New moms often want to know what baby items to register for or buy before their little one comes along. Even among the basic items there are a variety of makes and models that offer different features that appeal to different people. And then there are parenting secret weapons (NoseFrida, anyone?) that seasoned parents are eager to share with rookies to solve specific problems and save your sanity. Everyone has their own style, so my list of must-haves may not resonate with you. I’m a little crunchy, a bit of a minimalist, and definitely a bargain shopper. We have four kids that span exactly three and a half years, so our baby and toddler items see heavy use, requiring us to buy multiples or having them serve double-duty. Babies also have their own preferences, so don’t get too attached to things like pacifiers, bottles, and toys ahead of time!
Basics
Delta Portable Mini Crib – This was our first purchase as foster parents. At the time we lived in a 2-bedroom trailer, and we wanted to be licensed for kids ages birth – 12 years, which meant we needed a crib, but didn’t know if or when we’d need it. This mini crib was perfect because once assembled, it can fold up flat and fit inside a bedroom closet or under a bed without losing much storage space. Even when it’s unfolded, it can roll through doorways, which is such an asset! The crib holds a maximum weight of 35 pounds, making it a great option not just for little babies, but even through toddler years. We did buy a separate 3-inch mattress for it, which was a good choice. I recommend this crib to everyone, but especially foster parents or grandparents!
Boppy Pillow – This has been a household name for years, for good reason. For us it has been great for nursing, bottle-feeding, propping babies with reflux (and without), tummy time, and I’ve been known to lay my head on it for a nap on the couch. These are usually plentiful at the Kids’ Clothes Connection semi-annual consignment sale. Mark your calendar for the upcoming Spring Sale happening March 9th-23rd in Opelika.
Backpack Diaper Bag – No link for this one because we’ve used a few different kinds, from a specially designed diaper bag, to a regular school backpack, and currently a Thirty-One bag that has both backpack and single-shoulder straps. I like this style because it leaves your hands free, and can hold a lot. If you’re packing for multiple kids like we are, you need some space, and lots of pockets to keep everything organized. I recommend finding one with mesh pockets on the sides for bottles/cups.
Avent Bottles – We’ve used the same Avent bottles for 4 babies now and the oz. markings are still legible. I find that incredible! After trying Dr. Brown wide neck, and Gerber First Essentials, I settled on Avent because the bottles are wide neck which makes it easy for filling with a formula scoop and it also attaches directly to my Spectra S2 breast pump. The same bottles can be used with their Classic+ or Natural nipples as long as you have the corresponding collar for the nipple. Easy to clean, easy to hold, and comes in glass or plastic (I’ve only used plastic).
Imagine Baby One-Size Diaper Cover – I used cloth diapers for a total of about 15 months, from the time our first baby was 2 months old, until our second baby was 8 months old. At that point, I was also halfway through my first pregnancy, and could not keep up with the laundry from 2 in cloth diapers plus a household of 5. Why I chose cloth – I mentioned that I was a little crunchy and definitely frugal. I bought some diapers second-hand before we had a baby because I knew I wanted to try cloth. I bought a few more new, and had friends also share some of theirs. I had quite a few different brands and types. These diaper covers by Imagine Baby were my favorites because, unlike pocket diapers or all-in-ones, they could be reused throughout the day by replacing the washable inserts (purchased separately; you can use any insert), as long as the cover itself didn’t get wet or dirty. That resulted in less to buy, less to pack, and less to wash. These fit from 8 lbs. to 35+ lbs., making it a very affordable way to diaper most babies from newborn to potty training. (Just looking at these makes me want to use cloth again, which is crazy, since I currently have 4 overflowing laundry baskets waiting for me to fold their contents, and more in the washer and dryer!)
Game Changers
Store Brand Disposable Diapers – Once I moved on from cloth, I bought store brand diapers, almost exclusively. We’ve used Comforts For Baby (Kroger), Parent’s Choice (Wal-mart), Up & Up (Target), and Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) frequently and never had any significant issues with leaks, skin irritations, or quality (ie. tabs ripping off). I will add I’ve used the baby wipes from all of those brands also without problems. At the end of the day, it’s going under their clothes, and going in the trash. As long as it does its job, why pay more?
Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water – It seems like newborns get the hiccups constantly! It can be really frustrating when baby is almost asleep and then hiccups start. This gripe water seemed to work like magic on hiccups, as well other baby fussiness from unknown sources.
Tommee Tippee Milk Bibs – If you plan to bottle feed at all from birth to three months, get a couple of these bibs! Little babies dribble milk down their chin while learning to drink from a bottle, and the thick collar on this bib keeps their neck clean and dry so they don’t develop a rash. They were my favorites for our bottle-fed preemies with skinny little necks because you can get a snug fit.
Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat – We have three of these and they are what we use instead of high chairs. I like having our kids at the table with us. It also saves space in the kitchen by not having separate high chairs. We feed them directly on the tray from 6 months – 15 months, and then we pull them up to the table with their own plate and utensils. They’re easy to clean, great for travel, and can be used on the floor if you have a party and need your chairs for adults! I recommend the deluxe version because you can adjust the height of the legs.
Lillebaby Complete Airflow 6-position Carrier – I really couldn’t live without this. Now, baby-wearing can be intimidating, but there are Facebook groups, in-person groups, YouTube videos, etc to help you learn to use this, or any other type of carrier you may have. So don’t let that stop you. I may write a whole post on babywearing later, because there’s so much I could say. I chose this carrier because it is user-friendly, fits from 7 lbs. – 45 lbs. without needing an infant insert, and the mesh body of the Airflow is what you need to babywear in Alabama. It also enables baby to face out, has lumbar support, and is one of the most affordable ergonomic carriers on the market (supports baby from knee-to-knee, well-padded shoulder straps and waistband for the wearer). I suggest keeping an eye on them on Amazon as well as the sale page on Lillebaby.com. You can snag one for under $100 if you’re patient!
In my next post I’ll be sharing my toddler must-haves!
We have loved the booster seat style chair as well!! That thing was a life saver. We also loved that our daughter could eat at the table with us. I still have mine. Use it when friends come over with little ones, and one day will use it for my grand babies!
We also used store brand diapers, wipes and formula. Saved a ton of money and didn’t think that the quality was any less compared to name-brand supplies. There are non-brand baby supplies that just don’t hack it, but the brands you mentioned are all good! CVS also has a good store-brand. “Back in the day” I would look for the muppet babies on any store brand. They were the same diaper under different store brands.
Great article!
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