11 Must Have Baby Necessities

I’m sure there are so many lists out there, and if you are a first time mom, it feels extremely overwhelming. I mean, even as a third time mom, new stuff comes out and you wonder if you absolutely need it or not! But here are my tried and true items that I have loved for years… and a few I’m trying for the first time and I’ll report back.

Here’s the thing, you don’t need a wipe warmer (you don’t want to wait on this in the middle of the night, just swipe and seal the diaper), you don’t need a bottle warmer (a mug with hot water will warm a bottle to room temp), or fancy newborn outfits. You need things that help you survive!

11 Baby Necessities:

Dock-a-tot:

Elston slept in this forever, and it’s so convenient to be able to have baby nap or just set the baby down in this. I love it and will forever use it. The best part is that you can travel

Hatch sound machine:

We are trying this for the first time and I love it so far. It can work with the tap of my finger on top, OR from the app on my phone. I am determined for this baby to sleep (once we clear about 5 months) but also, we need something to drowned out the noise of all the other kids screaming, all. day. long.

Graco Nose Aspirator (battery operated):

I love this and give it for most baby shower gifts. It works well and baby loves the music! Since it’s battery operated, you just hold it under their nose, you don’t have to do any work.

The SNOO sleeper:

We are trying this as well. It’s supposed to mimic movement and rocking either in the womb or in mother’s arms. I decided to rent it as a trial because every baby is different and you just don’t know what works and what doesn’t. Since you use it up until about 6 months, this made the most financial sense to me.

Stretchy swaddles:

I have found that I prefer the stretchy ones because you can get a good wrap, AND it allows the baby to move their hips and legs which is important.

The blue nose bulb from the hospital:

Grab it on your way out! This is for the really sick nights that you absolutely have to get it out so baby can breathe and the musical one (see above) isn’t strong enough! I’ve had a few over the years and this one works the absolute best! You will need it at some point as a mother, I promise.

Colic Calm or Gerber Soothe:

This doesn’t just have to be for a colicky baby. Gripe water and probiotics help babies’ tummies when they are so young and trying to function. It takes a little bit which can cause all sorts of things: gas, reflux, colic… this just helps take the edge off so to speak.

Zip-up sleep sack:

these are amazing and zippers are just the way to go! I’ve used these since Jackson was born!

Dr. Brown bottles:

these were my favorite and what I used when Jackson was little. Elston took a bottle only a few times, our lifestyle was different and I was home with her, so she was pretty exclusively breast fed. Dr. Browns is known to help with air bubbles and colic.

UppaBaby carseat and stroller:

Ok, here’s the deal. This. Is. Luxury. I survived many years with other brands just fine. I used this stroller that we nicknamed the mini-van stroller because it was so huge and cumbersome, and took it all over town for so many years. It was fine. But Uppababy is next level nice. So as it’s not a necessity, as a third time mom, I just want easy and I want luxury. Also, the secure to car and lift/click system is so amazing. There is barely a hassle and I can do it with one hand. That is saying a lot because I’ve spent years of wrestling carseats out of my car. The stroller is also so quiet and smooth, and folds down so easily. I am obviously sold on these items, but I highly recommend this brand.

My two favorite diaper creams are Beautycounter or Boudreaux’s Buttpaste.

I like the green package kind because it works better than the other two of this brand, goes on smoother, and cleans from hands better. Just trust me on this, choose the green package, not the red.

That’s kind of it! I will add anything as I think of it later, but these are the things I’m using now, nothing more! I do wish I could have more sleep at night, but I’m just trying to get through the first few months so I can get more than 2 hours at a time.