Must Haves for a New Baby

Okay, so I just had a new baby a month ago.  He’s such a sweetie!  I’m not one for a lot of extras for my babies but here’s what I like to have to make life a little easier for me.

• swing – I don’t always turn the swing on.  Often we just use the swing as a chair.
• bassinet – baby naps here during the day.
• wrap – I try to carry the baby whenever possible.
• diapers – cloth, disposable or both.  I use a mix.
• receiving blankets – lots and lots.
• other flannel blankets – I like to say we can’t have too many blankets.
• clothing, of course – lots of diaper shirts, sleepers, a few pants and shirts outfits for going out.
• car seat – of course.  This time around I skipped the carry seat.  I want to carry baby myself as much as possible.

 

Things I’ve never really used more than a time or two (if at all):

• infant bath tub – it’s easier to just bath baby with me or have a sibling in the tub to help.
• monitor – only use this when I can’t be on the same floor as baby.
• co-sleeper – never used this; baby just sleeps with me.
• crib – We used a crib as a co-sleeper with our first two kids.  Now I just use a pack n play type bed as a sleeping space as the baby gets older.
• formula and bottles – never used formula.  We’ve used bottles or sippy cups when working on weaning.
• infant mittens – we’ve never seen the use for them really; we clip nails.
• hand sanitizer for visitors.

 

Later in baby’s life I would add the following:

• stroller – for walks, for settling baby sometimes.
• exersaucer – for containing baby to keep them safe or to keep the house safe, or siblings’ projects safe.
• booster / high chair – for meals and play at the table.  We use a booster; high chairs take up extra space.
• pack n play / crib – see above note.
• Bumbo – love this for in the kitchen or at the table.  This allows baby to be involved with things without being free to roam.  This is more of a luxury item than a need, for sure.

This is not exhaustive by any means.  What items are on your “must have” list?

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