I loved reading these lists I found online. So I made my own. I'm a pretty practical girl. I don't like excessive "stuff". There are 3 lists here....
10 Practical Gifts
8 Items I’m glad we bought
5 Other Things You Should Know
That adds up to 23 things I'm going to tell you about.
10 Practical Gifts:
1. Diapers
It's kind of disappointing at your baby shower when you get a tower of diapers that probably add up to a lot and you think "I could've bought that outfit at Crewcuts instead of these diapers".
And then you're a new mom and you are more grateful for boxes of diapers than anything else.
My favorites ended up being Pampers Baby Dry. Swaddlers are sweet and convenient with the blue line indicator- but let's face it. It's always blue. You always have to change that diaper. Baby Drys kept Henry SUPER dry. He didn't have any blow-outs with that pack of diapers.
2. Clothes
When I was pregnant I really held off from buying tons of clothes because I thought "at the shower we will get SO MANY clothes". And we did! But we really needed MORE! A week's worth of pjs, onesies, and outfits is more than you think for a newborn. AND! In two weeks, Henry was already sporting size 3 Months. You really can't go wrong with gifting baby clothes.
3. Stuff for mommy recovery/ breastfeeding
Next to diapers and clothes, Henry really didn't need much else. Except me! When you are breastfeeding, you are the most important "Baby Item" for your newborn! The food! And it is really important to take care of yourself and your boobs. So, being gifted nipple creams, pads and heat packs was incredibly helpful and amazing. It was also fun to get magazines, a cool water bottle, lotion and simple snacks.
(SEE THIS POST ABOUT 8 LUXURIES FOR THE NEW MOM)
(SEE THIS POST ABOUT 8 LUXURIES FOR THE NEW MOM)
We almost didn't buy this. I can't imagine. It's the last item we bought and it was delivered after Henry was born. We use it alllllllll the time. Nursing on the go is incredibly easy and comfortable. And covering Henry up in his carseat is a breeze. It's also ideal for Arizona Summers because it's lightweight. And so easy to wash. I throw it in the washer with any load.
5. Munchkin changing pad liners
Thank you, Afton! We bought Henry one very cute changing pad cover and quickly realized that washing that thing four times a day was not realistic. Luckily, we had some friends a few months ahead of us in the game who gave us these! We still get to enjoy the cute cover, but only wash the liner.
You have to wash baby. This smells so great. It's gentle for newborn skin. We wash him before bed and I think this bath really helps calm him down and prepare him for sleep. My girl Kristen also recommended it to us!
Yes it's on all the lists. Just get it. Henry slept like a baby. Be careful to transition to the crib sooner rather than later. I have heard a few horror stories of 10 month olds still in it with their arms and legs falling out the sides! Yikes. At around 7 weeks we felt like Henry was ready for the crib. (This is when he started sleeping 6 and 7 hour stretches. Before that he was literally "napping" all day and night so I was okay with him sleeping in it all the time.) The Rock N Play was still worth those 7 weeks AND we use it now for playtime.
We haven't had any nightmare diaper rashes. This is why. Hunter's sister, the labor and delivery nurse, also said this Max Strength is where it's at. At the VERY FIRST sign of redness it goes on. And every night since he sleeps longer hours. AND IT DOESN'T SMELL BAD. Holy cow when I first opened that Desitin stuff- I gagged.
9. Homemade Quilts
Okay so up until now it has been essential stuff that has made life easier and just simply possible with a newborn and this doesn't seem practical, but Henry received more homemade quilts and blankets than I ever thought would come our way. They are such sweet treasures that we will keep forever. And we are totally using them for tummy time and photo shoots. I mean for goodness sakes, a homemade quilt is always a beautiful gift.
We registered for this one but never were really hoping for it. But Holly added it to her awesome package that she sent in the mail. (Thank you, girl!) It is so great. It works great and it's easy and soothing for Henry when I freak out and want to check his temperature. (Which hasn't been abnormal yet!)
8 Items I’m glad we bought:
1. Stroller/ Carseat Combo
You have to have a carseat. The stroller is a plus. If you are thinking about the travel system where the carseat snaps into the stroller. Go for it. Do it.
I'm not recommending any specific brand or anything. They all work. Just get the travel system.
Also, Stephanie suggested to go look at the strollers up close and personal in a baby store. That was so important! We thought we wanted one system from looking online, but once we saw it in person we knew it wasn't for us.
2. Glider/ Rocker/ Recliner Chair
I live in this thing. Recovering after labor and delivery (whether vaginal or C-section) it's just difficult to get up and down out of things. Our comfy swivel, rocker, recliner chair saved my life. I could sit and visit, nurse and even sleep in it. We were lucky that it was a group gift at our family shower. And lastly, we realized this would be an item that we would use for all of our children, so that made the decision easier.
3. Bobby pillow
Great for nursing obviously, and propping Henry up on his back or on his belly for tummy time. Get a cover that matches your home decor rather than a super baby-ish one because it sits on your sofa more than in the nursery. Etsy is full of them.
Just gives me peace of mind when changing Henry in a public bathroom. Ours is very simple-without any huge pockets or crevices so it makes washing it easy. Most diaper bags have one built in or at least come with one. But I couldn't stomach any of the affordable diaper bags. So this simple one from Target just got added to the purse/bag I chose for baby stuff.
5. Auto Mirror
Almost didn't buy this. But love love love it. A quick glance in my rear view mirror and I can see King Henry's status.
A few friends recommended this. So glad we did it. Professional photos of those first few days as a new family. Next time, I might have the photographer come to the hospital.
Way cheaper than baby detergent and works just as great. I honestly think it's the same stuff.
8. Thank you cards on clearance
I knew thank yous would be in order with a new baby. I kept checking local stores and online for some cute ones on sale. Target had their 50 packs for like $4. Yes!! I got one baby-ish pack and then two that I could use now or later.
***And I bought a book of stamps every month during pregnancy so it wouldn't be like $50 all at once for stamps.
5 Other Things You Should Know:
The website is great. I felt that it was a good mix of mom advice and medical professionals. I loved signing up for the "week by week" emails. And then the BabyCenter iPhone app is so fun to check each day for pregnancy tips, ideas and info about your growing baby.
Maybe this should have been at the top of this entire post. It was recommend to me by a few moms. I'm sure any sleep training book will work but this one just hit home for us. I also like that it is realistic. We took as much of it as we wanted and left some out too. It's worked like a charm.
And it is not a "cry it out" method which I think is their biggest criticism.
Found this great mom on Pinterest! She gives real-life experience to execute the Baby Wise book. She also incorporates Secrets of the Baby Whisperer a lot too. Although, I am not as strict with Henry's schedule as she and her readers are. But nonetheless, it's a great resource.
No need for a huge baby warehouse. Those places are totally overwhelming. Target had just what we needed. Adding or removing items, making returns was super easy with the TARGET REGISTRY APP. You don't even need to speak with a Target employee to get it done. It's possible to scan items in the store and add them to the registry with just your iPhone. You also get a great gift bag from customer service when you open a registry. And we received 5 -15% off coupons to be used on our registry! I still have one waiting for my next diaper purchase!
My in-laws introduced me to this stuff. We've used it on our own laundry for years. It works so nice. BUT when it COMPLETELY took out the first poop stain on Henry's darling white onesie I was beside myself. Completely takes out baby stains- even if you don't treat them immediately.
'Nough said.
Honorable Mention:
Lightweight. Need for swaddling. I liked folded as a burp cloth too.
Easy to put on. Comfy for you and baby. Newborn- 33 lbs.
So I can go away for a little bit or sleep in while Henry takes a bottle.
Didn't think I'd need this because I'm breastfeeding- but perfect for pump supplies.
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