Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags
If you’re planning on breastfeeding, youll probably want to start pumping at some point, whether to increase your supply, have a few hours away from baby, build up a stash for later use or all of the above. And after you pump, youll want to make sure youre storing your breast milk as airtight and safely as possible.
Thats where these breast milk storage bags come in. They have double-sealed seams and a patented double Click n Secure zipper seal, so you can be 100 percent certain theyre closed tight. The bags attach directly to Lansinoh pumps and are freezer-safe and BPA-free. Each box includes 100 bags.
Best Overall: Halo Cotton Sleep Sack
As the holy grail of sleep sacks, Halo’s wearable blanket goes beyond expectations without breaking the bank. The under-$25 sleep sack is made of 100 percent cotton, so it’s gentle on delicate skin, and has an inverted zipper that closes from the bottom for seamless changing. Available in sizes small, medium, and large, it’s designed to leave enough room for leg movement but secure enough to stay on. “Use the weight and height guide to help for sizing, it is accurate,” one reviewer said. On chilly nights, you can add a long sleeve underneath the sleeveless design.
To buy: $22
Melissa & Doug Pb& j Take
Melissa & Doug
For a toy baby boy can use at home or on the go, look no further than this take-along toy by Melissa & Doug. It features an adorable PB& J theme and includes six pieces for the baby to play with, like plush bread slices or soft peanut butter and jelly jar. Its safe for babies ages 1 month old and up and includes a clip for the baby to play with the toy anywhere.
Price at time of publication: $12
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Formula Or Breastfeeding Supplies
Long before your baby comes home, he already needed a way to eat. For some, this means formula, which many hospitals will provide. For others, having breastfeeding supplies will make the experience more successful.
For breastfeeding moms, the first item to have is a nursing pillow. I didnt have one with my eldest, so at the hospital, the lactation consultant and I had to make do with whatever pillows we had around. A pillow makes nursing so much easier to manage.
And if youre interested in increasing your milk supply , a breast pump makes that possible. I rented one to help build my supply. Later, I used it many times when I was at work.
Now, this isnt a necessity, but hands-free pumping bras can make multiple pumping sessions at work easier. I wish I had mine from day one.
I also used formula for my twins. One of them was so small that he needed supplementing even at the hospital. So, we chose ready-made formula in liquid form, before switching to the powdered version.
If youre using formula or pumping milk, youll want to have bottles on hand to feed. And regardless of which feeding method you choose, burp cloths will protect you from spit ups.
What You Need For A Monsoon Baby
- 5 – 6 short sleeve or sleeveless baby vests. You will need at least five or six vests or even body suits, with envelope necks and popper buttons underneath. Your baby can wear them under tops or jhablas. When the weather is very hot, a light cotton vest may be all your baby needs to wear. You will need a few more clothes in the monsoon than if your baby were born in summer because with the humidity, clothes take longer to dry.
- 4 – 5 jhablas.Jhablas keep babies cool and comfortable. Small babies tend to live in these in their first few months.
- 1 – 2 full-sleeved cotton T-shirts. These will be useful for cooler days during the monsoon. If you buy a size or two bigger, your baby can wear them in the winter too.
- Mosquito repellents. Check with your doctor which creams and repellents you can use to protect your baby from insects and mosquitoes.
- Prickly heat powder. Ask your doctor what powder you can use to prevent prickly heat rash and what you can apply if your baby gets a heat rash.
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Best Fleece: Simple Joys By Carter’s Microfleece Two
Two sleep sacks for less than $20? We’re not complaining! This cozy set includes two microfleece wearable blankets with long sleeves. The material provides warmth without heaviness, which makes it suitable for any time of the year. There are size options for newborns up to 9-month-olds and most reviewers say they fit true to size.
To buy: $19
What Our Testers Say
“My favorite thing about this toy is that it not only occupies my baby now but will also keep her interested in other ways as she grows. If youre filling out your baby shower registry or are simply on the hunt for a toy that will keep your baby entertained without flashing lights or loud noises, the Manhattan Toy Winkel is the one for you. Its a simple toy that will help your baby develop in so many ways, and its durable enough to make it through multiple milestones.” Ashley Ziegler, Verywell writer and product tester
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What You Don’t Need
You need a lot of stuff for a baby from the time theyre a newborn to the time theyre six months old. Heres a checklist of the things you dont need either because theyre dangerous, theyre not age appropriate, or you simply dont need them.
- A crib bumper. Crib bumpers are dangerous, period. Theyre also unnecessary. If you dont believe us, please believe the American Academy of Pediatrics on this subject. If youre in an ongoing debate with your spouse about a bumper, you can put one on the outside of a crib as a compromise.
- A stuffed animal or Lovie. Again, do not give your infant a stuffed animal to sleep with. Go ahead and get her one, just put it on a shelf for now. Kids love lovies, but they dont care about them just yet, trust us. We wrote more on safe sleep guidelines here.
- A blanket. Please see above.
- Anything that promotes co-sleeping. Please, please see above.
- A copious amount of toys. Were all about cool baby toys. But, you just dont need a lot right now. Your baby will be much more fascinated by human faces, and given he cant move or grasp yet, showing him ordinary household objects is great entertainment for now. If you must get something, check out Loveverys Montessori-inspired subscription boxes
- Babyproofing stuff. Infants under 6 months typically dont crawl. Babyproof, just not yet youve got plenty of other stuff to worry about.
Petite Plume Classic Navy Flannel Robe
Keep baby looking elegant without sacrificing his comfort with this kid’s bathrobe from Petite Plume. The company makes stylish sleepwear for children that every new mom and dad would swoon over. Made with soft, breathable flannel, this mini bathrobe can be worn through the night without causing discomfort. It comes in navy and is available in sizes 6 months up to 14 years.
Price at time of publication: $58
Welcome your little ones arrival with this gift set from Honest Company that puts a modern spin on baby gift baskets. The baby arrival gift set includes essentials for baby and parents and caregivers, such as organic balm, diapers, and baby wash. Every item in the baby gift set is placed beautifully in a reusable wooden box filled with vibrant blue accents, like decorative tissue paper.
Price at time of publication: $50
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What You Need For Yourself Just After Giving Birth
- Comfortable clothes for breastfeeding. Two piece outfits are easiest. Shirts or tops with buttons down the front, or loose kurtas make breastfeeding easier. You can team these up with comfy lowers, stretchy pants, leggings or salwars.
- 2 – 3 nursing bras. These will be helpful if you are breastfeeding. You’ll also need a supply of breast pads and a breast pump if you want to express breastmilk. Take a look at our breastfeeding accessories guide for more information.
- Sanitary pads. In the first few weeks after childbirth as your body expels the lochia a discharge of blood, mucus, and tissue from your uterus. Read on to find out how many sanitary napkins you may need after birth and in the first few weeks.
- Medicines. Although many medications are safe to take when you’re breastfeeding, most medicines pass into your milk in some amount, and some may even affect your milk supply. So always speak to your doctor before taking any kind of fever medication, herbal remedies, cough syrups or painkillers. Check with your doctor which vitamins or supplements you’ll need to take once your baby is born.
Find out more about:
How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need
No matter which type of cloth diaper you use, know that babies usually go through 10 to 12 diapers per day toddlers generally go through six to eight, and kids being potty trained usually only need up to four diapers a day.
Keeping this in mind, you’ll need two to three dozen diapers or diaper-plus-insert sets for a newborn, according to Shannon Griffith, owner of Green Diaper Babies cloth diaper service in Chicago. If you use a weekly diaper service, you’ll need about 75-80 diapers.
Cloth diapering is easier if you invest in some accessories: a diaper pail for storing the dirties before washing, a waterproof “wet bag” for stashing soiled diapers when you’re on the go, disposable diaper liners, and a diaper sprayer for rinsing solid waste off diapers and into the toilet. Cloth diaper-safe detergent is a must, too: In order to help maintain the diaper’s absorbency, you’ll want to choose a product free from fabric softeners, stain guards, and oils.
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Best Colorful Baby Crib
What if you dont want something that blends right into your room? What if you want a standout crib, since, after all, its the star of the nursery? Meet DaVincis vintage-inspired Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib. One of the best cribs for making a statement, it comes in modern colors: bright green, yellow, blue, pink and navy. Fancy-pants wood spindles give it an heirloom look without any of the dangers of an actual hand-me-down. Its also made of nontoxic materials and sustainable pine.
Buy it: $200, Target.com
Best Backpack Baby Carrier
If you plan on wearing your baby carrier on your back , youll want the main piece of fabric to be generous and supportive along babys spine. With the Boba 4G Carrier, you can start wearing baby on your back once he hits 20 pounds. Back carrier instructions on the site can walk you through how to easily load in your child.
Suited for: 7 to 45 poundsBuy It: Boba 4G Carrier, $103,
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Essential List Of Things To Buy Or Put On Your Registry
Although I could have sat down and written out a truly exhaustive list of every single thing you could ever need to have to care for a newborn, I dont think thats the most helpful thing I can do.
So I dug deep and narrowed down the list of absolute must have baby items to only the things that you will REGRET not getting if you dont purchase them beforehand.
These items are key as in, you will regret it if you forget them! Now that I think of it, perhaps I also need to write a post about the most forgotten baby items?! Ill put that on the list.
Okay.back to what all you need to get before your due date
I would personally put all of these on a baby registry so your friends and family can buy them for you. I find that most people LOVE getting practical things for new moms and if you have a lot of people buying for you, you need to put more items than you think on your registry.
In hindsight, I should have registered for more practical basics essential things like diapers and wipes instead of the cool gadgets that I didnt really end up using.
Its so practical to register for things that would cost you money when the baby comes, and people love getting things like this for you!
We didnt register for enough things and had to go back twice to add items because people started getting us multiples of stuff we already had because they had no clue what we wanted!
That makes no sense I know but it is honestly what happened when people ran out of things to buy.
How To Save Money On The Baby Essentials
Preparing for your babys arrival can quickly become expensive. If youre trying to stick to a budget, take a look at the tips below. They can help you save money while still getting everything you need to be prepared for delivery day.
- Create a registry before your baby shower, and put all the baby essentials on the list.
- Ask for baby essentials as gifts for your birthday or Christmas.
- Check with family, friends, and colleagues for hand-me-down baby essentials.
- Have a look at thrift stores to get the larger baby essentials, like furniture and strollers, for cheap.
While purchasing all the newborn baby essentials may be pricey, it doesnt even compare to the joy and fulfillment of giving birth and bonding with your baby. You cant put a price tag on love!
Start with the basics like a crib, diapers, Cleansing Wipes, and Gentle Cleansing Gel then go from there. With this baby essentials shopping list, youll have everything you need to be fully prepared for your little ones arrival!
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Diaper Rash Cream Or Ointment
Not all babies develop diaper rash, but the treatment is nice to have on hand. This is on the list of things youll need a constant supply of when the baby is still in diapers. I especially loved this brand > > Boudreauxs Butt Paste
Experienced mom tip: the quicker you can change your babys diaper after a poop, the less diaper rash cream youll need. The poop contact with skin is highly irritating and the cause of most diaper rashes, in my experience.
Best Reusable Baby Wipes
bumGenius Natural Flannel Baby WipesIf youre using cloth diapers and are searching for eco-friendly wipes to match, look no further. Made with super-soft 100 percent unbleached cotton cloth, these reusable baby wipes are nearly as big as a washcloth, so they can handle even the plumpest, dirtiest baby bottom. With a rock-bottom price compared with other reusable baby wipes, theyre also a steal.
Buy it: $20 for 12 wipes and 4 oz bottom cleaner, bumGenius
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Newborn Baby Essentials: 60 Must Have Items For Every Baby
If youre expecting, youve definitely started thinking about all the baby essentials youll need in the upcoming months. Some things are obviousclothing, a crib, diapersbut other baby essentials are easier to overlook.
Thats why the baby experts at Mustela have created the ultimate first year shopping list. Weve thought of everything, so you can put your mind at ease and focus on other, more important thingslike preparing your babys room and deciding on a name!
Lets take a look at all the newborn baby essentials.
Baby Essentials For First Time Parents
We have broken down the must have baby items into 9 sections. This makes it even easier for you to plan the buying of your essential items.
These include:
Newborn Clothing
This section discusses onesies to baby bibs and everything in between. Including a sizing chart. and our real-life experience of how many of each item you should purchase. The section includes
Nursery and Sleeping
Here we talk about decorations, furniture, nursing chairs, and a lot more. We discuss the benefits of some of the nursery items and give you an estimate of what you can expect to pay.
- Nappies and Changing A must-read for any new parent with some tricks of the trade included. We touch on the various size of nappies and types available. Also, we look at the various changing stations on offer.
- Feeding From breast and bottle feeding to sterilisers and nursing pillows. As a mum myself who has both breastfed and bottle-fed I have shared my experience on what was a must have for feeding my baby.
- Bathing Bath time is an enjoyable time for the family with a newborn. Here we discussed the must have baby items for bathing a newborn. Including towels, toys, and baths.
- Safety and Grooming Safety is the most important thing for your baby. We give an extensive overview of our favourite thermometer and list a range of other baby must have items to keep your baby safe and well-groomed.
This post will assist you to choose the safest baby products for you and your baby.
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Llbean Infants’ And Toddlers’ Hi
L.L. Bean
This fleece jacket from L.L. Bean is just what little one needs when the temperatures drop. Its available in infant and toddler sizes and comes in several colors, like rich berry, natural beige, navy, and more. Plus, it features an adorable hood with bear ears to make your little cub look even cuter.
Price at time of publication: $59