February 28, 2024 | Categories: Pregnancy & Parenting
I became a first-time mom in January 2020 and was fortunate enough to have some experienced mom friends help streamline the baby registry process—they were quick to share their must-haves, as well as those that I didn’t need to bother with. .
Fast-forward a bit and I became a mom of “two under two” when I gave birth to my second son last October. I held onto most of the baby stuff from my first child, so I didn’t need to do a lot more shopping, but there were some new items I added to my list.
Being a new mom (twice) during the pandemic was definitely stressful, but I was appreciative of being able to do one-stop shopping at stores like Target. Bananas, children’s Tylenol, diapers, and pajamas for me all in one trip? Check, check, check and check!
Here are some of the items I registered for at Target, that I bought myself as a new mom, and that I’d recommend as postpartum must-have products for you and .
A swing or bouncer
I registered for the BABYBJÖRN Bouncer chair after seeing a friend use it and like that it has different seating positions, is easy to place baby in and allows you to rock them with your foot. It folds to a compact flat position so you can store it under a crib or another piece of furniture, and it’s washable—thank goodness! The rocking motion is soothing to baby and they might even nap in here, as my second child often does
A baby carrier
A friend actually passed down her Ergobaby Carrier before my oldest son was born. But if I were to register again,I’d go with the Ergobaby Omni 360 All Carry Positions Baby Carrier Newborn to Toddler with Lumbar Support. It offers four carry positions and grows with baby from newborn to toddler (7 to 45 pounds). I needed babywearing to keep my firstborn calm while I did chores, cooked dinner, and wrote at my standing desk—and I still rely on it for my second when I’m pulling double duty at the store or the playground.
Muslin swaddle blankets
You might not believe it in those early days, but you’ll be a baby burrito-swaddling pro in no time. I like big, lightweight muslin swaddle blankets like the Muslin Swaddle Blankets 3-pack from Cloud Island because they stretch nicely and don’t tend to overheat a baby who’s already wearing a onesie or full-body pajamas. You’ll want to have one in your diaper bag, several in the nursery, one in the car, and a few will probably be in the laundry at any given time.
A sound machine and night light
I registered for the LectroFan noise sound machine and liked using several different sounds as well as volume control to help my oldest son fall asleep and stay asleep. Then I discovered the Hatch Rest Sound Machine Night Light which I could control from an app on my phone and use as a monitor. I was sold! The Hatch allows you to personalize favorite sounds, volumes, and colors, and I like that you can use it without a cord for naps away from home or in another room.
Hands-Free Breast Pump
I used a hospital grade breast pump for my first son but I had a feeling that being tethered to a cord while pumping would be tough while tending to a toddler and a newborn. I sprung for the Elvie Double Electric breast pump and was grateful that I was able to pump hands-free while cooking dinner, folding laundry, and eating meals. I like that the Elvie pumps are lightweight and discreet and you can monitor milk production with a Bluetooth connection to the app.
Car seat
This is on every new parent’s registry item list, and for good reason—car safety is paramount. After doing some research, I registered for an infant car seat that would work with my stroller system. But a wise friend told me to add another car seat to my registry that my child could grow into, and if I had another child, I’d be set with a second car seat already. They were right, it was so nice to have the on hand when my firstborn outgrew the infant car seat by seven months.
An extra-large water bottle with a straw
Drinking a lot of water can help you keep your supply up while breastfeeding and help you feel more energized throughout the day, something every new mom could use more of. I find that I tend to drink more—and spill less—when using a water bottle with a straw. That’s why I love this 24-ounce version from Contigo with a flip-top lid. It doesn’t leak when it gets knocked over at night or turned upside down in my diaper bag.
Comfortable pajamas
After giving birth, soft fabrics will be all that you want against your skin while you heal. I was gifted some nursing and maternity pajamas but I recently bought myself this soft-short sleeve collar top and shorts pajama set. They aren’t nursing pajamas but they have a button-down shirt that’s also easy to lift if you’re breastfeeding. They’re lightweight and cool—perfect if you’re dealing with hormonal night sweats after birth—or if you’re just a hot sleeper.
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