Babies are such a nice way to start people. (Don Herold)

Navigating through all the baby products is overwhelming as a new parent. In 2008 Nathan and I wandered around the store trying to figure out what we needed for our first baby not knowing what we really needed. We emerged from the store 3 hours later exhausted and sure we missed important items.

When we registered for our third child, it was a much easier process. We already had a lot from the previous 2 kiddos. This time we felt more confident in the registering for the essentials and seeing through all the unneeded things.

Now in 2013, I have several beautiful friends becoming mommies for the first time. They have been amazing supporting me through three pregnancies and celebrating my children.

So to my friends… thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here is a list of my favorite baby products, ramblings and whatnot. Hopefully this will help y’all get started.

 Baby products I like...

• Feetie pajamas! Zippers tend to be easier than snaps when you are changing diapers in the middle of the night. And they are so sweet on little baby feet.
• Uppa Vista baby stroller with Graco car seat: There are only a few Graco car seats that work with the Uppa stroller adaptor. It has been very easy to steer, open & fold up, and get in & out of the car.
• Bumbo chair and tray
• Boppy pillow: a must for nursing, good to help the baby sit & do tummy time
• Muslim swaddling blankets: Aden & Anais is my favorite brand.
• Tommee Tippee bottles (get a few different ounce sizes and nipple flows)
• MAMS pacifiers 100%!!! (They don't have a 'top' or 'bottom' so it doesn't matter which way the binka goes it. Plus the designs are the cutest.)
• Diapers:
• Pampers Swaddlers Diapers Newborn or Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive Newborn: Super soft for new baby skin and they have a sweet baby smell. These fit babies up to 8 lbs. and have a stripe indicating a soiled diaper. More important than you think!
• Pampers Swaddlers and Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive also come in size 1 which fit babies up to 14lbs. Huggies Little Snugglers are also really great.
• Sensitive wipies are the softest. I think generic brand wipes can be rougher in texture.
• Baby soap: Aveeno Baby, Johnson&Johnson Lavendar
• Baby Bjourn: our favorite way to wear a baby

My favorite post-delivery must have's...

• Nursing wrap: I have one from Bebe au Lait. It has allowed me to nurse anywhere I am. I am 100% for feeling free and comfortable to nurse in public. As a mom, you have every right to feed your baby. So do what you feel comfortable and be confident that you are doing what is BEST for your baby.
• Breast pads: Lansinoh. Don't even try another brand! These are the thinnest and have a double sticky to help keep them in place.
• Nipple cream: Lansinoh. You really will need this and it really does help.
• Always pads: long overnight at first, then the regular ones as needed
• Boppy pillow: A big plus for post-delivery. If you have an episiotomy, you can use it to help sit for the first few days.
• Nursing app on you iPhone - a must for keeping track of when you nursed and for how long. I'm using Baby Nursing which also tracks diapers, sleeping, pumping, etc. Don’t buy an expensive watch to keep track. Just download a timing app. SO much cheaper and they work great.
• Nursing bras – Sleeping and daytime: My favorite ones are from A Pea in a Pod. My cousin Kim has raved about Bravado bras. The site also has some good information to read about nursing.
• Medela Swing breast pump – this serviced 2 babies. It’s a single so working mommas might like a double to be more efficient with their time.  Pumping can give you relief from any engorgement while you and baby regulate supply and demand at the beginning. I currently have a Tommee Tippee pump. It works well but is louder than the Medela.

What you need at the hospital....

• Your own pillow: Use during labor and after delivery. When you’re ready to deliver, you might not want it to be too close to the action.
• Slippers, socks, bath robe
• Nursing bra (if your milk comes in while you're still at the hospital, you'll want a bra and the breast pads!! Most women's milk doesn't come in that fast. But play it safe. Nothing worse than your boobs leaking and you're not prepared. Trust me!)
• Breast pads, nipple cream
• You can pack some Always pads but you don't really need to. The hospital will provide pads and some super-sexy, gauze-type, horrifically-awesome undies. Take any extra of the gauzies, pads, Dermaplast, ice packs, whatever you can get. This way you are stocked to get through the first days home.
• A pair of big undies in case you don't want to wear the gauzies home. 
• Toiletries
• Night gown/nursing top & pj pants: a good idea if you don’t want to wear the hospital gown after delivery.

What Dad should bring.... (I talked with Nathan about these so the list has input from a Daddy.)

• Camera
• Phone
• Chargers & extra camera battery
• iPad with movies and a DirectTV app (this proved to be awesome while we were in the hospital having Maggie)
• Pajama pants/sleeping (the nurses tend to like clothed daddy’s – no sleeping in your undies!)
• Slippers
• Pillow & blanket
• A change of clothes
• Baby name book in case you’re not set on a name.
• Snacks for himself & someone who you can call to bring food

What to bring for baby…

• Car seat – installed (required by law - you canNOT take you baby home without one.)
• Receiving blanket
• Newborn pacifier
• Going home outfit
• Baby book or paper for guests to sign in. I love that I have the kids 1^st visitors at the hospital written down. It was really special to me.
• Also you might want to bring an extra piece of paper or a page from the baby book for handprints or footprints. The nursery nurses we had were super sweet and did prints on my paper.

*Take everything from the nursery bed the baby is in at the hospital… you already paid for it. The hospital nose suction ball is the best out there! Try to get 2 if you can.

Other stuff…

• Most play mats are pretty much the same so just pick one that you like. Music and lights are fun for the baby. Owen liked them but the lights really ticked Riley off. It was hilarious! Maggie likes the mirror on hers.
• A bouncer and a swing will be fun for the baby. 
• Pack N Plays and port-a-cribs are great for traveling. No matter where you go, you have a proper bed for the baby.

Things I haven’t tried but look cool…

• Summer Infant Rest Assured Sleeper or the Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Surround – these look good until about 4 months… so a Pack N Play/port-a-crib is probably more worth the money
• mamaRoo Infant Seat

The only thing you 100% have to do off my rambling list is bring a car seat to the hospital (state law and all…). Everything else is just from my viewpoint and opinions based on my experience with 3 kids. You might try out something I loved and hate it. And things my babies liked might not work for yours. But it's somewhere to start. We're all in this together.  

Congratulations on entering Motherhood!

It is a blessing and the greatest adventure you’ll ever go on!

Ciao!