Before having Betty I had no idea what babies needed. In fact, I made a Facebook post begging for other moms to tell me what to register for. And when I did start researching, I was overwhelmed with how much shit is out there. So, I decided to help other first time moms out with what is really worth the hype, as well as an idea for what to gift a new mom. I will make you the hero of any baby shower, let me tell you.
A Good Rocking Chair
I’ve found that having a comfy rocking chair in the nursery is priceless. For the first 6 months, it was a nice private place for me to breastfeed (or pump), and continues to be a great place to offer a soothing rock before naps and bed time. It is also a great excuse to sit in and have people assume you are doing something important, when, in fact, you are just trying to get a 5 minute break.
Sound Machine
Betty slept in our room for the first 4 months, and I was so sad when she upgraded to her own room and I had to move the sound machine…I mean baby. We use the Hatch Baby Rest and love it. There is a phone app where you can control the light and sound, as well as program times.
Sophie the Giraffe
Yes, Sophie is so basic. Yes, she is pricey. Yes, she is worth it. We are on our second Sophie, because the first was thrown from the carseat in a store, which triggered a small BBE (Basic Bitch Emergency) and a rush to buy another one. Sophie has stifled many a teething tears for our kid. She loves that thing. She has chosen it above others. I was vaguely curious on why she was so expensive, and found out that Sophie is made from 14 manual operations and is made from 100% natural rubber from the latex of the Hevea tree. And she’s french, which means she’s fancy and better than you.
Rock N Play
The Rock N Play aka God’s gift to momkind. There’s a reason moms sing the praises of the Rock N Play, at least this mom! When Betty was a newborn she did most of her napping in one. It was also a handy piece to have when I laid on the couch for the first couple weeks of recovery. We had an Arms Reach Co-Sleeper Bassinet (also highly recommend!) by our bed, but it was difficult for me to get in and out of our tall bed the first week, so I spent a lot of time resting on the couch. It was nice to have something portable like the Rock N Play to keep by me while icing my crotch.
Lovevery Gift Boxes
These boxes come with age appropriate Montessori based baby toys, and a guide with how to make your babies smarter than all the other babies, because in reality that is everyone’s goal. I love that they come with a parent guide as well as a gift, because sometimes moms like gifts too, ya know.
BabyBum Diaper Cream Brush
I had no idea I would love this as much as I did, until Betty got her first diaper rash. Yes, you don’t NEED this to put diaper cream on your kid’s rear, but if you like living your best life without cream getting lodged under your fingernails, get you one of these.
Magnetic Me Onesie
The first couple of months, I didn’t mind doing up a million buttons. Now that Betty is more mobile, time is of the essence. She has had at least one magnetic onesie since she was a newborn, and I’ve continued to purchase the next size up as she grows. She even has the sleep sack. Hopefully all of these magnets are triggering her super powers.
List of other great must haves:
Bottle Warmer
Happy Baby Carrier (can be used for newborns)
Gas Drops
Sleep Sacks (my baby HATED swaddling, and went straight to sleep sacks. She wore this one to start)
“Precious Little Sleep” for some light reading
Mom postpartum must haves:
Maxi Pads
Epsom Salt
Tuck/witch hazel Pads
Stash of ready to eat snacks for pumping/nursing…you will be hungry!
Netflix, Hulu, Amazon queue ready to go