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I love shopping! I love buying new things and bringing them home and putting things in the place where I imagined they would go. It is the best feeling for me. When I became pregnant with my first child I was over the moon excited about all the baby things I would be able to buy for my daughter. I definitely did this but then realized after a couple of months how useless most of the items I bought were. There were things that I used once and never looked at again.
When it came to baby number 2 I knew better. I knew that I did not need to go overboard and load up my house with silly things that would probably never be used. I needed to get the things that I would actually use. This list are the things outside of the normal crib, car seat, rocking chair list. Those things I feel are a given and most people know that they need those. This list is going to be about the items not really thought about but are amazing!
- Diaper Pail
I did not buy one of these for a while after my daughter was born. I had the thought that I would just take the really stinky diapers out to the trash can. I did this but then soon realized how big of a pain it was! I hated every time I changed a poopy diaper I had to then run it outside to the trash. I caved and bought a diaper pail and I loved it! So convenient to be able to put a stinky diaper into the pail and just close the lid. Made a world of difference for me. Even more so with baby number 2 because not only did I have a newborn but also a toddler to run after.
- Bottle Warmer
I have used my bottle warmer everyday since I bought it. I do a bottle at night for my baby and this is so nice to set the timer and walk away. I have heated up milk in boiling water on a stove and I feel like it takes so much longer. I have to watch it to make sure it doesn’t get too hot. This bottle warmer tells you how much water to put in and how long to let it warm up.
- Changing Pad
I bought this with my daughter and I love it. It is so nice to put your baby on top of a dresser and change them versus going on the floor to change them. I used mine until my daughter was almost 2 and now I use it all the time with number 2. It is convenient and nice. Plus this one is made out of an almost plastic fabric so you can wipe it down for those glorious blowouts that happen.
- Bath Support
This is another one I use on a daily basis. Until your baby can really sit up on their own it can be challenging to give them a bath. This makes it super convenient to lay them in and wash them down. Even when my son started to kind of sit up we kept in this to help him in case he lost his balance.
- Mesh Crib Wrap
This is one I discovered after my daughter kept getting her leg stuck in the crib railing. This wraps around the crib and keeps the little one from getting their legs stuck. I went with the mesh ones because I had heard of babies suffocating with fabric ones. The mesh gave me a piece of mind that for whatever reason my baby would still be able to breathe if they got wrapped up. (they are velcroed and tied to the crib so I am not sure how it even happens but better to be safe)
- Muslim Blankets
I know this one is probably a given for most but I think they are essential. They are amazing for swaddling and honestly make the best burp cloths. They soak up so much better than any burp rag I have tried. Plus I like carrying around a blanket versus a burp rag. They are super versatile when you are on the go, from a place to change a diaper to a cover when breastfeeding to a blanket when your baby gets tired. I stocked up on these because I fell in love with how much I could use them for.
- Sound Machine
I didn’t use a sound machine with my first since she was the first and I did not think I needed one. I was wrong! We put white noise on our phones at night to help my daughter get to sleep. It was pretty ridiculous and funny. So when baby number 2 was coming I knew I needed to get one. It has been awesome. My son sleeps through the craziness of his sister for his naps and doesn’t wake up in the mornings when his dad is getting ready for work. It is a must! This one has different sounds that you can choose from plus a timer if you do not want it on all night.
- Pack n Play
I put this on the list because I think that most people don’t plan on going anywhere when the baby is born. I was the same. Why get a pack n play when you are not going to go anywhere and just stay home all the time right? Wrong. You will go places, you will visit family or go on a little road trip because you are about to lose your mind staying home another day. This is a necessity. It gives you an automatic bed when you go somewhere for your baby to sleep. Whether it is a nap or you are staying overnight somewhere. I even have a cousin that just bought a pack n play for her baby instead of a crib. This way the baby was in “their” bed no matter where they were. You will use it so much more than you think you will.
- Portable High Chair
This is a discovery we made at a restaurant. They used them as their high chairs instead of the typical wood ones. We went home and bought one immediately after using it. They clip onto your table and instantly creates a little high chair. For a minimalist, this is great for everywhere you go. You can hook it on your table at home and then fold it down and take it to restaurants or on trips. We even packed in our bags when we flew to Nebraska to visit family. It fits and goes everywhere. An amazing multipurpose gadget.
These items on top of the obvious crib and car seat have saved me more times than I can count. They are essentials in my eyes. They will make your life easier. You are going to be a mom and that is already hard. No need to make it harder. Babies are fun and crazy and adorable. They come with a lot but having these items may make it a little easier. Plus if you do not want to overrun your house with all the baby gear then this list is for you!
What items have you needed for your baby? Let me know in the comments!
