Top Ten Baby Gadgets That Have Been Very Useful During the Baby's First Year

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When registering for a baby shower, the mother-to-be is bombarded with a million and one things that you just have to buy!  There are so many different strollers, bottles (Will you go glass or plastic?), bouncers, swings, co-sleepers, cribs, basinets, and the like, it is hard to decide what you will actually use and what people are saying you need.

I have come up with a list of ten things I am so glad I registered for. Some of these things won't be used with a newborn, but all are great to have.

10 Baby Items That Were Extremely Useful During the Baby's First Year

1. Dr. Brown's Bottle Sterilizer

This made cleaning bottles very quick and easy.  You just rinse off the bottles with soap and water before popping them in the sterilizer.  It takes about 15 minutes from beginning to end.  This is great, and absolutely worth registering for.

2. JJ Cole Original Infant Bundle Me (For Fall and Winter Babies)

Having had my son in Autumn, a warm carseat liner like this was great.  It's like a little woolen sleeping bag for the carseat or stroller.  I never had to worry about the baby being cold when I took him outside.

3. SwaddleMe

I never mastered the swaddle.  This was easy to use.

4. Snoofybee

This is AMAZING!  My son is now doing crocodile rolls while I'm trying to change his diaper.  He is also trying to grab at everything within arm's reach.  He's altogether pretty challenging to change at the moment.  This is a changing pad that folds up in such a way that his hands are kept up away from the diaper area.  You can also hang toys from it for distraction.  So great! Click here to see what I mean.

5. Amazon Echo

"Alexa, play the 'Putting The Baby To Bed' playlist." This has become indispensable to our bedtime routine.  We use the same playlist every night before bed.  This is so effective that our dog goes to lay down when she hears the music begin to play.  Not only is it great for music, the Echo can also be used as a hands free timer, which comes in handy when nursing.

6. Medela Freestyle Breast Pump

If you are breastfeeding, a pump is essential.  This particular pump works so well for me because it is compact.  I can take it anywhere easily. It needs to be charged, but the battery lasts for a while.  I probably charge once every week or so.

7. Nipple Shields

Nursing was not easy for me at first.  In fact, it was pretty rough.  It hurt while the baby nursed and I was sore after.  Lanolin cream helped a bit, but nipple shields kept me going.  After a while I didn't need them anymore.  The first month, however, they were clutch!

8. Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper

We used this until our son was about three months old.  It was easy to pick him up to nurse during the night.  Having had a c-section, my mobility was limited in the beginning, and this was so nice to have.

9. Graco Bumper Jumper

My son LOVES this!

10. Graco Pack 'N Play

The Pack 'N Play is three different items in one.  There is a bassinet, changing area, and the play yard.  We have had this set up as our downstairs changing station.

BONUS ITEM: Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit

Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit is great for when you are transitioning the baby out of the swaddle. It can be used as early as three months.  They look like 1950s snowsuits and provide a comfy cozy feeling for the baby.  When our son was transitioning to sleeping in his crib, this was very useful.

What items did you find to be essential during your baby's first year?



Cait

Mom, Teaching Artist, Writer

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