1) Boon Grass. I didn't register for it because it looked too cute for the price, and in my brain, that somehow translated to "this gimmick must not work". My cousin got it for me anyway, and it instantly became my favorite fixture in the kitchen. Four weeks later I actually went out and bought another one for my upstairs bathroom (midnight bottles and such) and got a boon twig and boon stem to expand the drying space. This has been awesome for drying bottles, pacifiers, and pump pieces, and will probably continue to be used after the bottle stage for snack cups, child plates, and even our non-dishwasher safe items (child related or not)
2) Munchkin Bottle and Nipple Brush. This was on my registry, mostly because they were cheap, but they have worked out incredibly well. The nipple brush screws into the base of the main brush for storage, but i tend to leave the two pieces separate because the hollow base of the brush means that i can store this brush upright in my boon grass, thereby taking up less counter space.
3) Washable bra pads. They weren't on my registry, because I thought I would just use disposable bra pads. Then Q made me some washable ones, and I was so incredibly grateful that she did. I have had uber problems with painful nipples since my son was born, and part of my problem (certain days, at least) was too much moisture trapped next to my skin. The waterproof backing on disposable pads means they don't breathe as well, so the washables Q made were wonderful. (I have linked to similar pads in this post, but Q, you really should start selling yours on Etsy or somewhere. Let me know when they are available and I will switch the link!)
4) Moby Wrap. This is another product that looks like a gimmick, but my son LOVES it. The first time you put it on, you probably won't trust that it will hold your child securely. Trust me--get it all the way on, put the baby in the wrap (then take the baby out and put the wrap on again, tighter, because you'll see that yes, the fabric will give enough to slip the baby in even when wrapped tightly, and it works best that way). You'll think it's cumbersome and complicated at first, but after about 3 uses, you'll be able to get it on and off easy. I use mine daily around the house because when my son is in the wrap, he is happy as a clam and rides along while my hands are free to make the bed, do dishes, fold laundry, write on my laptop, etc.
5) Breast Pump with a travel bag. I don't care what the pump is, just be sure it has a dedicated bag. If yours doesn't have a bag, get one. I thought I would only use my bag rarely, for trips outside the house, but I was very wrong. I tote my pump around the house with me, and the bag is indispensable because I can be sure that I have my pump, my pads, my empty bottles/bags for breast milk storage, and anything else I might need right there where I need it at all times. I even use mine to toss in the pacifier, bottle, blanket, toy, cell phone, or anything else I need to travel with me from room to room. You may be surprised at the number of things you need to transport when looking after an infant, even in your own home, and when your arms are busy carrying the infant, that shoulder bag will be a lifesaver for saving you the extra trip or two up and down the stairs to get the baby accessories.
6) Changing table pads. Munchkin got me a very cute set, and they were lifesavers the first week. I know, I know--disposable isn't green, and I agree. But here's the thing--baby poop is messy. Really messy. And sometimes, watery. This quality gives it projectile potential, and as you may discover when you are wiping your infant, it can stimulate their bowels and they let loose another #2 mid-change. The same can happen with #1, because cold air down south can stimulate the need to urinate. If you are not experienced in changing diapers (and heck, even if you are), the first few weeks changing a new baby will get your changing table dirty repeatedly. You can wash your washable covers 5 times a day, use all the towels and blankets in the house, or just use disposables until you figure out your infants quirks while on the table. These are also great to take with you in your diaper bag to cover the unsanitary surfaces you may need to change your child on in public, or to save your mom's floor or couch. Along the same vein, my brother recommended using disposable pads under the crib sheet to save the mattress in case of diaper leaks or poo-related blow outs.
7) Swaddles. My son loves them, and in the first few weeks, he would quiet almost immediately on being wrapped tightly. The velcro in these swaddles makes them easy to get on and adjust as needed. We have been using the Summer Infant Swaddles for warmer nights, and the Halo SleepSack Swaddles for cooler nights.
8) A deluxe Pack 'n Play. Especially if you're planning to have your infant sleep in your room for the first few weeks or months. My husband and I did the baby's room to the nines, but didn't really think about having anything more than a basic bassinet in our room for our intended co-sleeping arrangement. Luckily, my awesome coworkers got us a fabulous Pack 'n Play with a bassinet, a napper, a changing table, and a night light. We have used every single one of these features (which I previously would have termed frivolities). As it turned out, our infant hated the napper the first 3 weeks, then loved it when he got a little stuffed up and need to be on an angle to help his sinuses drain. The attached changing table meant we didn't have to truck to the baby room to change several diapers a night. And the night light meant we could feed the baby or re-insert the pacifier without turning on a room light that would fully wake the spouse or the baby. All of these things helped us get back to sleep faster, which was priceless when our sleep was already so fractured.
9) Boppy Pillow. Yet another product that looks a little like a gimmick, but thank goodness, I got two of them as gifts. I keep one in our bedroom and one on the main level of our house, and they are great for feeding and holding the infant, propping the baby up to sit, tummy time, etc. They also don't make bad laptop/tray supports or neck/back pillows--and you may be using them as such during late nights sleeping when and how you can, or sending emails at odd hours because the baby needs to be held. They also seem to imitate the way I cradle my baby, because when he's swaddled, I can set him in the Boppy after feeding to free up my hands to pump, and he keeps on sleeping (whereas setting him back in the bassinet immediately wakes him).
10) Car Seat Canopy. This company constantly has coupon codes out for a "free" cover where you only pay the shipping, which evens out to a fair price. I love my cover because during the first two months of life (before vaccinations), doctors tell you to keep your baby out of public to avoid possible exposure to major illness while their immune systems are still immature. But, you may still find yourself in a doctor's waiting room (if your child gets sick, or at your 6 week postpartum appointment), running out to the store for diapers, etc. The cover can help discourage well-meaning strangers from breathing on/touching your baby, and limits the germ exposure. It's also great coverage if you get caught in the rain or sun, and detached from the carrier can double as an emergency blanket or changing surface.
And one last indispensable--Hand lotion. Between washing bottle and pump components and your hands before/after diaper changes, you are about to start washing your hands more often than anyone ever should. Invest in a quality lotion, because you'll want to keep the hands touching your baby gentle and soft.
Alula
9) Boppy Pillow. Yet another product that looks a little like a gimmick, but thank goodness, I got two of them as gifts. I keep one in our bedroom and one on the main level of our house, and they are great for feeding and holding the infant, propping the baby up to sit, tummy time, etc. They also don't make bad laptop/tray supports or neck/back pillows--and you may be using them as such during late nights sleeping when and how you can, or sending emails at odd hours because the baby needs to be held. They also seem to imitate the way I cradle my baby, because when he's swaddled, I can set him in the Boppy after feeding to free up my hands to pump, and he keeps on sleeping (whereas setting him back in the bassinet immediately wakes him).
10) Car Seat Canopy. This company constantly has coupon codes out for a "free" cover where you only pay the shipping, which evens out to a fair price. I love my cover because during the first two months of life (before vaccinations), doctors tell you to keep your baby out of public to avoid possible exposure to major illness while their immune systems are still immature. But, you may still find yourself in a doctor's waiting room (if your child gets sick, or at your 6 week postpartum appointment), running out to the store for diapers, etc. The cover can help discourage well-meaning strangers from breathing on/touching your baby, and limits the germ exposure. It's also great coverage if you get caught in the rain or sun, and detached from the carrier can double as an emergency blanket or changing surface.
And one last indispensable--Hand lotion. Between washing bottle and pump components and your hands before/after diaper changes, you are about to start washing your hands more often than anyone ever should. Invest in a quality lotion, because you'll want to keep the hands touching your baby gentle and soft.
Alula
