Baby Shower

If you have a baby shower, again, the list of potential items is daunting.  SO MANY CHOICES!!  However, this is a really good time, and way, to get necessary items in advance.  Here are the absolute essentials to incorporate into your list.

Graco Pack n Play– a MUST.  For one, unless the nursery is next door to your bedroom, your baby will likely be sleeping in your room for the first 3-4 months.  Night feedings.  We did not even use the actual crib until our baby was about 3 months, and then only for naptime, until we moved him in there at night.  This thing is critical for the baby to sleep in your room, and you will use it for travel until the baby is out of a crib, so almost 2 years.

Car Seat- I got the Britax B-Safe 35, and it was great.

Stroller- So. Many. Choices.  I was recommended the BOB Rambler Jogging Stroller, and I like it.  You will also need the adapter bar, to connect the rear facing car seat to the stroller.  If you plan on doing any lengthy walks or runs with your baby, then this is a good one to get, especially on trails.  note:  It is bulky, meaning not great for travel, loading/ unloading, so I ended up getting a separate stroller for travel and the car, see Travel section.

Shusher– while I dismissed this as unnecessary, it actually is so necessary.  When putting your baby to sleep at nap time, or at night, or the middle of night, this thing was priceless

Dock A Tot– when I saw the price tag I thought it was RIDICULOUS to spend this much money on whatever this was.  Worth. Every. Penny.  This allows the baby to sleep anywhere!  Especially if you have a C-section, it is amazing to be able to feed your baby, then lay them down right next to you to nap.

Rock n Play- This item is no longer made, and I had always thought if I were to do it again, I would instead get the Bouncer because of the vibrating feature.  In the first couple of months, this is critical in helping your baby fall asleep, especially in the middle of the night, this is an absolute lifesaver.

Nursing Pillow– if you are going to nurse, this is a MUST.  It is great that you can also use it for propping up your baby several months later, before they learn to sit up, so you can get about six months of use out of this

Bottles- I used Dr Browns.  I did nurse, so I didn’t actually use these that much, but if you plan to have a babysitter, you are going to need bottles.  Also recommend the Dr Browns Bottle Brush for cleaning.

Crib- All I wanted was a plain white crib, and apparently there are hundreds of plain white cribs!  I got the Babyletto Modo, and I love it.  You will also need a mattress and crib sheets- I liked Burts Bees Baby.  I got the mattress from a brick and mortar.

Changing Pad– You will be changing diapers for a couple years, so this is a great addition to the nursery!  I like this one because it has a strap.

Diapers and Wipes- Good to have some Newborn diapers and wipes on hand in advance of your baby’s arrival.  We use Pampers Pure diapers, because they are paraben free and unscented.  WaterWipes for wipes, and I like to buy these in bulk.

Burp Cloths– We were give an excessive amount of burp cloths.  5 is a good number to have on hand, if you do not want to do every day laundry.

 

 

Advertisement

4-5 months

You are on your way to becoming a seasoned parent!  This is a time when after the flurry of a newborn, you may be starting to get the hang of things, with a routine developing or already in place.  Less new items are needed, which is good news for your wallet, but there are a few key transition items.

Sleepsack– Once our baby started sleeping through the night consistently, we moved him from the Magic Merlin to a Sleepsack, to give more freedom of movement.  Since it is recommended that babies do not use blankets at this age, the sleepsack is perfect.  Depends on your region and temperature, but we used Carters babysuits underneath until age one.

Banana Brush– A teething lifesaver!!  The shape allows for easy holding and grasping, and when your baby is teething this perfect for their sore gums.  A friend described it to me as the difference between them crying for hours, and I took her word for it.  Seriously such a relief for teething babies.

Angelcare bath tub– Before your baby is able to sit up, this item is perfect for supervised bath time in the bath tub, so that your baby is surrounded by water, but stabilized.

“The iPod”– I called this toy “the iPod”, but really it is a musical toy for babies by baby Einstein that plays classical music.  Also doubles as a teething toy, and it is really fun as they get older to watch them figuring out how to press the button for music.

 

optional

Hard Books- I found this to be a great time to start reading to my baby.  Here are a few favorites, which at age one, are still favorites.

Jellycat If I Were a Lion, If I Were an Octopus, If I Were a Penguin

Goodnight Gorilla

Itsy Bitsy Spider

 

6-7 months

Time for solid foods!  Also time for a high chair.  There are endless options, but I picked this Abiie high chair.  It is sturdy, and it looks like a piece of furniture.

Teething toys are a must, if you do not already have them.  I absolutely recommend the Banana Brush if you do not already have it, and anything that provides relief during teething.  I also liked this elephant teether, especially for travel.

Activity Center- Excellent for self play and containment, containment being key.  Being able to provide your baby a safe place to play and entertain him or herself is huge.  I got this Baby Einstein walker, but some pediatricians recommend that you do not use anything with wheels, so in that case, this Fisher Price activity center should do the trick.

Baby Einstein ipod– This thing is great!  I have watched several babies enjoy holding this, having music played to them, or even using it as a teething toy.  At age one, it is still a hit.

Sensory Balls– Excellent toys for self play.  A lot of options, but I ended up getting the Edushape Sensory Balls four pack.  At age one, still a favorite toy.