n Play or Fisher Price Swing may do the trick just as well, but we loved our Mamaroo and will definitely be using it again.
6. Crane Cool Mist Humidifier
As I mentioned before, Sutton caught nearly every cold he possibly could have in his first year of life (or so it seemed.) We used this Cool Mist Humidifier constantly to help him breathe while he slept and it definitely got the job done. It’s completely silent and has an automatic shut-off once the water has run out. It’s very easy to empty and re-fill and allows you to adjust the amount of humidity that comes out at any given time. Having a sick baby is one of the saddest things ever and I’ll take whatever I can get to help them through it!
7. White Noise Machine
We honestly rely too heavily on this thing but that’s because it’s absolutely magical! We have kept this on every night for Sutton; it gives me the ability to relax and know that the sound is drowned out when we have a ton of kids or friends at our house. I also have one for myself – but that’s a story for a different day. 😉
8. Motorola Video Monitor
This video monitor has been a lifesaver in more ways than I can count. If you are trying to decide between a regular monitor and a video monitor, DEFINITELY get the video monitor! I can’t say enough good things about this and the ease that it will give you as a first-time mom. It also shows the temperature of baby’s room which is wonderful (especially in a two-story house.)
9. Belly Bandit
Women in Europe have been swearing by postpartum belly bands for decades and we are finally jumping on the wagon (thank goodness!) The Belly Bandit was an impulse purchase as I shopped through Buy Buy Baby, but it was one of the best decisions I could have made.
I put it on as soon as I got home from the hospital and wore it daily for a little over a month. It honestly worked like magic! My husband and I went to the lake for a date day when our little man was exactly one month old and my stomach was already completely flat at that point. I don’t know if I can thank the Belly Bandit or my mom’s genetics for that, but I like to think that it was a combination of both. 😉
The Belly Bandit helps accelerate the healing process to get you back to your pre-pregnancy size. It helps expedite fluids through your system to get your body back to the pre-pregnancy ‘normal’ and supports your back, legs and core muscles. I took mine off while I nursed and slept, but aside from that I wore it all day, every day.
10. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
The only diaper cream we will use for Sutton! It’s almost completely scent-free which I love. We’ve tried Desitin a few times and couldn’t handle the baby-bottom smell. Boudreaux’s Maximum Strength heals incredibly quickly and relieves baby from diaper rash pain!
11. A High-Quality Breast Pump
I’m not sure what I would have done without my Medela Pump. I had to exclusively pump from month four through ten and if I didn’t have a fast-working pump, I would have spent all of my time feeling even more like a moo-cow. 😉 The beauty of these pumps is that most of the time you can get them covered by your insurance – so make sure to check before you go out and purchase one! It would have added a LOT of time and unnecessary stress to life with a new baby if my pump didn’t work quickly and effectively. The Medela is one of the top-rated pumps and I can vouch for the fact that it is a GREAT investment (if you end up having to spend the money.)
What are some of your favorite products that I left out of this list? I would love to hear about them in the comment section below!
With Grace,
Lindsey
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Where was this a few years ago? After two kids, I so needed to see this!
What an awesome blog!! Absolutely love it!! My kids are for an now. Youngest at 7!! They grow fast and yes I wish I had some of these things to make life easier. God bless you!!
With our first baby on the way, this is soooo helpful! Thank you thank you thank you! Going to use this list when we register next week.
Awesome list!! I have several of these items but I wish I had more a couple others! Definitely makes life a lot easier!
I love this list! I used variations of everything on your list for my three year old son. My husband and I are planning on having another soon and reading this reminded me of how precious holding a little baby is. Congrats on adding a new baby to your family here soon, I pray that your pregnancy is full of joy!
I love your blog. I have been following since shortly after you started and always share your blog with everyone I know- inside and outside of the blogging world.
Could Sutton be any cuter? I’m so excited for you!
xx,
Lacey
The Glitter Gospel
Awesome list! I have a few of these items, but not the carseat cover. Wish I’d read this post earlier. Thanks for this!