Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

Help a first time mommy... what items were a must-have for your newborn? vs. what items did you feel were a waste of money?

I also plan to breastfeed, so please give advice on that too! I don't want to overlook or forget anything for his arrival, and am preparing as much as possible!

Thanks!!!!

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Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

IF you can borrow a breast pump from a friend or your insurance covers a rental (you just purchase new tubing) I would say go for that than actually buying 1.
Boppy Pillow I loved (I know newer versions of that came out)
onesies (carters are my fave, but do not put on your registry cause everyone buys clothes anyway)
rock n play- I used this instead of bassinet as dd could not lay flat- this was a life saver! I cant recommend this enough. Even kids that slept in a bassinet my mom friends LOVED this even for a nap. Its the BEST thing ever invented for babies LOL
blankets
burp cloths
jj cole stroller bundle me for car seat
car seat
Personally while I got a ton of use of my full size stroller because of the snap in car seat, a snap n go which is a quarter of the price would have been fine. Cause once she was big enough for the other seat I put her in an umbrella stroller. Strollers are VERY much a personal decision and you wont know for sure until after the baby is here what works for you.
Buy formula just to have as a back up in case of any issues not a lot
Bottles (I ended up Playtex drop ins after trying dr browns) again this is something you wont know until after baby is here. I would say don't do a starter kit cause once you open it you cant return it. Do individual sizes of bottles so you can return what you don't end up using
My dd was into paci's but pacifier is big for a lot of people

Personally again I didn't opt for big frilly outfits only for special occasions did I really dress her in anything over the top. For everyday onesies are your best friend LOL
Sleep and Plays from Carters are AMAZING as well!

Don't go crazy with snowsuits and jackets... You wont be outside that long with a newborn. So many people got me them and I never used a single 1. Again that can just be me but my dd was in layers and the jj cole she was soo warm for in and out of the car to the house or store.

Baby bathtub def again you don't need bells and whistles its waste of $
Changing table
Diaper caddy
Pack n play
Diaper bag
wipes case (I didn't do a warming one read those aren't great)
Swing- ANOTHER AMAZING CREATION!


The bouncer I didn't get any use out of it. DD hated it wouldn't stay in it.

Message edited 9/26/2015 1:04:43 PM.

Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

I used the boppy all the time for breast feeding. Lanolin nipple cream is a must! I used their brand breast pads as well. I had supply issues and I wish I would of ate more and drank more water. Force yourself to drink water. I also drank Mother's Milk Tea when I noticed supply issues. I lived in nursing tanks for the first 3 months. Get a bunch of them!

As for other stuff DS hated the bassinet but liked the rock and play. We went through lots of burp cloths and bibs and still do and he is 9 months. He loved the Momaroo and hated the regular swing. He went through lots of white onesies. I also suggest a bottle warmer. Once he/she is in the crib a few back up sheets. I also used the swaddle for dummies as I call them because I am terrible at swaddling especially when he was screaming. I liked the pack and play that had the changing station attached. We liked having a baby bathtub, baby lotion, and baby shampoo. I use the Aveeno brand. He likes bath toys.

Things I really didn't need were tons of blankets and the shopping cart cover. People love to buy blankets but I rarely use them and could never use them all. People will most likely bring you clothes so I would wait on buying a lot of that. Also no need for baby shoes until they are older.

Good luck!

Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

Aden and Anais swaddle blankets
Rock and Play sleeper
A swing
Coconut oil for breast (better than lanolin, imo)
Medela quick steam bags

Re: Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

youll get a ton of different opinions on this and it varies based on your child.
Both of my kids loved the rock n play and the swing (a big one that plugs in)
One of my kids like the bouncer seat, the other hated it
the jj cole car seat cover (or a similar car seat cover) is great if you are having a winter baby
I never had one of the $1,000 strollers so I cannot really say how they are, but with a newborn, the basic car seat with base and snap n go type stroller is great.
i dont think a big bedding set is necessary...bumpers arent safe and you never really put the blanket in the crib with the kids...just get crib sheets.
never used a bottle warmer or wipe warmer
dont waste money on newborn diapers...even the hospital only gives out size 1 diapers (unless you have a premie)...but they will always grow into size 1s so get those...same goes for newborn size clothing
aden & anais swaddle blankets are fantastic
the tiny love crib mobile is a life saver in my house...both of my kids love to stare at it and at 15 months, my son still will turn it on when he wakes up and play in his crib for 30+ minutes while listening to music and watching it
for breastfeeding i was much more comfortable without any pillows...i hated them (tried the boppy and breast friend). nipple pads for leakage are a must and the lasinoh nipple cream is great (get samples from the hospital too)
dont stock up on too many bottles...you never know what your child will take (DS was super picky with his bottle and after 4 different types, we ended up with a premie nipple for him that only dr browns had...and he was not a premie)

Message edited 9/28/2015 9:25:28 AM.

Re: Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

The Miracle Blanket for swaddling....a godsend!

Re: Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

*This may sound weird but I HIGHLY recommend using disposable changing pads for when you're out and about. I don't like the idea of putting the regular changing pad down on a used changing station and then putting it BACK in my diaper bag. Babies R Us sells them and they are awesome.
Use it......put it in the garbage....done

*You can never have enough bibs or burp cloths

* Also highly recommend getting a smaller diaper bag for quicker trips. I had a large diaper bag and a smaller one and I ended up using the small one so much more often. It was always stocked with a few diapers, changing pads, wipes and a change of clothes. It was so easy to grab it and go.

*Video monitor = best thing ever

*just a tip....For the winter time, when you're taking the baby in and out of the car in the infant carrier, using a full-on bulky coat is not a good idea since it compromises the safety aspect of the straps. I always used some warm blankets (or a bundle me) and gently tucked him in.

Message edited 9/28/2015 10:11:43 AM.

Re: Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

The DVD - Happiest Baby on the Block

They have a book but who has time to read?? LOL

The DVD was like 15-20 minutes and SHOWED you, as well as explained, exactly what to do.

I honest to GOD don't know what I would have done without the five S's explained in the DVD... and knowing how to do them and when. It saved me when my baby was crying and I didn't know why or how to make it stop.

And I truly believe he was a content, smiling, happy little baby because I did exactly what the DVD told me to do. And I did it from day one - even the first day he was born in the hospital.

Highly recommend. Sure, there are other things that are great, the mamaroo swing was awesome, the Avent bottles I loved, I love the PBK swaddle blankets, etc. but nothing saved me like that DVD did!

Re: Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?

Fisher Price Rock and Play
Baby Bjorn
Halo Sleep Sacks
A good stroller
Bumbo
Video Monitor
Aden & Anais muslin swaddle blankets

Incidental must haves:
Boppy changing pad liners
Pacifiers
Pacifier wipes
Pacifier pod for the diaper bag
Sophie the Giraffe

Message edited 9/28/2015 12:05:54 PM.

Re: Xpost: Help a first time mommy, what items were a must-have for your newborn?