MUST HAVE BABY ITEMS – MY RECOMMENDATIONS

I have been asked many times about some of the things I have used this time round with Millen and whether they are worth it or not. I have also been asked about what my top picks and must have baby items that I would recommend for new mummers would be.

There are plenty of lists out there with all the essential needs for having a baby, thats not what this is. These are just my favourite things which I have been using with my new baby. Some things I used previously with my other babes, some things I only just discovered third time round, some things I have been gifted and some things I have bought myself. 

These are just genuinely items which I use regularly and LOVE and have no regrets buying! They are my personal must have baby items.

1. Mutsy I2 from Global Baby

This buggy has been amazing. I wanted something that was all in one which was easy to use, compact when folded and that would fit my capsule as well. When Anita generously offered to gift me one in exchange for some photos I couldn’t say no. It ticked all my boxes and is a damn fine looking pram too. It is super smooth to push, the basket under is easy to access and fits a decent amount in, The bassinet is roomy and I have put this pram through its paces already (including a swim in a pond 🙁 ) and it has scrubbed back up as good as new. The bassinet is very roomy (bigger than other pram bassinets I’ve seen) and we have used it as Millen’s bed when going away or visiting grandparents which is an added bonus as it makes for one less thing to have to pack!

2. Burp Cloths

Boy oh boy are babies messy. You can never have enough burp cloths! That first week Millen was born I could not believe how much washing I had and I was trying to get bright yellow colostrum vom out of EVERYTHING. He is still a spilly baby so we go through a few burp cloths a day. I have a range of different kinds. I use big nappy cloths or muslin cloths around the house. These also are great folded up and popped under their heads in their bassinets so that when they spill in bed you don’t need to change the whole bed! I have some which I made when I was pregnant with Arden which have a towelling back and these I also use around the house. I also have a couple small, slim, pretty ones which I bought from Ever Sweet Baby which I keep in my nappy bag and use when we are out and about as they don’t take up as much room in my bag and look good too. If you end up browsing their burp cloths go check out their merino beanie range while you there…they are our faves and I may or may not have bought one of every style in every colour!

3. Storksak Elizabeth Nappy Bag

If you need a nappy bag look no further. This one doesn’t look like a nappy bag and is deceivingly roomy. I surprise myself with how much I can jam in here everyday and regardless of how much is in there it always holds its shape perfectly and everything sits in its allocated spot so you are never foraging around trying to find anything. I have nappies, wipes, burp cloth, change of clothes, Checkoh wrap, Zoe & Sage cover, wallet, reusable bag, camera and drink bottle in mine on the daily without any issues!

4.  Nuna Leaf

I bought this thinking ahead to three babes with the mindset of wanting all the luxuries to make my life with three as easy as possible. For the first few weeks I thought I had wasted my money as Millen wouldn’t be left alone in it for more than 2 minutes. Fast forward a month and we started using it every day. Now at three months its where he hangs out most of the time when he is awake watching his brothers play or chilling by himself whilst I get things done. It is super solid and sturdy with zero chance of him getting knocked or pushed around in it and it even holds the big boys weights because of course its the best seat in the house and everyone wants to use it!

5. Hussh White Noise Machine

I have always used white noise with my boys. With Kylan back in the good ole days I would untune the radio to static or leave the vacuum cleaner running next to his bed. Of course 9 years later there are cute little machines that can hush away all day long! I started using the iPad with a white noise app when Millen was first born and when I realised how much I needed that white noise to drown out the sound of his brothers I looked around at my options and discovered this little gem. I love that it doesn’t turn off after a certain period of time and that I can charge it up at night and use it all day long wherever we go.

6. Chekoh Wrap

Hands down my number one item! I use it almost every single day and if I had to choose one item from my list it would be this one! He loves it, I love it and it makes going anywhere so much easier. I can guarantee the moment I pop him in there he will be sound asleep within minutes and stay asleep the whole time. He came to every one of Kylan’s rugby games in this over the last 3 months, rain or shine and slept the entire time…The other parents joked at the last game when he finally emerged from his pouch and they saw him awake for the very first time. I use it everywhere we go! Its easy to pop on after a couple of practices and I just get it all on me before I leave the house so when I get to our destination I can pop him straight in! Its also super comfy, considering what a heffalump Millen was, I am still wearing him comfortable at nearly 4 months old.

7. Stretchy Swaddle

I am yet to find the perfect stretchy swaddle to buy. I made my own 9 years ago with Kylan when there were none around and even leant them to my friends who raved about them and told me to sell them. If only I did cause who knew there was such a big market for them. The market is now saturated in baby wraps and swaddles but still none of them compare to my DIY ones. I like them super big and stretchy to really wrap bubs up tight so there are no Houdini antics.

8. Think Wise Wipes and Ubbi Container

Hands down THE BEST WIPES EVER! You won’t understand how great they are until you try them for yourselves and then you will never go back to normal wipes! Plus they are reusable! I make mine up with water and coconut oil in the Ubbi container and one wipe cleans up the biggest of poonamis without any issues at all! I then pop my used wipe into a special little tupperware I keep with my nappy station and when thats full I chuck them in the washing machine and use them again. I bought the Ubbi container from Baby Factory and it works perfectly with the wipes. You really need to try them for yourselves…but I can’t use normal wipes anymore after using these, and the coconut oil leaves their little bums silky smooth and moisturised after every change.

9. Olli and Ella Change Basket

I had a traditional change table with Kylan, then with Arden I just used the old traditional change mats on top of his chest of drawers as we were short on space. I end up changing their nappies on beds and couches or on the floor anyway so I realised second time round I didn’t need a big specific piece of furniture for the job. Third time comes around and these gorgeous wee baskets are all over the gram so I had to have one! I thought it was just going to be a luxury item for looks but we actually use it every day. As Millen was a winter babe, it was freezing when he got out of the bath and the bathroom is always warmer than the bedrooms so we just got him dressed in there. The basket happens to fit perfectly over our bathroom sink so its a safe place to pop him before and after his bath and easily get him dressed and ready for bed.

I hope that helps any soon to be mummers out there. There are obviously other goodies I use and like but these are my everyday essentials that I wouldn’t want to go without!