1.Tommee Tippee bibs.
If you are OCD like me, and spot treat your bibs this will save your life and your sanity! No more stained bibs, and BONUS these bibs actually catch food instead of it ending up on the floor or the baby's lap. The bibs wipe clean so easily and are even dishwasher safe, though I never had to go that far. The shape of the food catcher fits perfectly on my sink head, so super easy and convenient. Oh my gosh these bibs were the BEST purchase ever! I accidentally ordered two 2-packs, and ended up with 4, which was a bit excessive. Honestly you only need two.
https://www.amazon.com/Tommee-Tippee-Easi-Catcher-months/dp/B00BQEGVMU/ref=sr_1_11?crid=30R5Z1S3JN168&keywords=silicon%2Bbibs%2Bfor%2Bbabies&qid=1563248061&s=gateway&sprefix=silicon%2Bbib%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-11&th=12. Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Gift Set
This starter kit has thought of everything! So amazing! The only thing I ended up buying outside of the kit was of course storage bags (I'd buy the 80 pack, so it lasted a while), and a few extra nipples, especially when Logan bit through them while teething, other then that everything you need is in the kit. I didn't pump directly in to the bags because I had a hands free pump (coming up next!), but if you do pump into the bags you get to skip a step which means LESS CLEANING! So with this system the idea is you pump directly into the bag, store the bags (on a cute little storage tower that fits in the freezer and keeps things organized HUGE plus...once again OCD...) the kit comes with a warmer to warm the bags, and you stick the bag directly into the "bottle" and pop a nipple on there, then toss the bag after it's empty. I LOVED this! It was super nice because as the bag empties it becomes almost suction like and babe can drink the milk even if the bottle is upright, and the shape of the bottle has long holes which made holding the bottle super easy for Logan. He was holding his own bottle super early, and loved the independence.
https://www.amazon.com/Kiinde-Breast-Milk-Storage-Twist/dp/B00CXTWJAA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EVS0E48CQKLX&keywords=kiinde+starter+kit+with+warmer&qid=1563248789&s=gateway&sprefix=kiinde+starter+kit+with+%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-1
3. Freemie Breast Pump
***I also used Medela for portablily, but used the cups from the freebie when traveling/working I would highly recommend having two pumps if you work outside of the home.
This was super convenient, after I already got it through my insurance I learned that there are pumping bras too, which would have worked amazing with the Kiinde system, but I'm going to get real with you here, I stopped wearing bras about 90% of the time while breast feeding! It was so much more comfortable, and my boobs were so full and supported, I just let them be free, so the thought of a pumping bra actually makes me a little claustrophobic. Anyway, this system was awesome! I will say that after about 10 months the seal started to leak, which really sucked, so I had to use rubber bands to help seal each cup, (obviously I could have bought new cups too, but I was so close to being done with breast feeding!). This pump was so cool! It had great suction, and was super fast for me! I remember being terrified of pumping at first, but watching those cups fill up with life sustaining liquid for my babe was so awesome! The cups fit into your bra or shirt and you are hands free while they fill, once full it has a little spout to pour directly into the bag. Super easy. Cleaning was ok, I sterilized a lot and I am wondering if that is what contributed to the seal leak, so I wouldn't recommend sterilizing, just soap and water. I really loved the cups of the pump and totally used the same cups with my portable Medela pump at work and on vacation. Super win.
https://www.amazon.com/Freemie-Freedom-Double-Electric-Concealable/dp/B00O23LSZC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Freemie+breast+pump&qid=1563249413&s=gateway&sr=8-4
4. Munchkin Miracle 360 sippy cup
This thing was awesome! Still is actually. It's a great way to teach super young babies to drink from a normal cup, and bonus it's almost spill free. I don't know if your kids throw things, but Logan chucks things when he is done, and these cups do collect water in the top silicone part, and when thrown they spill a tiny bit. Not a huge deal, and I only did water in them, but just a heads up. I love these cups and they were perfect for teaching him to drink water. Logan still uses his, but current favorites are anything with a straw!
https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Miracle-Trainer-handles-Orange/dp/B00MRZIFD0/ref=sr_1_2?crid=10X7NKXW3QPJN&keywords=miracle%2B360%2Bsippy%2Bcup&qid=1563249923&s=gateway&sprefix=miracle%2B3%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-2&th=1
5. Dream on Baby Food Feeders
We randomly got one of these from this lady on FB marketplace who sold us a shelf. She saw we had a baby and threw it in for free! The one she had was also a rattle which was cool, but Logan broke it in no time, so these are what I got as replacement and I LOVED them! They also have similar things with mesh, and this just seemed soooo much easier to clean, and you can sanitize them (which I'm sure you could to the mesh as well, but this seemed easier). Perfect for large or harder foods, or even soft foods, we put everything in there, and it was a hit! I never did frozen things for teething because Logan didn't like cold things, but I hear they work great for that too!
https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Baby-Teether-Feeder-Pacifiers/dp/B07H4ZBPCJ/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=fruit+baby+food+holders&qid=1563250725&s=gateway&sr=8-4
6. Fruit Teether Toys
This may seem super random, and...well...it is! I threw these on my baby shower registry and ended up getting them, and they were so great! They are small, and quiet, so they were perfect to have on the go when Logan needed something to chew on. I may still have one in my purse. We really didn't do a ton of toys and this one made the cut! Plus they are so skinny that they are easy for babies to hold! Loved these!
7. Boppy Nursing Pillow
I ended up getting a random brand nursing pillow for free, and I wished I would have just sprung for the boppy, mine was not super sturdy and even fell apart three months in. I had to sew it back together. I would totally go for the boppy next time! Anyway nursing pillows are super crucial for me, I have very weak wrists, so it was a life safer not to have to hold the baby in super weird positions, and I could just either rest him, or my arms on the pillow to get a little prop. Super nice! A must have!
8, Boppy Lounger
I got one of these bad boys from a friend, and at first I was like eh, cool, thanks, but it was actually super nice! They had just barely released the doc-a-tot, and I would have honestly rather something like that or a cheaper version, but this pillow did the job! It was super nice before Logan learned to crawl to just carry from room to room as I got stuff done and have him still be able to see me and see what was going on.
9. Love to Dream Sleep Sac
I loved swaddling, but it didn't last long, Logan loved to have his hands by his face and kick out of his swaddles, this sleep sac was a dream! it's loose enough that babies can move their hands up to their face, but snug enough to keep them swaddled up. They have bigger sizes, and less restrictive sacs as kids get older too. We just stuck with this one and stopped swaddling when he grew out of it, but I LOVED it!
10. Boba wrap
I'm not going to lie, it was super intimidating when I took it out of the box and it was literally a giant piece of fabric, but after a few practice runs I was ready for the baby, and It became super easy to me to wrap it. I would even have to do it for my husband when he wore it. Loved this wrap, and It lasted pretty much the whole first year! I'm sure you could extend it into toddler-hood too, but Logan is way too wiggly for that, and heavy! No thanks! This wrap was so fantastic when I traveled to Oregon, I put him in it all through the airport, plane, and beyond. It is super nice to be hands free, and know your babe is comfortable and close. Traveling and on outfitting like the zoo and aquarium were my go to's for the wrap, but really we took it everywhere.
11, Bassinet
Logan slept in a bassinet until he literally outgrew it. It was so nice having him right next to the bed, especially for late night feedings. There are tons of fancy bassinets, but we just got a super simple one, I honestly didn't even know if I needed one, and boy was I happy to have it! This thing got tons of use, and was so cozy for Logan to sleep in. It was super easy for me to reach over and touch his chest to make sure he was still breathing in the middle of the night, you know the things Mom's obsess over.
12. Changing table/dresser
I couldn't find a picture of exactly what ours looks like we ended up getting exactly what I wanted on Facebook Marketplace, and painted it white to match the nursery decor. It was $30! Furniture is SOO expensive! Anyway the one we have has a taller side on the right, which is super nice to have the separation. I was very adamant that it be a functional dresser as well though. Not only storage, but I wanted it to last long after potty training, and hopefully it will. I can picture a TV sitting in the changing table's spot next haha. I love our little changing dresser, and am one of those Moms who does every change at it. I keep all of the gear right there and that is where we do the changing.
13. Diaper Genie
Right next to my changing table is this bad boy! Holy cow it's a life saver! My husband thought it was ridiculous, and that we could just throw poopy diapers outside, but this is so much more convenient, and practical, plus we don't have poopy diapers outside every door. Seriously, you need this! Trust me! Especially if you have a stationary changing station like I do!
14. Snuggapuppy Dreams Cradle and Swing
Of course there are other characters and designs, but I am all about the least charactery and gimmicky. I loved this one. It swings two ways, but we only used it from side to side, and I was super resistant to the swing, but once we had it and I gave into it's magic it was a game changer. I wish we would have had it earlier! I love it so much more then the Mamaroo because it has such a wide range of motion, and it's almost half the price! Hot tip, look for baby items on Facebook Marketplace. We bought this brand new, used it for a year, and I sold it for like $40! I started out asking $80, no takers. Baby items never sell for near the price you paid for them, most things I would totally buy used, especially if they only had one kid use the item! SCORE!
15. Portable Bouncer
This is for sure another item I wouldn't pay full price for, or buy new, I got one from a friend, and loved it! It was super nice when we were doing yard work outside, or even things around the house as Logan got more mobile and outgrew the Boppy Lounger, this was the next in line to strap him in, but also allow him to be wherever we were.
16. Baby Gym
This was another item I was not excited about, I don't even think it was on my registry, but I got it at my baby shower, and it turned out to be a life saver! Logan still plays with some of the toys from it! This was my go to when I was pumping. I would pump, and set Logan on the ground to play. He LOVED it! It gave me plenty of time to do what I needed to do, and gave him stimulation. When he started to crawl and really play with the toys it was so fun! So glad I had it!
17. Stroller
This one is a no brainer, I'm sure you are saying "DUHHH", but we were super slackers about the stroller, we didn't even have one until my parents came to visit and brought us a used one they had almost a month after Logan was born. We were like eh sure. Hello! Super life saver, for a while this was how I made Logan nap! He loved cruising around the neighborhood and taking in all the sights, he still does! Plus it's good motivation for me to get out there and walk. If I were to do it again I would have gotten the stroller/infant carseat combo. Holy cow I'm jealous of those who have them. There were so many times Logan fell asleep in his carseat and would wake up as I transfered him to the stroller. Anyway a stroller is better than no stroller!
18. Maxi Cosi 30 Infant Car Seat
I really wanted to get a grow with me car seat, but my friend insisted that I get an infant car seat so much that she bought it for me! Holy cow she was right! It has been so nice to carry Logan inside when he falls asleep, or throw the carseat in the cart. Oh my gosh shopping with a newborn is hard! Where do you put them if not in the car seat? Then you have no room for groceries. I do not miss those days! Anyway of course I wish I had the matching stroller, but this infant car seat is a must! Trust me! Also if you are lucky and have a small baby they will fit in it forever! haha, Logan is almost two and still fits just fine, by the time he is ready to front face he will be ready for a new car seat.
19. Walker
This was something I thought my husband bought WAY too early. He got it around four months and Logan's feet didn't even touch the ground! I was so annoyed, but looking back it was so nice to have it that early! We would bring it around from room to room, and Logan loved being upright and able to play with the toys. It was super nice to put food on the food tray for him too. Once he started cruising it was the most adorable thing watching him bump into everything. When he outgrew it I literally had to hide it because Logan would still climb into it. Great purchase.
20. Sit-Stand walker
Why are they both called walkers? That is super confusing? Anyway Logan was always a mover, and from super early pulling himself up on things, so by the time he was ready to start moving, a walker came in so handy. I think it taught him how to walk. He is a super cautious baby and this gave him the confidence, as well as the practice to know what to do with his feet. This is not the exact one we have, but I don't think it much matters. Logan still plays with his walker, he runs around with it. Loved this guy!
Alright if you made it this far thanks for taking the time to read this, I linked everything on Amazon, and honestly that is where I bought most of it, but like I said earlier, check FB marketplace first before you buy things new! Things that I sold that were in perfect condition went for super cheap and it was heartbreaking! Good luck and congratulations on the new baby!
