Baby Must Haves

I've had "baby" on the brain lately. I think back to when I was expecting my first and how overwhelmed I was by all the stuff I needed for the baby! I registered at Babies R Us for everything from baby monitors to swings to shoes, diaper wipe warmers, and baby bathtubs. I had no idea what would really be useful. I now have a better idea of what items are terribly practical to have for a new baby and I compiled a list. These are things that I think are really great and I used all the time. Other moms may have different ideas and I would love to hear your comments on the baby items you can't live without.

I didn't have a nursing cover with my first child and I am not sure how I survived. My cousin gave me a Hooter Hider for a gift and the practical item was always with me!

The Hooter Hider is designed with a rigid piece at the top to allow easy viewing of the baby while nursing for mom only. Everyone else only sees a stylish, cute fabric that helps keep breast feeding modest for shy types, like me. You can buy the nursing covers or easily sew one. I should do a tutorial next time I make one -- they are really simple to make.

For baby's fashion needs, Robeez shoes (and they are practical too):

Socks seem to refuse to stay on a tiny one's feet. These stylish, soft shoes stay on and keep the sock on too. I also like how the Robeez complete the outfit for a baby -- so important, I know. I only had one size with my first child, the 12-18 month size and those work well for beginner walkers. For Mandy, I knew how great the shoes are, so I found some used in the smaller sizes too. But I only have girl ones!

This next item isn't normally considered a baby necessity, but I found I used an exercise ball all the time, several times a day with my babies.

I used it for bouncing my fussy newborn while I was sitting and watching tv. Nothing silences Emma's cries like the bouncy ball. Later, like a year after Emma was born,  I realized that the baby weight wasn't just going to fall off my body, I used the ball for exercise. It is very versitile and is now my children's favorite toy outside for rolling around in the yard. You can find these balls used all over the place or new for about $10.

The next practical baby item is sling or carrier to hold the baby close to my body.
The first time around I used a Baby Bjorn. It works okay, but hurt my back after about 20 minutes and was tedious to put on. With my second, I used a cotton sling (my hubby still preferred the Baby Bjorn for carrying the baby). It was faster and I used it constantly until she was over a year old. It still hurt my back a little, but not as bad as trying to lug the infant car seat around or carrying the baby in one arm while I tried to do something else. With my third child,  I will still use a sling for the infant stage and then I would really like an Ergo Baby Carrier (pictured above). You can wear it on the front, back, or side, up to a 40lb child. You won't catch me carrying a 40 pound child anywhere, but it shows just how strong the Ergo is. They are really innovative and I spent about half an hour yesterday watching how-to videos on the website. Now to find a used one for cheap...

A stroller is a deffinatly handy item to have for a baby.
Many people will have opinions about what stroller is the best, but I found I needed 2 strollers. I used the jogging stroller on my rural road for every day walks and a regular folding stroller with small wheels for mall/city trips. I've seen a lot of women try to get away with the jogging stroller at the mall and it is seriously TOO BIG. The double joggers are especially big, but so necessary if you are going on uneven surfaces and/or jogging, just not in the mall. Now I use a double jogging stroller and I have a Sit n' Stand stroller that will be handy when the new baby comes. I also have a Jeep umbrella stroller, and the regular folding stroller. It is a bit excessive, and I need to get rid of a few before they replace my car in the garage.

I also used and still use a pack n' play type portable crib often.
Thankfully I received one of these as a gift, because I had no idea how practical a portable crib would be. We kept ours in the car and it was great for naps or overnight at other people's houses and good outside too. It was also good to have if other babies came to visit us.

Besides the Robeez, there is an item of clothing I think is fantastic for babies and that is the long sleeved onesie.
Carter's makes a onesie that is quite thick and fits babies that are long in the torso very well. I loved long sleeved onesies for my fall babies. The short sleeved ones always left me a bit confused with what to put over it during the day to keep baby warm. I also like the little cotton pants that are often sold right along side the onesies. They are so practical and cute for every day oufits.

A good diaper bag, I think, is an essential.
I had no idea with my first that a great diaper bag would come in so handy. A place to store bottles upright, great organizational pockets, a changing pad, and comfortable strap, plus a cute design are necessary. I am going to have to rethink my diaper bag situation with my third since I'll have 2 in diapers and the pink camo diaper bag I have isn't terribly appropriate for a boy. The one above is from Target and is a little pricey at $60. Anyone have some rich grandparents I can borrow to give me this item?

So moms, what items are on your "must haves" for baby?