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The 7 Baby Items You Need!






I was reviewing some of my older posts earlier and one in particular caught my eye.  I had written about things that are not needed when preparing for a new baby.  While that is important information (that can be read here) so that you don't waste your money, I thought it would be even smarter to inform all of the new parents of items that are essential.  I have 3 children, and while I am definitely not a parent expert, I have been around the block a few times, and have learned the ins and outs of what's really needed.


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You know the joke about how your first child gets all the latest and greatest gadgets and clothes, while your subsequent child(ren) gets pushed around in a second hand stroller while wearing a plain, maybe stained, onsie?  Well, it's absolute fact.  You live and you learn.  Trust me, if you don't have the $500 stroller, other moms aren't going to look down upon you.  Honestly, most other moms are too busy with their growing army to even notice.

That being said, there are some things that are in fact very useful.  Also, a lot of the items can be passed down from child to child, so it's really just a one time investment.

You have the obvious items: car seat, clothes, bottles/nursing supplies, bath tub/soap/towels, safety gear, play mat, bouncer/swing, exasaucer, diaper pail, diaper cream and so on.

There are some certain items I wanted to talk about in particular though.  These items I have found to be EXTREMELY useful for different reasons.  If you click on the item, it will direct you to the one that I have found very effective and would highly recommend.  In no particular order:


Baby Monitor - Some people opt for getting a video baby monitor.  While this may be great for some, I'd be afraid I personally would be constantly glued to it.  I mean, are you really going to SEE the baby breathing?  Probably not.  You'll be able to HEAR the breathing though through a less expensive regular monitor.  Will you be able to see if the (slightly older) baby is still awake and moving around? Sure, but you'll also be able to HEAR that through a regular monitor.  Opting for a regular monitor is much more cost efficient and can do the same thing as those crazy expensive video monitors.

The baby monitor I suggest is the V-tech DM221 Safe and Sound Digital Audio Baby Monitor. Hands down, my favorite feature of this monitor is the Two-Way talk.  Basically its a walkie talkie in your monitor.  Most monitors DO NOT come with feature, and it's an absolute necessity for me.  Sometimes all your baby needs is to hear your voice to calm down.  Or, with your older child, you can communicate with her, without her getting in and out of her room at night time.  I would have paid more for this feature if I had too, but the price is super reasonable!  ($40-$50).




Pack 'n Play - For our first child, we got a Graco Pack 'n Play.  We still have it to this day and use it with our 3rd child, who is two.  The durability is amazing.  You will probably use this more than you think also.  We personally only keep our newborns in our bedroom for about 2 months.  During that two months, we start sleep training the baby to sleep on thier own (which we all know, the baby ends up in our bed around 2-3 am when we just give up!) This pack n play has a raised bed feature, just like your crib.  It's perfect for getting the baby in and out when you are half asleep!  It also has a diaper changing station right there on the pack n play!  Super easy!

We then have used the pack n play as a play space when the baby gets a little older, with the extra pieces out of it, just the open pack n play.  Do you ever want to take a shower but afraid of leaving the baby?  Want to clean house but don't want to leave the baby to roll/crawl around?  This is super easy to move around the house to where you need it.  Put a few toys and books in it and your child has a safe play area!

Finally, traveling!  Have you gone on a trip with your baby and struggled at night time? Sure many hotels provide pack n plays or even cribs if requested, but trust me, your baby will know it's not theirs (we've learned the hard way).  I simply use this for nap times a couple weeks before our scheduled trip.  It's so easy to fold up and put into it's carrying case so you can take it with you.

High Chair - Even if you have the space, I still suggest the Fisher Price Spacesaving High Chair.  We've done the high chair thing before with our first two, and honestly, I don't know why we didn't use this one.  With our third, we skipped the traditional high chair and went straight for this Booster.  It grows with your child so it's the only one you'll need till your precious baby is sitting by himself in a regular chair.  A regular high chair just takes up so much space in the kitchen and I'm surprised people still buy them.  Also, these are much easier to take with you if you are traveling.

Forehead Themometer - Have you ever tried to take the temperature of a wriggly newborn or a slightly defiant two year old?  Get this Braun Forehead Thermometer...you'll thank me later.

Night Light - No link needed here.  Just get yourself any old regular night light.  If you become like most moms, (or maybe it's just me) you'll start to change your baby on the floor.  In the middle of the night, the last thing you want to do is turn on a light and really wake up your baby.  You'll also appreciate this when your baby is older and likes to leave little toys out, or if you're trying to be a ninja and get in and out of his room without waking him.  The nightlight will give just enough light to light your way.

Cool Midst Humidifier - You're baby's nose is going to get stuffy, and one of the most frustrating things is you're not going to be able to make it go away very easily.  When they are real little, you can't give them much for medicine, so your Doc will tell you to put a humidifier in her room.  There are a lot of cheap ones out there that stop working, but this Ultrasonic Cool Midst Humidifier is a good option.  You'll also be able to use the baby bulb syringe thingy, sparingly, but this humidifier will help break up everything in there so it's easier to suck out.

Nursing/Boppy Pillow - Whether your nursing or not this Boppy Nursing Pillow and Positioner is great.  If you ARE nursing this helps the baby AND mommy stay comfortable during feedings.  It's also great to let the baby lay in.  Your baby will love the different view she gets from laying in this, as she will be slightly propped up.  My older girls loved when my son was laying in his because they were able to read stories to him, or even help feed him, without worry.  Once baby is a little older, she can have tummy time with this pillow, and then a little older and she can learn to sit with it.  It has so many uses that it is definitely a must have.


There it is.  I feel like I gave you a lot of information here so please feel free to comment if you have any questions or comment with your own suggestions of some must haves.

Comments

  1. Thanks so much for this post! I'm out to go buy a braun forehead thermometer and an old-school nightlight :) Thank you!

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    1. Thanks for the comment! Buying for new babies is always fun!

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  2. I have everything except the humidifier, which I need to get!

    Adventures By Katie
    www.adventuresbykatie.com

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    1. We've used it sooo many times. It can be a lifesaver for those tiny stuffy noses.

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  3. I'm a minimalist at heart in my baby gear department, so we've never used a nursing pillow, pak and play or monitor for my littles. Its really each persons living space nd decisions with their babies.

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    1. I completely agree. We mainly use the pack n play for when we travel since our kids don't sleep with us.

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  4. Forehead thermometer!! YES! Also - Nose Frida is amazing and a must have in our house :)

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    1. I've never used the Nose Frida, but I've been meaning to try it!

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  5. Great list, but don't forget about a DIAPER GENIE! I promise, it is a lifesaver.

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    1. I honestly never used the diaper genie. I always preferred to throw the stinky ones directly in the outside trash!

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  6. I totally agree with your list! We used our pack and play and our monitor so much! Even after he grew a bit, we used our monitor when camping so we could put him to bed and go outside for a campfire.

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    1. It's amazing how many "baby" items you use even when they get a older...ie wipes!

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  7. I had everything you mentioned, minus the humidifier. We never needed one.

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    1. Wow, your lucky! LOL I feel like our little ones got sick a lot and this was one of the only things that could help!

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  8. sometimes i wish i was amum though, funny how a man has this desire you know, i love kids and everything about them. cool that a list like this is up here, i will share to my female friends for sure. thank you.

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    1. This list works for dads too! I know dads who benefit from this as well. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. The pack and play was our favorite! We could travel, visit friends bring the kiddos outside with us. It is a must have for sure.

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  10. This list is bang on! Though I don't have kids of my own, my sisters have both used and sworn by each of these suggestions!

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  11. Wow this is awesome! My kids are already big so i am going to keep this in my mind and tell my friends about this.

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    1. I was hoping things would get cheaper as they got older...turns out it doesnt. LOL!

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  12. Great list! I did not have a nursing pillow for my first and did for my second, the difference was amazing!

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    1. Yes! I only used it for actually nursing maybe the first few weeks. Bit it's great for letting do tummy time, and learning to sit.

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