Today I’m going to talk to you about some baby must haves…and some baby don’t bothers.
This is just my personal experience and what worked for us. This isn’t to say you won’t like something I say you shouldn’t bother with. Just my personal opinion here…
Okay, lets get started…
This first one is a two-fer. I have one thing you need along with a do without.
My number one thing I think all moms need is a pack n play. Seriously, do without the cradle, the bassinet, get a pack n play. We used the one with the bassinet built in and its perfect. You get more bang for your buck this way.
I use a pack n play from the moment they are born until they are 2 years old. Yes. 2. Since Logan was born I’ve always had 2 pack n plays in my house. One in our room and one downstairs. Right now Tenley sleeps in hers in our room and the one downstairs is used for both her and even Kensington at times. If I need Kensington corralled/she’s being a two year old and acting up, I plop her in the pack n play with some toys and/or a snack. She doesn’t love it, but it does the trick. Tenley plays in the pack n play as well and its a safer place for her than the floor where she can get into so many little toys that she’ll choke on and keeps the dogs away from her, who love to give kisses.
One thing I did buy when we were pregnant with Tenley was a rock n play. It was awesome! I could move it from room to room while she was small and needed me close. Much more convenient than the pack n play but…you still need that pack n play.
My number two thing I think all moms need is a mamaroo or a swing. This is a tough one because all babies don’t love them. For me it was different for each baby. Kamryn loved the swing, Logan hated it. While, Kensington and Tenley both loved the mamaroo. Again, this was a place I could place the baby and get things done. They napped in those things more times than I can count. Even now, at 8 months old, every once in awhile I plop Tenley in that mamaroo. The mamroo is expensive but if you plan on having more babies…totally worth it!
My number three must have is an excersaucer. We have had ours for 7 years! YES! SEVEN YEARS! End of story. Get one. You’ll thank me later. That excersaucer has kept my babies entertained for hours!! They’ve all loved it and love to be upright and be able to see everything going on around them.
Number four — comfy blankets and receiving blankets. The more the better!! You’ll use those again and again and again. Between swaddling, keeping the baby warm in the carseat and just holding your baby in a comfy blanket…you’ll love it! I got a personalized receiving blanket for Kensington and I used it when she was a baby up until she was a year old for monthly pictures. Now we have it for a keepsake. They personalized ones can be expensive though. We got ours from Boco Baby.
Number five — hats! First of all, they are adorable and second of all they keep your baby nice and warm. We got the girls hospital hats at “infanteenie beenie” on etsy and they wore those again and again and again. I got Logan some really cute ones from carters but infanteenie beenie has boy ones as well.
Now I might get some heat for this next one but…do without the cute outfits in newborn size. Hear me out….get a couple. I know, its adorable on the hanger in the store. They are so tiny and cute. But you are wasting your money. The baby will more than likely be uncomfortable and will spit up on them anyways. For girls, stick to leggings and tunics or onesies. For boys sweatpants and onesies. They will grow out of those newborn sizes so incredibly fast. Sleepers are key! The more the better, but keep in mind how quickly they will outgrow them so get multiple sizes. Mike and I are HUGE fans of zip up pjs! The buttons will drive you insane!!! So, look for zippers. Just be careful when zipping them, obviously. 4 kids in, we cringe when someone gives us button up pjs for our kids!
Don’t waste your money on shoes. Yes, again, they are tiny and cute but they are such a waste of money. Your baby is going to kick them right off. Their ankles and feet are much too tiny to stay on. Get socks. LOTS OF SOCKS. My first purchase every time I’ve been pregnant was tons of socks and pjs. Every time, I hop on Carters and get as many as I can. Socks are key!! They even have ones that look like shoes so its a win win. And again, lots of sizes. If they are a little too big, you can pull them up or fold them over.
Some things I never had but wish I did…
A rocker. Oh, how I wish I had memories of rocking my babies to sleep.
Maternity pictures. I have pictures but no professional ones. I wish I made that purchase…a long with professional newborn photos.
The perfect nursery. Yep, 4 kids and not one of them came home to a complete nursery. That goes along with the rocker. I wish I had a memory of a giant belly, in a perfect room, folding little clothes just anticipating my babies arrival.
I guess the fact that I never had these things and I’ve had 4 babies and we’ve all survived goes to prove that they are not necessities. But definitely special…
I’m telling you…if you have a pack n play, a swing or mamaroo, a hat, blankets, pjs and socks. Your baby is set!! Okay, yes you’ll need more things, like to feed your baby with, wash your baby, diapers, car seat, etc etc. We have these HUGE baby showers. There are stores with floor to ceiling things that we think we need. Majority of them, are a waste of money in my opinion. I totally get the appeal. But you really don’t need it all. Like I said, you’ll want more, need more…this is just a simple list. As always, mama knows best! You do you!
What about you? Do you have any baby must haves I might have missed? Please share in the comments.
In a few days I’m going to do a post on what to put in your hospital bag. I did not overpack. I brought EXACTLY what we needed. I’ve seen checklists on pinterest and I don’t know what these people are thinking. I swear the hospital staff would’ve thought I was insane if I brought all the things they tell you that you need. So, look for a simple small list of what to pack when its go time!
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