ULTIMATE BABY LIST (0–5 Months)
Many have asked for this so I figured I’d put this together. If you don’t need it (now) feel free to pass along, gift friends or keep for when it’s time. I’ve pretty much tried everything. These are my favorites:
Before I even tell you about a bottle or a diaper bag I have to tell you about my DOULA. When I went into labor my original doula was actually at a birth at the same hospital in the next room and had to call a backup. I will admit that I was disappointed — it felt like the start of everything not going as planned. In walks Renee Wymer, baddest damn doula on the planet. She made my birth experience. She was just so good. She had my doctor’s cellphone number and TEXTED him to get his butt to my room stat when I wanted MEDS! *lol* She was there with me every step of the way. She knew the hospital, the nurses, the machines … the process (all things I DID NOT know). Now I do believe that everyone has to find a doula that fits their personality and Renee hit mine on the head. I like someone PROACTIVE not reactive and she was just that.
I also did all of my prenatal care and delivery at SeeBaby. I LOVED their offices … it felt like a day spa for pregnant women. Dr. Bootstaylor and Monica really made sure I did pregnancy and birth my way. With all that you read about birth and black women, it was empowering.
Nordstrom Brand Cotton Onesies: My favorite onesie on the market. My second is H&M. I love how soft these are and how easy the go over baby’s head. I used them as pajamas since Noah’s infancy was over the summer. Because they stretch so well, they last a LONG time.
Levetex Baby Mommy & Me Blankets: All blankets are NOT created equal. You get a lot of blankets when you have a baby. These two blankets are STILL my favorite. They feel so good. I took them to the hospital when I gave birth. We cuddle with these. I AM this blanket, actually. *lol*
Maisonette: Favorite website for baby furniture. I signed up for their newsletter and got most of Noah’s nursery furniture for 30% off. They sell all kinds of chic baby/kids stuff.
Pregnancy Massage: Best gift you can give your pregnant friends in ATL. These women helped me to the end of my pregnancy.
Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper: There came a time when I realized we didn’t have a place for Noah to sleep other than his SNOO. The swing was always hit or miss for us but THIS held us down in the very beginning.
SNOO: If I were to make ONE request on my registry it would be for the Tesla of baby bassinets. I LOVE our SNOO and am still using it. I got it for free in exchange for an honest review and let me tell you I would have bought this thing a FEW times over.
ComoTomo Teether: We have a lot and this is by far the baby’s favorite. I didn’t think it would be because it’s SO simple. He cannot put this one down.
ComoTomo 5oz. Bottles: Speaking of ComoTomo, I exclusively breastfeed and these are my bottles of choice during any baby escapes.
Wabi Baby Electric Steam Sterilizer: I got this as a gift and I LOVE it. I’m able to sterilize a good amount of bottles and breast pump parts in one fell swoop.
Tommee Tippee Bottle Warmer: I got mine in this set and I don’t see it sold separately. I didn’t really care for the “starter kit” but I like the warmer. I’d be careful using the ComoTomo bottles in it because they take FOREVER to warm. Warm in a regular bottle and pour into your CT bottle.
Munchkin SPONGE Bottle Brush: Seems like something so simple but these brushes WERE NOT created equal. I LIKE having the sponge on the tip and I like the nipple cleaner attached. I’ve tried a few brushes and these are my favorite.
Mrs. Meyer’s Laundry Detergent, Baby Blossom: I like the scent — it’s not overwhelming like other “baby” brands I’ve tried. Also, a little goes a long way.
Pamper’s Swaddlers: I love the blue line letting you know they’re wet. I just like these diapers. Period.
WaterWipes Sensitive Baby Wipes: My GO TO. I like the thickness/durability of the sheets (I’ve tried all of the wipes) and how WET they are!
Hushh Portable White Noise Machine: This is clutch for travel or at home. I got this reco from Eva Chen.
Koogel Expanding File Folders: Babies have SO MUCH paperwork! I love these to keep up with everything. I made one up for the nanny with all important paperwork.
Skip Hop Explore & More Baby’s View 3-Stage Activity Center: My baby is OBSESSED with this. This was easily one of my favorite shower gifts. Baby can play with this FOREVER! I’m obsessed with the SKIP HOP brand. We have a lot of Skip Hop toys: Book, Rattles, Playmat (I love the way this looks out on my living room floor that’s been taken over by toys … it honestly looks GOOD)!
Skip Hop Grab & Go Stroller Organizer: Just bought this at Nordstrom the other day. Gamechanger.
Jonathan Adler (Fisher Price) Sensory Gym: I bought it because it was cute. Baby seems to like it a lot. We travel with it.
Burt’s Bees Burp Cloths: Why do babies have so much SPIT?! We go through these a ton. I like them a lot.
Mustela: I have tried nearly all of the baby lotion brands and I love this brand. I’m currently trying a few of the lines within this brand and the scent is heavenly and works amazing.
Swankie Blankie Hooded Towel: I got a LOT of baby towels as gifts. I’m serious … I’ve yet to buy a towel. My favorite towel to date is this one. I have lots of towels but I tend to divert BACK to this towel as often as possible. It’s the perfect size. It dries SO well. Just looked it up and see it’s pretty pricey but worth it because you can use it A TON.
Frida Baby: Everything they make looks good. Currently using the nail clippers. I have gift pack and can’t wait to use the NEW toothbrush when baby grows some teeth!
DIAPER BAGS! (I have yet to fall in love with a diaper bag)
Fawn Design: This is my current diaper bag. I have it in the limited-edition red. It’s cute but still not really what I need.
Happ Brand: Also, cute. I have the back pack and the carry all. The carry all slips off of my shoulder and really just feels like work keeping it on and the backpack is GOOD, it just requires you to unzip it from the bottom and I’m always looking for something I can dig directly into. I do love this bag and may go back to it when Noah’s bag needs decrease.
CAR SEAT + STOLLERS
Nuna Pipa: I was gifted the Nuna Pipa Lite which I LOVED but when it was time to travel I ended up buying the Pipa because you can put it in the car without the base. I travel a lot and don’t want to be burdened with the base. I love car seats with bases because it makes it so easy to get baby in and out of car.
Nuna Mixx: I’m not necessarily endorsing this stroller. It’s just the one that I got since I could use my car seat with it. I honestly find it to be bulky and doesn’t really break down like I’d like it to. It does the trick, just can’t say it’s my fave.
Baby Zen Yoyo Stroller: I AM ABSOLUTELY ENDORSING THIS STROLLER. I use it as my travel stroller and now that Noah can almost sit up it’s going to be our everyday stroller. It folds down into nothing. I’m completely obsessed with the stroller. Completely. Obsessed.
BREASTFEEDING
Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bra: I can pump and bang out emails. MULTITASKING!
KIINDE Breastmilk Storage Twist Pouch: I know there are cheaper ones but I just really like these.
Spectra S1 Rechargeable Pump: I have all three Spectra pumps (S1, S2 & the portable one for travel). I LOVE the S1 because you can pretty much roam while pumping. The portable one just isn’t as strong.
Medela Quick Clean MicroSteam Bags: I love these for when I’m traveling or when I need to sterilize my pump parts REAL QUICK!
Nursing Cover with Sewn-In Burp Cloth: This does the trick.
Medela Breastmilk Storage Bottles 8oz: So, my feeding method is breast, fresh expressed, fridge, freeze. What that means is that as often as possible I put Noah directly to the breast. When I can’t because I have to work, I pump a FRESH bottle and leave it out for him to be fed within 4 hours. If I’m just pumping for relief while I’m home and feeding him for the day, I put that milk in the refrigerator. I can sometimes pump quite a bit so I get the 8oz. bottles for storage. Once that fridge milk has been there for 3–5 days (depends on how I’m feeling), I freeze the remainder.
Haakaa Silicone Breastfeeding Manual Breast Pump Milk Pump: I used this to collect milk during night feedings.
Medela Harmony Hand Pump: This came in handy many times when I couldn’t make it home within my 3 hours pump/feed window. I bought a few of them as back up because I REALLY want to make my goal of breastfeeding for 12 months.
Alright … I’m SURE I forgot some things but I listed my favorite things at the moment. As time goes on I’ll keep updating this list.
Enjoy!
M.
