Top Must Have Products When Bringing Home A New Baby: Editor’s Choice

Being a parent is one of the most challenging jobs on the planet and nothing makes it more complicated like unsolicited advice.

Nowadays, moms are bombarded with commercials, books, blogs and media telling them exactly how to be the perfect mom. And no one is hit harder than the expectant mother, especially the first-time expectant mother.

Stores like Babies-R-Us, Buy Buy Baby and Target have targeted pregnant women with expert marketing to make them feel like they must create a baby registry at their store. And it must include so-called ‘must have items’ that are frivolous luxuries and many times go unused.

When I was expecting my first child, I felt this pressure to make an exorbitant registry list. We didn’t have the money ourselves to buy even half of it, but being the first grandchild on both sides, baby boy still received a majority of the items on the list.

And just like every mom finds out after the fact, those gifts were seen for what they really were – unnecessary space wasters that were used once or not at all and left to sit with a big flashing sign overhead saying, “You’re already doing this mothering thing wrong.”

So stop worrying about the unrealistic expectations and pressure you may feel to buy your baby everything. Check out my list of items you will not only use but will also make bringing baby home easier:

  1. Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play

Released in 2010, this multifunctional baby product has been making mother’s must have lists across the internet since day one.

Announced in 2009 during my first pregnancy, I watched anxiously for it to be put on the market. After a few delays, the Rock ‘n Play hit stores in 2010, a week after my son was born, and we were one of the very first to buy it.

This product can replace numerous baby items like the bouncy seat, napper, swing and even the bassinet. It’s the perfect solution for tight spaces and tight budgets. It sits higher than a bouncy seat, leaving baby better able to see you and saves strain on your back. Also ideal for travel, it folds in half and sits flat in the trunk of your car.

We used it constantly, day and night, with our son. He had severe acid reflux, requiring special medication and monitoring by a specialist. The unique angle of this seat provides a comfortable position during playtime and naptime. And most importantly for us, it is the perfect angle to keep a sore tummy happy and full.

I cannot say enough good things about this product.

There was a recall on the first model due to possible mold growth once it was put in storage. So make sure to buy yours brand new here:

[amazon_link asins=’B014D50LCY’ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’04f0385e-97c6-11e7-88d8-83b5967a617a’]

 

Or for a few bucks more, you can get one with “auto-rock”:

[amazon_link asins=’B00NEO5UTU’ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0e6b486b-97c6-11e7-944f-f10ad51da0a8′]

 

  1. Safety 1stCar Seat

This is the only company I trust my children’s lives to, literally.

Nowadays you will see car seats with similar designed head protection, but not even a decade ago, they did not even exist on the market. That’s because Safety 1st is the original designer of what they called “Air Protect.” This revolutionary design is now copied by all the big brands in carseats, but the original patented safety innovation can only be purchased from Safety 1st.

Not only did Safety 1st change the carseat industry forever, they are truly committed to your child’s safety first and foremost. In fact, during the almost 8 years my family has exclusively used this brand, there has only been one recall that I know of – for a sticker. Yes, the company posted a recall after a sticker illustrating proper installation was found to be confusing. The company mailed new stickers to anyone who requested one.

This is a company I wholeheartedly entrust the lives of my precious little ones to everyday. It is the only brand of car seat my children will ever use. Even the grandparents’ vehicles are equipped with them.

We started with this infant car seat:

[amazon_link asins=’B00R7Q38MC’ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’582703c6-97c6-11e7-ad70-8bec22a6dec8′]

For our toddlers, we use this one, for extended rear facing:

[amazon_link asins=’B00LS7ZQGC’ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’661a5534-97c6-11e7-904c-3d17a627801a’]

And lastly the booster seat for the big kids:

[amazon_link asins=’B00HOCMJA6′ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7338f265-97c6-11e7-8632-5f5fc9f8474b’]

  • Lansinoh Lanolin
  • This is an absolute lifesaver for breastfeeding moms. I’m not going to sugarcoat it – breastfeeding is hard work and it takes a while for the skin to acclimate to the constant suckling of your baby.

    Applying a small amount after every feeding and before and after pumping and showering will save you unnecessary pain and will help your body heal faster and make nursing more comfortable sooner.

    Bonus tip: Start applying lanolin daily during the last few weeks of pregnancy. This will give your skin a jumpstart in preparing for baby.

    This convenient size makes it easy to carry everywhere:

    [amazon_link asins=’B00FNZQHJA’ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’84c8f268-97c6-11e7-bc2a-a5d81ed3bc9e’]

  • Gerber Prefold Diaper Burp Cloths
  • Forget the cutesy burp cloths in the feeding aisle and stock up on these absorbent beauties! Most burp cloths are thin and unable to absorb even the smallest amount of spit- up. I’ve even had spit-up roll right off the cloth!

    But Gerber Prefold Diaper Burp Cloths are designed for maximum absorbency. And now they come in cute colors and patterns that will coordinate with any nursery décor.

    You no longer need to choose between function and style. Get yours here:

    [amazon_link asins=’B00R4PX7YK’ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’93a14cf6-97c6-11e7-b991-53d7344db28f’]

  • Burt’s Bees Diaper Rash Ointment
  • Nothing is worse than having a miserable baby with a diaper rash that just won’t quite go away. As a parent, you feel helpless. And as a consumer, you feel confused and misled by the dozens of diaper creams mocking you in the baby aisle.

    Along came Burt’s Bees to save your baby’s buns! This cream is unique to anything else in the aisle. It combines natural elements with proven medicines to knock out that diaper rash quickly. This cream is vital for my daughter, who has a food intolerance that can leave her bum raw if she accidentally eats something she shouldn’t have.

    Bonus tip: Apply it daily before bedtime, when baby’s skin is most vulnerable, to avoid future rashes.

    [amazon_link asins=’B00YRKV1U2′ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’aaa0725e-97c6-11e7-8ce3-dfc7b523fdf9′]

  • Baby Sleep Bags and Gowns
  • Newborns need constant feeding and diaper changes and that doesn’t change just because the sun goes down. The last thing a sleep deprived parent needs is to wrestle a newborn in and out of footed pajamas 3 or 4 times a night.

    The answer is sleep gowns. These gowns cover baby while leaving quick access for diaper changes. They stay in place with an elastic band at the bottom that stretches just like the waistband of baby’s adorable pants he/she wears during the day.

    [amazon_link asins=’B01CPK8R9S’ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c366750a-97c6-11e7-9a19-3bd5adb35443′]

    To keep baby warm, we then added this sleep bag on top of the gown. It is a fleece version that zips up to make sure baby stays warm and snuggly all night long.

    [amazon_link asins=’B074981LMH’ template=’MUAmazon’ store=’digitalcommun-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d0e3d3ee-97c6-11e7-a3c6-b148928c3c56′]

    It is our goal here at Mommy Underground to bring you useful information to help you in all aspects of life, especially when it comes to your kids. For more helpful resources, browse our website at www.mommyunderground.com

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