9 Actually Useful Items For First Time Mama's.
Eva is my first baby which meant getting to let my imagination run wild and starting from scratch in the baby department. I LOVED IT. I didn't have a lot to do at work which gave me endless amounts of time to Pin until my hearts content when it came to baby needs, nursery decor inspiration, cute itty-bitty clothes and just anything and everything baby related. Those baby RayBan sun glasses, NEED. 10 pairs of adorable labeled baby shoes, NEED. This newborn tutu, NEED.
Obviously I didn't buy the tiny sunglasses but you get the picture. My baby brain went mental. You could literately spend thousands on all this crap that your kid cares absolutely nothing about!
There came a point where I seriously needed to be pointed in the right direction to the items that I would actually need or find useful. In saying that, what works for someone else might not work for you. So, six months down the track and in the full swing of this mothering thing, here is my list of baby items that I would highly recommend and buy all over again.
1. Mountain Buggy Swift.
A pushchair is an essential item if you plan on getting out and about eventually. Or, if you are like me, in the kitchen when you are doing the dishes or cooking while trying to keep an eye on your little rascal.
I did spend a bit of time looking in to different pushchairs. I read a ton of reviews and went and tested them when I got the chance.
Being the tiny person I am, light weight and the least bulk possible the better. Also, when making this decision my step-mums story always came to mind. She told me that on her first outing by herself with my little sister, all she can remember was Katie screaming in the car-seat while she unsuccessfully struggled to fold the pushchair away (there might have even been some of her own tears shed). I feel the stress just thinking about this awful situation. All ended well though, another woman saw her, came over and ended up just picking the whole stroller up and shoving it in the boot, haha. Safe to say, the ease of unfolding and folding the pushchair was of high importance.
We ended up going with the Mountain Buggy Swift.
Supper easy to fold away.
Not bulky, so fits in shops and down isles well.
Light weight at only 9kg.
Interchangeable - we had the capsule attached for the first few months.
Mountain Buggy NZ - $699
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2. Summer Infant - Swaddle Me.
Most parents swaddle their baby's. It stops their little arms and legs from uncontrollably waving about and waking them up, makes them feel safe and snug just like they were inside of their mama and just generally helps them to sleep better. Not to mention, how cute are they all wrapped up like tiny baby burritos?!
These Swaddle Me wraps are the best! No fuss and supper easy which is exactly what you want at 2am after changing your newborn right?
You slip them in the little pouch, tuck one arm down and fold one side over, then tuck the other arm down and fold the front over which is all secured by valcro. So easy! We used these right up until Eva grew out of them. By that time, she was also too strong for the valcro to hold her arms anyway.
They also come in a range of colours and patterns to suit everyone's taste.
The Sleep Store - $24.95
3. Miracle Blanket.
The Miracle Blanket is another swaddle. We used these once Eva out grew and became too strong for the Swaddle Me. They do take a little more fussing around but it was a sure fire way to keep those tiny arms all tucked away. If she wasn't swaddled she would wake her self up, end up scratching her little face (although we put mittens on her as well majority of the time) and just generally not sleep as soundly.
I would definitely suggest using the Miracle Blanket if you know your baby needs to be swaddled past the first couple of months.
If the weather is warmer you can still keep their arms swaddled while leaving their legs free which is handy. Being made of cotton means they are also breathable so no need to worry about overheating.
The Sleep Store - $34.95
4. The Sleep Store - Merino Fleece Bassinet Blanket & Aden + Anais - Stroller Blanket.
These are the only two blankets I used when Eva was in her bassinet. One merino and one 100% cotton muslin. It is so important to use only natural materials as they help regulate your baby's temperature. Not too hot, not too cold. Being specifically bassinet size and stroller size meant that they weren't too bulky. Easy to tuck in and no need to worry about them going over baby's head. Also the perfect size for the pushchair and car-seat. They washed up really well which was a bonus.
The Sleep Store blanket also comes in cream and the Aden + Anias blanket comes in a massive range of colours and patterns.
I love these so much that I have the exact same two blankets but in the cot sizes. They don't get used as much as these two did as she mainly sleeps in a sleeping bag.
The Sleep Store - $49.95 (each)
5. Woolbabe - Sleeping Bag.
Oh how I love this product!! Yes, it is a little on the pricier side but it is worth every penny I swear. It is an organic cotton/merino blend and is just beautiful. Depending on room temperature just adjust what baby is wearing when using the sleeping bag.
I do personally freak out a little bit with blankets as I am scared she is going to pull them up over her face but I definitely sleep easy using the Woolbabe and I know she is going to be kept snug as a bug.
The Sleep Store - $179
6. Marpac Hushh - Continuous White Noise Machine.
Did you realise how noisy it is for your baby when they are inside you? Apparently it is louder than a vacuum cleaner! They have had this constant noise for nine months now and all of a sudden they are being put in this quiet room to sleep and we wonder why it doesn't work so well.
This little baby is the best! It is a continuous (is not on a timer which is what you want) white noise machine which is helps transition them from the comfort of your noisy tummy to the outside world. There are three settings and volume control. Better still, it doesn't take batteries. It comes with a USB cable but conveniently enough, my phone charger fits perfectly.
My baby is now six months old and I still use it. She actually stares at it and waits for me to turn it on when she is put down for her naps haha.
Anything to help the baby sleep right?
One down side with mine is that there is a little flashing light when it needs charging. This is super annoying in the middle of the night as it woke baby up! Grrr. I just make sure I constantly charge it now. Apparently the makers have rectified the issue so you shouldn't have any problems with this.
The Sleep Store - $79.95
7. Gro Egg.
The weather where we live is crazy erratic. One day it will be freezing and I'll get the fire going and the next it's warm and sunny and we will be outside with shorts and t-shirts. Not to mention in snows in the winter. To top it off, we live in an old house so keeping it at a nice temperature is a pain in the bum.
All this was annoying when it was just Josh and myself but now that we have Eva I definitely want to make sure it is just right. That is where the Gro Egg comes in handy. It is a cute little egg shape thermometer that changes colour depending on the temperature of the room. It displays the actual temperature and even has little happy and sad faces. Blue for too cold, yellow for perfect, orange for getting a little warm and red for too hot. This just sits in her room and it is brainless way for me to keep her just right, because honestly, I wouldn't have a clue. I am always hot at night so definitely not a good indicator.
The Sleep Store - $59.95
8. Original Cloth Nappies.
These things are awesome. I use them as burp cloths and to wipe her food covered face after getting some vege down her. Just for whatever basically. No fuss, thick, durable and cheap. They get used 24/7 in our house and then just get chucked in the wash. Simple and easy and I wouldn't go without them.
Baby Factory - $34.95 (6 Pack)
9. B. Box Nappy Holder.
A compact, clutter free way to store nappies and wipes when you go out and about. Has a compartment to hold wipes which can be accessed both internally and externally and space to hold a few nappies. Comes in a range of colours and even has a little change mat. Saves the rummaging around in the massive baby bag. It's all right there, good to go.
The Sleep Store - $34.95
So, there you have it.
My list of the top 10 items I would recommend investing in when preparing for a new baby. But, at the end of the day, as long as your little, lovable creature has a warm place to sleep, a full belly and the safety of your arms, then that is really all they need. I hope this helps anyway.
Nastasia
xx