Baby Registry Essentials.

Here are my picks for New Mom Essentials… these are the items that I could not live without the first few months:

1. Pampers Swaddlers Dry Max Diapers, Newborn: Thomas wore the Newborn size for a few weeks then quickly moved onto Size 1.  Swaddlers only goes up to a Size 2.  I was a very unhappy mom when he graduated to Size 3 and I needed a new brand.  Read all about Pampers v. Huggies Size 3 >
2. The Miracle Blanket Swaddler: This is for real.  Thomas would wake himself up in the middle of the night flapping his arms around, and this little straight-jacket kept his arms snuggled tightly… and he slept. Read my review >
3. The First Years Newborn Pacifiers:  They gave him one in the hospital, and this little green pacifier was his very favorite.
4. Baby Bargains & Baby 411: Baby Bargains gives GREAT reviews of all the baby equipment to purchase… and what is a waste of money. I referred to it often.  Baby 411 answers any & all questions you’ll have.  I kept the Baby 411 book by my side.
5. The Kindle: For reading one-handed while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. LOOOVE it!!  I love my iPad, but not for reading.  It was great to have a few baby books like the week-by-week and Baby’s First Year, and of course all of my favorite spy novels.
6. Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with On the Go Tote & lots of bottles: Don’t skimp on a breastpump if you plan on breastfeeding because you will be attached to the thing many times a day!!  I had about 8 bottles that I used on rotation… because I’d keep a few in the fridge ready to go, and others ready for pumping.
7. Fisher-Price Whale of a Playtub: You do have to clean the baby, you know.  This thing is both cute and functional.  I really liked it!! He used it for about 6 months until he was mobile enough to crawl out of it! We used it in the sink at first, then stuck it in the big tub.
8. QuickZip Crib Sheet Set, White: These are the BEST crib sheets because they are SO easy to change.  These are a MUST-HAVE for new moms.  You just zip the top off.  So easy.  Especially if you have a bumper.  Here’s my review >
9. Boon Inc. Grass Countertop Drying Rack Spring Green and White: It’s so mod.  Love it. And like I said, you’ll clean a lot of bottles. This at least makes your counter look somewhat stylish amid the baby bottle accessory clutter.
10. Fisher-Price Rainforest Bouncer: So easy to keep him occupied.  He took naps in this thing, played in it before he could crawl… we used this a lot.
11. Graco Sweet Peace Soother Swing, Cuddly Bear: Some call it the neglect-o-chair, I call it break time.  I don’t think it’s good for a baby to be held all of the time… they need to learn to be on their own.  And who wouldn’t want to lounge in a thing that has a bunch of cushions and rocks back & forth?  They should make these for adults.
12. Summer Infant Day and Night Handheld Color Video Monitor: oops, forgot the picture.  GET the one with a video.  When baby is newborn, it will save you a trip to his crib to make sure he’s still breathing.  You’ll still make a lot of paranoid sleepy trips to the crib… but this cuts some of those trips down.  When he gets older, it’s just entertaining to watch.  He doesn’t always make a lot of noise when he wakes up, so I also watch to see if he’s up in the morning.

And finally… after exhaustive research, Amazon has the best deal on diapers.  You can subscribe and save 30%… and you can change at any time.  If you need more, click and they will send. You get free shipping on everything as long as you spend $25 which is a big box of diapers. When you need to switch sizes, it’s really simple.  There is no commitment. You can cancel, change, order more, skip an order, etc. at any time.  LOVE this program: