having a baby means you need all kinds of things that you never needed before, or even knew existed! preparing to take care of a new tiny person can be a bit overwhelming. as a first time mom, i had no idea what the job required. i found that it was best to seek advice from experienced friends, family, and of course blogs. my black haired friend kim is the best product tester i know, so i recommend everyone asking her before buying anything . hopefully between the two of us our brunette friend will have a little less stress while preparing for her mini. this (long) list includes everything i have found useful during the first three months:

the 4moms cleanwater collection tub takes the guesswork out of getting the water temperature just right using a built in thermometer. it is also designed to let dirty water flow out while clean water flows in. while a bit extravagant for a bathtub, we were drawn to the thoughtful design and i’m happy to report we have a clean baby that loves bath time. we use these big fluffy aden + anais washcloths to cover her body and keep her warm while cleaning with a soft satsuma flannel cloth. the munchkin shampoo rinser is soft and won’t hurt that tender newborn soft spot. the honest co. line of bath and body products all smell wonderful and have no harmful chemicals. a little tip…the body oil works wonders when battling the dreaded cradle cap!

picking the perfect crib was no easy task. we originally planned to go with a nice simple ikea crib but after lots of research we decided the on the eco friendly oeuf robin crib. i did find the perfect rocking chair at ikea and added a simple slipcover to give it a little personality. a humidifier is good to have on hand for stuffy noses. we started using this sound machine when evie moved from her bassinet to the crib around 2 months and it works like a charm. swaddling keeps flailing arms from interrupting a sweet slumber. we started with the soft, gauzy aden + anais swaddles which were perfect for the warmer months. until recently evie slept every night wrapped in a miracle blanket and it lived up to its name. she’s now too strong for it so we have moved on to the halo sleep sack…she can’t break out of a zipper (yet). little ones are particular about their pacifiers, but our babe is quite fond of her “giraffey” wubbanub. having a little stuffed animal to grab for helps when searching for a lost paci in the middle of the night.

i’ve never been more intimidated than when i had to use a pump…we won’t go into the details but thankfully i’m still living to talk about it. after i figured out how to make the thing work, and i’ve become quite fond of the medela freestyle. it is battery powered, and small enough that you can pump on the sly if you are brave . in the early days of nursing these lansinoh hot/cold packs worked wonders. spit up happens, so i have these cute burp cloths scattered around the house. i didn’t buy any bottles until evie was a few weeks old. we started with the medela bottles but have moved on to dr. browns which help minimize the amount of air she takes in. bottle washing is not a fun task, but a cute boon grass drying rack and grapefruit scented honest co. dish soap helps lighten up the chore…and don’t forget a bottle brush.

this section is unavoidable, so get used to it. these fun printed diapers from the honest co. keep things interesting while changing a bazillion of them a day. the honest wipes and healing balm are chemical free, and good for sensitive baby skin. to keep smells locked away the diaper genie is a must have. the first few weeks i had the loop diaper caddy wherever we were for quick changes, especially at night. now it has a home on the changing table organizing all our diapering supplies. when on the go the skip hop changer kit holds everything you’ll need and has a built in changing pad…don’t leave home without it!

keeping a baby entertained comes in the form of many different seats. we have been using the mamaroo since week one, and she is still loving it. we like it because it’s not too big and doesn’t look half bad for being a baby swing. lots of time has been spent on the genius baby activity mat. the contrasting black and white gave her new eyes something to focus on and can entertain her long enough for me to brush my teeth! the boppy lounger has become a life saver now that i am back at work. in the mornings evie chills out on her soft little seat while she watches us get ready for the day. we have just started using her bumbo seat which we leave on the edge of the counter while cooking dinner and not paying her any attention (JUST KIDDING!!). we have already taken a couple trips with evie, and the aprica play yard is super easy to travel with. it sets up and breaks down quickly and easily.

wearing your baby…this helps if you ever want to use your hands again. there are lots of options out there these are the ones i like: maya wrap, beco gemini carrier, and the solly baby wrap. make sure to have one black option so dad doesn’t mind wearing it. and last but not least the stroller. we have the orbit baby system and love it. the car seat clicks on to the circle base and then twists to lock into place which makes getting the seat into the car very easy. the base breaks down with one hand which is helpful since i rarely have two free hands anymore.

babies are expensive…don’t forget about craigslist and ebay! your precious angel won’t know the difference (ours doesn’t).