7 Must Haves Every New Parent Should Own

Hey Loves! Have you noticed that time seems to just whisk by faster than it did when you were a child? I was just thinking, I cannot believe Madison is already 7 months old. Like honestly where did the time go?! There is no better time than the present to share with you our 7 must haves every new parent should own. We have had plenty of time at this point to know which products are must haves that you didn’t know you needed.

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As always I will have links to every item for your convenience in addition to them being linked on my shop page

ONE: Baby Shusher

This is an absolute MUST have item, it’s seriously a miracle worker. The shushing noise is suppose to simulate the sound they hear inside the womb and make them feel more secure and soothe them to sleep. It has been by far our most used item. We have used it since day one being home and we still use it every night now. It has calmed Madison when going to sleep but it also gives her a sense of security if she wakes up through the night. Which rarely happens (tips on getting your baby to sleep through the night).

We started out with Baby Shusher: The Sleep Miracle but it has a timer of only 30 minutes or less and will shut off, as timers do. It was almost as if Madison knew the exact moment the machine would shut off and start to stir and wake. I would have to keep waking up to turn it back on. I searched and searched until I found one that has an optional timer called SOAIY Baby Sleep Soother Sound Machine. The sound isn’t as clear as the Baby Shusher but it works just the same and I don’t have to keep waking up during the night. The only downfall is that now I am use to sleeping with this noise and feel it’s a bit too quiet on the rare occasion Morgan and I go away overnight.

TWO: Boppy Baby Lounger

Boppy Baby Lounger is just the perfect safe place to put your baby when you need to get something done and are not able to hold them. You can prop them up if your baby is a little burpy. The light incline is good when you don’t want to lay them flat. It is travel friendly, you can use it indoors or outdoors, though it does not have a removable cover. We have washed ours a ton and it’s still in perfect condition. This lounger is a must-have, seriously, get it and thank me later.

THREE: Swaddles

Swaddling your baby is essential for both your sleep and baby’s. It helps against baby’s natural startle reflex. It keeps them sleeping longer and helps them to self sooth. Which are big benefits for both of you.

There are three different types of swaddles that I have used and loved:

Halo Sleep Sack is so simple and easy to use. It keeps their arms on top of their chest, almost like they are being hugged. These are the ones they use in the hospitals, well at lease ours had these ones, so they are incredibly safe. Also has a two-way zipper for easy diaper changes, which is a hug plus. Also has multi function arm wraps so you can transition arms out when needed.

Nested Bean Zen Swaddle is my personal favorite because it is very similar to the Halo Sleep with how it wraps the arms. I love that this one has some weight added to certain areas to help baby feel like they are being held. The only thing is this one does not have a zipper. You would have to unwrap for diaper changes but I personally didn’t mind that.

Woombie Soothie Swaddle was even easier than the other two swaddles. This was like a sock that you zipped them up in. They can have their hands down by their sides or on their chest, whichever they like better. This one has a double zipper so easy for changing diapers too. Has a very stretchy fabric so it is not restricting or make them feel too tight and uncomfortable. I loved that this has buttons on the sides for their arms to come out when they grow bigger and want their arms out by their face. This also allows you to safely keep them in the swaddle when in a swing or stroller! AH-MAZ-ING!

FOUR: Baby Breeza/ Elvie

This one is obviously geared towards if you are either breastfeeding or formula feeding. Unless you are doing both like I did.

Baby Breeza Formula Machine is probably #1 on the most worth-it-for-the-price products list. I take this thing ever where we go when we go away. We used to hand make our formula bottles and either heat it up on the stove or use a bottle warmer that only worked sometimes. I DREADED it. This machine mixes and heats your bottle within 30 seconds. If you are formula feeding your baby this should be on the top of your list. Yes, it is a splurge item, but I swear to you you will be so so thankful you have it. It just saves you so much time and takes all the thinking out of making bottles. You can connect it to your phone so you can make a bottle from anywhere in your home.

Elvie Breast Pump is also on my worth-it-for-the-price list. The simple fact that you can actually get stuff done while pumping was mind blowing. I could do laundry, go for a walk, even pump in the car if we were going somewhere. It connects to you phone so you can control the pump from your phone. The app will show you exactly how much you have pumped for and for how long. You don’t have to buy both either, you can just buy one pump and use it for both breasts. How could it not be on the must haves list?!

FIVE: Baby Carrier

Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier has been a lifesaver for shopping. Have you ever thought about how you would go food shopping alone with your baby? Would you fit as much as you could in undercarriage of the stroller or would you put the carseat in the shopping cart? With the baby carrier you don’t even have to worry about any of that. Just shop like you always had to before. It’s also great for around the house when you baby is at the stage of never wanting to be alone but you need to get stuff done. I have a dog and it has been so easy taking her on walks without having to have one hand on the stroller and the other on the leash.

SIX: Pacifier Clip

For obvious reasons, pacifier clip has been such an easy thing to have around. You tend not to lose the pacifiers if you have them tethered to something that is used regularly like a carseat, baby carrier, stroller, etc. You can also attach them to your baby’s clothes so that it doesn’t fall on the ground. Which is what we do when we are out at restaurants and places. Mostly it will be a great peace of mind to know that you won’t forget a pacifier because you’ll have one attached to the carseat/stroller/carrier.

SEVEN: Tummy Time Activity Toys

It is important to start tummy time very early to get baby use to being on their stomachs to strengthen their backs and necks. Most babies HATE it, I know Madison did. Many other moms I’ve talked too said the same about their children. It is also very hard on the parents if they cry when placed on their tummy and trying to get them to stick with it. It is best to have something that keeps them on their stomachs for a long as they can. Usually 30 minutes a day is sufficient though it can be very hard.

I have tried so many things and what has worked is the activity mats and a nursing pillow with a mirror. It’s good to switch up where and how they are on their stomachs so that they feel like they are doing something different. I would do the activity mat in the morning and in the afternoon use the nursing pillow and mirror. I would place her on the half-moon shaped nursing pillow with her chest on the curved part and her feet in-between the opening. Then put a mirror in front of her to keep her engaged in tummy time for as long as possible.

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