Baby Wish List
With baby number three on the way we have certainly had a little experience regarding newborn must-haves and newborn “don’t waste your moola” ons so I thought why not share this information with all of the first time, expecting parents. IE., this is the information I wish I would have known before baby numero uno. We don’t currently need a lot for this babe but definitely some things we are going to upgrade/ add to our newborn essentials because we didn’t get them for the boys or we have over used certain items. I wanted to put together a list of what you should keep on your registry and what you should nix, as well as offer some guidance for people looking for gift ideas for your new parent friends (it is not always about tangible presents FYI). I will be sharing the new bits we will be buying for baby number three, not including the new car we just purchased because it turns out adding a third human to your family requires more than just a big heart. Alright let’s get down to it. Here is what you need and what you can live without . . .
NEED:
Bassinet - For us this was/ is an essential as both the boys slept in our room for at least 6 months. And by that I mean the three year old is currently sleeping beside me as I type this but he has upgraded from the bassinet to the bed, so I guess that is something. Co-sleeping was a huge source of anxiety for me and there were definitely nights that happened but I always felt so much better when the babies were tucked safe and sound but still so close. Linking the bassinet we used for the boys (which I loved but am gifting to my little sister). We have not quite decided on one to replace it but I am wanting something a little more attached to the bed only because I know what I am in for on my third c section and moving, even a little bit is not cute at the beginning. Planning to get something that is directly attached to the bed.
Halo - This one was so great because it did swivel so you could pull it right up onto the bed without having the baby actually on the bed. It is mid price range and makes a great gift item that friends or family members can go in on together.
Sleepsacks - Sticking on the sleep train here for a second and telling you to add sleepsacks to your wants. All sizes. With not being able to have blankets and pillows in their cribs it always freaked me out even when they were tiny that they could wiggle out of their swaddles (and they could). Once the very new, newborn stage is over I just felt so much more comfortable snuggling them up in a sleepsack. There are so many different types and lots that actually offer comfort and sleep aid, so definitely worth researching and checking into. Some of my favourites aesthetically speaking are from Little Unicorn and Watty still currently fits into their largest size. The quality is amazing!
Monitor - Spend the money on the good one. Or better yet get your rich aunt Linda to get it for you. Our first go around we had Beau 6 weeks early and had not gotten around to buying a monitor. We somehow ended up grabbing a used one super cheap and truly it made my anxiety so much worse because the image was so bad, half the time the charger wouldn’t work and it would just die, the list goes on . . . you need a good one. We now have one with two cameras, one to go in each room, that can either rotate on a set timer or stay in one room and be switched manually, which we love.
Pump - If you plan on breastfeeding, a good pump is essential. Coming from someone who had to pump exclusively for the first two months of Beau’s existence the one we had was not my favourite but was all they had available at the hospital (it was still not cheap). Linking the one I will be upgrading to finally this time around and one I have heard wonderful things about.
Medela Freestyle - Fingers crossed it is great!
Fast Table Chair - If you don’t know what that is, totally fine, neither did I. This was one of the best gifts we received that we did not know we needed. We have used it for both the boys and have brought it to every restaurant, on every vacation, when they were tiny (especially with Beau when Covid was not a thing). Anyways, it is a high chair that attaches to basically any table, bar, or surface. There are a lot of different ones out there but the one we have is by far the best quality I have seen (linking it below, do not worry!). We never once used their high chair, it made the babes feel like they were totally apart of the team when they could sit right up at the table. Game changer for us. Highly recommend adding it to your wish list.
Fast Table Chair - The BEST. If you have followed me on insta for awhile this would have been front row and center during all baby feeding experiences.
PASS:
Bathtub - Now this one might not be true for everyone but here is what we found, especially with baby number one. It was so much easier to just get into the tub with the baby then to have to put baby into a tub that made them typically super upset. I think it all depends on the baby but with Beau especially he was so calm and happy in the water if someone was with him. Especially in the early days you can just have the snuggled up against you as you gentle wash them. You also have to be careful how much you bath baby in general so the tub just was not a must have for us. We used ours a total of 1 time.
Change table – You will change your baby wherever you are and wherever is easiest . I repeat you will never get up in the middle of the night if you are nowhere near the change table just to change them. A few change pads in places you are going to be often is nice and all that is necessary. A set table is just a waste in my opinion.
Shoes - This is such a random thing to add but before becoming a mom I thought all the tiny little baby shoes were so cute and had vision of my mini, not walking, human in these little shoes every day. I cannot recall a single time prior to my children walking that I ended up putting them in actual shoes. They so often wear sleepers with feet all the time, especially when it is cold, that you will just never use them. Sorry to burst the cute shoe button. But don’t worry when they start walking their feet are still tiny and it is hilarious watching them figure out how to navigate their sneakers.
Bottle Sterilizer - I had a few people tell me oh it is so nice to have and I can honestly say from someone who had to sterilize bottles for months boiling water was absolutely just as easy if not easier. Less is more is usually the best outlook on gadgets like this.
Crib Bumpers - I feel like this is pretty common knowledge now that baby is not supposed to have anything in their crib with them as it is proven to be the safest method of sleep however I still had people ask if I wanted anything “fancy” for crib decorations so just be sure to let everyone else know this is a no go.
Now a few great out of the box, but really very simple and sometimes truly in the box, gift ideas for new parents are the following
Diapers. diapers. diapers. trust me, you go through so many and apart from just the cost factor in diapers alone it is so nice to not have to worry about buying those at the beginning. Grab a box of two different sizes and they will be thanking you endlessly once the baby arrives.
Hiring a cleaning service. This is such a great gift to give expectant parents. Whether it is just before the baby arrives or even a few weeks after. It offers mama especially a little extra help when the house will likely feel like a tornado went through it for the next 18 years.
MEALS. Feed them. Send them a meal service, send them some take out, drop off a little bag of snacks. Anything. Food for mom and dad is so key and truly can sometimes be the last thing they are able to sort out in those early days.
Cuddle & Kind dolls. If you are wanting a keepsake they will actually love these are honestly the sweetest gifts. I am sure you have seen them but if you have not they also are an amazing company with a great charity benefit to each purchase. Click the link on the name and snag one for your expecting bestie.
Some obvious things I left out as I was attempting to keep this on the short side, are the essentials like a comfy chair in the nursery (you deserve it), a great stroller and carseat. When considering which stroller to go with definitely consider if you plan to have more children and plan accordingly. One that has the ability to convert for more than one baby is key. Diaper genie, sleepers with no snaps, just zippers, you know all the things I hope you can and will figure out on your own. OH but one product we have LOVED and use every single day still now is the Soapstone bum butter, just trust me on this one.
I feel like I could go on and on but I think this is probably the point where I should stop talking. Also I am not going back to edit this because I have way too much work to do tonight so if there are thousands of grammatical errors I apologize. Let me know what you think of the list over on the gram pretty please. What essentials am I missing?? And to everyone expecting their first baby right now, CONGRATULATIONS (or your second, or third, or fourth), motherhood is a wild ride, buckle up and bring the wine.
xo