New Mom Essentials You Need
Hey mamas and soon-to-be mamas. I don’t often post product reviews, but when I do – I make it a big one. You won’t find me sharing tips on how to feed your littles organic 24/7 or how to never raise your voice (IMPOSSIBLE), BUT I’m fairly confident in the area of shopping. In this post I’m going to break down what a new mom needs that first year and beyond. With two under four-years-old and a couple years running the shop for Project Nursery, I feel pretty good that I’m your girl when it comes to the practical and cute things required to run a household bustin’ with babies.
My first go-around, my husband’s high school girlfriend took me to Babies “R” Us and helped me complete my registry (can’t make this stuff up). The second time, I was “on camera” with Pottery Barn Kids sharing my picks. If there’s a third, I’ll be shopping via my couch, with Netflix in the background. If that 3rd option catches your fancy, sit back, relax and start clicking below.
This post is designed to set you up with everything you need that first year. I’ll provide a little insight into why I chose certain items, but if you have any specific questions – ask me in the comments.
New Mom Essentials: Sleeping
Bassinet: you’ll find a billion and one options for this. We chose to go with a classic bassinet and I couldn’t be happier with our pick. Both of our girls have called it home their first few months and it’s a beautiful piece that will be passed down to my sisters and eventually our girls when they have babies.
Invest in a HALO SleepSack. We thought we could wrap a swaddle blanket tight enough our first few nights as parents and I found myself shopping Amazon same-day-delivery at 3 .a.m when we finally threw in the towel.
Sound machines and baby monitors are absolutely necessary. I’m going to let you in on a little secret: all baby monitors are absolutely horrible. So just brace yourself for that frustration. So far, the Nest Cam impersonating a baby monitor is the best on the market.
I’ve included our favorite mattress – but if you want to talk nursery design as a whole – shoot me a note. Nurseries are why I launched my design business.
New Mom Essentials: Feeding
Let’s just clear the air. This is for formula feeding moms, because I was a formula feeding mom – and I’m proud of that. I have no business giving advice regarding breastfeeding because I breastfed Bauer for 6 weeks and Kingsley for exactly zero minutes. There are plenty of images and articles celebrating the beauty of breastfeeding – so I know you’ll have no problem finding the info you need on that subject. For moms that can’t breastfeed for physical or emotional reasons – I’m here to celebrate YOU. And to provide you with a few tips and tricks to make schlepping bottles and formula around easier.
First, don’t run out and stock up on formula before your babe arrives. The hospital will send you home with a billion samples, as will your pediatrician at your early visits. We used Similac for Bauer and Enfamil Gentlease for Kingsley (sensitive stomach). Both gained the necessary weight needed each month and both are baby geniuses.
We had success with the Dr. Brown’s Bottles with both girls, we’d clean them with Babyganics and pop them in the Dr. Brown’s Sterilizer Bag. To this day, we still have our Boon Grass sitting on our kitchen counter to help dry sippy cups. The Munchkin Formula Dispenser and bottled water is all you need to take formula on-the-go.
When highchair time rolls around, look no further than Skip Hop. It’s easy to clean and pretty. Pair it with a Gathre Mat to catch food and you’re done.
New Mom Essentials: Diapering, Bath Time + First Aid
If you caught this post, you know we’re a Pampers Pure family. I say skip the formal changing table and throw a Gathre mat on the floor. This opens up more options for a cute dresser and it’s literally unsafe to change your child 5ft. off the floor once they start squirming and decide diaper changes are the devil. Don’t waste your money on newborn diapers. My babies were 6 pounds and we still went straight to size 1.
Nothing fancy in the way of bath time. But I do suggest sucking it up (literally) and keeping the Nosefrida in stock. When you first see that thing, you’ll be disgusted and swear you’ll never use it. Guarantee you’ll be sucking snot before your baby’s half-birthday. Always make sure your filter is in place. My husband made that mistake once and he’s still scarred.
New Mom Essentials: On-the-Go
OK, now you have to choose: buy a stroller or send your kid to college one day. I’m only mildly kidding – these things are EXPENSIVE. If you’re a runner or want to be mildy active, nothing compares to the BOB. It’s a necessary evil. If you know you want to have two kids close in age, the Uppa Baby Vista is a great choice. It’s 100 percent depressing to pay this much money for a stroller, but I promise you these resell fast in your nearest Facebook Mom Group.
As far as car seats go – Chicco KeyFit has kept both of our girls safe. Get the stroller caddy, too. It looks ghetto – but my husband and I always say it’s what saves you those first few months transitioning from store to car and vice versa. If you spring for the Uppa Baby Vista, the Uppa Baby Mesa pairs perfectly.
Neither of my girls were huge into being “worn.” But my top picks are the Solly Baby Wrap for the first 6 months and Ergobaby 360 once they become more squirmy. Your husband will appreciate the Ergo, too. Take his picture when he wears your baby. It’s hot.
A couple other pieces of veteran advice: 1. A portable sound machine will be your best friend 2. Your car is about to go to hell in a handbasket, so try to stay somewhat organized with a caddy. 3. Snag a car seat cover to protect your newborn from nosey, germy strangers 4. A playard for grandma’s house is a must and 5. A wagon that folds up for you soon-to-be-moms of two. It’s going to be an Olympic event picking up your toddler from preschool with your newborn. Wheel your newborn in on the wagon and make your toddler jump in. Avoid being the crazy mom screaming bloody murder in the parking lot.
New Mom Essentials: For Mama
One of those exciting new mom milestones is the diaper bag, so this might be unpopular. Skip a traditional diaper bag all together. Get yourself a cute leather tote and the Tote Savvy Original and mom-in-style. I personally like this Madewell one because you can get your mom nod in by personalizing it. Literally put MOM in small metallic letters on the side and you’re on your way to motherhood greatness.
As far as “push presents” go, the only way to erase the birthing experience from your memory (the bad parts at least) is with a 14K gold mini initial necklace.
In terms of books – I’ve read exactly two and have zero desire to read any more. Happiest Baby on The Block and Moms on Call. You can stock your library with hundreds to try to prepare yourself, but you really just gotta live it. I will 100 percent go back in time and delete this graph if and when I choose to write a parenting book.
New Mom Essentials: Clothes + Blankets
I won’t go into detail here. I’ll just say – treat yourself to a few cute, comfortable outfits you’re excited to see your little one in and then cool your jets. You’re going to be gifted more clothing and blankets than physically possible to dress your baby in before he or she outgrows them.
New Mom Essentials: Toys + Extras
Long story, short – big fan of wood vs. plastic and gray vs. hot pink when selecting toys. I’ve included my favorites here, many of which are packed safely away in an upstairs closet should we have a third.
That’s it. Was this helpful? What’d I miss? What saved YOU that first year of motherhood?
Memories captured by ShelbyRae Photographs in 2016 waiting on the arrival of Baby Kingsley.