Finn will be three months old in three days! I just reached out Amanda James about scheduling three month photos. It simultaneously feels like just yesterday that we were taking these newborn photos at 10 days old and also like a lifetime ago. The new baby phase is such a mind trip.
So many have asked about my favorite baby gear and now that I’m a solid three month into this, I feel much more confident about answering this question. Before Finn was born, I was SO overwhelmed by navigating baby gear. I don’t even know how many hours I spent researching everything from stroller systems to breast pumps to crib mattresses…and everything in between!
BABY ESSENTIALS: 0-3 MONTHS
I won’t say that I’ve got it all figured out, and remember that all babies are so different in what they like, but I wanted to share some things that have worked really well for me and Finn and that we’ve gotten tons of use out of.
Oh and if you missed my nursery tour, you can check it out in this post.
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Lounging and Docking
With a new baby, you’re constantly needing somewhere to place them for lounging and docking. I have gotten a ton of use out of both my Boppy Lounger and the DockATot. They seem a little redundant but I honestly use both of them ALL the time. If you have a two-story house, it can be great to keep one upstairs and one downstairs.
If you have the space and budget, variety is nice with lounging options. I keep this bouncer seat in the kitchen and can usually get 10-20 minutes out of it while I’m trying to prep food. Finn likes it because it vibrates and has a mobile with things he can look at. I keep the Rock N’ Play in my den/office and Finn takes almost all of his daytime naps in it. The Rock N’ Play is so nice to have that we also keep one in Florida.
And if you’re spending a lot of time breastfeeding, I can’t recommend the My Brest Friend pillow enough to make breastfeeding more comfortable for mom and positioning easier with baby. It’s amazing.
Transportation
Biggest thanks to Chicco for sending me their Fit2 Convertible Car Seat and Mini Bravo Plus Stroller System. I was completely LOST when it came to car seats and strollers and these two items have made my life simple. The Fit2 car seat is a 2-year rear facing car seat. The Mini Bravo stroller is an umbrella stroller that is lightweight and easy to transport. It has built-in functionality for the car seat while they are small and then they transition to sitting in the stroller once they are a little bigger.
I think this totally counts as transportation…I am OBSESSED with my Ergo 360 Carrier with the Infant Insert. It’s wonderful for walks, shopping, getting things done around the house and much, much more. Baby wearing is the best ever!
Soothing
Finn loves these soothie pacifiers, especially the Wubanub variety that has a stuffed animal attached. When he was really small the animals did’t really do anything other than make the paci easier for me to find when it popped out of his mouth but once he hit 8 weeks he started to enjoy holding onto the stuffed animal. These days, the animal goes into his mouth about as often as the pacifier does!
You MUST either buy a white noise machine or download a white noise app on your phone. Seriously. I blast white noise at night and Finn instantly knows it’s time to settle down. It even works in the car when he is crying in his carseat. I’ll turn on the app and play it over the bluetooth. Sometimes I even turn the app on and put my phone in his carseat if I’m at an appointment or something and want him to stay asleep.
Finn didn’t love to be swaddled after the first few weeks but I did use the Halo Swaddle Sleep Sack for about 8 weeks ever single night. I would swaddle him in it with arms out.
I bought an exercise ball to bounce on when I was pregnant. It was pretty useless for speeding along labor BUT it’s been an excellent baby soother. Finn loves to bounce.
Bath + Grooming
You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a tub. This one is $17 and works like a charm. I do recommend getting a tub though instead of sink baths. Finn has really grown to love bath time and it’s a fun part of our evening routine to let him kick and play in the tub.
I use this shampoo/body wash, this conditioner and this baby oil. I also highly recommend getting a grooming kit. If baby is born with a full head of hair, you’ll need a brush. And it also comes with useful things like a thermometer, nail clippers (god help you with clipping baby nails…most terrifying job ever) and more.
PJ time after evening baths is the sweetest time of day for me. My heart melts. These are by far my favorite PJs. They are soft and I love that they zip instead of button. Bonus is that they zip from the feet up to make evening diaper changes as painless as possible.
ETC.
By far my favorite wipes. These swaddle blankets come in the cutest patterns and are super functional. This backpack style diaper bag is functional and stylish. Love this portable changing pad for public and backseat diaper changes. This nipple cream will save your life in the early days. You will live in comfy pajamas (short sleeve version if you have night sweats like me!). This nightgown is super easy to slip down to nurse. These changing pads are cheap and great for the changing table or to keep in another area of the house to have another changing station. Love this diaper cream. And finally…Finn is JUST starting to “play” and has really enjoyed his Kick N’ Play Piano Gym! It’s given us hours of entertainment.
YOUR TURN!
Please add your 0-3 month must-haves below!
The only thing I would add is a pack n play. We’ve got one with a bassinet and diaper changer setup that we keep on the main level of our house so I don’t have to go upstairs to change her every time!
Our 4th babe turned 2 months old yesterday. All babies are so different but I’d say must haves:
+my breast friend. I had the boppy for the first 2 and then was gifted the breast friend for the 3rd and it was a world of difference. So much better!!!! Comfier, crozier fit, more secure and allowed me to walk around with it if necessary.
+rock n play: my first 3 slept in it until they were 4mo old!!! My 4th does not appreciate sleeping anywhere but next to mama or in a carrier. However on super fussy nights it’s worked like a charm and I still use it daily in the kitchen, especially in the morning when hes happiest, as a place to put him so I can cook or clean or function with both arms. We actually have had 2 for our last 2 babies so I wouldn’t have to carry it up and down the steps. It’s used that much! Also great for feeding them solids before they can sit.
+ergo! Great for transitioning between smaller and bigger kids, good back support and can be used front and back (once babe is older). I’ve used mine religiously for 6 years now and it’s still holding up. For little babes on hikes it’s great as a back carrier too and I can easily strap it + baby on solo.
+JJ cole agility wrap: worth it for the first few weeks and months. It’s so much easier than a moby or solly. I can easily strap it on in 10 seconds solo. Easy to shove in the diaper bag and keeps baby snuggly.
+a backpack. You truly dont need a fancy diaper bag. I never used them for the first babes but use a backpack now. It holds everything, has pockets and can easily go on my back while baby is on my front.
+zipper onesies! Ain’t nobody got time for snaps in the dark in the middle of the night.
+aden and Adonis swaddles for swaddling, burp cloths, changing pads, sun shades, blankets, etc.
+swaddle me swaddles. Velcro = lifesaver. Though I will say only #4 has liked anything to do with being swaddled.
And none have taken a paci. Of any variety.
The ergo is life over here.
Halo swaddle. It’s the only one that last through the night without escapes.
Second the rock and play! Lifesaver.
My arms lol. I’m on my third baby and swings, bouncers, etc etc don’t amuse them. They want to be held.
Wait I forgot one! Gripe water to help brand new babies get that gas out!
Also coffee. Coffee is truly essential. So far this is true ages 0-almost 4 years. I imagine until at least age 18.
I have a lot of these on my registry!! I’m feeling good. That monkey bouncer is one of my favs and I put two on there for the twins. I had SO much trouble with the stroller because I couldn’t get a traditional travel system with twins! I added some of the wipes to my cart! Thanks for the suggestion.
Great Post!! I’ve added most of these to my registry. Can’t wait to see what everyone suggest!
Great list!
If you find nail clipping scary (as I did), try the Little Martin’s Nail Trimmer. I enjoy trimming my 10 month old’s nails! : )
I think once my baby got closer to the 3-4 month mark I bought him the Fisher Price Sit Me Up chair and it was one of the best things I bought! I helps them learn to sit up and it has toys attached to it so they can play while you shower, cook or anything really! The Rock n Play though was a lifesaver! He still tried to lay in it after hitting the year mark but he is too long now and knows how to get out of it haha
I use the Moby wrap and love it! It takes some time to get the hang of but I feel like he likes that it is soft and cozier than our Ergo. But the Ergo has more stability so that’s great for us too!
This post and comments are SO helpful!!! Thanks so much!
How has NOBODY mentioned the Nose Frida?! Best lifesaver ever.
I loved the Boon Grass to dry bottle and pump parts.
Those were my two faves.