March 25, 2019
When I started my baby registry for Caroline I had no idea what I needed for a new baby. Each website had a suggested list of things, but it was extremely overwhelming. Some products seemed completely unnecessary, while other products I knew I wouldn’t be able to live without. We are one month in with Caroline, and I now have a good grip on the most useful (for me) products for a new baby.
I’ve listed my most-used products in the first month of baby with a brief description of why/how I use each item. Each item below has been used every single day (or just about) since I brought Caroline home.
Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play
Caroline slept in this all day when we first brought her home. For the first few nights with her I put her next to my bed in her Rock n Play. If you read her birth story, you know that she was breech. Her little legs were drawn up and stayed almost 90 degrees for a few days. I tried to put her in the Halo Bassinest to sleep in at and it just wasn’t working for her. The Rock n Play allowed her to sleep more in the fetal position.
Boppy Nursing Pillow
I don’t know how women breastfeed without one of these. Like a total newb, I didn’t get this until I was home from the hospital. I tried putting other pillows under her when nursing and it was not cutting it.
Nipple Cream
I mentioned this in my hospital bag post…I didn’t even have any nipple cream until the day before I had Caroline. I used nipple cream as soon as we started breastfeeding, and every day after for weeks.
Nipple Shield
Thank goodness for nipple shields. The nurse at the hospital gave me one to try out, but I didn’t use it until I got home. This saved my nipples, and definitely prevented me from giving up on breast-feeding, because the first week is so hard and can be very painful.
Breast Pump
I started pumping when Caroline was about one week old, and now I pump multiple times every day. At the beginning I was trying to solely breast-feed, and would freeze all of my pumped breastmilk in order to have a reserve. Now we are doing a combination of bottle and breastfeeding. I was able to get this breast pump for free through my insurance on aeroflowbreastpumps.com. If you are pregnant and looking to get a breast pump I would definitely check to see if you qualify for a free breast pump through your insurance.
Drying Rack
like I mentioned above, we are doing a combination of breast and bottlefeeding. We go through bottles pretty quickly, and I feel like I am constantly standing at the sink washing bottle parts. These drying racks have been awesome and I keep them on the counter at all times.
Velcro Swaddle
Swaddles are everything when it comes to an infant getting good sleep. I have been following the book Moms On Call for Caroline’s schedule and sleep routine. They suggest swaddling baby for naps and night time sleep. While there are lots of super cute swaddles out there, have you ever tried to wrap your newborn up in one successfully without them wiggling out? Cue velcro swaddles. These are so handy, and so easy to use. I put Caroline in one of these swaddles for all naps in her crib and before going to bed at night.
Baby Monitor
We actually put Caroline in her crib around two weeks old (per Moms On Call). Putting her in her crib allowed my mom and I to trade off night feedings much easier. Instead of moving the bassinet or rock n play from room to room, my mom and I would trade off the monitor after we completed a late night feeding. When she naps in her crib during the day I carry around the monitor while I complete chores around the house. I have honestly thought about different ways I could strap it to my pants like a beeper. Any suggestions? Haha!
Owlet Monitor
I had a huge fear that Caroline would spit up in the middle of the night and choke (a little postpartum anxiety there). This monitor gives me sooo much peace of mind. It is an investment but it is so worth it. It has saved lots of baby’s lives.
Hatch Sound Machine
I love this thing. It was suggested to me by a college sorority sister that had a baby months before me. We met up for coffee while I was still pregnant and this was a product she highly suggested. It has a million settings with different noise and light combinations. We use it for white noise when we put Caroline down in her crib (naps and at night), and as a night light for when we pop in her room for a night feeding.
Hushh Sound Machine
Another suggestion by my sorority sister. I keep this sound machine in her diaper bag in case we need to use it in the car. This is also nice to use when she’s napping somewhere other than her crib.
Butt Paste
I probably would not have started using this if it wasn’t for my mom. She noticed when Caroline’s bottom was starting to get a little red and slapped some on there just to be preventative.
