I wanted to outline some basic baby things you will need when they first arrive (I will get into the fun stuff, clothes, toys, room decor later)
We have our baby “first aid” kit with us wherever we go, here’s what’s in it:
Frida Baby Snot Sucker (get it in the Frida pack)
Frida baby nail clippers (also in the Frida pack) it is surprising how often you have to cut baby’s nails!
Frida also makes a great baby’s first toothbrush
A digital thermometer
So Many Baby Creams so Little Time:
Baby booty balm — love this lusa brand but plenty to choose from
Instead of lotion use baby oil or balm, I love this all purpose balm from Honest Co-can also use on the booty!
They have a great zinc cream for diaper rashes too (fortunately they grow out of this quickly)
A baby bum brush for all this is a nice to have
As is a wipe warmer, little ones will cry during changes and this can help
I swear by Water Wipes and Mama Bear diapers sent via amazon’s monthly subscription service, but would love to find a compostable disposable diaper option.
You will need a changing pad and cover, we liked Hatch Baby because it also has a scale in it-weight matters in the first few weeks and its fun to weigh her once a month-but get it might not be worth the extra expense.
Also ensure you have a portable changing pad, either on its own or in your diaper bag.
I HIGHLY recommend the Ubbi diaper pail only con is that there is no foot pedal, but it really locks in the scent.
In terms of those early days of feeding, I would recommend having the following on hand:
Dr Brown’s narrow glass bottles with the premie nipple — use this even if you have a full term baby so they still got to work at it!
I would recommend having a container of your preferred brand of formula on hand, even if you plan on breastfeeding, just in case you need it in the early days (this is advice I wish someone had given me instead making a bleary eyed Target run).
We added Vitamin D drops to her milk per our pediatrician, but of course check with your own. Mom provides all other nutrients a baby could need, pretty awesome.
For high chairs I love the Tripp Trapp but you won’t need this until 6 months + make sure you buy the tray as well. The best innovation in high chairs is this portable one, great for travel or sitting outside at home.
I love these easily washable bucket bibs for once they start eating food, and also think its great to have some soft bandana drool bibs for the early days.
Bath Time is so fun (or scary) when they are little:
I LOVE this soft flower tub for the sink, comes in other colors and animal designs too.
Our baby graduated to this whale shaped plastic tub that goes in your actual tub, but there are plenty of others to choose from.
Make sure to have baby shampoo on hand, I like Honest Co, Aveeno or Babyganics.
Pottery Barn has the cutest selection of hooded animal towels which they will one-day grow into BUT for sure parents need the Puj towel that can wrap around your neck during bath time. They make great washcloths too.
👶 Holding Devices:
Naturally you will need a carseat and a stroller, make sure you get a carseat mirror so you can see them when you are driving and having a cover for the stroller is great as well. I also bought a stroller stuff holder, but not as helpful as hoped.
For harness carriers, I love our ergo baby and suggest trying out a wrap too but I preferred a babywearing shirt to the wrap.
We found the baby bjorn bouncer and DocATot to be the most helpful “baby holding” devices, they grow out of them around 7-8 months but are invaluable until then. Our baby slept in her DocATot for all naps, and in the evening in the bassinet.
Sleep!
The best product out there is an overpriced little machine that shushes called The Shusher. Buy it love it, get over it.
In terms of swaddles, I recommend these velcro ones, just using a swaddle blanket will simply not do! Once they grow out of swaddles, these sleepsacks are great.
Baby Cam-make sure you have an app compatible one. Nanit is the best but is almost too much tech for me. Get their travel stand too.
I have the Hatch Rest sound machine and great to control with the app from afar.
For bassinets I tried a few and landed on the Arm’s Reach, which is surprisingly useful that it is on wheels and you can just roll them around in it (think mid-day naps).
For travel crib I love the Lotus by Guava, they also make a travel bassinet if you end up needing one.
In terms of crib sheets, I recommend three and my favorite are by Winter Water Factory with a close second are those by Rookie Humans and an easy third for Loulou Lollipop.
And Finally
I wish I had registered for baby safety gates-they are not cheap-and outlet covers as well.