21 BABY MUST-HAVES
Let’s talk about my 21 baby must-haves because it’s pregnancy #2. This time around, I’m getting minimal baby stuff that are my babymust-haves and are a little easier on the eye. I have to admit that some baby furniture, pillows, loungers and bouncers….made my eyes and head hurt. Please note this list doesn’t include playtime options – I will do a separate post for that.
Let’s dive into my 21 baby must-haves!
1. SNOO
This time around I’m trying the Snoo, I’ve heard so many great things about it. The upside is, there is no commitment and you can rent it directly on their website!!! I am prepared for a baby like Oliver that will not want to be put down, so renting is a major plus for me. The downside is getting your baby adjusted to sleep training later on, which I won’t worry too much about right now.
2. BABY SHUSHER
Oliver never really liked white noise, but he loved when I “shusssshhheed” and it came to a point where if I had known about this little genius machine, I would’ve gotten one for every room 🙂
3. SCANDIBORN AND BABYBJORN BOUNCER
A little bouncer to take your baby from room to room is essential. This Scandiborn is so easy on the eyes, but it might be out of budget or not as easy to take around. I’ll probably still invest in it because I love it so much. The BABYBJÖRN is one that I used and will definitely use again.
4. BOPPY PILLOW
Best baby pillow to plop your baby around the house! Loved this.
5. MY BREAST FRIEND
Since we’re on the pillow and plopping babies talk, here’s another must-have if you are breastfeeding. It will become your best friend, and your baby and boobies will thank you.
6. CRIB AND MATTRESS
There’s a lot of cribs out there. Target has some great ones. There’s other designs that are pricey but beautiful and can be used from beginning to all the way to a toddler bed. Some parents skip the bassinet and go straight to the crib that can be used early on. The mattress is really the most important part of a crib. Firm and BREATHABLE. I heard great things about Newton Baby as well and it’s recommended by pediatric nurses.
7. BABY WEAR
My must-haves for baby wear:
Wearing your baby is not only the best you can do for them because of the skin-to-skin contact, but also it makes your life much easier. Oliver didn’t like bulky carriers, but loved thinner materials like slings or wraps. I’m a big fan of Artipoppe carriers because they’re not thick and are also so damn cute. At this point in my postpartum experience #2, I want my baby to feel good, and I also want myself to feel good – part of that is looking good to feel my best. It’s about mommy too!!!!
8. HOSPITAL, POSTPARTUM AND BABY FRIDA KIT
I love Frida mom and baby kits. For a hospital bag, back home bag and baby bag, they’re just so well put together! Some moms don’t need the hospital or postpartum bags – I actually didn’t need them both – but I also think I got very lucky with no tearing. I’d rather be prepared and donate if I have to.
9. TRAVEL CLEANING BABY BOTTLE BRUSH
This might be odd and I know there’s not much traveling going on right now, but omg, you don’t know how many times in hotels or Airbnbs that I had wished to have one of these! Especially in hotels because just rinsing with hot water was really not satisfying me at all!
Coming to the next part of my 21 baby must-haves.
10. MAGNETIC ONESIES
Thanks to a fellow mama on Insta for introducing me to those, I can’t wait to get my hands on them! Talk about making baby dressing time a breeze.
11. PACK N PLAY + CHANGING TABLE
If you don’t have a lot of space at home, I recommend this option for a 2-in-1 play pen and change table.
12. BABY BATH TABLE AND CHANGING TABLE
So this is probably the ugliest thing I own…..BUT omg do I love it. They’re popular in Europe and have much better design than we have access to here. My dad had it for my little sister and that’s how I discovered it. The table adjusts to your height, so no more breaking your back and you can easily drain the tub. It’s also a changing table. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a must for me.
13. SWADDLES
Oliver didn’t like being swaddled, so I don’t have a favorite one. I definitely recommend having them though. I will try a few different ones and see how the new baby likes them. Ideally I’d like one with a zipper. The velcro ones drove me a little nuts at times because it’d wake the baby if for example I wanted to sneak in a night feed.
14. KEEPING LITTLE DISASTERS AT BAY
15. BREASTFEEDING PUMP
Here are my top 3:
- I used this one from Medela with Oliver (the oldest version) I loved it especially for traveling.
- Heard great things about this one from Motif
- Also heard great things about this one from Spectra
I will also be getting this portable one, no cords, no nothing! I remember when it came out right after I was done breastfeeding with Oliver and it was like music to my ears.
16. FORMULA MIXER
I didn’t have one because I breastfed for 10 months, but I would consider one for sure if you’re solely formula feeding. Maybe I even consider one depending on my breastfeeding journey. I have heard great things about the Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced Formula Dispenser Machine. One tip is to clean it regularly and make sure the parts are dry before adding formula, otherwise mold can grow.
17. BOTTLE WARMER & BABY BOTTLES
Here’s the bottle warmer I used with Ollie that I will be using again. No fuss and super easy.
As far as baby bottles, I recommend getting a few, but don’t go crazy! Your baby might not like the ones you picked. I had Avent and Oliver actually wouldn’t take anything else so I got lucky.
18. STERILIZER MEDELA BAGS
I thought these were great and didn’t take up any space! The downside is the plastic, but you can reuse the bags quite a reasonable number of times, or there are machines that will do the work for you.
19. BASSINET ATTACHED TO BED OR DOCKATOT
I’m a co-sleeper parent, so this is ideal for me and another option besides DockATot. Personally I wasn’t a huge fan of DockATot besides using it for traveling, or here and there in the house – but some mamas absolutely love it!
20. XL STROLLER HOOKS
Can’t recommend these enough. For your extra shopping bags, traveling bags or purse…To have really sturdy hooks on your stroller is a must (I’ve been through some hooks that break in two seconds and they drove me nuts).
21. DIAPER BAG INSERT WITH CHANGING MAT
I enjoyed having my nice large handbag and didn’t want to give it up. I didn’t like most of the diaper bag options out there. With this insert you can turn any of your decent size bags into a diaper bag!
I hope this helps! It sure is pushing me to go ahead and start ordering, to get ready for this new arrival 🙂 Have a look at my other blog posts, and watch out for a post about 21 baby must-haves regarding playtime.
