Posts by Lauren

You don’t need much—mostly just new meds and products for the diaper changing table.

Car

• Car Seat (Nuna Rava)
  • Since we already own the Nuna Pipa car seat (used it for the first baby), I purchased the Rava as a second car seat for our toddler. 
• Mirror (Britax Back Seat Mirror)
  • Need a second one 

Travel

• YoYo Board
  • We already have the YoYo Stroller so I added this Board so we could push the baby and have space for our toddler simultaneously while out on the go. 
• Uppa Baby Vista Lower Adaptors
  • We already have the Vista stroller so I added the lower adaptors so we could push both kids. *One thing to note is that you can only use the bassinet on the lower adaptors, which means the toddler seat goes on top (not ideal). The only way to change the configuration is to buy the Rumble Seat—I’m not ready to commit to that yet.  Jury is still out on if this will be our stroller vs. a double stroller. 

Kitchen

• Dish Soap (Dapple)
  • I used this last time around—it just helped get the breast milk out of bottles better than regular dish soap. 
• Breastmilk Storage Bottles (Matyz 4 Pack)
  • I wish I knew about these my first go around. They are so much better than what I was using before. This is the only bottle I’ve found that is truly leak proof which is amazing. These are especially great if you’re an overproducter because they fit enough milk each pumping session without having to change bottles. 
• Breastmilk Storage Bags (Mommy’s Precious)
  • I ordered both these and the Lansinoh Storage Bags which leaked everywhere. I like these Mommy’s Precious one’s because they store more milk (8oz) and they are sturdy. Just remember not to trust the measurements on the bags because for some reason they are off. 
• Bottles (Como Tomo 5oz)
  • I bought a two pack of these just to have a new set. I will probably get 3-6 Flow Nipples next. 

Changing Table

• Diaper Pail (Dekor Classic Hands Free)
  • We already had this one from baby number one, and decided to pull it back out (it’s better for small diapers.
• Windi Whistle
  • Worth having on hand the second time around! 
• Wipes (Water Wipes)
  • I ordered a whole box of these ahead of time.

Medicine (I’m not a doctor so please check with your pediatrician before using anything)

• Benadryl
  • If you don’t have on hand it’s worth getting. 
• Infant Tylenol
  • Can’t hurt to get a fresh bottle. 
• Vitamin D Drops (Upspring Vitamin D Drops 400 iu D3 Drops)
  • You won’t need these until after their first doctors check up, so you can wait on buying these but just thought they were worth adding to the list.
• Gas Drops with Simethicone (Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops)  
  • These have been really helpful this time around. Glad I ordered ahead of time just so that I wasn’t stuck waiting on them when I needed them.
• Gripe Water (Little Remedies Gripe Water)
  • These have been really helpful this time around. Glad I ordered ahead of time just so that I wasn’t stuck waiting on them when I needed them.
• Probiotics (Gerber Soothe Baby Probiotic Colic Drops)
  • I just ordered these.  *Make sure to check with your pediatrician ahead of time.
•  Saline Spray (Nose Frida Saline Spray)
  • I ordered a fresh one of these.

Room

• Crib 
  • You don’t really need to order this now if you’re using a bassinet. 
• Matress (Newton Baby Wovenaire Crib Mattress)
• Matress Pad (Newton Baby Breathable Matress Pad in White) 

Laundry

• Detergent (Dreft)
  • I ordered this ahead of time but I might switch to something else after I use this up. Dreft changed their scent and I don’t love it.

Other

• Diapers (Huggies Newborn)
  • I ordered two packs ahead of time.
• Pacifiers 
  • I ordered two WubbaNub pacifiers (because I forgot that it’s nice to wedge the stuffed animal part against the bassinet so that the pacifier stays in their mouth). I also ordered one pack of Vanilla scented Soothies because that’s what they used in the NICU. 

This list is pretty exhaustive. I’ve taken notes on most of what I’ve registered for/received/purchased since we’ve had babies (over the span of about 19 months). Feel free to use this as a guideline but just know every baby likes something different.

A few suggestions:

*Don’t register for clothing unless there is something specific you want. You will get lots of clothing as gifts. 

*I’d refrain from registering for books, blankets, multiple swaddles, multiple hooded towels, stuffed animals, or toys (unless you want specific ones). You get a lot of these things as gifts.  

About 95% of the stuff on this list is not necessary for the first few months, a lot of this has been purchased as the weeks have gone on so don’t be overwhelmed (easier said than done I know). If you have questions about any of it/what you need immediately feel free to ask me!

*** (means I think it’s worthwhile to have at the beginning).

Kitchen

• Breast Pump (Spectra S2) ***
  • Get your pump through insurance. This was one of the 3 options offered by mine. I chose it because it was quiet and has backflow protection. I like it, but I’ve never used another pump so I don’t have anything to compare it to.—The second time around I got the Spectra S1 which is great because it’s portable and doesn’t have to be plugged into a wall.
• Portable Breast Pump (Spectra 9)
  • I bought this right before we left for Australia so that I could use it on the go. I think it was pretty good as far as portable pumps go, but the bottles and flanges are just as large as on the regular pump. Aka it’s not discreet, just portable. 
• Dish Soap (Dapple) ***
  • I was told to use this one because it’s fragrance free and easily gets rid of residue from breast milk. 
• Bottle Warmer (Kiinde Kozii Bottle Warmer)
  • As far as bottle warmers go, this one is pretty easy to use (although I’ve read online that it is pretty easy to break). It works well for warming up frozen milk in a bag. However, I think it’s just as quick and easy to warm up a bottle from the refrigerator in a mug/pot of hot water.
• Breastmilk Storage Bottles (Breastmilk Bottles 6 Pack)
  • I use these bottles to pump into and store breastmilk in the refrigerator because they’re easy to clean and I don’t have to buy additional regular bottles with nipples. It is worth noting that these are not leak proof.
• Breastmilk Storage Bags (110 Count 8 Ounce Storage Bags)
  • I like these bags best because they are sturdy and you can store more than 6 ounces without them exploding. The only thing to note is that their measuring system is off, so make sure to label the amount of milk you are putting in.
• Bottle Drying Rack (Boon Lawn Countertop Drying Rack) ***
  • This “grass” is nice because you can really stack lots of different items (bottles, breast pump parts, pacifiers, medicine syringes, nasal aspirators, etc.) in it and everything drains out well. This is great if you have counter space—but if you’re tight for space maybe look at something like the OXO Tot Space Saving Drying Rack. Just remember to take the grass apart from the tray twice a week and wash it down to prevent mold from growing. 
• Drying Rack Accessory (Boon Twig Grass and Lawn Drying Rack Accessory)
  • I was told to buy some of these along with the Boon Grass. You stick them into the grass and it holds the little stuff up high so bigger stuff can dry down below. I only use one of them.
• Alcohol Test Strips for Breast Milk (Upspring Milkscreen) 
  • These are not a necessity I just ordered them because someone told me to. I’ve used them a few times. If anything it’s an easy way to know when to pump and dump. 
• Bottle Brush (OXO Tot Bottle Brush with Stand) ***
  • I feel like I wash about 300 bottle/breast pump parts a day so a good brush is definitely worth it. When I first got this I thought it looked gigantic, however, the bristles are super soft so they fit in all of the tiny bottle/breast pump parts.
• Bottles (Como Tomo 5 oz and Como Tomo 8 oz) ***
  • Bottles are another item you might have to test out before buying in bulk since every baby has their own preference. I choose to try out bottles that reduced as much air as possible and were anti colic. I started with one pack of the Como Tomo 5 oz bottles. My first baby used these for a while and then he stopped taking bottles until 9 months old. My second baby doesn’t seem to have a preference.
• Bottles (Dr. Brown’s Bottles) 
  • When my first baby finally started using a bottle again (at 9 months old) the only bottle he would take were Dr. Browns. I won’t use these bottles again with my second baby. There are too many components to this bottle which makes cleaning them a pain.
• Nipples (Preemie Nipples) ***
  • In the beginning start out with these for a slower milk output. (for a slower milk output). 
• High Chair (OXO Tot Sprout High Chair with Tray Cover) 
  • We’ve used a few different high chairs at different houses. This one is by far my favorite. It’s cute, easy to assemble, and the tray clicks in with one hand. It also has a footrest (which is apparently important once babies are big enough to use one). Additionally the tray has a top piece that snaps on which makes cleaning pretty easy.
• Baby Cooker (BEABA Babycook 4 in 1 Steam Cooker & Blender)
  • I wavered on weather or not to get this. I finally caved after making my own baby food in the Vitamix realizing how much cleaning I had to do (both this and a pot) for such a small amount of food. The machine is pretty cool because it’s a really quick and easy way to steam and puree baby food with fool proof instructions. If you actually plan on making food this is worth it.
• Baby Food Jars (Sage Spoonfuls Glass Big Batch, 4 Ounce(Pack of 12))
  • These are amazing storage containers for the small amounts of baby food you make. I make bigger batches of food at once so I can store some of it in the freezer in these containers.  
• First Baby Spoons (NumNum Pre-Spoon GOOtensils)
  • A specialist in feeding babies spoke to my baby group about both purees and baby led weaning. She highly recommended these spoons because they’re easy for babies to feed themselves with since they’re flat and don’t require balancing or scooping. We’ve had good success with them! Not only has our baby figured out how to get food in his mouth with these, but he also loves to chew on the silicone.
• Baby Spoons (BEABA First Stage Baby Feeding Spoon Set)
  • When our first baby wasn’t into feeding himself we used these. They work, but I wouldn’t necessarily say they’re better than other spoons.  
• Munchkin 4 Count Raise Toddler Fork and Spoon 12+
  • These look like a combination of adult utensils and kids utensils. They have metal as well as plastic and I think that’s why my son likes them. We’ve tried a few other kinds of all plastic utensils and they never had the same appeal for him. You don’t need these for a while.
• Bib with Spill Catcher (OXO Tot Waterproof Silicone Roll Up Bib with Comfort-Fit Fabric Neck)
  • This is the bib we used the majority of the time. It’s nice because it’s fabric on top so it’s not so stiff. I also fed my first baby in a diaper most of the time since he was so messy.
• Full Body Bib (Bumkins Fleece-Front Sleeved Bib)
  • Someone recommended this to us since when babies first start eating they basically cover themselves in food. It honestly looks like a baggy trash bag—but it does the trick.
• Honey Bear Cup (Talktools Honey Bear Drinking Cup with 2 Flexible Straws)
  • The straw cup recommended by baby group leaders and everyone else since it was developed by a speech pathologist. The cup comes with instructions and helps teach your baby how to use a straw (it’s so cool to watch them figure this out). You only start using this around 6 months to help them with digestion/prevent constipation when they start solids. Other than a learning tool this cup is not amazing. It’s literally a poorly made honey bear with aquarium tubing used as a straw. Make sure to empty the water out when they’re done drinking because the straw tubes don’t sit well in the water for a long period of time. 
• Straw Cup with Handles (Munchkin Click Lock Weighted Straw Cup)
  • Once our baby mastered drinking form the Honey Bear straw we switched to this cup. It’s a well-made cup that has handles as well as a weight in the bottom so that no matter which way the cup gets turned, the weighted straw always stays in the liquid. Very smart. **This cup and pretty much every other baby cup leaks despite what they say on the packaging.**
• Philips Avent My Bendy Straw Cup, 10oz, 2pk
  • These cups seem to leak less than any other straw cups. Perhaps it’s because the straw is curved?

Bedroom

• Bassinet (Snoo Smart Sleeper) ***
  • We decided to purchase this once our first baby was 5 weeks old. He wasn’t the best sleeper so to be able to have a bassinet that rocked him back to sleep on his own was amazing to us. We bought it when they had a sale around Christmas but they just started a rental program so that you don’t have to buy it—if you’re interested look into it! This bassinet also comes with it’s own swaddles that help prevent babies from Houdining their way out (velcro and a zipper). You need a bassinet in the beginning—obviously it doesn’t have to be this specific one(unless you plan on putting your baby straight into their crib.
• Bassinet (Baby Bjorn Cradle)
  • We don’t own this, but when we traveled to Australia someone let us borrow theirs. This bassinet was awesome. The sides are made of mesh and it’s built so that every time the baby moves, it uses its own suspension to gently lul the baby back to sleep. Since we were traveling and used to the Snoo, we attached the Snoozy Pod to it and had great results. 
• Snoozy Pod
  • Someone gave this to us as a gift and it was awesome when we traveled.It basically converts any bassinet/crib/mattress into a vibrating bedtime soother. This machine vibrates, has white noise, and a projected starry night night light. If your baby needs motion and you travel a lot look into it—otherwise it’s not necessary.
• Audio Monitor (VTech Audio Baby Monitor w/Talk-Back Intercom and 2 Parent Units) ***
  • We were told to get this in addition to a camera monitor because they don’t always stay online. This is as simple as machinery gets and it’s easy for when you put the baby down in one room/or in the bassinet and need to know what’s going on. Plus you have two parent units so you can keep them in different rooms and don’t have to carry it everywhere with you. We use this a lot.
• Video Monitor (Cocoon Cam Baby Monitor) ***
  • I have no camera to compare this to, but it seems to be pretty cool. It analyzes the breathing signals of the baby when he’s lying in the crib so that you know that he’s okay. It has both a listening and a speak feature and it sends you a little clip every morning with a recap of your babies sleep. —This monitor has been discontinued so I’m looking for a new one to use for our new baby.
• Crib Sheet (Burt’s Bees Baby Fitted Crib Sheet) ***
  • I love these crib sheets. They are so soft! Order a few of them because babies are messy.
• Swaddle (Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle)
  • This is the swaddle we use (it comes with the Snoo) that we’ve had the best success with. (If you don’t have a Snoo this is the sleep sack that is used, except this one does not have the straps that attach to the Snoo). It has an inner band so that the baby can’t ‘Houdini’ it’s way out in addition to zips from both top and bottom which make for easy diaper changing. Basically it’s easy to use and has an second layer of swaddling. 
• Swaddle (Love To Dream Swaddle)
  • I purchased this because everyone said the baby would want to be swaddled with their arms up. As luck would have it my baby hates it—we’ve used it once. Maybe yours will like it—everything is trial and error. 
• Swaddle (Swaddle Me Original) 
  • So many people I know swear by these, we’ve never used them, but I’ve heard good things. 
• Muslin Swaddles (Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddles) ***
  • I only registered for one package of these because people love to give them as gifts. I think we have about 14 muslin/bamboo swaddles which is more than we could ever use. They are great for wrapping the baby, especially the first 2 months. I also use them as burp cloths/a clean surface on top of a couch or carpet when I put the baby down at places other than my own house. 
• Sleep Sack (Nested Bean Zen Sack Classic)
  • We only started using this only after our first baby transitioned out of the Snoo (apparently they have infant sized ones that also wrap the baby). This sleep sack is nice because it’s lightly weighted on the chest which is supposed to emulate the feeling of a hand. We found we had some luck with it. It’s also nice because it has two zippers that zip around (very convenient for middle of the night diaper changes). This sleep sack becomes a little problematic when the baby starts rolling because then they are basically lying on a bean bag. Once our baby started sleeping on his stomach we started putting the sleep sack on backwards so that the bean bag was on his back (and then eventually just stopped using this one).
• Sleep Sack (Halo Sleepsack Organic Cotton Wearable Blanket)
  • This sleep sack is about as easy and basic to use as it gets. You can get them in summer or winter weights/fabrics. This sleep sack is nice because the zipper goes all the way to the bottom so it’s pretty easy to get the baby in (especially once they start squirming and trying to flip onto their stomachs as you’re putting them in). We transitioned to this one after the Nested Bean. Our first baby still sleeps in his at 19 months because our pediatrician told us it would help delay crib scaling.
• Sleep Sack (Ely’s & Co 100% Cotton Wearable Blanket Baby Sleep Bag 2 Pack)
  • Don’t waste your time with this. I bought these because I figured I’d try something in addition to the Halo (they look very similar in their design and they’re just a little bit cheaper).  The material is amazing, they are so soft, HOWEVER the zipper is terrible.
• Humidifier (TaoTronics) ***
  • A friend recommended this one to me. She went through two different humidifiers and really liked this one. Whatever you decide, look for one that has cool mist and anti-bacterial properties.
• Crib Liner/Bumper (Breathable Mesh Crib Liner in White)
  • I’m terrified of the idea of bumpers because of SIDS. However, I’ve heard that once they start to stick their arms out of the crib some type of bumper is necessary. This one is mesh and thin so if for any reason a face gets pushed up against it, it is still breathable.
• Snuggle Me
  • This is supposed to emulate the womb. It tucks in on both sides so that the baby is confined. My first baby barely used this however, my second baby does often. I leave this this on my bed when I want to have her next to me, however, I don’t let her sleep in this at night. The Snuggle Me is pretty small, I don’t know how long we’ll get away with using it for.
• Dock A Tot
  • Someone gave us a Dock A Tot as a gift. My first baby rarely used this, but I kept it in my car so that we could lie him down flat when we went somewhere (so that he didn’t spend all his time in the car seat). My second baby is in it all the time. I leave it on the couch—it’s a great place to put her down and know that she is confined. The Dock A Tot feels larger than the Snuggle Me and I think it will last for a longer period of time.
• Lovie (Angel Dear Blankie)
  • These are one of the items we couldn’t live without. We use these and a sound machine to create a sleep environment. We keep three of these in the crib, one in the car, one in the stroller, and one in the diaper bag. Lovies are good ‘transferable objects’ that you can keep with you when you are feeding your baby (so that they pick up your scent). (If you are breastfeeding it’s okay to put a little breast milk on them in the beginning so they smell like something your baby really loves.)  Then when you put your baby to sleep/in the car seat, you can leave the Lovie with them to help soothe them. As the baby gets older they will start to reach for this/suck on the face. We were told by the pediatrician that they can sleep with this because it is breathable (in the event they throw it over their face). My 19 month old still sleeps with these and shoves them in his mouth—he is obsessed.
• Hangers (Real Simple 30 Pack of Children’s Hangers)
  • Child sized hangers for the closet.
• Pack n Play (4Moms Breeze Plus) 
  • This is awesome as a sleep solution on the go or baby container. When we stay over at my mom’s house/or go away for a weekend trip we just bring this along with us. We were deciding between this and the Nuna Sena, but this one is so easy to assemble that we decided to go with it (it’s a one handed fold and unfold). 
• Pack n Play Mattress Pad (NapYou Amazon Exclusive Pack n Play Mattres Size 28″ x 40″)
  • My first baby took 9 months to finally sleep through naps/through the night, so I did anything to make his sleeping conditions ideal. Thus, we purchased this mattress pad for the pack n play to make sleeping on the go more comfortable. For us it was a game changer. If your kid doesn’t need it, don’t buy it—however, if they need ideal circumstances like mine, it was worth it. (We also ordered these sheets: American Baby Company 2 Pack 100% Natural Cotton Value Jersey Knit Fitted Pack N Play Playard Sheet.)
• Black Out Blind (AmazonBasics Baby Travel Blackout Blind with Suction Cups)
  • The ‘black out blinds’ we bought for our babies room weren’t dark enough, so I added this behind them and it made a huge difference! Having a dark room (especially around 4 months+) is so important for sleep. You just suction this to the window and it’s a game changer. I’ve heard of people bringing this on vacation with them to make their hotel/Airbnb room darker.

Changing Station 

***Everything in this section is worth getting for the beginning.

• Aquaphor 
  • I use this all the time for dry skin from head to toe. It also works as a diaper cream so long as there isn’t any diaper rash. 
• Diaper Cream with Zinc (Triple Paste) 
  • If you notice diaper rash you need something with zinc in it, because zinc heals the skin. The best treatment for diaper rash is air, the second best is Triple Paste or Desitin. Just a pea-sized dollop will do. 
• Diaper Pail (Dekor Classic Hands Free)
  • Someone told me to order this becuase it was nice to have a “hands free” diaper pail that you can open with your foot. While this is a nice feature, this diaper pail is pretty small. It makes it so that I was throwing out the diapers everyday (which I don’t mind doing) but when my baby started eating solid foods it really wasn’t holding much. It also wasn’t the best at keeping the baby’s room from smelling like poop so we eventually switched to the Ubbi. (You can use your own trash bags with this.)
• Ubbi
  • This trash is pretty easy to use and it does a good job of keeping the room from smelling like poop. However, when you do slide open the lid to put a diaper in it releases a smell (even if there is only one diaper in it). You can use your own trash bags here.
• Changing Pad (Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad)
  • This is a pretty basic changing pad. I purchased it because it seemed like the most standard sized pad for all of the covers. We ended up with two of these. One in our room and one in the baby’s room so that diaper changes are easier. We don’t have one, but lots of people seem to really like the Keekaroo Peanut Changer because it’s padded/soft, easy to wipe down, and apparently an okay place for babies to hang out.
• Changing Pad Cover (Burt’s Bees Baby Cover in Terry)
  • Use this to cover the changing pad. I ordered two of them.
• Changing Pad Liners (Munchkin Waterproof Changing Pad Liners, 3 Count)
  • I use these to put on top of the changing pad cover so that when we have a messy diaper I can just throw these in the wash rather than the changing pad cover every time. They come in a 3 pack, and I bought two so I don’t have to strip the changing pad cover and wash it every time. I’ve also heard of people keeping these in their diaper bag so they have a portable barrier between the baby and wherever they choose to change them. 
• Wipes (Water Wipes)
  • These are good, especially in the early days because they contain nothing but water and a little bit of fruit extract. Some hospitals/doctors will tell you to only use hot water and gauze for the first two weeks and these tick that box (plus they’re easier). Our pediatrician told us to keep using these until we introduce solid foods since they have no chemicals and also won’t leave a filmy residue.
• Wipe Warmer (Munchkin Glow Wipe Warmer)
  • I never believed in this but we got it as a gift and I do have to say it’s really nice, especially when they’re really little and HATE being naked/cold. It’s also nice during the colder months. This specific one isn’t the easiest to pull the wipes out of from the top, so I just open it from the loading area and take the wipes out that way. 
• Nail Clippers (NailFrida the SnipperClipper)
  • I bought these originally because the clippers have a viewing window and they have a rounded edge on one side that mimics scissors. I found them pretty easy to use. Plus they have a curved nail file which you can use in the very beginning.
• Nail Scissors (Pigeon)
  • Someone got these for us as a gift and I think they’re the best. I prefer them to the nail clippers because they catch the nail easier and make manicure time much quicker. 
• Windi Whistle
  • This might be the strangest product ever recommended to us. Basically when babies have gas that they can’t get out, this is a good last resort. You have to insert it in their rectum and put pressure on their legs, but it honestly works.
• NoseFrida Snotsucker 
  • Sounds super weird but it seems to work quite well when you hear/see congestion. It’s usually best to spray a little Saline solution up the nose first to loosen up any boogers before trying to suck them out. 
• Vaseline 
  • You’ll need this for when you insert a rectal thermometer/Windi Whistle. 
• Burp Cloths (Muslin Burp Cloths) 
  • I really liked these because they’re soft and thick. They absorb a lot of spit up. It’s worth getting a few packs of these so that you can keep several in several locations (baby’s room, your bedroom, living room, stroller, car, diaper bag, etc.)
• On-the-Go Safety Kit (25-Piece Baby Healthcare and Grooming Kit)
  • Someone told us to buy this. I’ve yet to use anything in it, but it has all the grooming and basic healthcare essentials you would need on the go. It might be good to keep this in the diaper bag if you’re on the go a lot.
• Thermometer (Braun Thermoscan 7 Ear Thermometer)
  • A friend recommended this thermometer to me and it’s great. It’s fool proof and it feels much easier than using a rectal thermometer.

Bath

• Bathtub (Boon Soak Newborn to Toddler Bath Tub) ***
  • A few people told me to get this one so this is what I ended up with it and I like (I haven’t used any of the other tubs so I have no real basis for comparison). For the first 1.5 months I used a bath insert because both of my babies are pretty tiny, but afterwards I just used this. As babies get bigger you can switch the tub around to accommodate them for quite a while.
• Bath Insert (Summer Infant Comfy Bath Sponge)
  • The baby tub I have doesn’t have a sling in it, so I purchased this bath sponge to put on top. I also realized I could use this in a big bathtub with just a little bit of water. 
• Cuddle Warmer (Skip Hop Moby Warm-Up Cuddler, Baby Bath Towel)
  • At first I thought this was overrated, but now I just appreciate it for what it is. A large shammy cloth that keeps the baby’s body warm while in the bath. I’m not sure if I’m sold on the whole gimmick of the whale knowing the right temperature (changing colors), but having said that it keeps baby happy so I like it. 
• Washcloth (Burt’s Bees Baby Washcloths 6-Pack) ***
  • I purchased two sets of these. They’re small and soft but you could probably go with any brand. 
• Rinser Bath Cup (Skip Hop Moby)
  • Easier than using your hand to keep the baby warm in the tub. I suppose a plastic cup with a handle would get the job done just as well. My 19 month old likes playing with it in the tub—so I guess it doubles as a utility and a toy.
• Comb/Brush (Green Sprouts Wooden Brush and Comb Set)
  • I love this brush, it’s so soft (I never use the comb). My first baby had no hair for the first year so it wasn’t used much until he got older but he loves it now.
• Soap/Shampoo (Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo) ***
  • We ended up with this after using soap from the hospital, Honest, and Earth Mama Angel Baby. All the soaps we first tried severely dried his skin out. Our pediatrician eventually recommended using Aveeno so that’s how we ended up with it. It’s the only one that doesn’t turn our boy into a lizard. We use it on our second baby too.
• Lotion (Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisturizing Cream) ***
  • We use this after the bath to help prevent dry skin. I use it in addition to Aquaphor which I put on any rashier areas like the chest.  
• Hooded Towel (Hooded Baby Towel Set) ***
  • We registered for a few baby towels but then realized we didn’t need to because we received so many as gifts. I’m not married to any specific kind. I actually found that as soon as my son got taller, the hooded baby towels didn’t cover enough of his skin so we started using a bigger towel.
• Cradle Cap Scrubbies (Silicone Exfoliating Cradle Cap Brushes) ***
  • I love these little silicone scrubbies for washing the baby’s head in the bath. The first few months of life, cradle cap is a real thing and gently exfoliating it with this definitely helped. [I like these better than the DermaFrida The SkinSoother because they are much tinier and easier to use on tiny people.] They’re also great for applying lotion to dry patches later on.  I still sometimes use the little scrubby brush (like this one) from the hospital—I find it scrubs the stubborn skin more than the silicone ones.

Car

• Nuna Pipa  ***
  • This car seat was recommended to me because it is lighter than many of the others (not to be confused with the Nuna Pipa Lite). It’s great because it hooks into a base but also has the capability to be strapped into a car/airplane without the base (we needed this feature for travel). This car seat also has a built in magnetic shade so that you can cover the babies face from the sun. Reminder—you can remove the infant insert once baby reaches 11 pounds. We kept our first baby in this seat until he was 17 months (because he hadn’t yet reached 32″ or 32 pounds).
• Nuna Rava
  • This is a convertible car seat that works for a tiny infant up to a child 65 pounds. It allows for a child to rear face up to 50 pounds and after that you can just flip it around to face forward. If we didn’t need our baby car seat to be portable I would have just used this one (the Rava weighs 35 pounds and does not attach to any strollers). Our 19 month old now uses this stroller and our baby uses the Nuna Pipa.
• Car Seat Canopy (Aden + Anai Car Seat Canopy)
  • I didn’t realize the Nuna Pipa had a built in shade so I used this on top of the car seat to hide the baby from people/germs when we went out in the beginning. It’s nice because you can peek in on the sides to look at them while they’re sleeping, but if you’re in an area that it’s super windy it doesn’t stay on super well. I haven’t used it but you should check out the Milk Snob Multi-Use Car Seat Cover (I’ve heard good things). 
• Seat Saver (2-Stage Seatsaver)
  • I was told this would save my car from indents from the car seat as well as crushed Cheerios and spilled milk—so I bought it. So far it’s lived up to its purpose.
• Mirror (Britax Back Seat Mirror) ***
  • Necessary for being able to see your baby from the back seat. I look through my rearview mirror constantly to make sure the baby is breathing because I’m neurotic. Also as my first baby got older he really enjoyed looking at himself in it.
• Sun Shades (Brica Sun Safety Shades in Black) ***
  • Even when the car seat hood is all the way up the sun still gets in the baby’s eyes which is never fun. These are not big enough to cover the whole window so you just have to make sure to position it right. It’s seems to stay suctioned to the window since I’ve put it up.
• Baby Susher ***
  • This one was really helpful during the first few months with my first baby. I try to keep this in the car for freak outs. Sometimes I keep it in the diaper bag so I can also use it in the stroller. It’s literally a machine that makes an amplified shushing noise continuously for 15 minutes. It’s kind of creepy and it sounds gimmicky but it honestly works.
• Seat Belt Cushion (DorDor & GorGor ORGANIC Baby Seat Belt Cushion)
  • Love these so much! We got these when our first baby was about 6 months and it made such a difference for us when we would tighten the the car seat straps. These are so much longer and softer than the little ones that come standard on a carseat. 

Stroller

• UppaBaby Vista ***
  • This is like a Cadillac when it comes to strollers—it’s substantial, sturdy, and drives well. The difference between the Vista and the Cruz is that the Vista has much bigger wheels, a much bigger storage basket, and has room for a second baby/toddler. The stroller comes with both a bassinet and a toddler seat. In the beginning we know lots of people who use the bassinet as a bed for their baby. Part of our reason for choosing this stroller over any other, was that it could easily go over sand that builds up on the street/sidewalk since we live by the beach. Now that we have our second baby I put the bassinet on the bottom and the toddler seat on the top—the only thing I don’t love is that you can’t see both kids at once.
• UppaBaby Car Seat Adaptor (Maxi-Cosi Infant Car Seats)
  • This adaptor works for the UppaBaby Stroller and the Nuna Pipa car seat. Super easy to slide on and off. I store them in the car. 
• UPPAbaby VISTA Lower Adapter
  • I only purchased this adaptor once I had my second baby. It’s for the lower portion of the stroller and is only necessary for attaching the bassinet or the Rumble Seat to the Vista.
• UppaBaby Infant Snuggle Seat
  • If your baby doesn’t love the bassinet that comes with the stroller, you can switch them to the toddler seat and put this infant insert inside. This supports their neck and back since the seat is a little big for a baby. It’s also better for the baby to sit in the toddler seat than in a car seat if you’re going on longer walks because it allows for them to use their peripheral vision whereas in the carseat they basically have blinders on the side because of SIP. For us this was a game changer since our first baby never really loved lying flat. 
• Stroller Organizer (Skip Hop Stroller Organizer)
  • This one was recommended to me because it doesn’t flip over and throw your stuff out out like the Uppababy one. I think it’s pretty good for storing hand sanitizer, keys, glasses, etc. But as far as a drink holder goes, it’s not fantastic. You might want to invest in a cup holder that attaches onto your stoller. 
• Tray (UppaBaby Snack Tray)
  • We started using this at about 12 months old. Our first born loves it. He plays with his Cheerios in it and also pours out the entirety of his water cup in it (delightful to clean up after).
• Stroller Hook (OXO Tot Handy Stroller Hook – 2) ***
  • You can never have enough places to put stuff on a stroller. No matter how big the basket is on the bottom, it’s nice to have a hook so that you can hang your purse/diaper bag/shopping bag, etc. 

Play

• Play Gym (LovEvery The Play Gym)
  • I really love this play gym/play mat for multiple reasons. I like that it’s not crazy colorful everywhere. I also love that it has different sections that become relevant to the baby as they age. This play gym comes with a little booklet that explains what your baby is going through month by month/how they are interacting with you and their environment, and how to stimulate them with the playmat. Call me a sucker (I’m sure all playmats basically do the same thing), but I feel like this one just makes sense. The only con is it’s expensive. 
• Baby Subscription (LovEvery The Play Kits)
  • I really didn’t want to have a lot of toys around the house, so I figured this overpriced subscription box would be the answer to that issue. I signed up during their Cyber Monday sale—if you’re able to do that, you should. Here’s how this works: you get a box every two months, along with a little booklet that explains how to introduce and enjoy each toy in the kit with your baby. I like that I can use parts of this with the LovEvery Play Gym also. You can sign up for one box at a time rather than all of them upfront. 
• Play Mat (Gathre Mini)
  • I really love this leather play mat. It folds up small and is really portable. I often keep it in the car with me when I go places because it’s an excellent clean surface to put out anywhere. I brought it with us to Australia so I could lay it out in the Airbnb and not have to worry about germs especially during tummy time when his face is often on the ground. It’s also easy to wipe down when they spit up on it.  
• Bouncer with Toy Arch (Gymini® Bouncer Under the Sea) ***
  • Since the Rock n’ Play got recalled I think this thing would be similar. My in laws had it in South Africa and our baby loved sitting in there with the toy arch above. It’s an easy place to put the baby down and strap them in when you need a minute. Obviously just make sure to keep an eye on them.
• Bouncer (Baby Bjorn Bouncer Balance Soft)
  • We started using this around 3 months with our first. It is awesome! Even though the baby doesn’t realize he can bounce himself yet, he still loves sitting upright in it. Plus you can bring it into any room with you (it’s super light) and put the baby in it/not have to hold them/constantly entertain them. 
• Bouncer Toy Bar (Baby Bjorn Wooden Toy Bar)
  • This attaches right onto the bouncer and buys me 10-20 minutes of time to get stuff done while the baby plays with this (starting at about 5 months).  
• Toy Arch (Musical Arch – Owl. Stroller, Pram and Car Seat Activity Bar)
  • I started using this about 2.5 months and attached it to the Rock n Play. It also works on the bassinet and stroller. It’s definitely another “thing” but it provides some stimulation and the owl in the middle makes music noises. 
• Activity Center (Skip Hop Explore and More Baby’s View 3-Stage Activity Center)
  • We got this at about 6 months. This particular activity center is not a jumper. It has a flat balancing board to stand on, which makes it better for development. In baby group we were told that jumpers are not fantastic for babies hips and muscle building. This is an easy place to contain a baby when you need to do something quickly. Plus it will buy you about 20 minutes of hands free baby time! It also converts into an activity table, and a regular sized toddler table later on. 
• Stroller Bar Toy (Playgro Woodlands Twirly Whirly Sensory Toy)
  • I have one very similar to this and I just added it to my stroller bar. My baby loves this. He grabs the rings and tries to put the little stuffed animals in his mouth. 
• Musical Piano (Sounds ‘N Tunes Crib Piano)
  • We got this as a gift and I couldn’t see myself putting it in the crib. Now that my baby is four months I just opened it up and put it on his play mat in the living room. I’ve tried it under his feet while he is lying down, but he seems to enjoy it most when he’s standing on it. He’s fascinated by the sounds and the corresponding musical notes that light up in different colors.
• SmartNoggin Rattle
  • A developmental rattle for all stages from 0+. It has light up color, different textures, different colors, and a mirror on the bottom. Everyone recommended this—don’t know that I needed it.
• Mobile (Tiny Love Take Along Mobile) ***
  • My first baby does not like being in the car, or in the stroller, or basically anywhere that is not in someone’s arms. So when he does go in the stroller or the car I attach this mobile to the top and it helps so much. It plays music and spins (battery operated) and it seems to hold his attention. I recommended this to everyone in my baby group and everyone seems to love it. Additionally, when you’re not using it for the car or stroller, you can attach it to the ‘arm’ that comes with it and put it on the changing table. Another place you will benefit from having them distracted! I can’t recommend this thing enough! (Started using it around 2.5 months)
• Reversible Infant-Stim Crib Bumper Panel & Book in One
  • From the beginning babies can only really see black and white. It’s nice to put this on the side of their changing table so they have somewhere to look. You can also put it in the stroller or on the ground when you lie them down for tummy time. You don’t need this specific one but I’d definitely recommend putting something fun on the changing table for them to look at.
• Sassy Floor Mirror ***
  • I don’t have this but someone recommended it to me. I’m pretty sure any baby mirror will do.
• Mr. Mustard’s Baby Faces ***
  • People swear by this book for tummy time. It apparently motivates babies to keep their heads held higher because they’re obsessed with looking at the baby faces. 
• Bright Star Lots of Links
  • I learned about these in baby group. Apparently they are great for teething and attaching things to (e.g. attaching another mobile/toy on your play mat toy arch, attaching a toy to the stroller bar, etc.)
• Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic Rattle and Teether Grasping Activity Toy
  • I learned about this in baby group—it’s a classic wooden clutching motor skill and baby toy for ages 0 months and up.
• O’ball Rollin’ Rainstick Rattle
  • Good for stimulating your baby starting at about 3 months. Good for motor skill development, easy to hold onto, fun to watch.
• The First Years Stack Up Cups
  • This is the most simple toys, yet it brings so much joy and entertainment. I don’t know what it is about knocking towers down or figuring out how to stack cups inside themselves but I’m telling you this one is a hit! 
• Indestructibles Books
  • These books are amazing because they are waterproof, don’t tear, and don’t break which basically means they are perfect for a baby. Our baby loves these and they truly are as amazing as advertised. 
• Fat Brain Toys Dimpl
  • This toy is so much fun (for everyone). Once my baby figured out how to play with it he never stopped. Highly recommend this toy but not until about 12 months.

Travel

• Car Seat Travel Bag (J.L. Childress Gate Check Travel Bag for Car Seats)
  • Great for flying (especially internationally) because it keeps the car seat clean. When we went to Australia we folded this under the stroller and put the car seat into this when we checked it at the gate. BONUS feature: if you have something super heavy (like a pair of shoes) or if you have a bunch of diapers you can put it/them in the bag along with the car seat and check it at the gate because the car seat is technically a free piece of luggage (as is the stroller).
• Travel Bottle Brush (OXO Tot On-The-Go Drying Rack with Bottle Brush)
  • When we travel or go to someone’s house for multiple hours (6 hours+) it’s nice to have this on us. I’m also super weird about the bottles smelling bad from not being cleaned fast enough—this isn’t necessary for everyone unless you’re planning to be washing bottles on the go.
• BabyZen YoYo Frame
  • Everyone recommended this to us as a travel stroller because it folds up super small and can be brought directly onto any plane as opposed to having to check it at the gate. We used it when we were in Australia along with our car seat. It was fabulous for many reasons, most especially that it folds together extremely compactly for various uses. It’s great for restaurants and bars because it’s nimble and about the size of a chair—you can actually lower the handlebars down and push the stroller right up against the table so that it’s not taking up a lot of room. The only negatives are that this stroller is not meant for serious walking (as the wheels are not so big and it’s much flimsier than our everyday stroller) and that the storage basket underneath it is really tiny. You have to get kind of creative with storage. The OXO Tot Handy Stroller Hooks come in handy for this stroller.  If you are going to be doing a good amount of travel I’d definitely advise looking into this. 
• BabyZen YoYo 6+
  • You kind of need this if you are buying the Yoyo. When our baby was 5 months old we started using this with the UppaBaby Infant Snuggle Seat.
• BabyZen YoYo Car Seat Adaptors
  • We have a Nuna Pipa car seat so we ordered these adaptors for our travel stroller. Best part about them is that you don’t have to detach them from the car seat when you put it in the car. 
• SlumberPod Privacy Pod
  • This is amazing! If you plan on going anywhere (especially somewhere you’re going to be sharing a room with your baby) I highly recommend this! It is a breathable, blackout tent that you put over a pack n play. We only learned about it just before we went to Australia the second time, when our son was 17 months old. It was so helpful because we were able to keep the lights on in the room until we went to sleep and he had no idea. Plus he slept in every morning!
• Travel Car Seat (Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat)
  • We have yet to use this because on our last trip to Australia our son still fit in the Nuna Pipa, however, everyone has told us that this is the travel car seat to get for a toddler. It’s extremely light and buckles into any plane seat or car seat. When you’re going through the airport you just use this Car Seat Travel Belt to attach it to your luggage for easy transport. I’ve also been told you can use the car seat belt to jerry rig the car seat onto the Yoyo Stroller (I’m sure the company would advise against this).
• Disposable Changing Pads (Northshore Small Changing Pads)
  • These are amazing for planes and public bathrooms. You honestly never know if and how often public changing tables are being cleaned and what other people are leaving behind on them. So these are not only nice to put down as a barrier between your baby and the table, but also between the table and your own portable changing mat.
• Pacifier Wipes (The First Years Gumdrop Pacifier Wipes)
  • In the very beginning especially you might want to carry these with you for those times that the pacifier falls out of your baby’s mouth. Even when you attach pacifiers to a clip, the clip can dangle too long and the pacifier can touch a gross surface (street, airplane tray table, park bench, etc.). 
• Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag (WODISON Foldable Clear Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag)
  • I learned about this in one of my baby groups. It’s such a smart idea. As an infant you can fill it with burp cloths, pacifiers, pacifier wipes, hand sanitizer, surface wipes etc., and as the baby gets older/their interests change you can add in other stuff like books, teething toys, etc. I find this especially useful for travel (on the plane) because you can see everything through the clear pockets. 

Medicine (I’m not a doctor so please check with your pediatrician before using anything)

• Benadryl ***
  • This is the one thing in the box that you may never need to use, but it is good to have. If you think your baby is having an allergic reaction call your doctor and you will be instructed to give Benadryl. Don’t try Benadryl cream—it doesn’t work.
• Infant Tylenol ***
  • If your baby has a fever call the doctor. Tylenol is the only safe fever reducer until a baby is 6 months old.  It’s also supposed to be helpful for teething paine. 
• Vitamin D Drops (Upspring Vitamin D Drops 400 iu D3 Drops) ***
  • You won’t need these until after their first doctors check up, so you can wait on buying these but just thought they were worth adding to the list.
• Gas Drops with Simethicone (Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops)  ***
  • These along with gripe water help provide some relief for when there’s a lot of gas. Especially at night before they go to bed. Whatever brand of gas drops you buy make sure they have simethicone in them.
• Gripe Water (Little Remedies Gripe Water) ***
  • This is an herbal supplement used to help aid digestion when babies are suffering from gas and discomfort. We used it in tandem with gas drops on nights when we were having a particularly tough time.
• Probiotics (Gerber Soothe Baby Probiotic Colic Drops) ***
  • I just started using these around 3 months but wish I had known about them sooner. So many people swear by them as the answer to anti-colic. We use them in the last night feed to soothe his tummy. *Make sure to check with your pediatrician ahead of time.
•  Saline Spray (Little Remedies Saline Spray) ***
  • I’ve found that giving saline is one of the most horrific looking things I can do, but it works wonders. Babies don’t know how to breathe out of their mouths until they are about 2. So if there is bad congestion squeeze some of this in each nostril. Our baby usually screams and sneezes and coughs but eventually things sound much better. There is no actual medicine in this, just salt water. *** A friend of mine just suggested using the Nose Frida Saline Spray since it has a better mister than the Little Remedies one. 
• Teething Drops (Boiron Camilia, 30 Doses, Homeopathic Medicine for Teething Relief)
  • Our pediatrician recommended this for teething. Apparently it works well for some babies and doesn’t do much for others. We clearly didn’t know when our baby was teething and gave it to him way before his first tooth came in and not when we actually needed it—so the jury is still out on this one. (Turns out it doesn’t do much for our first baby)
• Teething Drops (Wellements Organic Baby Tooth Oil)
  • Another teething oil recommended to us by a lot of people. I still use this on our 19 month old. You just rub a little bit onto their gums and it seems to give some relief (and at nighttime I double up with Tylenol).

Other Products

• Mineral Sunscreen (Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen – Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+)
  • You can’t use baby sunscreen until babies are 6 months old. When you are eventually able to use it, it has to be mineral sunscreen. This was one of the one’s my pediatrician recommended. ***Whatever sunscreen you buy make sure to check the ingredients!
• Lumiere Baby Shopping Cart Cover
  • A barrier between your baby and whatever gross cart you plan to put them in. Not everyone needs this but it gave me some piece of mind when it came to bringing my baby to the market with me.

Pacifiers/Teethers 

• Vanilla Scent Soothies ***
  • Apparently these are the pacifiers they use in the NICU at hospitals. When the first pacifier we tried didn’t work, we ordered these and we had better success. It just so happened that our first baby wasn’t in love with pacifiers however our second one loves them.
• Wubbanub
  • This is a Soothie pacifier with a tiny stuffed animal attached to it. I love using it because when you put the baby down in the bassinet you can put the pacifier in their mouth and angle the stuffed animal against the side of the bassinet so that when the pacifier inevitably comes out of their mouth they can get it back in without your assistance. As they get older the stuffed animal is also helpful because you can put it on their chest and it doesn’t fall down next to them. Eventually they can grab onto it, which helps them with self soothing/finding the pacifier. 
• Bibs
  • We heard lots of great things about these, but they didn’t work well for us. I think they’re cuter than any other pacifier.
• Pacifier Clip (Silicone and Wood Pacifier Clip)
  • I purchased two of these. I keep one attached to the car seat and the other I keep in the diaper bag in the event I need to attach a pacifier to the baby’s clothing. My first baby doesn’t love pacifiers so he spits them out often, which is why this thing comes in such handy.  Obviously, there are million varieties of these, so get whatever makes most sense for you.
• Sophie the Giraffe
  • We got this as a gift probably because it’s the world’s most popular teething toy. I don’t know that I would have registered for it, but something like this is nice because babies don’t have great hand/eye coordination and they often smash themselves in the face with whatever they’re holding. Sophie is way better to smash yourself in the face with than a plastic rattle. There’s also this version—I’m not sure which one is better.
• Baby Banana Infant Training Teether and Toothbrush
  • I just ordered this because our baby is starting to teethe. Apparently babies love the feeling of the silicone bristles on their gums. It’s also a good way to expose them early to dental hygiene.  
• Mesh Feeder (Munchkin Baby Fresh Food Feeder)
  • Someone gave this to us to prepare us for food, however, it’s also useful for when your baby is teething. You can freeze breast milk and put it in here, or chunks of frozen fruits.
• Ice Tray (PopBabies Silicone Ice Molds)
  • I filled this mini ice tray with breast milk. Then I put the frozen cubes into the mesh feeder so that my baby could suck on something when his teeth were hurting. 
• Popsicles (Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Frozen Pop Tray)
  • Another great way to help teething babies. You can make breast milk pops with these or puree fruits and veggies and create a refined sugar free popsicle.

Apparel

• Infant Socks (Gerber)
  • There’s nothing special about these but we needed some tiny socks for foot warmth when some of the outfits didn’t have feet.  
• Long Sleeve Onesies (Moon and Back Side-Snap Bodysuits)
  • I love these because you don’t have to put anything over their heads. (This is wonderful for when they start having blowouts and you don’t want to pull a soiled piece of clothing over them.) Also they are so soft and a little bit thicker than a over-the-head onesie because there are two pieces that go over their chest and stomach. 
• Bibs (Bandana Drool Bibs for Drooling and Teething)
  • We started using these around 3 months as the drooling became more of a thing. I like them because no matter how wet the bib gets, the back of it is thick enough to keep his shirt from also getting wet. 

Carriers

• Solly Baby Wrap
  • I loved this in the very beginning when the baby was light. It was nice to wear him so close to my body. As he got bigger I found that I had issues with it sagging. I liked it but was not married to this wrap. 
• Baby Bjorn Mini
  • I love this carrier and keep it in my car. It’s super light and easy to put on, however, it doesn’t have an insane amount of support. So if you plan on doing real walking/hiking or a serious duration of baby wearing this might not be the right carrier for you. However, if you just want to pop one on for a short amount of time, this one is fantastic. I keep it in the stroller so that when my baby freaks out I can just quickly put this on and keep going about my day.
• Baby Carrier (ErgoBaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier) ***
  • Since it never occurred to me that my baby would get so heavy so quickly, I didn’t think I would need such a cumbersome carrier. However, after trying to walk for an hour with the Baby Bjorn Mini, I realized I needed a better solution for my aching back. I went into the Pump Station and tried on the Ergo, the Baby Bjorn One, and Becco (recently recalled). The Ergo just seemed like the sturdiest, most supportive, and easiest option. In comparison to every other carrier I’ve tried on, this one really took the pressure off my shoulders and distributed the weight evenly on my hips. Make sure to test a few out, it’s like trying to buy a good bra. 

Laundry

• Detergent (Dreft Stage 1) ***
  • I know this isn’t the ‘cleanest’ detergent out there, but we got this prior to the baby being born so we just started using it. It hasn’t bothered his skin in any way and it does a good job of actually cleaning poop/vomit stains off of his clothing so we’re still using it. 
• Stain Remover (Dreft) ***
  • Post blowouts we immediately remove his clothes and spray them with this/soak them in water until we can attend to them. If you don’t attend to stains they will stain the clothes. I’m sure there are many other brands out there, but we’ve been using this because someone recommended it to us. 

Diaper Bag

• Diaper Bag (Baggu Cloud Bag) ***
  • I decided I didn’t want a traditional diaper bag so I ended up just getting a large tote bag that I could compartmentalize myself. There’s nothing special about this bag, I just like it. It’s also machine washable. I use pouches to organize most of the stuff. Floating in the bag are burp clothes and an extra swaddle.

• Baggu Nylon Pouch Set
  • I use these to organize my diaper bag. Big—several changes of clothes, beanies, socks. Medium—Lovie, toys, misc. Small—Pacifiers and teething beads. 
• SnoofyBee Portable Changing Pad
  • This portable changing pad is a 3-in-1 Diaper Clutch, Changing Station, and Diaper-Time Playmat. Mostly it’s great for keeping your babies hands out of their diaper when you’re changing it (if you’ve ever experienced this you’ll understand why this changing pad is so helpful).
• Poop Bags
  • You never knew you needed these until you’ve just changed a diaper and have no idea where to put it. Keep a roll or two of these in your diaper bag. You can also use them for when your baby has a blow out all over their clothes (just make sure to label the bag as clothing so you don’t throw it out with the poopy diapers).
• Pacifier Wipes (The First Years Gumdrop Pacifier Wipes)
  • In the very beginning especially you might want to carry these with you for those times that the pacifier falls out of your baby’s mouth. Even when you attach pacifiers to a clip, the clip can dangle too long and the pacifier can touch a gross surface (street, airplane tray table, park bench, etc.). 
• Portable Sound Machine (Rohm Portable White Noise Sound Machine) ***
  • This is an absolute must have. We take it on the go with us no matter where we go and use it to cue our baby to go to sleep. Apparently white noise is not addictive and is super helpful to create some consistency and expectation for sleeping no matter where you are (if you’re lucky).  We still use it for our 19 month old.

Diapers

• Huggies Little Snugglers Plus ***
  • We have tried Pampers, Pampers Pure, Honest, Parasol, and WF 365 Organic Diapers and have honestly found that Huggies Plus are the best. My whole baby group switched to these after someone read that the formula for Pampers diapers changed. I like the Huggies Plus because they are unscented, absorb a lot, prevent blowouts more than any other diaper I’ve tried, and can be found at Costco.