Must have baby Items For First Time Moms! (Part 1)

You are here for my list of must-have baby items for a first-time mom, and I promise you that a new baby does not need a ton of stuff. Most everything is nonessential. Fun to buy, yes, but not truly needed. However, there are a few things you will eventually consider baby essentials, and when your friends have their babies, you will pass this knowledge on to them. I have had seven babies, and I find myself pretty knowledgeable in this area. Granted a lot changed between Ian and Greyson (24 years worth of change to be exact) but I still know my stuff.

Why I am here and who I am:

Hey mama, I am Trish— AKA Labor Nurse Mama. I am a labor and delivery nurse with over 15 years of high-risk OB experience. I am also a mama to 7 kids and have given birth to 6. This means I am quite familiar with the postpartum period and how to navigate it. I am the online birth class educator for Calm Labor Confident Birth and The VBAC Lab birth classes and the mama expert inside our Calm Mama Society a pregnancy & postpartum membership community! I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! You can find me over on IG teaching over 230k mamas daily. I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! We make a small commission from some of the links (you dont pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we just love em and want you to know about them. Click here for our full disclosure. Thank you!

Baby Essentials #1

A safe car seat is the top of my must-have baby items for first-time moms. This is one area you should splurge. Your little one's safety is the top concern. Topping my list for safe infant car seats is the Nuna Pipa Car seat! Check out my little Asa in his. Side note: keep in mind that if you are in a car accident, you have to replace the car seat and that car insurance should reimburse you. Ten Newborn Tips

Baby Essentials # 2

You must become a babywearing fool! Seriously, I'm not sure how I would have survived my life (we travel a lot) without my wrap or my baby Carrier! I am a HUGE fan of babywearing. Do not skip this baby essential whatever else you buy (besides the car seat)…..GET A BABY WRAP AND BABY CARRIER!!! Even if its a hand me down, I am a fan. GET ONE!! I had a Beco baby, and Anna has a Baby Tula. I carried Greyson up until the last February (2) in mine! You should read this too: Real Labor: Should You Go to the Hospital Now?

Baby Essentials # 3

The Perfect Swaddle is a must have for a new baby. A sweetly swaddled baby is a perfectly happy baby. Of course, I would be inclined to say that our swaddle is the best one out there. We kind of lucked up on it honestly. We had extra material after making the labor gowns and decided to make a swaddle to match it. Check them out and tell us what you think!

Baby Essentials # 4

An absolute on this list of Must Have Baby Items for the first time mom is a nursing pillow. This handy little guy is going to be your right-hand man. I've nursed a few babes before these were common and it stinks. Your neck hurts, your back hurts, and your arms hurt. Everything hurts. Anna & I both used the boppy pillow. Isn't it ironic that my grandson is using the same boppy that his uncle used? (insert wide-eyed emoji) Again I am a massive supporter of hand me downs. However, You should probably not take a boppy from someone you don't know well. (insert green vomiting emoji) A boppy also helps a big (not so big) siblings hold the baby….and a Toddler uncle hold his nephew.   Related Post: 6 Breastfeeding Tips for The First TIme Mom

Baby Essentials # 5

A stable stroller with a good basket! I'm pretty sure I have used my stroller more days than not since Grey has been born. I have two strollers. I used my larger one up until he was two, and then bought a more lightweight one for a trip to California. But I still use my larger stroller for Disney when we go, which is often. We affectionately call it the Disney Stroller. Related Post: Tips For Disney with a Baby Anna has an Uppababy, and she loves it. You will appreciate how lightweight the Uppababy stroller is (for a large stroller frame) and it's ease of use. Tip: Do your due diligence and choose which features are important to you because this may be one of your most used baby essentials for your baby. Ask friends and try out the models, then narrow your list. Then look online for the best price. Below is a picture of anna's stroller with our Nursing cover keeping the germs off little Asa!

Baby Essentials # 6

An efficient diaper bag is completely one of my must have baby items for a first time mom or 10th-time mom. No matter what number baby, get a new one! Ok, I get a little boujee here because I like beautiful bags and why should you consider compromising when it's a bag you will most likely carry for two years. Hello, My name is Trish, and I am a diaper bag addict! I'm going to share my favorites with you. Some key ingredients to a stellar diaper bag: inside is wipeable, outside is durable, many compartments, and comfortable straps. I also look for one that has little loops to on each side that I can use with my stroller hooks (not an essential but extremely handy) Also make sure you check out our amazing modern bib which is the bag you see attached to our diaper bags. We are pretty confident you won't find a more useful bib anywhere. The first bag is Anna's and is by The Honest Company. The second bag is an Elizabeth by LilyJade, third Madeline by LilyJade, and finally the last is by House of Flynn (also a camera bag)

 Baby Essentials # 7

A crib is an essential but not until they are a bit older. Unless you are like me and like doing room makeovers and want them done yesterday. I am partial to white cribs with a simple look, like Jenny Lind. The traditions crib with the even sides and not the back rail higher. My advice is to buy a bassinet or cradle for the first few months. It is sufficient for a newborn. You can keep it near you and not have to get up and down on a sore bottom during those first precious weeks. Anna used the Halo Bassinet with Asa (when he would let her put him down). It's a real pain in the A*% to move around, but it was somewhat useful. Honestly, I think the bassinet on wheels would be more useful, and you could roll it out to the family room or wherever you are and it's gorgeous. I used a pack n play for Greyson. It was one of those all in one deal that has a changing table and bassinet on top. It also had a little diaper changing station for supplies, which as you get to know me, will realize that I love all things that organize my life. Check out this post with some of my favorite cribs!  Modernnursery.com stocks made-to-order cribs, so you don't have to wait!

First time Mom Baby Essential # 8 & 9

A swing and/or a bouncy seat is crucial if you want to cook dinner, or pee or something in between. I loved my Mamaroo, but since I had Greyson some other fantastic options have emerged.

Baby Essential # 10

A baby bath is probably not in your mind as readily as a car seat or crib. But a baby bath is crucial and needed and should be on your must have baby items for a first time mom. Someone loaned me theirs with Greyson, and I was like, “what the heck is this thing?” It looked like this strange piece of plastic, and I was sure I wouldn't love it. She assured me that it was the best thing she ever used and that you couldn't get it in the US. This intrigued me as I like unique stuff that is hard to acquire. Lol! But I do! Once I broke down and used it, I was convinced. HOLY CRAP! This is the best tub. I have been searching to find you guys one, and I think I found the closest model that I can and AT WALMART for pennies. (I'll keep looking) Seriously I DO NOT MAKE A CENT FROM YOU BUYING THIS! I know you will thank me and then become loyal fans. BUY IT!!!!!!  I always laid a warm, wet, washcloth on it to keep him from touching cold plastic. I also laid a cloth over his little area to keep me from getting peed on. Keep in mind this can be used in the sink or tub!   The last component to my must have baby items for a first time mom is what's affectionately known as the rest of the million things you will buy. We will cover that and other basic needs in part 2! I hope this very minimal list of the larger baby essentials will assist you as you get started. Girl, Babies don't need a lot, but I am not opposed to excess either especially if it's on sale. But that's another problem. Looking for a Baby Name? 20 unique Baby Girl Names and a list of 20 unique Baby Boy Names!  ;