I remember being pregnant with my first child and heading to the store to set up a baby registry. It felt like being a kid in a candy store, and I was sure I needed every adorable outfit, cool gadget, and top-rated baby product. I registered for a ton of stuff, and now I’m actually glad I didn’t receive most of it!
Sometimes, I wish I could go back in time to when I was a first-time mom in that store, armed with the wisdom I have now as a mom of six. I’d hand myself a list of what was truly necessary and useful. Since I can’t, I’m sharing that list with you, hoping it might help others like me.
Be cautious when you walk into a baby store during pregnancy because the sheer number of items can be overwhelming, and your nesting instincts will likely urge you to buy everything. Try not to get swept up!
Sure, every baby item seems cute, just like every baby, and there are so many amazing things that didn’t exist back in the day. Honestly, though, you might only use many of them once or twice, or not at all, before your baby has outgrown them.
What becomes a favorite baby product can differ for each mom and sometimes even depends on the baby. However, one thing I’ve learned is you need far less than you think! Once the baby arrives, all the extra stuff ends up being obstacles in your sleep-deprived stumble through the house.
Reflecting back, I realize I could have skipped many baby products and saved some money! Here are the items that seemed essential with my first baby but turned out to be not so useful:
Each mom will have a different list of most-used items, but here are the ones I wish I’d known to get with my first and that I still rely on today. These items are versatile, working across different ages and stages, and they’ve lasted well through multiple kids.
In reality, a baby doesn’t require much (besides their mama!). Here are some essential basics for every baby. And moms, make sure to get the essentials for postpartum recovery—you can find some recommendations at the end of this post.
While I prefer not to purchase items with a short lifespan, these were invaluable during those early days with a baby (and if they help mom sleep, they’re worth it!).
Breastfeeding makes this category simpler, though there are a few essentials you’ll need as your baby grows:
Nothing beats a cute baby in the bathtub! I’ve made many of my own baby care products, but some gear can really make bath time more fun:
Don’t forget, moms have needs too, especially postpartum. Here’s what was indispensable for me:
Having the right baby products after doing your research can be really useful, but remember it isn’t everything. Babies have a way of completely rearranging your life (and all your plans for nesting), but in the most wonderful way. Savor those new baby snuggles, and make self-care a priority before and after pregnancy!
What baby items do you love and recommend? Feel free to share in the comments!
