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Baby Must Haves! (Coming from a poor FTM who had ZERO clue how to even change a diaper)
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items As a FTM (who had never even held a baby until she had her own) I had a lot of trial and error when it came to baby products. Here’s my list of must have items so you can take some of the guess work out of building your registry or nursery!
Sections
10
Feeding (bottle and baby-led and breast)
Toys (bath included)
Storage, Organization, and On-The-Go
Diapering
Cleaning
Monitors and Other Tech
Feeding (bottle and baby-led and breast)
This was the FIRST thing I repurchased after our house burned down. A literal life saver for formula fed babies. No more waiting for a bottle to warm up. I timed it and was able to make a bottle in 52 seconds.
Instant Water Warmer For Baby Bottles - Instantly Dispenses Warm Water
I used these for purées. I would steam the veggies, blend them, and then use this mold to freeze them into compact little domes to easily heat up at dinner time. Being able to prep ahead like this made the transition to real foods so much easier and ...
Silicone Baby Food Freezer Tray – 1.5 oz Sections
I LOVE these. I personally make a yogurt/fruit blend for these and make a bunch at one time to keep on hand. When it’s hot outside, when my baby is cutting new teeth, or when I want to introduce a new flavor, I will pop one of the little “cubes” into...
Baby Food Feeders with Freezer Tray
The only way I could calm my nerves when baby led weaning began. I bought the two pack to keep one with me and one next to the highchair.
LifeVac Home Kit - Portable Airway Suction Device
Easy to clean and self sterilizing. I find that to me, these were the closest to breast. My baby did great switching back and forth with these
MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Baby Bottle 9oz
I started collecting colostrum at 38 weeks (with approval from my doctor) and these really made all the difference! I would hand massage and collect in a mason jar throughout the day and then divide the days worth into these. I recommend buying 2 box...
haakaa Colostrum Collector Kit 4ml/6pcs
I didn’t understand the concept of a “let-down” until I started nursing my son and the opposite breast would start to leak. So I panic ordered these after seeing how much milk I was losing on the opposite side. They sit discreetly in your bra, are ea...
Elvie Catch Milk Collection Shells, Set of 2
These milk storage bags are easy to use and I love the temperature indicator! No more wondering if your milk is frozen or if it’s thawed out enough!
Momcozy Temp-Sensing Breastmilk Storage Bags 120pcs
We couldn’t afford a sterilizer (nor did we have the counter space) so these saved us! I like how each bag has up to 30 uses (with a chart printed on every bag so you can keep up with it. Mom brain gets us all😂). And items are sterilized in your mic...
Dr. Brown's Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags, 5 Count
Secure and entertaining for baby. Gives him something to do when we’re waiting for food and keeps his table space clean.
Babebay Disposable Baby Placemats, 60 Pack
Includes pictures, charts, and recipes to make the transition to baby-led weaning easier and less stressful. I loved the fact it had a sizing guide I could compare his food to in order to ensure it wasn’t too big or too small!
Simple & Safe Baby-Led Weaning Guide
Toys (bath included)
The second thing we repurchased after our house fire. I was skeptical about this at first (mainly because of the price) but after being gifted the first one, I quickly found out just how useful this is. My baby loved to watch it and it has 4 differen...
Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother Musical Crib Toy
My baby LOVES running water and bath time, his favorite thing is the water running out the spout so once the bath was filled, he kept looking for running water. The sprinkle of the fountain and the lights on the whale keep him so entertained and keep...
Gigilli Upgraded Rechargeable Light Up Baby Bath Toys
A great, durable, grow-with-me toy. When my baby gets bored with one side, I just flip it over and BAM new toy🤣
Ancaixin 6-in-1 Montessori Wooden Toy Cube
My son LOVED these. He would sit and stare at them and then kick around to hear them move
BABY K Rattle Socks & Wrist Toys Set G
I told myself I wouldn’t buy one but my baby got to play with one at my therapy appointment and he FELL in love. He enjoyed kicking things and music from a very early age so it was right up his alley. Can adjust and grow with baby but prepare to just...
Fisher-Price Glow And Grow Kick & Play Piano Gym Baby Playmat With Musical ...
Storage, Organization, and On-The-Go
This is what I use to keep the back of my van organized. I keep an extra change of clothes, extra wipes, and diapers here (along with stroller attachments) for avoid any kind of out and about panic
HOTOR Foldable Car Trunk Organizer, 2 Compartments
I had 2 of these for different rooms in the house. They store SO MUCH and I like how the dividers Velcro in so you can adjust how you want them set up.
Lily Miles Baby Diaper Caddy Organizer Gray
The holy grail of diaper bags. I immediately returned the one I registered for when I discovered this one. The top opens up wide so you can easily dig and locate the items you need. Every pocket is so spacious and there’s enough pockets for everythin...
Lantana Diaper Backpack
Diapering
I kept a box of these in our changing station and in the back of my van. They 100% mask the smell (and trust me we’ve put them to the test🤢). I didn’t care for the diaper genie, this worked better for our small space
Ubbi Lavender Scented Disposable Diaper Sacks, 200 Count
Budget friendly and definitely needed. I don’t know how many times I got stuck changing a diaper without a trashcan nearby or when the only trashcan was in a small room. No one wants to have to smell a dirty diaper🤧 this dispenser can also fit doggi...
Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bag Dispenser
Cleaning
The only cleaning spray that didn’t smell toxic or leave a film behind. I love this bulk option because the spray last FOREVER and you get a pack for on the go cleaning or shopping carts and high chairs!
Dapple Baby All Purpose Cleaning Spray, 16.9oz, 2 Pack + 30 Wipes
Every other bottle wash I tried either left milk film, or I could smell it in the bottle long after I finished washing it. This wash is does neither and it dilutes in water making it a safer alternative than others. The 3 pack on amazon is much cheap...
Dapple Baby Bottle Soap, Hypoallergenic, 16.9oz (3 Pack)
Monitors and Other Tech
I originally got this because I had such anxiety about him being in the car seat. It’s easy to install and the picture is AMAZING. Much better quality than I expected (especially for being so budget friendly). Even at night I can see him perfectly. I...
Baby Car Mirror 4.3'' HD Night Vision Display
Charges with a USB-C, one charge lasts FOREVER. I used this fan in labor and on my son’s stroller. It attaches securely to anything. Has 3 speeds for the fan and even an optional light.
AMACOOL Battery Operated Stroller Fan 3 Speeds
Our on-the-go sound machine
MyBaby Sound Machine - White Noise, 4 Sounds
Sleeping
We’ve purchased one at every age. They’re so soft and lightweight, all while keep baby comfortable and warm all night long
Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket
This is the bees knees. I tried traditionally swaddling my son, but he kept breaking free and fighting me. This product made it easy and seamless to get him bundled for bed
SwaddleMe by Ingenuity Original 100% Cotton
Pacifiers
Our baby loved MAM pacis from day one and I love the fact they are all so cute and solid colors. They’re also very affordable (considering how much they get lost and throw around🙄). They also come in a self sterilizing case with instructions.
MAM Air Matte Pacifiers, Sensitive Skin, 6+ Months, 4 Count
These attach to the MAM pacis making it easy to attach a paci clip. Before these I would just loop the clip around the sides of the paci, this makes it easier and more centered
Sutoyuen 10 Food Grade Silicone Adapter Rings for Baby Pacifier
All the fun of chewing on a real remote (but also helps soothe those gums and doesn’t accidentally change the channel!)
Chuya Baby Teether Toy TV Remote Shape Black
I LOVE MAM so naturally I will link all the pacis we’ve ordered from them (because there’s been a lot🤣)
MAM Original Matte Baby Pacifier, 6-16M, 2 Pack
The first MAM paci I tried with my son. We used Phillips before this and he would constantly spit it out, this one he took to so quickly and it made a world of difference for us.
MAM Comfort Silicone Baby Pacifiers 3-12M, 2 Count
Baby Equipment (car seat, stroller, swing, etc)
This was my nursing chair. It was comfortable and swiveled and recliner. Almost put me and baby to sleep multiple times😅
Angel Line Rebecca Upholstered Swivel Recliner
Easily folds up very compact and the speed is completely adjustable. My go to item for putting my baby to sleep is
Graco Slim Spaces Compact Baby Swing - Humphry
Easily folds up very compact and the speed is completely adjustable. My go to item for putting my baby to sleep is
Pack 'n Play® Travel Dome™ LX Playard
This was our on a budget car seat. I loved how it snaps into any Graco base and any Graco stroller. Made it easy to get extras to have in each vehicle!
SnugRide® SnugLock® 35 LX featuring TrueShield Technology
My favorite stroller ever!!! Compatible with any Graco car seat. Tons of storage on the bottom and my baby slept many a miles in the pram mode. The only downside is the cup holder situation but I bought an attachment that solved the problem for under...
Graco Modes Pramette Stroller with Pram Mode
Linens
Breathable but also kept people from getting in his face/sun getting in his eyes
Comfy Cubs Baby Car Seat Cover - Sage