New Mom Must Haves || What You Need For That First Year and Beyond
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Now that we’ve made it around the sun and our daughter is one, here’s a reflection of things we’ve done or got over the past year that we would get again if we had another baby. There are things you don’t need to spend your money on, and then there are things that I would say, “yes, you should get it.” Hopefully this helps you narrow down and focus on some primary high lights on your long list of baby items I know you’re thinking of getting.
Apps:
Baby Connect: $50 Annual
I only needed this for the first 6-9 months. After that, I felt very confident to tackle things on my own and not need to track so much. This was the biggest help during the first 3 months when I was super sleep-deprived, exhausted, and needed help keeping track of the times I fed and if she needed medicine, the times I gave it. It is a steep price, no lie. If this is out of your budget, set up a google doc or shared notes between you and other caregivers for your baby - it will work just the same but more set up on your end. My husband, Brian, had access to this, so when he would be taking care of our daughter while I slept, he could check the app for the last time she fed and any notes I may have left, allowing me to get more un-disrupted sleep.Family Album: Free or $ 4.99/Month or $8.99/Month [ *Referral Link-same link as below ]
This app was a lifesaver. I could add all of my daughter’s Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Aunties, and Uncles - literally whichever family member I wanted to have access to photos rather than me having to send the pictures to them individually. I also think you will be just fine with the free version, there is no need to spend the money on the paid version. It’s been a year and I’m still on the free version.
I've been using the free FamilyAlbum app to share photos and videos with my family. Follow the steps below to try the app and get a $5 FamilyAlbum gift card!Download the free FamilyAlbum app here: https://family-album.onelink.me/cf5z/drl4blrn
Open the app, tap "Create Your Child's Album," and complete the album creation process (don't select "Got an Invite?")
Claim your gift card here: https://growth.celebrate.family-album.com/r/51292cac-aa1e-4160-a86e-d4ea0091702a
Solid Starts: Free or $10 annual membership
You don’t need this app till you’re ready to start solids, but once we did, I’ve been using this app non-stop. There is a paid version as well as a free version, but you’ll be just fine with the free version. The paid version is $10 a year for access to their recipe database, having the ability to track foods served to your child, marking their favorites, and tracking reactions. Being able to search for foods and read about each one and how to serve is all available for free. I highly recommend following their IG [ linked here ] as well.
Tech:
Hatch Go: $35 [ *Amazon Link ]
I love this for on-the-go and traveling. It’s always in the diaper bag because I never know when she needs that little extra assistance falling asleep when we’re out - especially during travel and time zone changes. You can read a little more of my review [ here ].Baby Car Monitor: $54 [ *Amazon Link ]
This is great to use and easy to install. I found this way easier to use than a mirror attached to the headrest. On top of it being easy and convenient for me, I think it’s also better for my daughter. The sun would sometimes hit the mirror just right and reflect onto my daughter’s face - no more! I do wish that the monitor screen was adjustable, we use small erasers to hold it at the perfect angle for the placement in our car.
Clothing:
360 Petal Bibs: [ *Amazon Link ]
Multi-Purpose Bibs / Burp-cloth: [ *Amazon Link ]
You don’t need both of these, if there’s a single one I would say get, is the multi-purpose bib / burp-cloth. You can button them around their neck and it’s a bib that acts the same as the 360 bibs.
H&M Wrap Button Onesies: [ H&M Link ]
I loved these, I think if it’s your first child, they are especially easy to use. My husband was nervous in the beginning with our baby’s wobbly head and getting the onesies over her head. With these, he could lay her on top of it and put it on. This got less convenient as she got older, more squirmy, and turned into a roly-poly.
Other Random Bits:
Tethers / Toy Straps: [ *Amazon Link ]: These are so helpful and I think it will be useful even when she’s past the throwing things phase. It will help keep things from falling onto the floor by accident even when they are in their toddler years. I like this pack as it has one for bottles as well - once your child figures out how to pick something up, you can bet it will be tossed! These straps have saved many bottles and toys from landing on the restaurant floor.
Stain Remover: [ *Amazon Link ]: This is the best stain remover for solids, spit ups, blow outs, you name it. I even bought some to gift out to some adults in my life because it works that good. For the clothing I forgot to use it on, stained, but everything else that I used it on, including berry stains, has worked its magic. I would spray within 24 hours, within an hour or two of getting the stain is better, and right away is best. But I know life happens and you won’t have this on hand at all times.
The best advice I was given within the first 24 hours with my baby, was from our pediatrician: At the end of the day, you don’t need any of these things to raise a happy, healthy baby. Trust your guts and cover the essentials first - a safe place to sleep, food, clean clothes/diapers. Your baby isn’t going to know you didn’t get them the newest, top-rated, most expensive gadget. They just want you close and their most basic needs met. At the end of the day, they just want to be loved by you.
You’re going to do / are doing amazing. The fact that you’re even researching your options and advice from other parents is evidence to that.
You got this mama. 💕 - Krysti
