Tiny bear slippers and fuzzy bath robes! Yes, too darn cute, but are these the items you will reach for over and over for your newborn? Maybe not, but so necessary for a cute Instagram post!
Baby showers are awesome and an opportunity for loved ones to gift all the cute things and maybe some of those big items on your registry. However, when you get down to it, many of those practical items are overlooked. I mean who wants to wrap a boogie sucker and a package of poopie pads to gift to your bestie? Let’s face it, the practical items are not so fun to gift, but so important to have when baby comes home.
I thought I had everything ready to go after my shower, but man did I have it all wrong! I actually was not prepared at all! I realized I didn’t have any of those cheap, yet so incredibly important items and needed them fast! Luckily, we live in a time that with only a few clicks from the comfort of our own home we can have them all on our doorstep by noon!
To help all of my mom’s-to-be avoid this last minute panic, I thought I would create a list of the must have less glamorous baby products.
Baby Thermometer – Dealing with a baby’s first fever is scary and you will want the best thermometer that will be fast, accurate and safe. Since any fever over 100.4 F is cause for concern in newborns, you want the best device to give you the closest measurement. Our pediatrician recommended a rectal thermometer like the Kinsa QuickCare Smart Stick Digital Thermometer. We also have the Braun ThermoScan Electronic Ear Thermometer which is another option for your child.
Multiple Pacifiers aka “Soothe Operators” – Get ready to be overwhelmed by the amount of options out there. With so many different types of pacifiers on the market it’s very easy to become confused on which one you will need. At the end of the day no matter how much research you do, your baby will have the final say. Therefore, have a few different types on hand and once you have narrowed it down… STOCK UP! These are a necessity for those out of the blue freak outs. We currently love the Philips Avent Soothie Pacifiers.
Baby’s First-Aid Kit – It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all of the “things” we need for our baby especially when you run into a situation you cannot predict. Having a first aid kit near will put your mind at ease and is packed with essentials you might not always think about. We currently have one in the house, one in the car and a travel kit for the diaper bag. Currently loving the American Red Cross Deluxe Health and Grooming Kit.
Burp Cloths – Well pretty much because babies spit up A LOT and I mean A LOT! You will find yourself constantly reaching for these and you don’t want to run out because they are in the wash! Prep by purchasing these in packs and stock them throughout the house and car. Currently loving the Burt’s Bees Baby 5-Pack Organic Cotton Burp Cloths.
Comfy Robe for MOM – After prepping for months for the babe, we tend to forget about ourselves. Let’s face it, you won’t be throwing on a new pair of stilettos anytime soon and if you are HELL YES to you (you go girl)! For me, all I wanted was an oversized comfy robe to throw on throughout the night for feedings and maybe to wear for days because I couldn’t fit into anything else. I fell in love with this cushy CozyChic Robe by Barefoot Dreams from Nordstorm.
Antibacterial Soap – A MUST! For all visitors and family that will be coming to your home for baby snuggles, you need to be ready with the right liquid hand soap that will kill germs. My husband purchased multiple bottles of Dial soap on Amazon Prime and it was on our doorstep before we got home from the hospital.
Waterproof Changing Pad Liners– What the heck are these? Yep, the exact reaction I had after a friend told me these were a must and now I totally get it! Moms-to-be… you need these! These liners go under your changing pad cover and prevent the pad from getting soaked. They are so easy to clean and it will save you a stinky nursery if you should run into accidents and please trust me when I say … YOU WILL. I purchased the Boppy 3-Pack Waterproof Changing Pad Liners
Breast Pump – If you plan on breastfeeding, I highly recommend getting a pump. There will always be situations where a pump comes in handy, especially if you’re a working mama! Great news: If you have health insurance, you can probably get one for free! The best way to get started is to contact your health insurance provider and to talk to them about their breast pump policy. They will most likely give you a list of suppliers they work with. I worked with a website called Pumping Essentials. They walked me through the process and with a small upgrade fee I was sent the exact pump I wanted within a few weeks. Super easy and hassle free.
Humidifier – Dry Air! Uggg yep a problem I never knew we had in our home until Baby Kai. A chronic stuffy nose and a mucus sounding cough has been the cause of this harsh air. We knew we needed a fix quick! Our pediatrician recommended a humidifier to add moisture back into the air to help relieve our baby and it did just that! I loved the Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Drop Shape Humidifier because it is super quiet and it blends in easily to home decor.
Bottle and Dish Soap– When you have multiple feedings a day and a pacifier that seems to pop out of their mouths every two minutes, you want a safe and natural cleaning product to depend on. I am absolutely in love with the Dapple Baby Products. They are created with plant-based ingredients by mothers and get rid of those smelly bottles and dishes!
SleepSack Swaddles – A MUST! I started using the muslin cloths when he first came home to swaddle him and quickly found out I gave birth to Houdini. Each and every night he would break out of them within minutes. Once we started using the SleepSack Organic Cotton Swaddles he slept so much better and we were able to rest knowing he was safe. Love these!
Wine … like a lot of WINE – Any type will do as long as you have enough bottles to get you through the first few months!
I can only hope this list helps you to organize yourself and to start checking things off your list. Once again I am not a Mom professional by any means and just want to share what worked for me. Lots of luck and just know Amazon Prime is a GREAT thing.
Ox Danielle
