Ah, material possessions, such a double edged sword. I shouldn’t want you, or feel I ’need’ you, and yet when it comes to a baby, and parenting, and either sides of that spectrum, I want the BEST for you (and me) and if that means possessing things that spark joy and make our lives a little easier (because easier for my life = less stress for yours) then I’m willing to set my causes aside and pursue these tiny slices of helpful happiness instead.
As I finish up my third (and final) round of new born parenting I find myself taking mental notes of all the things that made life easier, some that I've had the luxury of knowing since day one, and many (many) that I didn't know about soon enough and wish I had. So here they are, as my reminder of thoughtful gift ideas for new mamas after I undoubtedly forgot all about them as 3B continues to grow.
Most of these I've added links to on Amazon, and if I did it properly I might get a teeny tiny commission from? We shall see, I'll write a post about how to do it if I have any luck.
Teeny Tiny Nail Clippers. Cut their nails while bubs is breast feeding and you won't feel like you're having to man handle them or cut their fingers off.
Dummy AND a STRING. I didn't want to be a dummy person, I didn't, but when 1B wouldn't stop screaming on day 4, and I popped that sucker in his mouth, and his eyes closed like a light switch, I was converted. Dummies are great for sleeping, did you know it's short for 'dummy tit'?? I know, me either! But fishing those f##kers from under the cot in the middle of the night is enough to cause post-natal depression. Do yourself a favour, buy the string.
Baby Bouncer. This one has lots of options depending on taste and budget and we've had them all. 1B had the Mamaroo, it rocks, it coos, it sings. And he hated it. My husbands swears up and down that 2B and 3B would have loved a Mamaroo but I sold it and never looked back. I'm also a big fan of things that can be tucked away and saved for the next baby, and a Mamaroo is definitely not that. SO. 1B and 2B then got Fisher Price bouncers with (obnoxious) bright lights that lit when they kicked, a vibrating button that would put them to sleep, and (obnoxious) music that would play when they kicked. They loved it from day one until they could crawl out of it. Meanwhile, I hated the bright colours, the eye sore in every room, so with 3B I got a Baby Bjorn in beautiful basic beige and it makes me happy every time I look at it matching my home. BUT 3B didn't get all the bells and whistles (literally) so he was 'meh' about it until he was 5 months old and had some weight to bounce himself in it. It's a big pricey and the wooden toy attachment is also pricey, but it washed easily and it folds down flat! So a cost per use would have been high if I'd had it from 1B. There you go.
Zipper Onesies - Bonds Wondersuits. A wise woman once told me when I was pregnant 'snaps and buttons are the devil.' I ignored her and kept buying every cute little everything tiny I could find. Then I had my firstborn and, yes, zippers for life. You do not want to me fkng with snaps in the midnight feeds you just don't. Bonds Wondersuits are just wonderful in every way; they zip up they zip down (hello, blowouts), they have hand and feet cuffs for climate control, and yes you can buy sizes big enough for 3 year olds and then, twinning is a definite option, wink wink.
Nappy Bin. If you are a cloth nappy person, I applaud you so much, I just couldn't do it, mentally or physically. So for the disposable diaper mamas out there, oh my goodness this nappy bin why didn't they sell these years ago?? The Ubbi bin is made out of metal so it doesn't smeelll (because newborn mamas the saying 'shit just got real' is precisely for when babies start eating real food, yikes.) The Ubbi bin can use any plastic bag (so many plastic ones make you buy cartridges and whichever one I origially bought was precisely the one that the grocery store we lived by didn't carry. I can see us using this for years to come because of it's trap door that keeps bugs away and curious dog's noses out of the bin. Winning.
Baby Bath. I felt really guilty throwing out my giant plastic baby bath after 1B but I had no where to store it, and it was a hand-me-down so I still sleep at night (that's an expression, not reality obvs.) 2B and 3B had Stokke tubs and they're great because they collapse and can be stored behind the bathtub or anywhere really! I always bought and sold mine second hand, they hold their value, and did I mention they collapse and that babies love them! Your 4 month old will kick and kick and kick in that thing. And then they will out grow it and you'll gift it (here's looking at you Bonnie!) In all seriousness, I debated keeping it as a makeshift icebox to keep drinks cold for parties, and then I thought a baby bath full of booze sends the wrong message so I'll level up to something proper if that day comes.
Baby Bath Shower Chair. When the day comes that baby outgrows the tiny bath, then you need to level up to one of these chairs. 2B and 3B have been in them in the shower since they were born actually. It can go in the bath, we mostly use it in the shower, and it's just a great place to put them if you (need to) shower together. This is one of the only thing I bought with 1B and saved for the next kids as well. I bought it at Baby Bunting online .
Swaddle with a Zip. Ooh, girl, all those prenatal classes and courses and how to swaddle with a blanket or a sheet, only to find them wriggling out of it while you wriggle in a state of frustration?? Yea. Me too. Buy a swaddle(ssss) with a zip, and you can still do the cloth wrap thing but then you coccoon them into it with a Love to Dream swaddle and you never look back. And they sleep like a champ. But! When they learn to roll over you stop that, and you buy them a sleeping bag that their arms stick out of because they'll kick all the covers off. ErgoPouch Australia makes some great ones at every thickness for every time of year.
High Chair. Learned this the hard way, it must be the easiest to clean or you will hate life. Either Baby Bjorn highchair or one from Ikea. Baby Bjorn folds away (you see I have a theme here) and fits in a closet for future children. I'd also recommend a clip on high chair that attaches to table etc, I just haven't found one I love yet but I'll be on the hunt again soon.
Breastfeeding Cover. I know not every mama gets to breastfeed, and was one of those (for 5 weeks) this time around, so don't buy anything breasty until you know you can or you'll be sad like I was. BUT! Once you do and once you are, and you're ready to leave the house, one of these will be a God send. Unlike using a scarf or cloth and hooking it under your bra strap while you try to wrangle your milkers out of your shirt and your grabby baby yanks it off and you just hate life. This slips over your head, the end. Buy one and you'll never feel uncomfortable trying to feed in public ever again.
Breastfeeding Pillow. Check.
Sterilising Bag. For the microwave, quick and painless. I boiled bottles with 1B, and 2B, and then finally got around to using these for 3B because all of the bottle feeding and can't believe I used to boil giant pots of water (palm face slap here.)
Car Seat Mirror Thing. So you can see them and they can see you. This stuck around for all 3.
Change Mat. IKEA has one that is a life saver for public toilets and blowout and it's machine washable, Amen! IKEA Klammig Changing Pad Gray Yellow, I just bought a bunch to gift to friends, find them at IKEA online. And if you want to be fancy, you can get a micro mat from Gathre (I love their picnic blankets) and use it as a change mat or a place mat, which is fun, I just haven't found them so easy to make clean (don't buy black.)
Baby Carrier. I love Ergo Baby, but they seem to evolve all the time, so go with what feels best on you. I did buy a WildBird sarong wrap thingy called a 'ring sling', they have a cult like following, but I can't say I could ever get it to work *well* enough to like it. ErgoBaby is pretty painless and great for needed free hands.
Car Capsule. I would recommend renting a baby capsule so you can cart bubs in and out of the car (and drag them around like a handbag) for the first 4-6 months of life. I rent ours from Capsule King each time, and they come to your home, install it properly, and then pick it up six months later (and install a proper carseat if you buy from them.) I don't do car seat logistics, my brain just refuses.
Breast Pump. I've only used Medela swing and I love it. But again, do yourself a favour and buy the BRA! Because, why did I hold them to my boobs for all those years, why??? I think I bought a knock off version on eBay and it is great to be hands free while your milkers milk.
Baby Bottles. Last but not least, milk bottles. Because you want to (like to believe you will) go out without the baby one day. And you want dad to feel useful. Como Tomo have been the win, and honestly I would start to incorporate one as soon as you can so they don't hate it and act like they're gagging and choking when you try to give them one at 6 months old. True story.
And das it! Do you have any loves and must haves?? Comment below, I'd love to know!
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