Hi! I'm a mom to a 2.5 year old and a newborn - here's a list of things that we have found most helpful in the first few months of parenthood. This doesn't include things that are relevant later e.g. starting solids etc. but it should get you throug...
Skip those spreadsheets you were sent from every mom you know – THIS is all you really need.
Sections
7
Sleep
Travel
Feeding / nursing
Diapering / Cleaning / Health
Clothes
General
Sleep
Key to getting baby to learn to sleep independently! Comes with a mattress, and crib sheet. Looove the app for wifi monitoring
Been in love with these Kyte sleep sacks since we transitioned out of swaddles. They are so soft!
Bamboo Sleep Bags - Kyte Baby
One of our favorite newborn swaddles
Zen One™ Classic - Nested Bean
Just perfect
Hatch Rest - Night Light Sound Machine
Essential for when babies get sick and need that extra moisture to keep airways clear!
Humidifier
Let something else do the shushing for you. We used for naps, till our daughter learned to sleep independently.
Baby Shusher - Sound Machine for Babies
A lighter option for swaddling (as compared to the Halo sleep sack swaddle)
Ollie swaddle
We used these a lot in the first few months and then took it away around 4 mos when our daughter was able to suck her thumb instead
Philips Avent Pacifiers
If there's just one book you read about baby sleep, let it be this one. Our older daughter has been a champ sleeper thanks to the "sleep wave" method.
The Happy Sleeper | Book
Travel
The best in the game. Works with all major stroller brands (with an adapter).
Nuna pipa Infant Car Seat
Yes, you definitely need this
Baby Wraps | Solly Baby | The Wrap
We ended up getting this one AND the Guava Lotus Travel crib. This one is doesn't fold up as much as the Guava Lotus, so it's bigger to carry. But it feels much sturdier. Can't go wrong with either
Travel Crib Light | BABYBJÖRN
We got a hand me down from some kind friends and it's still holding up so well. Very sturdy!
Nuna MIXX™ next Stroller | Compact Fold & Flat Lay Seat
We didn't think we'd need a travel stroller so held off on purchasing this one till we really really needed it. We love this on vacations but don't use it as much. This would make an excellent primary stroller as well
MINU V2 Stroller - UPPAbaby
Can't travel without this one
Hushh Compact Multi Sound Machine | Yogasleep
Great if you are traveling and sharing a hotel room with your baby/toddler
SlumberPod - A portable solution for peaceful sleep
Genius solution to black out any window while you travel
Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtain
Feeding / nursing
The only bottles Shreya used
Dr. Brown's Natural Flow® Narrow Neck Glass
Has a battery so you're not always tethered to an outlet! HUGE. The S1 is typically an upgrade option, so not fully covered by insurance but totally worth the $80 extra dollars I paid out of pocket
S1 Plus Double Breast Pump - Spectra Baby USA
This felt like a nice to have but was actually essential! Flew across three continents and easily nursed my baby anywhere thanks to this chic cover
Cocoon: Stylish and Breathable Nursing Cover - AMMA – We ...
It doesn't work for everyone but I LOVED this. The Boppy is useless as a nursing pillow so skip that and get this instead.
Nursing Pillow - My Brest Friend
Find a lactation consultant who can visit you at home, if you plan to breastfeed. Jen Kiatta (SF bay area) is incredible - AND NOW COVERED BY INSURANCE! Use this link: registration.mytln.care/?practiceId=0018V00002dCMjS
Jen Kiatta, IBCLC | Lactation & Sleep Consultant
We loved this so much, we used it for far longer than we probably needed to. Simple settings, easy to clean.
Papablic Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer
The best nursing bras I found, though YMMV.
Kindred Braverly: Sublime® Hands-Free Nursing & Pumping Bra
Pop these in the fridge and apply, your nipples will thank you.
The Original Silver Nursing Cups
Essential
Organic Nipple Butter by Earth Mama
We found this helpful but a lot of people skip
Kozii Bottle Warmer
Loving this the second time around. Very helpful in preventing leaks/stained shirts when your breasts are too full. I wear one on the opposite side while I nurse my daughter
haakaa Ladybug Milk Collector Wearable Milk ...
Diapering / Cleaning / Health
I did not realize that the diaper bag would become the ONLY bag I'd carry after I had a baby. So glad it's one that I love - this is a splurge but it's a good one
Indi Diaper Backpack - Dagne Dover
Just the best. Fully compostable disposable diapers. We also signed up for re-Dyper / earth baby compost service and feel so much better about the impact on the planet
DYPER Simply Kind Diapers, Wipes and More
Gets the job done, lots of colors to choose from.
Ubbi diaper pail - ubbiworld
Love tubby Todd
The Newborn Gift Set - Tubby Todd
So easy to clean and sanitize
Peanut Changer - Keekaroo
Still using these 2 years later and they are still soft
Muslin Burp Cloths - White - Comfy Cubs
These are actually cloth diapers but use as burp cloths instead. So soft
Burp cloths
We ended up getting two
NoseFrida the SNOTSUCKER
Exclusively used this for the first 6 months
Electric nail filer: Zoli BUZZ
Take the fear out of cutting infant / toddler nails
Frida Easy Grip Nail Scissors
Clothes
Sustainable, soft, and they have great sales. Lots of unique prints to choose from.
kate quinn | we make what babies wear
Hands down the softest baby clothes. They're a bit thick and fairly expensive
These actually stay on. Forget about socks and shoes for little babies, this is all you need
Zutano Booties
General
Loved our dockatot and used it often to put our baby somewhere safe while we hung out in the living room etc.
Deluxe+ Docks
Not essential if you have just one child, but nice to have for a second baby. Especially around 2 months when they're a bit more alert. We used it while we ate meals and baby hung out in here
