6 New Baby Necessities: Sleep & Health

So you’re having a baby. And if it’s your first time around, you may be a little overwhelmed to say the least! There are so many products out there and you’re going to have people telling you that they needed a certain item that others say is worthless. Clearly there’s a lot that you need so this is a long list that I’m going to be bringing to you in segments starting with two of the most important baby necessities: sleep and health. Figuring out what works for you and your baby when it comes to sleep is key to surviving the first few months, because sometimes it can be hard to find all the shut eye you need. And like it or not, your baby is going to get sick at some point, and you’re going to want the products that will make illness easier on you in your medicine cabinet from the beginning.

Sleep

-Lulyboo Lights and Music Baby Lounge: We had a different brand travel bed with Maddie Grace that we used a lot. We have a king sized bed in our bedroom and kept it in between us with her in it and found that to be the best way for all three of us to get a decent amount of sleep. I love the Lulyboo Lights and Music Baby Lounge because it can be placed just about anywhere: bed, floor, couch, indoors, outdoors, etc. It also conveniently folds up into a backpack for easy travel. It features a battery operated light and music box to provide soothing noise and entertainment for your baby, and even has the oh-so-important vibration that can really help calm colicky babies. I also like that it’s machine washable and waterproof as those things are important for any baby product. I wish we would have had this when Maddie Grace was a newborn but can’t wait to use it on the new baby!

-Crib/Bassinet: Here is where it all comes down to the parenting style and how the baby responds. For the first 4-5 months we kept Maddie Grace in the travel bed in our room and then transitioned her to the crib. I mean we hardly used the crib during that time, although we did use our Co-Sleeper bassinet. Other mom friends of mine have had their babies sleeping in the crib from day one. Know that no one way is better than others – it’s really all about what works for you. Our super colicky baby would only sleep close to us, and I slept better knowing she was close as well, so the bassinet or travel bed was a must for us. Other babies are great sleepers from the start and some moms sleep better knowing their baby is safe and sound in their crib.

-Baby Monitor (debatable): We have a baby monitor that we received as a shower present, but I honestly haven’t used it often. Our house isn’t huge, and sound carries well, so I’ve never been in the situation where MG has woken up or been making noise and I haven’t heard her. Other mom friends of mine use the monitor every single time their baby sleeps. Do we use the monitor often? No. Am I glad we have it as one of our baby necessities? Definitely. The times I have used it have been when friends are over, or if Tom is alone watching MG and she takes a nap he may go out and do yardwork and take it with him so he knows when she wakes up. Several of the babysitters we’ve used have wanted to use the monitor as it made them more comfortable as well. I think this is an item to have on hand whether you end up using it often or not.

-Sheets: Crib or bassinet, you’re going to want several sets of sheets for changing out because spit up and soaking through diapers happens. You also may want to buy a waterproof one to go under the fabric sheet depending on the type of mattress you have.

Health

-Thermometers: Yes this is plural. You’re going to need more than one thermometer. You’ll want one forehead or ear thermometer for easy checks of temperature that you’ll be doing almost daily the first few months if you’re having your first baby. Most likely your baby won’t actually have a fever so a quick and easy thermometer check is best. You’re also going to need a rectal one though. If your baby actually does fall ill your doctor is going to ask what their rectal temperature is, as it is the most accurate reading of your babies temperature.

-Baby ComfyNose Nasal Aspirator: Nasal aspirators are the bomb when it comes to handling runny noses, which you’re going to see a lot of with a new baby. There is actually one big name nasal aspirator that we tried first and didn’t love despite glowing reviews of it. Then the Baby Comfy Nose nasal aspirator fell into my lap which works about ten times better and restored my faith in nasal aspirators. I love that for a filter you use tissue, which is so easy to replace, and that the device is simple to clean. The suction on this aspirator actually works for cleaning out disgusting noses and it comes with a mesh pouch that can be used for washing all the pieces in the dishwasher!

-Medicine: People are going to recommend you have on hand all types of baby medicine. Before 6 months there isn’t much that is safe to give your baby, so don’t be in a hurry. We use infant tylenol for fevers but have honestly not found any medicine or oral cream that helps with teething. So for this I recommend waiting until you need the medicine to figure out what works for you and your baby!

So there you have it – my top picks for what sleep/health products to have on stock when your new baby comes! What are your baby necessities? Any experienced moms out there think I missed something? Any moms to be with questions? Let me know below!