10 Baby Essentials We Didn't Know We'd Need
We had a couple registries and a few baby showers where we received most of what we needed for Logan. However, there are definitely things that we didn't expect we'd need, but have been life savers. Needless to say, Amazon Prime has become our best friend during these first few months. I thought it might be nice to compile a list of the essentials (click the images for the link!) that we didn't add to a registry or purchase ahead of time (mostly because we weren't aware of just how useful they would be!) Being that every baby develops individual preferences, this list may not apply to all, but will hopefully be helpful in some way. AND...what I noticed after making my list is that most of the items have to do with sleep ;)
1. DockATot
Most people are probably thinking "um, how did you NOT register for this?" But we honestly thought it was just a co-sleeping device, and we weren't intending on doing that. We were going to go to Yosemite when Logan was about a month old (didn't end up going) and did not want to take the whole Halo bassinet (it's heavy and the base is bulky). Purchased the DockATot and it was a game changer! Although he's starting to get too long for it now, it has been the perfect bed on-the-go, and he sleeps really well in it.
2. ZoLi Buzz B Electric Nail File
Thanks to a mom from one of my baby groups for sharing this gem. Clipping Logan's nails is terrifying because his hands are constantly moving and I don't want to cut his fingers. This nail file gently rumbles and he actually seems to enjoy the sensation and doesn't squirm as much.
3. Love to Dream Sleep Sack
Logan never enjoyed having his hands swaddled and would always break free. He sucks on his hands to soothe himself and likes to sleep with them up by his head. A friend of mine recommended this sleep sack, which is great because he can sleep exactly how he likes to. The arms zip off for when babies starts to roll and can't be restricted anymore. So convenient!
4. Hushh Portable White Noise Machine
Yeah, you could probably download a white noise app on your phone, which is also portable. But for some reason, Logan sleeps SO well with this white noise machine, we take it everywhere and we keep it on for him all night and all through his naps. The "bright white noise" setting is his go-to.
5. Dr. Brown's Preemie Flow Nipples
If you're going with Dr. Brown's bottles, they come with size 1 nipples by default. If you're like me, you might have not even been aware that there are different flow nipples. The preemie flow is slower than the size 1 nipples and mimics the natural flow of milk from the breast. This makes it easier to go back and forth from between breast to bottle. Babies will usually size up as they get older, but Logan doesn't seem to want to do that yet.
6. Blackout Curtains
For when your baby leaves the sleepy newborn phase behind and enters the distractibility phase. Enough said.
7. Mommy's Bliss Gripe Water
We tried Little Remedies gas drops, some other type of simethicone drops, and a probiotic, but during Logan's gassy phases, this seemed to work best. Who knows? Every baby is different. When it comes to gas, you kind of have to experiment.
8. Baby K'tan
Until about 2.5 months old, Logan refused to nap on any surface. He didn't want the bassinet, the swing, the Rock 'N Play, the Boppy, the car seat, or the Pack 'N Play. He only wanted to be worn, and when your sanity is on the line, you will wear that baby if he wants to be worn. I got the Baby K'tan because he was too small for our Ergobaby, and he napped wonderfully in it. I could still get some things done around the house, too. (P.S. they have great customer service!)
9. Yoga Ball
GREAT for soothing a fussy baby. Blow that thing up, hold your baby, and bounce the tears away. There was a period of time where Logan discovered his witching hour and we had to bounce him from 5pm-6:30pm to calm him down. Life saver.
10. Aquaphor Baby
For diaper rash/redness, cradle cap, moisturizing after bath time, moisturizing after swimming...basically just useful for keeping baby's skin soft and healthy. It's unscented, hydrating, and really helps.
