Shopping for new baby basics can be overwhelming – I mean, there are aisles and aisles of baby bottles and carseats, strollers and cribs, how could it not be? How are you supposed to decide what you actually need when the list every store hands you of “essentials” is three pages long!
I have three kids and these are what I found the most useful and have definteily gotten the most wear over the past five years. These essentials are what we couldn’t have made it through the newborn and infant months without.
PS – Speaking of getting ready for baby… here are a list of FREE BABY PRODUCTS for Moms when you use the coupon code PRAGMATIC1. These baby essentials are totally free (you are only responsible for shipping & handling).  Check them out to see if you’d like any of these before you create your registry or go shopping!
MUST HAVES
Britax Carseat and Stroller Combo – Britax is one of the top rated carseats for safety and I love the ease of a click in stroller combo. What’s great about the stroller is that I can literally push a button and fold it up, as well as put it in the back of my car with one hand. Its lightweight and compacts pretty small compared to the other strollers I’ve had in the past (we at one point had four in our garage so I consider myself pretty knowledgable about strollers.)
Medela Double Electric Breast Pump – Easy to set- and use hands free plugged in or electric mode if you’re on the go. If you plan to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby breast milk, this is definitely something you should register for but also check to see what type of breast pump your heath insurance provides to see if you may prefer that one better.
Bouncy Seat – With twins, we used bouncy seats a lot when I was home alone and taking care of two at once. I soft vibrating seat with different levels of vibration from soft to firm is what you’re looking for. Fisher Price has some really great, soft and attractive bouncy seats.
Boppy – I used the Boppy with our twins until it was flat and then got a new one for our daughter. It makes breastfeeding easier and more comfortable. Find cute, funky or custom slipcovers on etsy.
Bath Essentials – I adore the Honest baby line. The diapers are so cute (though you can find less expensive and all natural options just as easily) but the baby essentials smell wonderfully fresh and its reassuring knowing you’re not putting any harsh and harmful chemicals on your baby’s skin.
Diaper Bag – How cute is this one from the new Oh Joy! Target line? I love a wipeable diaper bag and having a messenger strap to throw it across my body so I can carry a baby and groceries in the other hand is a must. The long strap is convenient to wrap on the stroller too.
Sound Machine – This is a huge essential in our house. We didn’t know about a sound machines and white noise until our twins were 8 weeks old and after that, the way they slept drastically changed and I will absolutely attribute it to the sound machine. In fact, most sleep coaches and sleep specialists will recommend a sound machine. Not a fan of white noise? What about the rain, ocean or a tropical rain forest? There are a variety of sound options with this sound machine.
Swaddles – Babies are great at throwing up their arms while they’re sleeping and waking themselves up. I have swaddled with muslin wraps and velcro swaddles but I loved, loved, loved the Love to Dream Swaddle for our daughter who refused to swaddle. This swaddle let her keep her hands up by her head just where she liked them best and the fabric was soft and stretchy to keep her comfortable and not overheated.
Nose Frida – Whoever invented this is a genius. Those nose aspirators from the hospital don’t work AT ALL and are too big for little tiny baby noses but these are life savers. Just try not to gag when you first give it a shot.
Sleep Sheep – This is a sound machine on the go plus its totally adorable. A handy velcro strap lets it slip onto a carseat, stroller or crib. Not digging the sheep? Try the uber-cute giraffe.
Head Thermometer – Its a lifesaver for those nights when you need to check a temp but don’t want to wake up your sleeping child. It can be used as a head or ear thermometer.
WORTH THE SPLURGE
Ergo Baby Carrier – I personally think a baby carrier is a necessity though this is an expensive carrier and worth every penny. I loved holding my baby close and it really helped calm her down when she was an infant. The Ergo was also great for putting her in to make dinner or taking care of our other kids and keeping her out of reach from our rambunctious twins. The Ergo Carrier is great to grow with you child as it transitions into a back carrier. Other options I love: MOBY wrap (youtube the instructions.) and a sling-ring carrier.
Video Monitor – The Summer Infant Color Video Monitor has been great in helping check on my daughter in the middle of the night. The brightness and sound is adjustable and has a talk feature as well. It doesn’t connect via WiFi so the monitor stays private.
Rock N Play Sleeper – Our daughter despised the bassinet and crib early on but loved the Rock N Play Sleeper. Its simple designed makes it easy to fold up and its light to move around the house. The vibrating function is a nice touch as well. The cover easily unclips for a quick wash but I did slip an extra blanket underneath for a little extra padding since it was harder than I thought it should be.
Sophie the Giraffe – This is pretty much a staple for every teething and chewing baby. The squeaker may be annoying and its like a honing device to rile up our dogs, but every one of our babies has loved their Sophie and chewed on it non-stop.
Burp Cloths and Bibs – Totally worth it to get some super cute and ultra soft burp cloths and bibs, especially for those fun drooling months ahead of you.
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