So I decided to make a list of the 10 best items I purchased for MJ and 10 that didn’t work out. This is for ages newborn to one and then I’ll do a toddler one as well! Also these are just what worked and didn’t work for me and each baby and mommy is different and is going to have different styles and needs!
Going into my pregnancy I had a pretty serious Kickstarter addiction so many of these purchases are from Kickstarter or Indiegogo or Shark tank products🤣
1. My amazing breathable mattress from ABC Sleep Safe
I can’t say enough good things about this mattress -MJ slept soooo well on it and I felt that he was perfectly safe at all times- he was a big belly sleeper and this was perfect for that!! Also it kept him the perfect temperature because air is circulating under him as well which was awesome!
He would get such amazing sleep -basically all through the night -which was so great because he was in our room until he was almost one.
2. Bub Baby changing pad cover
This has been great for us and I found it on Kickstarter! Soft for baby on the top half and then wipeable on the bottom half in case there are some accidents- which constantly happen around here 😅
3. Medela Symphony Breast Pump
This was a splurge but I talked my husband into it because I promised it would be used for multiple babies😅
I would recommend renting one from your hospital they are reasonably priced per month and TOTALLY worth it- it made pumping so painless and easy for me- especially when I compared it side by side to the other Medela pump that was covered by my insurance-
It was especially good for bringing up my supply whenever it started dipping~
So I didn’t actually get this because it hadn’t come out when MJ was born but my sister has one and I can attest it is AMAZING
So convenient to have a car seat and stroller all in one – easiest way to travel in an airport too
This balm for MJ was soooo good- always cleared up the slightest hint of inflammation and he does have very sensitive skin- also used this shampoo which worked great!
He had zero issues with rashes or any skin issues and I think these products were the reason why~
6. Gripe Water
Definitely super important as he had some tummy issues that would make him very uncomfortable but this would work perfectly!
I felt this was a great nursing pillow- the boppy to me was more tricky and this one made feeding a breeze!
8. Qeepsake
This app is amazing for writing down moments and sending in photos through out your child’s development! It’s honestly been so fun looking back at memories and little stories that I would totally have forgotten otherwise!
This swaddle and the sleep sacks they have are amazing!! Unfortunately little MJ wasn’t into being swaddled but for babies that are this is perfect! I think all babies have their preferences!
Mj did love his Rock N Play (seriously a life saver especially if they are even slightly congested because it’s at a slight angle so they can sleep) and it was honestly so nice to put him in this if he was struggling to sleep~
This carrier is great because it’s also a cute shirt and honestly it was one of the best things to haul baby MJ around at the beginning-the guy version above also looks pretty cool!
Btw the pic above is from me four days post delivery
– and was after being induced because I was 9 days late/ getting to 8 cm and then having a c-section/ being on magnesium for severe pre eclampsia and a 38 hr labor and delivery so if I look a little rough it’s because I was feeling a little rough🤪but the entire pregnancy before was great and the recovery was pretty good (honestly hugely thanks to my placenta pills and sweet Moky’s moms ginger rice) and the nursing/sleeping through the night and everything was also great so really no complaints from me!
When he got too big I went to another wrap called Cuddly Wrap that I don’t think exists anymore 😟
Other super important things to buy are a
Portable is the best but the battery can run out pretty quick so I also recommend a stationary one for the nursery
I really liked this humidifier better than the one I bought originally which was in this post-I would have to say humidifiers are pretty great for newborns I felt that when we used it consistently he barely ever got sick~
-Stroller (I got the Mima second hand and really do love it!) the only thing is you couldn’t take this on a camping trip or something it’s mainly for city roads
-Carseat (got the Maxi Cosi and it’s been great) prob just using the Doona for the next baby though
Used this all the time and it was awesome!!
-High chair Micuna Ovo (love it got it second hand on eBay) the only thing is that it doesn’t go high enough for a bar height counter which is what we have so that’s kinda a bummer
-Also the cutest clothes I really love are Mini Rodini and Kickee Pants!
–Huggies (also I went up a size every time he had a couple of blow outs and it really worked well) also overnight diapers when they start sleeping through the night are👌🏻
Also just to be clear I got a ton of stuff second hand for so cheap- good places were Facebook marketplace and Facebook buy/sell groups- ebay-Craigslist- and friends!
Things that I wasn’t in love with but other moms might love!
1. Wipe warmer
It was honestly pretty great but I don’t see myself going to the extra effort for my other potential kids! So yes for first baby and that’ll be a no for future babies!
2. Peepee teepee
Also good but we lost them ALL the time so…
3. Bottle sterilizer
Once they invent one that actually totally cleans and sterilizes a bottle I will be onboard but none of them actually do.
4. Baby bjorn bouncer
Did love it but it lasted a very short time because Mj got too big 😟
5. Munchkin mesh food holder
Mj was already eating the fruit whole so this didn’t really make sense!
6. Baby food sealed containers
Too small for Mj haha they just didn’t hold enough food!
7. Baby nail clippers
Didn’t work well, couldn’t ever find them and I felt that chewing them myself when they are little babies works best
8. Nuby sippy cup
Literally doesn’t work-actually had a lot of trouble with sippy cups not working well but found a winner (upcoming toddler post)!
9. Cloth bibs
Don’t really need the extra laundry!
10. Baby mittens/baby sock wraps that keep the socks on/baby shoes
Eh he really didn’t use these much when he was really little and they get lost so easily.
So that’s the end of my really long post! Hope it helps some people on their choices for what to get! These are just things that worked well for me but there are a ton of other products out there that work great too!