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Image by thesteeds via Flickr

Well, now that Ive had two babies, I’m starting to get an idea of what I really use everyday.   I’m finding that even though I had gone pretty minimal the first time, I still had things that I really didn’t use much.   With that said, here are my newborn baby Top 10 Essentials:

1.  Cloth Diapers.   With my first, I used Mother Ease sized diapers.  We love those with one exception — the smalls did not go on our petite little one for 3 MONTHS!   This time around, I bought some BumGenius X-small AIO’s (which were SUPER hard to find – BTW!).   Sooooooo glad I bought those!

2.  Cloth wipes.   As long as you have to wash the diapers, you may as well have the wipes, too, and save yourself a trip to the garbage for the wipe.   I have used both ImseVimse cloth wipes and regular baby washcloths.  I put a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil and a few drops of Dr. Bronner’s to 2 cups of water in a used wipes container.   They work way better than commercial wipes anyway.

3.  A changing pad.   Not the big poofy ones that go on a changing table, but small ones to fit in your diaper bag or purse.  I loved these fuzzy ones from Target, myself.  I even use them on the bed/floor at home.

4.  Co-Sleeper.   I’m not going to get into a debate about whether this is safe or not.   Obviously, if I’m doing it, I believe it is safe and have fully researched it.   We have a king-sized bed and opted to go for the Humanity Family Bed Co-Sleeper.   I adore it!   We’ve taken it everywhere (including several months in FL), and it’s still as new as the day we bought it!  It absorbs spit-up and whatever other bodily fluids might show up.  It’s super thick and comfy!

5.  Slings.   When I had Lil’ Bit, I mostly used a ring sling & my SIL bought me a great Mai Tae sling that worked great when she got older.  This time around I have added a Moby Wrap to my arsenal — it just seems to be the most comfortable for super little babies.

6.  Blanket(s).   I have a few light thermal blankets (4 & that seems like a lot) and some nice warm fuzzy ones (3 of those seems perfect).

7.   Sleepers & bodysuits.   These are all I care to dress them in for the first 3 months or so.  I tend to have winter babies and so I always layer a small Gerber onesie underneath a sleeper.  You can even get fancy sleepers so even church is okay–look at those “shoes.”  How cute!

8.   An exercise ball.    They even make special ones now.  I just use a regular one.   I’ve not met a baby yet who couldn’t be subdued by one of these.

9.  Nursing bra(s).    For goodness sake, get a good one and get the right size.   With everything else that’s out of place, keep those looking good.   After all, they are at least 3 sizes bigger!

10.   Burp cloths.   I used to like to use receiving blankets to hold the huge spit ups that get EVERYWHERE when we are home…With the second I realized I never kept them on.   So my favs are Gerber Terry Burp Cloths.

What are your baby must have’s?

This post is being linked to Top Ten Tuesday @ Oh Amanda.

by | 10 Comments

10 Comments on Top 10 Baby Essentials

  1. SpitFire
    1 June 2011 at 11:41 PM (13 years ago)

    I love the co-sleeper!!! I’ll have to check into those. I have a different baby wrap that I use, but I keep seeing people rave about the Moby Wraps, so I might try one of them this time.
    And yes!!! Well fitting nursing bras are a God-send. There’s definitely enough post-natal to make you uncomfy..don’t add to it!
    SpitFire´s last blog post ..Top Ten Tuesday- What I Did For Memorial Day Weekend

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  2. Mama Bear
    31 May 2011 at 9:51 PM (13 years ago)

    I like your list, but I must add that I got as a hand-me-down one of those swaddlers that wraps the newborns up tightly. I know you can swaddle with a blanket just as well, but I loved the ease of the velcro one especially since I have 2 other kids to keep up with at the same time! The other thing that I have found indispensable is a baby to toddler bath tub. I still use it with my almost 4 year old! It keeps her sitting and uses much less water!

    Great Post!

    [Reply]

  3. Leyna
    31 May 2011 at 11:41 AM (13 years ago)

    I love your list. The co-sleeper is awesome! I’ll have to check that one out. Oh, and I’m a new follower!
    Leyna´s last blog post ..top ten Tuesday

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  4. Jessica
    31 May 2011 at 9:22 AM (13 years ago)

    Great list! Makes me long for the baby days again!

    [Reply]

  5. oh amanda
    31 May 2011 at 8:28 AM (13 years ago)

    That co-sleeper is COOL! Seems like it could be used for when kids are a little older & in their own bed, too—so they won’t roll out!

    I was a big swaddler. So, I loved the BIG swaddle blankets. And yes to a sling!

    [Reply]

    oh amanda Reply:
    May 31st, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    ps–thanks for linking up!
    oh amanda´s last blog post ..Best Under 5 Ingredients Side Dishes- Top Ten Tuesday

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    jen Reply:
    May 31st, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    They absolutely could! But then I had another baby :). Thanks for visiting!

    [Reply]

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