It has been fun looking back at my pregnancy and recording the things that I have learned. Now that I have made it through the newborn stage, I can see which items I appreciated having, and which items were not used.
During my pregnancy, I enjoyed spending hours scouring the internet and doing research for my registry. When it comes down to it, every baby and mama like different things. So while this list will be generally helpful, your baby may or may not agree.
1. Video monitor. These suckers are expensive but extremely helpful. If I didn't have the video monitor, I wouldn't bother with a sound one at all (unless you plan to have your baby in a room not within hearing distance). In the early days, every sound you hear will lead to a glance at the screen. Every sound you hear with your sound only monitor will lead to a trip to the nursery. Now, that's tiring!
2. My Breast Friend- Get this AND the Boppy. One will be for nursing, the other for holding your wee one. The breast friend is a MUST have for nursing.
3. Burp Cloths-Pick your style and design. Have lots on hand because a baby's spit-up power is no joke. I loved these.
4. Swaddles- Expensive, but awesome for your newborn. SO soft, and so snuggly! For the older wigglers, you will need these. The swaddling debate is that some babies like to be swaddled and others do not. Dr. Sears says this is not true- that even when a baby acts like they don't like swaddling, they actually do (If you don't know who Dr. Sears is, don't worry, you will). I don't have an answer for this. What I do know is that studies have been done to show that the REM deep sleep cycle in babies is proven to be longer in swaddled babies. Sounds good me!
5. Baby Pants-You will be given more onesies than your baby can wear. Your baby's dresser will be filled with them. For some reason, no one really likes to give pants. Stock up. I've officially warned you.
6. Baby bath- You will see many cute bathtubs. Baththtubs that are "niftier" or cuter. DON'T DO IT. This ugly bathtub has good reviews for a reason. Buy it.
7. Pacifiers. Duh. I'll even go so far as to say only get Nuk. Others may challenge this. I still say they are the best. Get as many as you can. They have magical powers. They disappear without a trace, never to be found again.
8.The swing-Your baby will without a doubt love this swing during the evening fussy period. Henry was a super happy baby, but even happy babies have their moments. His moment would almost always be during dinner. I set this swing up in the kitchen for him to lounge in during meals, or any other moment when I needed my hands. He would almost always immediately stop crying. I grew to love the music it played and Henry loved to watch the birds fly over his head. Even now at 7 months, Henry loves to hang out in his swing when he needs some down time.
9. If you like to sleep, you need to get this. Go ahead and do a little research. You will see that every parent kisses the ground this rocks on. It is literally a womb on legs. In the words of Levar Burton, "don't take my word for it".
10. As my friend calls it, the pooping chair , is another must have. Henry loved that just a little wiggling could get the seat bouncing and..er..other things moving. He also LOVED this chair. Take your pick. You really can never have too many seating options.
11. Get this mat. Henry adores the little creatures that hang from it and at 7 month he still loves to sit on it and enjoy the tactile stimulation it offers.
12. When the time comes, you will love having this space saver. I love that we can take it with us, it cleans like a dream, and Henry loves to sit at the table with us during meal time and watch us as we eat.
13.Get this and this. You will love having the snap and go for the mall and grocery store. I couldn't live without it.
14. It's disgusting, I know. But get it. The bulb sucks...or doesn't, whatever. Plus, it grows mold inside. Eeew. Thats grosser.
15. When I designed my nursery, I was adamant about wanting a chair glider. I ended up getting this one. It has turned out to be one of my favorite purchases thus far. Henry and I have spent some of our most precious moments snuggled up together while reading, playing, nursing and singing in this glider. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything! **
16. Last but certainly not least, is The Stroller. I am doing you a huge favor here. All of the research has been done. There have also been months of use to back this up- with a new baby and an older baby. You will not find a better stroller in its class. I promise. Besides cornering like a dream, having both a bassinet and a toddler seat, a rain shield, mosquito net and a roomy storage basket, it can be converted into a double stroller. Wham. Can your stroller do that? But let's not forget how beautiful it is. Utterly gorgeous. I may or may no have a love affair with this stoller. Watch out, you might find me on you-tube making one of those dorky instructional videos. **
** When you have the Deal Ma$ter for a husband, you learn to never pay list price for anything. Thanks to him, and myself, these items were most assuredly NOT purchased for the prices listed. So stop judging. I know you were.
At the end of the day, all your baby really needs is love. And a boob. And and some warm clothes. Other than that they really could sleep in a laundry basket and not give a hoot. My sister-in law would even swaddle her Houdini baby in a sports bra. But in the highly likely event that you purchase a gazillion things for your baby like we did, just know that these items are tested and approved. Oh, and do yourself and everyone else a favor and register at Amazon.
