Baby Registry Essentials

Truth: As a new expectant mom, shopping for your baby can be overwhelming. The items below are things that I either registered for but didn’t realize would be so necessary or things I left off my registry and ended up buying after the fact. Note: I am not profiting in any way by adding links/brand names. This is just what worked for us!

1. Swing – Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing

Our baby swing has been such a lifesaver. That thing put Myles to sleep more times than I can count (although not recommended for unsupervised sleeping). It’s honestly the only reason we EVER got any sleep in his first couple months of his life. I don’t think brand really matters here, but ours swings AND vibrates, so that’s a bonus.

2. Co-Sleeper - Lullyboo Travel Bassinet

This was another sleep aid that made my life so much easier. This wasn’t actually on our registry, but I bought it since Myles hated the bassinet we had. He refused to sleep in it. This bassinet just sits on top of your bed and has firm sides so that you can’t roll onto your baby. It’s awesome to have the baby so close to you and not have to get up while you’re still recovering. I think Myles liked that it was a little cozier than his bigger bassinet.

3. Air purifier – RENPHO Air Purifier

We have two big dogs, and one of them has an extreme shed twice a year. I knew we would need an air purifier for the shedding and all the allergens their coats carry. What I didn’t know was that it could double as a white noise machine that also helps Myles get solid sleep. It’s sort of how adults sleep with a fan on. This is like a fan, but slightly louder. We keep it on constantly in the room he sleeps in, and it helps him nap and sleep through the night. Also, it’s been almost five months, and we haven’t had to change the filter yet!

4. Baby bathtub – Fisher Price 4-in-1 Sling n’ Seat Tub

This is something I just never thought of. Luckily, a family member handed one down to us, so we had it. This might be obvious to some people, but I figured I would add it for the dummies like me that would’ve ended up just having to shower my newborn! Lol

5. Activity gym – Bright Starts Disney Baby Finding Nemo Ray Ocean Lights Activity Gym

We registered for one just because I thought it was sooo cute. I mean, who doesn’t love finding Nemo? My cousins ended up getting it for us as a baby shower gift, and it was one of the best gifts ever. I didn’t realize babies need entertainment when they are so young! Myles literally started fussing from boredom around six weeks old. The activity gyms are great because they are colorful and usually have music, so you can lay your newborn under there, and they’re entertained even if they can’t really interact yet. They also have dangling toys for when your baby can start to move around. Now that Myles is 4 months, the placement of the toys encourages him to practice rolling so he can reach them all! I promise, even if you think it’s unnecessary, you’ll end up wanting one sooner than you think.

6. Infant seat/stroller combo – Graco Modes Bassinet Travel System

I thought I could be smart by just getting one convertible carseat that grows with my baby. The problem with that is the carseat can’t just lift out of the car. If you get an infant carseat system, the seat clicks into a base that is installed into your car, but it lifts out of the base to click into the stroller. That way, if your baby is asleep in the car, you don’t have to disturb them when you get to where you’re going. Trust me, you do NOT want to wake a sleeping baby – notice how most of these items are about sleep?!

7. Stash of baby medicines

Stock up on simethicone gas drops, gripe water, infant Tylenol and probiotics (I’d research this more before deciding on a brand). You never know when you are going to desperately need one of these items at 3 am. Enough said.

I hope this post helped you think outside of the obvious essentials like diapers and wipes and can make life easier once you welcome your little ones. Some of these things helped me maintain my sanity, which is necessary. If mom loses it, everyone loses it!

#truthmom