Baby Products: To Buy or Skip

Every new mom is bombarded with the newest baby gadgets. What do you NEED on your registry, and what do you buy or skip if it isn't purchased for you?

It's a lot. Like "why are there so many options" a lot. Honestly, during pregnancy, it's a lot of excitement, but also frequent decision fatigue. It is enough to get the right food, exercise, health care, mental preparation, the list goes on... But the baby items are in your face. Thank you, advertisers and every company trying to make life with a new baby "easier."

What to Buy

So let's get into it. What do you actually need when you are welcoming a new baby?

1. A place for baby to sleep. I'll get a bit controversial here and say that most of the world has always had babies sleep with them. Yeah, I know... that isn't what is recommended. But we have reasons it's not recommended. Here's what you need to know... There are safe sleep guidelines you can follow (a future post will definitely be needed for this).

My personal favorites for the early naps are: my bed without blankets—again, safe sleep, travel crib (has made it through all 4 kids as the main sleep option for naps for at least the first year), and Moses basket for easy carrying from room to room. I am also going to give honorable mention to baby nests... The baby nest has been a lifesaver with a baby who needed snuggling but outgrew being swaddled. I don't think it's necessary for every baby, but the ones who are high-touch benefit from it so mom can have a break from contact napping. Desperate times come, but this keeps me from despair!

2. Breasts. Okay, okay, milk. But you still need your breasts for skin-to-skin if you aren't nursing. But in all seriousness, get a good electric breast pump. The end. No, but really, don't skimp here. You should ideally get a closed system pump. There are a lot of benefits to this: it maintains better suction, extends the life of the pump, and prevents bacteria from getting into the pump and contaminating the milk you pump. If you are considering a secondhand pump, know that the motor is not going to last forever, and the closed system is a MUST. Other pumps are not sanitary to reuse... I'm looking at you, the ever-popular Medela.

   
   

   Also make sure your pump has individual controls for suction and speed. That allows for the most comfortable experience. I learned this one the hard way... Popular is not always better, again... looking at you Medela... You need the right size flange. Did you know you can get nipple damage? Poor sizing on pumps is one of the biggest contributors. So without further ado, my personal favorite is the Spectra S2.

If you are exclusively breastfeeding and not spending time away from baby, manual is good.. but do get one, because you may need it if engorged or get mastitis. Expressing milk with hards gets tiresome when you already feel sick.

3. Linens: With this I give you the land of preferences. I always tend toward muslin blankets because it can be thin and breathable or layered and warm. For burp cloths I simply took prefold cloth diapers and sewed flannel to one side. Super absorbable. I also loved using receiving blankets. You already have a lot typically, they are large for those potential projectile vomits.. and soft on baby skin! I also go for drool bibs because it can save them from drool rashes. I like the bandana kinds, so much more comfy.. and come on, they are cute!

4. Baby carriers will always be useful. In the early days, a soft wrap such as a moby or solly are nice and snug, structured carrier with a newborn insert can be quick when you are out, or a sling for sweet snuggles and good easy skin to skin. There is a lot of figuring out what you like here, so if you have friends with different kinds, please explore options first! These are quite the investment if purchased new. But also can be purchased much more affordably secondhand and be like new!

5. Diapers are of course a must. For cloth diapers I love greenmountaindiapers.com as they sell natural fibers. Karen, who heads up the site, is incredibly helpful in nailing down a wash routine and understanding diaper options. For disposables, if you can afford it, look for dye and fragrance free without the wet line. Diaper companies are not required to list their ingredients.. but this lowers your toxin load on baby.

6. Convertable car seats may not be as easy as an infant car seat in the early days, but they last you from newborn to booster. So if you want to make a good investment, this is for you! Just check to make sure they have low weight capacity and high, as well as options to be rear and forward facing.

7. Nipple Butter with calendula is not a luxury item. It is an easy swap that will help heal nipples that are making the transition to feeding a baby. They can also help ease pain if you run into thrush, or first teeth.. OUCH.

8. I guess technically its not a baby item, but a mom item, but GET A MOO-MOO, also affectionately known as a night gown. Postpartum brings a lot of firsts, and hormonal night sweats are one, so being able to be covered for milk leaking while staying cool is a top priority. I didn't make the investment to one with buttons till my last baby, but it was quite literally gamechanger. I went and bought 2 more. It was so comfortable during pregnancy. Honestly, still loving them a year later.

9. Good bottles, now listen, this part can get confusing. Recently the research has changed what good is for breastfeeding babies. It used to be that I would recommend Comotomo (1st gen.) over and over. I still love them, but now we are looking at a different nipple shape being optimal more triangular. GUESS WHAT, the second generation of Comotomo is the more preferrable shape. Way to stay up to date Comotomo! My go to is Comotomo or Phillips Avent.

10. Newborn & 0-3 Month sleepers are the only baby clothes you need. Why? Because mostly they are naked for skin to skin in the early days at our house. And when they arent, they need to be easily changed. Diaper changes every 2 hours, that means, leep it simple and cozy. A few of the early ones should have a zipper that is offset to make less issues with the cord stump as it heals, center lying zippers, OWW. Sure its fun to have cute newborn clothes, but that is actually just for parents. There is not a single practical thing about a three piece outfit on a newborn. Just keep it simple. Don't worry about how many newborn clothes you have, and they might wear them once or never.. quite literally.

For what to skip, check out part two. coming soon.

What would you add to the list of products that are actually helpful and necessary?