Baby Gear Suggestions 0-3 months

Baby Gear Suggestions 0-3 months by rachelblackmon on Polyvore

When I was pregnant and trying to create a registry, I was quickly overwhelmed by the immense amount of baby stuff available (Have you been in a Babies R Us recently?!).  I found it very helpful to talk to other new moms and read blog posts with what those people found useful so I could make up my mind.  I didn't want an overwhelming mountain of stuff (and I still don't) but obviously adding a tiny person into our lives was going to require some stuff.  Having now survived the first 3 months, these are the 10 things that we used the most:

1. Monitor (audio only): Most people we talked to suggested a video monitor, however I have also heard of (and seen) people obsessively watching the monitor.  Too much of a temptation for me.  Plus Husband was slightly wary from a safety/hacking perspective. So we got this monitor instead.  It works great and I like that I can have one in our bedroom upstairs and one in the kitchen downstairs.  Plus they have batteries too so I could easily take it with me in another room without having to unplug/replug it.

2. Portable Changing Pad: We actually have 2 of these- one stays in the diaper bag and the other stays downstairs in our house.  We have a changing table upstairs in his room, but every time he needs a diaper we aren't always in his room or upstairs.  This way we have a changing station on both floors.  Time (and mess) saver!

3. Rock N Play: When we brought Little Man home we struggled to get him to sleep in the crib or pack and play (which was our initial plan).  The Rock N Play became our answer.  He slept in there for the first two months before we finally transitioned him to the crib where he sleeps now.  We got the cheaper one that doesn't plug in to the wall and therefore has to be rocked manually.  My logic was I don't want to have to break any more sleep habits than necessary.  I know I probably just have a good sleeper but it did seem to make the transition easier.

4. Pacifier: We introduced a pacifier immediately after the tongue clipping at 5 weeks.  If you do choose to use a pacifier, I have found these are the ones recommended by hospitals, pediatricians, and lactation consultants.

5. Travel System: Pre-baby I had no idea what a "travel system" was, which probably isn't that shocking.  In case you too are unfamiliar, you have basically three pieces- the infant carrier, the car seat base, the stroller frame.  The infant carrier easily connects into the other two pieces.  We got the Graco Modes. I like that the stroller part grows  with the kid (and can be used with or without the carrier).  Also, the carrier can be inserted to face either direction in the stroller. 

6. Exercise Ball: This was a suggestion from our doula.  She said it would help with labor pains before we go to the hospital and it could just be more comfortable after a day of work.  Plus she said it was great for calming fussy babies.  It works wonders calming Little Man in the evenings and is much less exhausting than walking and bouncing him.

7. Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump: There are lots of good breast pumps out there but this one you can easily find accessories and replacement parts at places like Target and Babies R Us.

8. Cloth Diapers: For use as burp cloths and general spit up catchers.  We have them all over our house (or so it feels) because they are so handy.

9. Bouncy Seat: We went with a simple model and could have technically done without this but it is convenient to be able to strap him in to something and easily transport him around the house.  Also we can bounce him with a foot during dinner and he's quite happy.

10. Swaddle Sleep Sack: As I am not a maternity ward nurse, swaddling was not my forte.  These bad boys make it super easy though -hello velcro! 


What did I leave off the list that was a must for your baby?