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First-Time Moms & Parents Guide
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items They'll tell you that you need a lot of stuff—you don't! But here is a comprehensive guide to all the things I found most helpful in my journey into parenthood.
Sections
8
Strollers
Feeding
Sleep
Bathing / Diapering
Apparel
Gadgets + Other Items
Strollers
There are no less than 10,000 options on the market. ANY OF THEM will do! But, if you're looking for my recommendations, here are the three I could not live without.
When you're a first time parent, all the gadgets can get intimidating really quickly. Once you learn how to unfold and fold the Doona, it really does make being on-the-go with your baby easy because you this is a carseat that converts into a stroller...
Doona Car Seat & Stroller
There are so many strollers on the market and to be completely frank, they're all kind of the same. I love the Zoe because it looks just as sleek as all the others, but for a fraction of the price! This one comes with the bassinet AND full-size seat,...
The Journey - Zoe
For being on the move when your baby outgrows the Doona (think: quick target runs), when you just need something that folds down & up with one hand. We LOVE our Tour.
Zoe The Tourᵛ²
Feeding
Whether you breastfeed or formula-feed, a fed baby is best! We went the breastfeeding route because it worked for us, and so did these items. But do what feels best for you!
Bottles are one of those things you're just going to have to try a few to see what your baby likes. My son was predominantly breastfed, but when he did use a bottle, these were the ones he liked! They aren't glass though: so that's a note if that's s...
Lansinoh Breastfeeding Bottles
If you are thinking about breastfeeding, these are hands-down the best milk collectors to catch letdown from the side you're not nursing on. The latch is really good and they don't spill. The silicon is also extremely durable.
Haakaa Ladybug Silicone Milk Collector
I don't know what kind of magic is in these, but they do help! I never once had cracked or hurt nipples in my breastfeeding journey. They also help to catch leaks.
SILVERETTE - The Original Silver Nursing Cups – Silverette Usa
I am not someone who is going to promote a fancy bottle sterilizer, ESPECIALLY if you plan to try breastfeeding (where, in my experience, you typically use far less bottles than you would with formula). We live in a small space & couldn't bear th...
Haakaa Silicone Microwave Sterilizer Bag
When we did have bottles, usually at night so my husband could also feed the baby, we liked to warm the milk in a bottle warmer. Any will do, but this one from Momcozy is on the affordable side and really easy to use!
Momcozy Bottle Warmer
Burp cloths, burp cloths, & more burp cloths! Way more than you think! We love these cotton ones in all white that are easy to wash.
Lovely Care 12 Pack Muslin Burp Cloths 100% Cotton
I loved both the Boppy & this My Breast Friend, but when it came down to what was actually most supportive while learning to nurse, this wins every time.
My Brest Friend Super Deluxe Nursing Pillow
That said, I love the Boppy for supportive sitting for the baby and having friends hold the baby! It also came in clutch when I needed a backup nursing pillow (think: mine was in the other room)
Boppy Nursing Pillow
I didn't pump a ton, so I never had something more heavy-duty like the Spectra, but this Momcozy M5 had great suction and was perfect for mobility. I highly reccommend it!
Momcozy M5 All-In-One Breast Pump - Double
Sleep
Ahh, the infamous “sleep” category. It's all a crapshoot, but here's what helped us!
You'll want a mattress for your baby. We have the Newton one, which I have also listed because it is a good mattress and it gets an all-star safety stamp of approval. But my parents have this Graco one at their house and I almost like it more. It is ...
Premium Foam Crib and Toddler Mattress | Graco Baby
You'll want a crib! Transparently, we borrowed ours from a friend who was past their season of life having a baby. I listed this Nestig one because it is convertible through different stages of life, but choose one that is best for your family & ...
The Wave Crib | Convertible Crib To Toddler Bed - Nestig
Another great crib mattress option, but more expensive.
Safe & Breathable Crib Mattress | Newton Baby
Our son loves his sound machine! It's a great trigger for sleep and we have also programmed our Hatch so that different sounds and colors mean different things to our baby (I.e. Yellow light + bird sounds mean mom and dad are going to come get me soo...
Hatch Sound Machine
A great on-the-go option, but any travel sound machine will do! A lot of friends have the yoga sleep one from Amazon. I liked this one for its sleek design + “shh” noises.
Hatch Go
Of all our sleep sacks, this is definitely the one we get the most use out of. I love that it's made from temperature-regulating wool, so I rarely have to worry about my son being too hot or too cold. It also is one that can grow with them. There are...
Woolino 4 Season Ultimate Baby Sleep Bag - Gray, 0-2 Years
When our son was first born, we used this swaddle the most! It's velcro, so it's easy to use and snug + secure. He outgrew it quickly, but it was essential for those first few weeks!
Halo SleepSack Swaddle Micro Fleece - Cream, Newborn
When our son was ready to transition to arm's out sleeping, the Magic Merlin really came in handy! It was also so cute seeing him sleep like a giant marshmallow. They're not in it long, but it does make the transition a bit easier.
Halo Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit
We love our Nanit! We never used the breathing monitor, but we love that you can view the monitor from anywhere and have never had any trouble with it. The sleep insights are also helpful!
Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor and Floor Stand
Of all the pack n' plays we've tried, which transparently isn't a long list, this is the one we liked the best! Ultra comfortable, easy to use, and very sleek with the same breathable mattress as the Newton!
Newton Baby Compact Travel Crib & Play Yard
Bathing / Diapering
For bathtime and changes!
We went back and forth whether or not to get the Lalo or the Angelcare bath, but ultimately a friend got us this one, and I'm so glad they did! This one is nice because it grows with your little one and you don't have to fill up the entire bath, just...
Lalo Bathtime Full Kit
We are big Tubby Todd fans in this house! It is so nourishing and helps with all of the baby skin issues.
Tubby Todd Tubby Todd x Babylist All Over Ointment
Can you throw diapers directly in the trash? Absolutely! But this does make it easy, as you set it by your diaper changing station. I never ONCE have noticed a smell either.
Ubbi Diaper Pail
Look: Any diapers will do! Find the one's that work for you. We like Coterie, but we also loved Millie Moon, which is why I've listed both.
Coterie Newborn Diaper & Wipes Starter Bundle
These are also very good!
Millie Moon Luxury Disposable Diapers
Apparel
Spoiler alert: Your baby doesn't need 800 outfits. Here are the essentials!
You want onesies, especially when babies start wearing outfits as they get a lot of drool and spitup on their clothes. This helps to alleviate some of that. You'll want plenty in both short & long sleeve! Any will do, so we just got the ones from...
Carter's Long-Sleeve Bodysuits (4 Pack)
Same note as the long sleeve onesies!
Carter's 5-Pack Short-Sleeve Bodysuits
Some of our favorite oneises, especially for the newborn stage, were from Magnetic Me. The magnets make them so easy to get on and off. They became a bit more challenging as our son got older, however!
Magnetic Me Modal Magnetic Footie
We also love Little Sleepies for how soft they are!
Little Sleepies Grow With Me Zippy Three Pack
Gadgets + Other Items
There's a lot of baby gadgets on the market, here's what was actually helpful.
When you're in the throes of those first few weeks of postpartum + beyond, you really just need a series of places you can set your baby. The Baby Bjorn is great because you can bounce them, it's soft, and it's portable. I'd use it while I was in the...
BabyBjörn Bouncer
Another soft spot to set your baby! It craddles their body, so they feel snug and secure. You can use it pretty much anywhere! It was an essential for us.
Snuggle Me Organic Infant Lounger Curve
We had a few different carriers, which is helpful so that one is sized to your partner and one is sized for you! Of them all, my husband liked this one from Ergobaby the best. He felt it was the most supportive and breathable.
Ergobaby Omni Deluxe Carrier - Luminous Ivory Mesh | Babylist Shop
My favorite carrier was the one from Bumpsuit! I got it in cheetah print and I think I just really liked that for my general vibe. But I also found it to be very supportive. We also have an Artipoppe and really love it, so I've included it on the lis...
The Armadillo Baby Carrier
A luxe carrier option!
Zeitgeist Spirit Baby Carrier
Misc.
And everything else!
This is another one you'll have to try to see what your baby likes! Ours never really took to a pacificer, but these were the ones he liked best! They were also very lightweight. We tried the ones that simulated breasts and he just never really got i...
BIBS Natural Rubber Pacifier (2 Pack)
For Mom's Postpartum Care
Because mom has just done an incredible thing and needs care too!
I always say, you could show up to the hospital with absolutely nothing and they would provide everything you need. That being said, if you want to come more prepared, I love the Frida Mom kits. There is something about the size and how everything fi...
Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit
Everyone was right: the long charging cords come in clutch for the hospital!
iPhone 17 16 15 Pro Charger Fast Charging, 10ft Long