Must Have Baby & Mama Items From a First Time Mom

I received quite a bit of questions the other day about the stroller I posted earlier this week, so I thought I’d do a short review on it and also throw in a few other things that I have found to be most useful and helpful to me and Mila over the last 7 months. These are ideas for a baby registry, as a baby shower gift, or just for any momma’s out there!

Dock-A-Tot

I had heard a lot about the Dock-a-Tot while I was pregnant, and how it was a must have item. We received the Deluxe as a gift, but we loved it so much – we recently upgraded to the Grand since Mila was getting a little snug in it. It helped me sleep better knowing she was safe and snug in there. It’s also great for travel and for transitioning from bed to crib to wherever. The Grand also works so good as a little playmat with bumpers when they’re older and can sit on their own. Mila loves to sit in it and play with her toys and lounge around in it. It’s a little pricey, but well worth it! They also have the cutest covers! If you purchase it with a printed cover already, it’s just like $25 more than the blank white one. Separately, they’re around $100 for just the covers, so best to pay $25 more if you want a print.

Snuza

The Snuza is a great alternative to the Owlet. It’s a third of the price and works so good. It gave me peace of mind knowing it would alert me if anything was wrong. You place it on baby’s diaper and it monitors their breathing. It will give you a heart attack when it beeps and you’re dead asleep in the middle of the night, but it’s only done it a few times because it slipped off her diaper. I love it! One of my sweet friends recommended this to me and even told me to borrow it for however long I need to, but I will definitely be purchasing for the next baby.

Wipe Warmers, Diaper Pails & Bottle Warmers

There’s not much to say about these items, but they’re just so useful. We even have these at our parents’ houses too.

Thermos

This was so helpful after I stopped nursing. It was always hard to warm up her bottle when we were out and about, and the car warmer didn’t work that great or it took a long time. My mom and another mom friend suggested I buy a thermos and boil water prior to leaving the house to mix in with room temperature water already in her bottle. These keep the water hot for longer than 12 hours, and I would only add in 1-2 oz and it warmed it just enough. You can also personalize these to put a special touch on it as a gift!

Diaper Bags & Accessories

Every mom is going to need a diaper bag to lug around everything for baby. It’s nice to have multiples to change it up since it basically becomes your new purse. I have the Skip Hop backpack linked below & I love it! It has lots of compartments and even a space where I keep a folder with all her important paperwork for doctor appointments.

Wubbanubs

I know a lot of moms frown upon pacifiers, but I’m definitely not one of them because 1) abies look so cute with them (lol) and 2) I definitely don’t mind the help from it when Mila is cranky or to soothe her at night. She LOVES her wubbanubs, and it’s so cute to watch them start playing around with the animals when they start figuring out how their hands and fingers work.

Changing Pad & Covers

It’s nice just having a go-to place for diaper changes and getting baby dressed. They do get dirty here and there, so it’s nice to have multiple covers to switch out. Crate & Barrel has some really nice quilted ones with cute patterns and some are on sale right now! Linked below!

Sleepers

I can not get enough of sleepers! I found myself going out to buy more of these during Mila’s first few months and every time she goes up a size, I pick up a few to always have on hand. I think when it comes to gifting clothes – it can get tricky! Often times, the clothes don’t coordinate with ages and seasons, if that makes sense. For example, I got a lot of dresses that were sized newborn or 0-3 months, but Mila didn’t get to wear a lot of them because she was born in the winter. I think people love to gift outfits because they’re obviously so cute & I am all about it, but you can’t go wrong with throwing in a few sleepers. Sleepers can be worn at any age. Babies are just so cuddly in them and comfortable. My favorites are from Target, Kickee Pants, Old Navy & L’ovedBaby!

Drawer Organizers & Baby Hangers

These are items that are often missed, but are so useful! These would make great baby shower gifts! A nursery can never have too much organization! I like to buy these from Homegoods too. They have packs of 25 for around $10.

Baby Bouncers, Entertainers, Gyms, Etc.

Mila loved her Mamaroo from day one, but it’s crazy how fast time flies and she was so quickly in a bouncer and moving around in a walker. They’re great to entertain baby! I also love when you’re gifted more than one because you can keep some at your house, your parents’, etc.

Stroller & Car Seat

This is the most important one! I know this is only one of many out there, but I just wanted to give a review of mine. First, I fell in love with the color and the leather touch on it. I’m all about neutrals! It’s not as convenient as a Doona, of course because you still have to carry the car seat and stroller – old school style. It’s still not a huge deal to me though. It has enough storage underneath for her bag and whatever else I want to throw in there, and a cup holder which I love. It’s great for walking on any surface. Kalep and I like to take Mila on walks in our neighborhood and she loves it! It also comes with a separate attachment that can be turned into a bassinet, and also into a stroller seat for when baby is older that can be forward or rear facing. It’s lightweight, sleek and stylish, and the material is so soft.

I hope you found this helpful! When it comes to babies, there are MILLIONS of things but these have been my favorites and most used!

We are off to the lake with some friends for the weekend. I stayed up until 4 a.m. last night working on cookies, so I am so excited (and in need of) time out on the water with good friends!

Have the best weekend!