Surviving the first year of a baby is rough. Luckily, there are products that made my life so much simpler. I don’t know how I would’ve survived without these five baby items.
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1. The Pack N Play with Napper Bassinet
We registered for a bassinet at first, but then we found a Pack N Play with one in it. It was perfect.
I was able to fit the whole thing next to my bed at a good angle to see her.
The bassinet comes out and you can set it on the floor anywhere.
We were able to let her fall asleep in the living room. And then when we wanted to go to bed, we’d pick it up by the handles and click it into the Pack N Play next to the bed.
In the morning if she was still sleeping, we’d pick it back up and carry her out to the living room with us. Mobile sleeping baby!
Once she was old enough to start roaming around, the rest of the Pack N Play was a life saver.
Until she was two, we also used it to drop her in when we needed to go to the bathroom or corral her for a bit to get something done.
2. The Boppy Lounger
Everyone knows about the Boppy. But when Toot was only a week or two old, I realized I didn’t have anywhere to put her besides her bassinet.
I didn’t need a Boppy because I had a My Brest Friend pillow for breastfeeding.
But the Boppy Lounger was made to be a pillow for baby to lounge in.
She basically lived in it for the first 4 months of her life. It doesn’t have a hole in the middle for her to fall out of.
She used it to lay in while watching Daniel Tiger even when she had completely outgrown it.
We covered it with a receiving blanket for a while because she would spit up so much.
The other main difference between the original Boppy and the Lounger is that there is no removable cover. But you can throw the whole thing in the washer. It comes out of the dryer all fluffy!
It also doubles as a cat bed apparently. Mr. Meowgi thinks it’s his now.
This is one of the few baby items I have actually kept because I love it so much. It was such a huge part of her newborn life. I couldn’t have survived the newborn stage without it.
3. Boon Grass
I had never even heard of this or had any idea I needed it until a friend who had a toddler told me about it.
She said it’s one of her favorite things to buy for showers because it’s so useful, but you don’t think to register for it. Now it’s my go-to for baby showers, too.
It’s a bottle/pacifier/sippy cup/all things baby drying rack for your counter that looks like grass. We also have a flower that holds nipples and pacifiers.
They are especially wonderful for anyone that has the Dr. Brown bottles because of all the parts to them. (I also recommend Dr. Brown bottles).
4. Carter’s Cuddle Plush
Toot loves her cuddle buddies. She has a fox and a giraffe.
We got the fox from our registry. Once I found out at about 3 months that she loved it, I had to get a giraffe too just in case we lost the fox.
They are security blankets and just the right size for a newborn up to a year or so.
Easy to carry around or just cuddle with. We took one with us wherever we went because Toot went through a long stranger danger phase that lasted until she was almost 18 months old.
Even at Nana and Papa’s house she would scream and cry if anyone got near her. The blanket buddy was her comfort object.
I’m saving them forever. One of the best baby items ever.
5. The Diaper Genie
I didn’t think I needed it, but I’m so glad I have it. I kept seeing it on lists with baby items you don’t need. We needed it.
We used it all the way up until potty training. She was three by the time I gave it to our pregnant friend.
When she was a newborn I think we could go about a week and a half to two weeks between changing the bag since the diapers were so small.
Once she got into bigger diapers it was about once a week. But it really traps in the smell.
And I have the refills on subscribe and save from Amazon so I don’t even have to worry about remembering to buy them. They just show up at my house with my diapers and wipes! Baby’s booty is covered!
Need to set up a baby registry?
Amazon gave us a better completion discount than Babies R Us. We saved about $400 total!
What baby items could you not live without?
Let me know in the comments below!
Shahira says
I concur on the Pack and Play. I got the mothercare play pen/travel cot as a gift and at 1 year now we still use it. It is the only place I can put baby in without worrying about bumps and falls. I didnot know there was one where we could attach the bassinet. So cool!
I have never heard of the baby grass. Looks pretty efficient.
NikiNonsense says
The grass isn’t as popular as you would think. All of my friends that were pregnant right around when I was or shortly after had never heard of it. I made sure they all registered for one!
Jennifer Kelly says
This is a great list. Thanks for sharing.
NikiNonsense says
Thanks! 🙂
Savannah says
Hmm, I’m totally going to look into one of those boppy loungers next time around! I had the pillow for breastfeeding, and would often lay my son in it when he was a newborn. I actually used it to lay him in MORE than I used it for breastfeeding haha. Thanks so much for sharing! <3
NikiNonsense says
My parents had a regular boppy at their house that she laid in but they just covered it with a blanket which was ok. I just like the added security that she wasn’t going to fall out of the hole with the lounger! Much easier to move her around in. 🙂
Deeksha says
very good info for moms!
Sarah says
I love reading what other moms find essential for babies. None of these items were on my list when I found myself pregnant with #6 — after I had given away or sold (or trashed!) all my baby items.
On my list? Not much. A baby wrap, an exersaucer, a bouncy chair, and a super big, super soft blanket. Beyond clothes and diapers, everything else was not needed.
It’s fascinating how different moms can be. But it’s all ok!! As long as baby is cared for, it’s all good!