The Ultimate Go-To List for New Parents – Part 3 of 5
This is a continuation of the 5-Part series “The Ultimate Go-To List for New Parents.”
Here’s a quick reference list for your convenice, The Ultimate Go-To Baby Registry Checklist for New Parents. I made it available as a pdf!
Part 1 covers nursery basics and Part 2 covers all the basics of baby gear. Here in Part 3 we’ll go over feeding essentials, whether you intend to breastfeed or formula feed (or both).
Part 4, lists out and explains the essentials for Bath & Body, and Health & Safety. And in Part 5, we’ll go over Clothing and Toys & Books for a newborn if you want to jump to those posts.
Additionally, I made notes about what I wish I hadn’t bother with here.
I’ll tell you exactly what products I used, what worked and what didn’t!
Feeding
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nursing pillow
Almost everyone gets a Boppy for a baby shower gift, whether they registered for it or not. If I could do it again, I would’ve registered for this other one because it holds secure against you, has a handy pocket on the side (perfect for my phone or water bottle), and provides back support. I ended up buying this amazing pillow after fumbling with baby and Boppy trying to breastfeed. My back was killing me and just when I was going to refashion the Boppy to my liking, I found this pillow that satisfied all my needs. The Boppy turned out to be great for tummy time though!
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bibs
My friends were kind enough (and creative) to make bibs during my baby shower. Although they were oh so adorable, they were not appropriate during breastfeeding. (Those times call for full on burp cloths.) Later when solids were introduced, the little bibs they designed were really not up to the task of handling baby drool and feeding mess. The best bibs have been oversized like these. Keep the cute bibs for pictures, but use the big bibs for real life.
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burp cloths
The bigger the better for burp cloths as well as for bibs. The best things is to just get those muslin swaddle blankets, and use them for anything from swaddling to burping and then some.
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high chair
I almost didn’t add this one in because I don’t feel that it’s absolutely necessary for at least the first three months. However, you will inevitably need one; plus, it’s useful for putting the baby in it so that you can eat at the table, instead of someone having to hold them. I would get this high chair if it had been on the market four years ago because it’s an amazing 4 in 1 chair that grows with the child in addition to many other awesome features.
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3 pacifiers
Some babies are inconsolable without their pacifier. If you decide to try and see if you’re baby would like a pacifier, try different kinds. It may be because they just don’t like that particular one. However, our dentist said that it is better for babies not to use a pacifier because it can mess up their tooth development. On the other hand, use of a pacifier is suggested for lowering the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). I don’t know about you but reducing the risk of SIDS is waaaaay more important to me than crooked teeth.
My baby never took to any. I was always jealous of seeing how other moms could use it as a “quiet button.”
You’re More Than Halfway Through!
I know it’s a lot to take in. But the more thought you put into it now, the less you’ll have to later when you’re sleep deprived. I wish I had this information when I was pregnant so that I didn’t have to waste time searching for answers, after bringing home baby, instead of…oh, I don’t know…SLEEPING!
In case you missed it earlier, here’s The Ultimate Go-To Baby Registry Checklist for New Parents. I made it available as a pdf!
In Part 4, we’ll tackle everything from what to use to cut those itty bitty baby nails to how to suck baby boogers (yes, you read that correctly).
Did I miss anything? Please share and maybe I’ll add it to the list!