A swaddler. This is critically important during the first 3 months of the baby's life. They like to be swaddled and this thing won't come undone midway through the night.
An Itzbeen. Crucial for the sleep-deprived nursing mother and hapless dad during the first few days home from the hospital before you get a routine down. There's a reason this thing has won so many awards.
An activity mat. We used ours practically from the day we brought the boy home. He loved to watch the lights and listen to the music and by 2 months he seemed to be interacting with the toys. I was so sad to retire it at 7 months.
A newborn to toddler tub. The sling was great when he was all floppy-headed and we used the infant side of the tub until about 10 months. Now he's in the big boy tub!
A jumper of some sort. When the boy could hold his head upright on his own, he got to use the jumperoo.
White noise. We all know the 5 s's of newborn soothing and sound is one of them. (Swaddling, Shushing, Side positioning, Swinging and Sucking are the 5 s's which are explained here: http://www.colichelp.com/shop/happiestbabyontheblock.html ) We got a CD of white noise and put it on an iPod and play it for the boy all night. It really drowns out any sounds we might be making and as I listen to it on the monitor, I feel soothed. Which brings me to...
A monitor. We have one that vibrates so that C can put it in his hand when he's in charge and if the noise doesn't wake him the vibration will.
A sturdy mattress. Your kid's developing spine is not something to try to scrimp on! We got a good mattress, almost better than ours, because he's going to use it for years.
A convertible crib - goes from crib to toddler bed to twin size bed. I love our crib - it's beautiful and functional.
A breast pump. If you're going to nurse and go back to work at some point, you need a good pump. The pump will be with you all day every day so it's got to work well, look cute and not weigh a ton. Quiet helps too. I used my pump nearly every day for 9 straight months and I had no complaints and no regrets.
Milk storage. Once you've gotten that liquid gold out of your breasts, where will you keep it? This system is so convenient and small, it's like a filing cabinet for your milk.
A travel system. Car seat in the car - click. Car seat in the stroller - click. So easy, so matchy, so quick the baby might not even wake up.
A swing. YOU NEED THIS. Keeps your baby occupied and peaceful. We used one until he was too heavy for it.
A bouncer. It's a good place to put him down when he's a newborn and then a great distraction for about the length of time it takes you to take a shower. We used it every day for about 7 months and then he figured out how to crawl out of it.
An aquarium or mobile in the crib. The boy figured out how to turn his aquarium on and off, so he would keep himself entertained until we could get in his room to retrieve him.
A diaper pail. We have the original Diaper Genie, but the new one looks great too. They're not that expensive and the refills aren't either. His room almost never smells like poop. There are those rare occasions where only moving to another town would truly rid my nose of the lingering stink.
The "octogon." Once the baby is mobile, you need to rein him in! This play yard is useful indoors or out, keeps your baby safe from hazards and the boy uses the sides for standing up practice.
What to Expect the First Year. What to Expect was your bible when you were pregnant and it's not going to leave its place by your bedside for years to come!
FORGET:
Matchy-matchy bedding sets. They always include a comforter and a bumper, neither of which you can use before the kid's 2. Just invest in sheets and warm jammies before then.
Shoes for newborns are cute but useless and a pain in the neck.
Return to the store any clothes with fasteners so complex you can't do them one-handed and in the dark.
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