When it comes to creating your baby registry or checking off things you need before your new baby arrives, some things are obvious: diapers, wipes, pacifiers. I want to share some things that might not be as obvious but will make your life easier (and we need as much help as we can get). Whether or not you will share your baby registry with other people, I still highly recommend making one for two reasons:
1- A lot of places will give you a FREE Welcome Gift just for creating a baby registry. They usually have some rules but they’re always very achievable.
2- Some will also give you a discount on things you purchase off of the registry. I added everything I personally planned on buying to my Amazon Baby Registry before I purchased. That way I was able to use the completion discount. Who doesn’t love saving money??
The items I link in this article are from Amazon. Go create your Baby Registry now so you can add them to it! Amazon does offer the Welcome Gift AND a discount that can be used multiple times on eligible items. Even if you don’t share it, it’s worth it.
Here are some items that you may not think to get but were super helpful for me!
1. Haakaa (or 2)
You’re going to leak it anyways, catch it! I’ve been able to build up quite the freezer stash of breast milk and I haven’t even pumped yet (other than once for a clogged duct). The secret is this little squishy bottle. Pop it on the opposite boob while you nurse and you’ll be shocked at how much milk you get. Don’t let it go to waste in a nursing pad (or down your shirt).
I recommend the ones with a lid in case they accidentally get knocked over or if you just want to put it in the fridge or a cooler on-the-go. For more convenience, get two (with lids) for night time so you don’t have to mess with cleaning.
2. Skincare Fridge –
Get back to sleep faster! Because when it comes to sleep with a newborn, EVERY. MINUTE. COUNTS. But seriously, this is a necessity for nursing moms. Instead of getting up and going to the kitchen to store your expressed milk in the middle of the night, keep this bad boy right next to your bed. Pop your haakaa, or whatever storage method you use, in there and get back to sleep ASAP.
Like I mentioned before, I have two Haakaas so in the middle of the night, I don’t have to get up to clean it. (IMPORTANT: Do not combine warm/fresh milk with already refrigerated milk). The fridge fits two 4oz Haakaas easily (Would also fit two bottles).
$15 Coupon on the linked one
3. Wrap
For when you need your hands free to get stuff done and your baby doesn’t want to be set down (or you just want that extra snuggle time, no shame). ESPECIALLY awesome if you have older kiddos who are on the go. I’ve been able to play with Piper so much more when I wear Axel in the wrap. He goes right to sleep once he’s in there and I’m walking around.
It’s also been a life saver with his colic/reflux. He has to be upright for 20-30 min after feeding. With how often he eats, I would never be able to get anything done if it weren’t for my wrap. The Boba wraps are very breathable so even when its hot out, he stays comfortable. Wrapping can be a little tricky to get the hang of, but after a few practice attempts, I was able to get it down. Youtube is a great resource for this. Make sure you look at the tutorials for your specific brand of wrap so its done safely based on how the wrap is made.
The linked wrap is currently 10% off + a $5 coupon! There are a bunch of cute fabric designs to choose from. It’s not a bad idea to get 2 in case one needs to be thrown in the wash.
4. Heating Pad
At first, I just had one of the heating bags that you had to microwave. I quickly realized that wasn’t going to cut it. I got a plug-in heating pad and iy has been a lifesaver for multiple things. The main thing I wanted it for was the back & neck pain. This can be from nursing (or bottle-feeding) and carrying the new babe around. I get migraines that take me out of commission and we just can’t have that. It was also great for healing pains as my body recovered from birth.
When my milk came in, I had a clogged duct. So, I used the heating pad on the area and pumped to get sweet relief. Another use is to put it on low in the bassinet for a few minutes (WITHOUT THE BABAY IN THERE). This will take the chill away and help your babe stay asleep when you transfer them in. Once your dreaded period returns, its great for cramps too!
Both of my kids (and my husband and I) have to have a sound machine going in order to fall asleep. The other benefit is we are able to go about normal activites when the kids are asleep because the sound machine drowns out the noise outside of the room. The linked machine has a nightlight on it and you can control it all from your phone! Even if you are away from home, you can still access the machine(s) from the app and change the sound, volume, color of the light, and intensity of the light.
There is a Mini option if you don’t need the night light or want one for another room. We have a mini in our bedroom that we purchased when we were transitioning Piper into her own room. We had gotten so used to having a sound machine, we kept it for ourselves LOL. Now, we obviously use it for Axel and Piper has her full-sized Hatch in her room.
A Portable sound machine is so essential for strollers, car seats, and travel. It helps drown out the noise so your babe can get some sleep while on-the-go. Holidays are coming up and that means naps in new places (if you go to other houses for the holidays). It’s much easier to just bring a portable sound machine instead of lugging your full-sized one along and hoping there is an outlet close by.
I didn’t have this with Piper because our old house was tiny and two stories. I just used a tote to carry things from our bedroom upstairs to the living room downstairs. But, now that I have one in our new house with Axel, holy moly is it so much more convenient! I keep everything in it and I can roll it from one room to the next. Everything I need is always close by. I stock it with diapers/pullups for both kids, wipes, A&D ointment, nipple balm, my pump & haakaas plus the accessories, phone charger, nail clippers, and whatever else I need.
It doesn’t take up a ton of space but it fits so much stuff! It saves me from scrambling around trying to find everything because I can keep it all in one place (just make sure to stock it back up every night or so.
A Bit About Me: My Introduction
I do get a small commission if you purchase any of the linked items