Baby: The 5 Must Haves You Didn't Have on Your Gift Registry
By Joanna Gordon
In our recent article, User Guide Not Included: 20 Tips for New Moms, you may have learned that everyone occasionally forgets to tell you a few important details before you become a parent. Well, there will be plenty of advice from friends and strangers on what to put on your baby gift registry. We definitely love all iterations of gauze swaddle blankets and adorable bedding but here are some lesser known, mom-tested products you will also find essential.
1. Cool Mist Humidifier
1 Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier 2 Crane Drop Shape Cool Mist Humidifier 3 Duux Mushroom Humidifier
Why a humidifier? Helps babies breathe easier, especially if they are congested. Of course consult your pediatrician first but commonly a humidifier is recommended to help with breathing when a baby is stuffed up. The ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency sound to break water particles into a mist.
2. Baby Carriers or Wraps
1 Infantino Breathe Vented Carrier 2 Boba Carrier 3 Ergobaby Performance Collection
One of the most used items from early on until well into toddler age was my baby carrier. I received mine before my daughter was born and honestly ended up with 3 in my house. Why? Because you don't know exactly what fits your body best until you try it on... with your baby! If you have a petite frame, you might find the most popular brands can fit bulky or vice versa.
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3. White Noise
1 Conair Sky Light with Sound Therapy 2 Cloud B Giraffe On the Go 3 White Noise Lite by TMSoft
Oh lovely wonder white noise, reminds babies of the loud and comforting womb. Especially useful for the light sleeper! And oh we've been there, shushing anyone even barely tiptoeing on our wood floors, for fear they will wake the baby! Our findings conclude, it's better to have a constant sound for nighttime versus something that turns off after 20 or 45 minutes. Also, on the go, the Cloud B sound machines are so cute but chances are, you always have your phone with you and the most wonderful FREE app is the White Noise Lite. You can just set your phone on top of the stroller and watch that baby be soothed by sounds of beach waves crashing, an oscillating fan or even a grandfather clock (my mom swears by this one for herself to this day).
4. Nipple Cream (if you're breastfeeding)
1 Motherlove Nipple Cream 2 Lansinoh Lanolin for Mothers 3 Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter
Well, I'm sure you've heard this one already, but nursing your newborn will hurt for the first few weeks. When my little one was hungry and crying, all I could think of was "here comes the little barracuda" and I would brace myself. Ouch! However, a nipple cream will really help with the cracking and dryness.
5. Supportive Postpartum Undergarments
1 C-Panty Incision Care Panty 2 Belly Bandit Belly Wrap 3 Lamaze Sleep Bra 4 Dita Von Teese Bra
Lastly, no one tells you about getting special underwear! Special panties for postpartum can really help you feel better with recovery. C-Panty has an integrated silicone strip to help reduce post c-section scarring but they also make one without. Both versions help to pull the abdominal muscles together creating support. Along with the panty, many women need an abdominal splint to assist in muscle separation recovery; Belly Bandit is popular and comes in different colors. You will also want a comfortable sleep bra, which will nicely hold some nursing pads (for keeping you dry) and also a luxurious nursing bra that will make you feel a little bit special when you put it on. Dita Von Teese just came out with a Maternity line, so we very much approve.
