1. A good breast pump. I got mine from Target, it is the Medela-Pump in Style. I used a coupon for $50 off and used my REDcard to save 5%.
2. Avent Bottles. They just worked for us. The bottle nipple was good for Archer, find what works for you.
3. Aden and Anais/ Bambino Land Muslin Swaddle Blankets. Seriously though, master the art of swaddling your baby tight, it makes them happy. -I also got the SwaddleMe blankets, which worked great! There is usually a coupon code for Bambino Land, or they pop up on baby steal network on occasion. These also doubled for me as a nursing cover, and a spit up rag. You do what you gotta do.
4. Pamper's Diapers. Swaddlers, specifically. So great, so soft-they never irritated Archer's sensitive skin- Huggie's did.
5. Zipper Jammies. Why not snaps you ask? Because when you haven't slept for 3 weeks and you try to do up snaps at 4:32am for they 19th diaper change of the day- you will hope the inventor of snaps is dead, so you don't kill him yourself. I like this brand because they fit the babies tight. My 8 month old is in size 12-18 months. No big deal :)
6. Boppy, life saver while feeding- I also use it currently for Archer to hang out in.
7. Britax Car Seat/ Stroller. Safety is huge for me, and Britax has the highest ratings. It is something I refused to compromise on in cost. Archer's safety is the most important thing. I used the B-Safe/B-Agile until Archer weighed too much and got too long and now he is in the Boulevard 70-G3. Again I know carseats are expensive and there are other less expensive options that are good- but safety in the car is a huge deal for me personally.
8. Huggies Wipes: One and Done- by far the best, thicker and good for sensitive bums.
9. Bourdeaux's Butt Paste. Trust me.
10. I thought Archer would take Avent binkies, because of the bottles. I tried Avent, Nuk, and we finally settled on MAM. Don't buy a bunch of binkies in one brand. Find what works for your babe- unless you are anti-pacifier, which is totally fine too.
11. A wipeable or machine washable diaper bag. I like Petunia Pickle Bottom or Ju Ju Be. There are less expensive options available.
12. Pack-N-Play- we used our in our room for the first three months until we transitioned Archer into his own room. It lifted to a height that is the same as a bassinet. Also we needed a swing, as Archer had collic and it was the ONLY thing that he would sleep in. Again do what works for you!
13. Nipple Cream. You may think, I don't need that crap. But you do. Just go with it.
14. Someone you can text, anytime, to ask your questions you think are dumb. To talk to about why you are crying at 3am over not having a doughnut in your house. Why you are crying in general. Why the babies poop is weird, why they are pooping so much. Are they eating enough, sleeping enough. Just make a deal with someone, who has been there who won't nag.
15. Enlist Grandma to come over 3x a week to give you a break in the middle of the day and NAP, sleep when the baby sleeps. The dishes can wait, the laundry can wait, the shower can wait. SLEEP, it will make everything seem better when you wake up.
OKAY those are the essentials for the first couple months. Those are what I used anyway.
Xoxo,
Momma K
Good advice! I would have to say I agree with most everything on your list. (They only ones not are those I haven't tried!) I never got the aden + anais swaddle blankets but I wish I would have. Also, Whitley never had diaper rash until just a couple days ago after introducing her to fruits - nothing seems to work. I've had a stock pile of Huggies diapers & they've served us fine, but I will try Pampers next time I need to buy some :)
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