This isn’t your average must haves list. I’m not going to talk about strollers or car seats or any other essential must haves. I’m here to discuss the things no one tells you about but can make the world of a difference in your every day life as a new mom.
If you are a mom who isn’t exclusively breastfeeding, I can’t recommend this gadget enough. Now it might seem unnecessary to the naked untrained eye but it is very necessary to surviving the first year with grace. The Brezza makes your baby’s bottle with the push of two buttons – select the bottle size and go. This simple machine is what I like to call a baby Keurig, that’s the best way to sum it up, the only difference is that you don’t need pods. You simply buy the formula of your choice, pour the powder in and you’re set for easy bottle preparation. This gadget is especially life-saving during those middle of the night feedings. Gone are the days of trying to prepare a bottle in a state of daze and hoping you put in the perfect amount of water and formula. Let this machine make your life easier and don’t feel like you have to apologize to any one who judges. After all, one of the pillars of parenthood is learning that everyone has an opinion about your choices.
If you live in a home with more than one level, a portable changing station is a must have! With a changing station like the Skip Hop Changing Station, you are able to change your baby while you are in the basement without having to make the trip up to your changing table. This Skip Hop station comes with a storage pocket for diapers, wipes and any cream you might need. Going u p a flight of stairs might seem like a small task but as a new parent who is tired and possibly sleep deprived, it’s nice to know that you can reduce the amount of times you are going up and down the stairs while holding your baby.
Foam/Rubber-like Changing Pad (Keekaroo Peanut Changer)
This is definitely one of my favourite investments for my baby. Yes I called it an investment, this is because it is not your average changing pad, therefore it does come with a steeper price tag. The Keekaroo Peanut Diaper Changer is fantastic because it saves on cleanup time AND saves on laundry! If your little one makes a mess on the changing pad, you simply wipe it down and voila, it’s clean. This means you don’t need to buy changing pad covers or have to throw them in the wash every time there is an accident, which we all know happens all too often with babies. The pad is comfortable and slip-resistant, meaning it stays put on the dresser top or table of your choice.
There are so many diaper pails out there and I know the default choice is usually a Diaper Genie brand. However, after spending some time doing my research, I decided that the Ubbi pail deserves the most praise. This pail is fantastic for many reasons but the best reason is that you don’t need any special bags or cartridges, this means that you can save money in the long run when you don’t need to buy special items. You simply pop in a standard size kitchen garbage bag and you’re good to go! This pail is great for keeping the smells at bay AND comes in a variety of colors and patterns.
Flexible and adaptable mindset
This last “item” is probably the most important of them all. With a new baby, it is extremely important to be flexible and adaptable – listen to your baby’s needs. Quite often, we get wrapped up in what we think our child needs that we look past what they are telling us. Be flexible to your child’s needs and be adaptable to the changes that are bound to happen without your consent but this is one of the best parts of parenting – learning your child’s needs and watching them develop their communication.
What is your must-have item?
