The Milky Time Baby Registry Guide

I struggled to decide where to begin for the first real post of Milky Time before I landed at the daunting behemoth that is the Baby Registry. In hindsight, it was probably not the best idea because I had no idea how long it would take me (I have been working on this post for literal weeks now, already deviating from my post frequency right out the gate).

I’m starting here because when it came time for me to build my own baby registry, I remember it feeling like being asked to write a research paper in another language, one that I did not speak. Because what even is all of this stuff? What does it do? Do we need all of it before our baby arrives? Will making a “wrong” choice mean I am a terrible mother? What should I wait for and put on my registry, and what should I just buy myself?

Obviously every pregnancy, child, labor, and baby is different, not to mention you and your lifestyle are your own. There will be things here that some people don’t need, so trust your gut and follow your intuition—an approach that will serve you well in parenthood.

I am breaking these items up by category and noting the relevant age for use so you can decide what needs to make it on to your registry, what to get yourself, or what might make more sense for you to try out with your baby or toddler today. And I earn commissions on these links at no cost to you to support this project

I do have a few little call outs before we dive in:

• It’s important to me to provide shopping options on Milky Time beyond Amazon. In part because I really need/want/urge all of us to not do so much shopping there. I understand that this period in life is one where those very fast at home deliveries are life saving, and I am not here to reprimand or wag my finger. But the VAST majority of the shopping links that I now find through any cursory search online are for Amazon. And more and more of the shopping round ups that I read, including those I consider reputable like The NYT’s Wirecutter, seem to be linking almost exclusively to Amazon.

  It feels like a ridiculous consolidation of choice, i.e. an absolute monopoly. Like we are being made to believe that Amazon is the only online option out there—which is far from the truth. So what I will say outright, and perhaps this is the closest to finger wagging that I will get: if we want a world not ruled by billionaires with exploitative business models, we need to move with greater intention when we choose where to spend our money. If we want to continue to have options outside of Amazon, we have to seek them out and support them. So I want to do some of this research for you and provide alternative outlets to buy all of this stuff. My hope is that I can make it an easy and delightful experience :)

  • But also, because I am a pragmatist, I am still including Amazon links below my suggested first choice links. I am doing this because I am anticipating that some readers may still opt for purchasing there. And I get it, sometimes it makes the most sense, sometimes shipping costs are prohibitive, or the subscription option makes life easier and saves money. You do you, and do what works best for your life.

• I have very intentionally omitted links to the brand Momcozy. I don’t even know if I am allowed to write this, but I will lean into the bliss of my ignorance if I’m not. I have heard multiple reports from independent brands whose products have been duped by this company, like this one. Many of those businesses subsequently either have to downsize or go out of business entirely. Momcozy’s business model is not unique, it’s a tale as old as time: copycat existing, successful products then deploy very well endowed marketing campaigns. They get the benefit of the intellectual property, research and development, labor, and market research of those much smaller companies, but because they shout the loudest in the marketplace, they eclipse the original makers and assume credit.

  I know firsthand the investment it takes to develop something that doesn’t exist, so this behavior really upsets me. I see every dollar spent with them as a dollar taken from a more deserving business. This might sound extreme, but Milky Time is written by a lifelong small business owner <3

• I am not a parenting expert or clinician, I’m just a person who has been through this experience :)

Time Needed: Ideally you will have most of these things on hand before going into labor

Deodorant I hate to tell you, but the way your body smells after birth, with all of the hormonal shifts and evolutionary traits (apparently our scent becomes more intense so our babies can recognize us in the wild?) is INTENSE. I know that this is also a time when are feeling extra conscious about what products we use, what our skin is absorbing, and what we may be passing on through breastmilk. If you hope to go with natural deodorant (vs antiperspirants that contain aluminum), here is what worked best for me and in my ~pungent~ era

• AKT just rose to the top of my list as my new favorite natural deodorant. The scents + how effective it is are just chef’s kiss unmatched. The bonus is that these are scents what I would seek out to wear in any case. Their sampler pack is also an incredible travel/throw it in your bag for reapplications, and a great way to find which scent is your fav. I love the tiny tubes! They also have an unscented option if you would prefer a more neutral layer.

  • To maximize its efficacy (or the efficacy of any natural deodorant), you may consider also:

    • wash your armpits and under your breasts with a benzoyl peroxide based cleanser (which is safe to use while breastfeeding), I use this one.

    • use a serum or cream that contains a 2% or less concentrate of salycilic acid (more concentrated than that is considered not 100% safe for use while breastfeeding). I use this one.

    • use a natural spray deodorant for reapplications throughout the day. This has been a long time fave (it also comes in a travel size that you can leave in your bag).

Belly Bands (for post C-Section)

• Bodily C-Section Belly Band I found this absolutely essential after my emergency c-section, particularly when I went on walks or moved beyond shuffling around the house.

• You can also repurpose your pregnancy back or hip brace (if you had one) as it usually sits right where the scar is, lending some supportive compression when you are more active.

Recovery & Nursing Clothing in terms of clothing that you can wear round the clock, the main themes for me were: sets that made me feel put together, gentle waists, and button down/easy access tops. I will go way further with this list in a future post.

• Le Bon Shoppe Balloon Pants I have been living in these since my postpartum days, I don’t know how it’s possible for such casual pant to feel so chic and so comforting to wear—they are pretty magical.

• A playful PJ set that feels anything but dowdy, the color will burn through the haze of sleepless nights. Depending on your bust size, you can either access from the neck by releasing the tie or the trapeze top is perfect for breastfeeding from below.

• This set could go from bed to the world with no one blinking an eye, and would wear so well as separates.

• a Nursing Lounge Set that is perhaps the most expected/practical, but still has some cool twists

• A spicier nursing friendly top by Negative I think you could actually wear braless? Matching pants also available

• Sol Wrap Sweater I love anything ballet inspired, plus this is the ultimate easy access/could even possibly get away braless. Big bonus points for being organic.

• Any button down is just perfect, and very easy to find in a thrift store or on a resale site. I love the rich cocoa colorway.

• A Pointelle Cardigan

• Base Range Boxer Culottes for a gentle, non compression, over the tummy pair of bottoms that feel like very “I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom”

• Oddo Body High Sleep Short for over those sexy disposable undies

• I am bookending with Le Bon Shoppe without meaning too, but their Parachute Pant have been in steady rotation for me since I first found them at Raba Marfa last winter. When I was nursing, I often would find myself in just my nursing bra and I feel like paired with the high waist on these pants, it would totally work

I am keeping this clothing section short, but there will absolutely be a far more comprehensive pregnancy and postpartum post coming soon.

Supplements

• Sunflower Lecithin absolutely essential for avoiding mastitis (for me anyway). In the beginning you can take a smaller dosage regularly to prevent blockages, and/or take larger doses short term to address more acute blockages.

Recovery

• Scar Tape (for C-Section recovery)

• Waist Support

• Organic Disposable Undies You can usually take all of the disposable undies you will need from the hospital, so I would wait to purchase. These Rael ones are great because they are made from organic cotton when you are ready/if you end up needing more

• Always Discreet (I have seen these mentioned on multiple forums, I am not sure what is so special about them, but apparently, they are!)

Postpartum Undies

• Bodily The All-In Panty: 5-Pack love these Bodily ones, can wear while pregnant as well as postpartum (whatever kind of delivery you end up having)

Age needed: typically needed from 1-3 weeks after birth, once baby’s umbilical cord stump has fallen off

• Towels

  • You can absolutely just use your regular towels :)

  • Dusen Dusen Kid’s Hooded Towel We registered for and received this one. I love the way it looks! But as has been the case with a lot of items from this brand (which aesthetically I adore), the quality is a bit meh. The cotton is also conventional, and knowing what I do about the amount of pesticides and harmful chemicals involved in the production of conventional cotton, I would recommend trying to opt for organic cotton as much as possible. That all being said, it is incredibly cute.

  • Lalo Ribbed Hooded Towel + Bath Mitt. I love a set. When I am tired, I love how matching sets reduce visual noise. And I appreciate how easy it is to pluck a set out of the laundry when I need it quickly (as my folding leadtime is typically 5-7 business days lol). This other option from Lalo is super cute and would coordinate with a few of the wash cloths I am linking below.

  • Parachute Organic Hooded Toddler Towel with Ears the plush organic terry, but really the ears!!! We purchased a set of Parachute towels around 5 years ago and they still look fantastic/have held up super well.

  • The Amazon option, Burt’s Bees is a reliable, affordable brand, and I do love the wide stripes of this matching set.

• Wash Cloths This can likely wait until you are progressing to a few baths a week (in the very beginning you will only be doing one a week). Also of note! As much as I love cute washcloths with embroidered faces/details, they are really not ideal against baby’s skin, and sometimes it’s annoying to have to work around them.

  • Depending on how many washcloths you have, you absolutely can just use what you have!

  • Coyuchi Cloud Loom™ Organic Baby Wash Cloth, Set of 6 this is my ideal number of washcloths as someone who doesn’t want to be doing laundry every other day but still wants a fresh washcloth for each bathtime. The two-tone piping makes these a versatile partner for whatever towel situation you opt for.

  • This Lalo The Organic Washcloth 3-pack matches the yummy ribbed hooded towel and mitt linked above, matchy match baby.

  • Plush Parachute Organic Baby Washcloth with cute binding on the edges. Also matches the above hooded towel with ears :) Sadly the mosaic is currently out of stock, but I personally love a white washcloth because it won’t hide any marks or stains.

  • Kassatex Chairish Towels. Admittedly, these are not organic, so not my first choice, but I am including them because I am so taken with the design (and the potential of adding a matching bathmat).

  • Amazon option, Burt’s Bees, my steady betty, has tonal or all white organic cotton sets.

• Baby Bath Tub before our baby could sit up steadily on her own, we felt most comfortable with a stand alone bath tub. At first we used it on the kitchen counter, then we transitioned it to inside the tub (which is when the padded kneelers really come in handy, and will continue to when you go full bathtub).

  • Skip Hop MOBY® Smart Sling™ 3-Stage Tub this is what we ended up getting. It is light weight, has a little hook for hanging to dry/store, and has an adjustable hammock seat that can grow with baby. Here it is on Amazon.

  • Lalo The Bathtub, but…I do always look at this one as the one that got away. It also comes with this gorgeous, coordinated kit of entirely useful things (faucet cover, pitcher, knee pads, etc). Here it is on Amazon. The few times I have seen this tub on FB Marketplace, it was being sold for marginally less than the cost of a new one, but that could have just been the luck of the draw that week!

  • Knee & Elbow Saver whether or not you purchase the Lalo Tub, I would absolutely recommend these, you will definitely also use them when you transition to the full size tub. Here it is on Amazon.

• Baby wash, shampoo, creams, etc.

  • Tubby Todd All Over Ointment Eczema Treatment gave me sticker shock at first, but oh my gosh am I an absolute simp for this brand now. This cream seems to cure *almost* everything. We haven’t had cause to use it for eczema, we just use it as a general purpose balm for any kind of redness, chaffing, scratches, or raw skin. The tub also lasts a super long time as a little goes a long way. I’ve even used it as an all over cream when we’ve run out of body lotion.

  • The Baby Bundle by Tubby Todd this is their set of shampoo/soap, cream, body lotion, and diaper paste. I love their two in one shampoo & soap, it’s what we regularly use at bath time. The only thing that I have not used from this lineup is the diaper paste. Here it is on Amazon as well.

• Bath Tub Thermometer

  • Rubber Ducky Thermometer this is not overkill, you really do need it— baby’s skin is thinner than ours making them especially sensitive to water temperature. I once put my daughter in a too hot bath and am scarred for life from the experience. An alternative on Amazon.

Age needed: Sunscreen is not recommended until after 6 months, so in those early months, hats and skin coverage are ideal. We began using hats anytime we wore our daughter and relied on the shade of our stroller otherwise. When it is sunblock time, I have not found aerosols ideal for a very small children, I don’t trust that it won’t be ingested or make its way into little eyes.

• This Hat from Carter’s is made with organic cotton and is wildly adorable, they have it marketed for girls but I think it is quite unisex. The strap is essential. And here is an Amazon option that is similar. PS, I have long been finding the occasional but unbelievably cute thing from the Carter’s Little Planet organic collection like this and this.

• Itzy Breeze 3-Speed Stroller Fan™ this thing is clutch—we now have two and we always have one on our stroller, especially if we have the shades pulled down to keep air circulation up. An Amazon option.

After 6 months:

• Tubby Todd Mineral Sunstick SPF 30 I like this one so much because it is a physical sunblock rather than chemical, it is compact but concentrated, won’t open and leak, and is easier to apply in the stick format than the usual zinc cream, for me anyway. I also have the Tubby Todd’s mineral sunscreen and I have found myself reaching for the stick more. Here it is on Amazon.

• Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Baby Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50 this sunblock has over 6k reviews, and like all mineral sunscreens, a little goes a long way. It also has a super innovative feature where the cap changes color with UV exposure, which serves as a great reminder to reapply. Here is is on Amazon.

Age needed: All will depend on you, your baby, your goals, and what your body decides. I would recommend having a bottle or two on hand even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, just in case.

Bottles

• Pigeon Bottles. They are also available as a gift set with some handy brushes (I absolutely always use the nipple brushes—my most used sponge the first year we had our daughter). I had the most incredible lactation consultant (Jessica Semar at It’s More Than Milk in Austin if you are local) and she is the one who turned me on to Pigeon bottles. After I switched to them, I never looked back. I am really excited to see their new silicone coated glass bottles. They also have an awesome adapter kit that made transitioning off of bottles when our baby turned one super easy. Here is the Pigeon store on Amazon.

Bottle Drying Racks

• Customizable Pegboard Drying Rack I love the nodes for nipples, etc, and that it is so adaptable. Similar option on Amazon, but less customizable.

• Tower Countertop Bottle Drying Rack this one is great for space efficiency if you have limited counter space. Similar option on Amazon.

• GROWNSY 6-in-1 Baby Bottle Sterilizer and Dryer We had one and I really appreciated having it. They are useful, especially during those first 6 months when baby feels most vulnerable. Anything new can go in here before use. I would sanitize our bottles and my pump parts roughly every third use. Here it is on Amazon. I don’t totally think that you need one, or a new one (look for these second hand for sure), but they are useful.

• Bottle warmers I think this is something that you can skip. You can use a warm bowl of water to warm your bottles, or you might find that your baby doesn’t mind cold milk. We had one and used it constantly, but in hindsight it occurred to me, we didn’t even try feeding our baby cold milk. If you end up getting one (we liked/used this one) be sure to change the water between uses. You might also want to get a portable bottle warmer so you can replicate the same temp on the go.

A note on The Baby Brezza Formula Dispenser: We used the Baby Brezza formula dispenser when we started combining formula with our breast milk (more on that in a future post). We purchased one on FB Marketplace, and later purchased a travel version new. It was the best thing that happened to us since sliced bread at the time. That said, after we were done using ours, we came across reports about issues with the dispenser measuring severely under the serving size. For one mother, it led to her child being under nourished for a few months before they realized what was going on. After hearing that, I would not feel comfortable recommending it. If you do want to try one, check your favorite resale marketplace, there are always options locally for me on FB Marketplace.

Breast Feeding & Breast Care (this was a category I preferred to keep off of my registry and did my own purchasing)

• Nursing Bras—this will depend on your body and your preferences, but here are a few options that I liked:

  • This set from Bodily is so good, and is great for getting a feel for what you like.

  • This is the cutest nursing bra ever, this one is definitely for breastfeeding only, and when I wore it out, I added nursing pads (see below)

  • This is the comfiest

  • Comfy budget option, I would recommend the black, it will wear better in the longrun.

• Le Lolo Nipple Salve I love this stuff so much—the package design is chic and luxe, making it feel like a little treat to use. The ingredients are 100% organic and make me hungry just reading them: Organic extra virgin olive oil infused with calendula flower, marshmallow root, + chamomile, organic coconut oil, organic kokum butter, organic shea butter, organic mango butter, organic beeswax. I got this after beginning with Motherlove Breastfeeding Nipple Cream. Their cost and ingredients are similar, but Le Lolo has a few additional ingredients and the order is a bit different, which seemed to work better for my body. Le Lolo is not available on Amazon, but Motherlove is.

• Soothing Silver Nursing Cups these are one of those things that seems wild when you are on the other side of motherhood, but they are really awesome. I kept mine in the freezer and would put them on after my nipple salve. Having the physical barrier between your skin and your bra is also very alleviating when dealing with chapped nipples. Here is the Amazon link.

• Reusable Nursing Pads I leaked like crazy and reusable nursing pads were essential. I was given a bag of them secondhand from a friend, but I love that these come in a variety of colors and are organic. Amazon option.

• Disposable Nursing Pads these are handy when traveling or when laundry is too high a mountain to climb.

• Lactation Massager this is something that might seem extra, but using a massager with the warming feature really helped me when I had clogged ducts. I used this way more than ice packs or any other stuff I bought for nursing discomfort.

• Haakaa Generation 1 Silicone Breast Pump this being called a breast pump was confusing to me, but after using it I understood why. The suction created when it is attached to the breast draws milk out passively. A friend gifted this to me to use while breastfeeding by attaching it the breast you are not feeding from so you can collect milk at the same time. Here it is on Amazon.

• The Brest Friend I had no idea how much I would rely on my nursing pillow, especially the first several months of breast feeding. I liked that this clipped on, and had a little pouch. They now offer an organic cotton cover too. I would walk around with this on once I got comfortable with breastfeeding and I always felt like one of those cigarette girls in old movies. This is widely available on FB Marketplace, though when it comes to pillows/soft goods I am hesitant (12 years in New York did that haha). That said, you could probably wash the entire thing if it gives you pause too. Here it is on Amazon.

Breast Pumps

• Measure your flange size (aka your nipple diameter) to be sure you order your breast pump in the correct size. This can make a big difference with both comfort and output. Some stores will measure you in person, or you can order a measuring kit with flange inserts like this, or print one for free. Once you know your size(s)—for some folks it can be different nipple to nipple!

• Get a spectra with your insurance and apply for a second pump (preferably a travel/wearable) the next calendar year. Getting it through insurance will also set you up with all of the replacement parts and milk storage bags you will ever need.

• Or buy a Spectra, especially if you will only be getting one pump. I had the S1, the cordless/rechargeable model, and it was a total workhorse. Of the three pumps I ended up with, I reliably got the most milk from my Spectra sessions. Here it is on Amazon.

  The settings are confusing, but a lactation consultant in the hospital gave me this cheat sheet that made all of the difference for me:

  Spectra Settings Cheat Sheet

  • Start pumping an Massage Mode 70 Cycle/Suction 1 (slowly increase suction to 4 or 5) until milk starts to flow

  • Switch to Expression Mode 54 Cycle/Suction 4 or 5

  • Every few minutes (or when your milk flow starts to slow down) lower your cycle speed and increase the suction level

  • Cycles speed are 54, 50, 46, 42, and 38

    Suction levels are 1 - 12

  • Switch back to Massage Mode if your milk stops flowing (you might just get another let down)

  • It is very important to never use a suction level that is uncomfortable. Doing so could cause pain and nipple damage.

Hoseless/Wearable Breast Pumps Based on my own experience, and some anecdotal asides during my many lactation appointments, if you are going to get just one pump—it is not recommended to get exclusively a hoseless wearable model as this can lead to higher instances of mastitis. The suction power is just not the same. I’m not saying it absolutely will, just a hard ~might~

• Willow Go is great for a second/on the go pump. It also always seems to go on sale during the big annual ones. I used to wear this and pump while I was driving. The catch is, I sometimes found it hard to get the right suction/attachment on my larger breasts (40DD when not breastfeeding, no idea what they were when I was nursing, but larger than that), so this might be better suited for medium to smaller breasts. Here it is on Amazon. Willow also has their own unique flange inserts.

• eufy Wearable Breast Pump S1 Pro I have not tried this one, but I am seeing it recommended more and more, and I think that the heating feature sounds really cool. I would sometimes use the heat setting on my breast massager to help with let down, and I love the idea of that feature being built in to the model itself.

Breast Pump Accessories

• Adjustable Hands Free Pumping Bra this bra was essential, I ended up getting four of them total and they were heads and tails above every other pumping bra that I tried, and I tried A LOT of them. What stood out about this one over all of the other ones was how firmly it holds the flange of the pump from the moment it goes on. With every other bra I used, it was only after suction had formed that the connection would feel secure, and even then I didn’t always feel like I could get around as freely while pumping with out losing suction. I also appreciated the way the fabric absorbed milk vs forming super conspicuous stains. Here it is on Amazon.

• Milk Storage Bags I tried many, these were my favorites. Here they are on Amazon. The best advice to guide your purchasing, however, is how it will store best in your freezer scenario. This kind of storage, or this which I hadn’t seen before (the flexibility would be perfect for the irregular shape of some bags), work perfectly with these bags. You could also use things you already have around the house—tupperware, a pyrex baking pan—or check out a thriftstore.

• These kinds of bags worked better for a friend whose freezer was too small for those kinds of storage bins, she preferred the rounded shape.

• Milk Pitcher I thought this would stress me out, or lead to cases of crying over spilled milk (literally) but I ended up loving the pitcher method. I would collect all of my pumped milk throughout the day and at night, I would fill my bottles for the next day and then bag and freeze what was left. If I had carryover from the prior day, I would just fill and freeze more bags. Here it is on Amazon. One thing to keep in mind though, is that evening milk is shown to have more melatonin and tryptophan, so you may want to keep that separate to maximize the nighttime benefits (so says the NIH, among others).

• Reusable Glass Jars, I started here, and I ended up just ordering more bottles and using the Milk Pitcher. Here they are on Amazon. Depending on the bottles that you end up choosing, you can often also find ones that fit both a storage lid, a nipple, and attach to some pumps.

• Ice Packs lately I have been packing tiny little lunches and I’m realizing that for the long haul, lunchbox sized ice packs would have been more useful for my breastmilk on the go. The colors from this brand are really fun.

• Breast Milk Cooler how serious you get with this will depend on how long your milk needs to be stored for, and if you are pumping/carrying daily vs occasionally. This was the one that I got, I will admit, because of how cute it is, however, this would not be recommendation for 8+ hours of cooling, something like this would be. I also got a bottle sized insulated pack for bringing bottles of milk into the wild with one of these tiny cooling packs that fit in the base of it.

Sanitizing Accessories

• Dapple Baby Breast Pump Cleaning Wipes, 25 CT highly recommended on all of the parenting forums. Here it is on Amazon.

• Silicone Bag If I am out for only one pumping window, I usually just store the used parts in a reusable gallon bag. If it’s an option—I will rinse them first, but usually I’m bagging because there is no access to a sink.

• Pump Sanitizing Bag we got one and I never used it, but I always see them recommended and they are affordable. The one that I bought is still in the trunk of my car :)

Solids file this under, you have time/do not need to worry about this right now. First bites begin around 4-6 months, with more regular eating as you approach the first year.

Since a high chair is a bigger ticket item, I am including just that for now so you can get the most out of your registry! And believe me, we will talk about solids in depth in a future post—I have so much to say!

• Stokke Steps High Chair this is the one that we got, we really like it, but apparently it was pulled from the market right after we bought it, and we ended up not being able to find a tray anywhere for it, so we have been borrowing a tray from friend all of this time. It was just re-released though, so yay! I love that it is the only thing we will need to purchase until our daughter is sitting in a regular old chair. Here it is on Amazon.

• Stokke Trip Trap High Chair We did not get this one, but whenever I see them, I still kind of which that we did. I just love the way it looks and everyone I know who has one loves it. They also seem far more straightforward to clean. Here it is on Amazon.

Burping! Burp Clothes! Spit-up Collars! day zero. You will need so many!!!

• Konny Baby Bib these make me so happy, so happy. Because spit up is just alllllll the time, and this at least made dealing with it wildly adorable.

• 8-Pack Lumi Muslin Bandana Bibs a more traditional bib option (our baby pretty much permanently had a bib on for the first several months of her life)

• Burt’s Bees Organic Burp Cloth 5-Pack

• Mushi Organic Burp Clothes 2-Pack I was always pumped when these were clean and available again, the size is so nice and I love their prints

Age Needed: Day 0. If you have a hospital birth, you will almost definitely be able to take diapers home with you.

Changing Pad

• Nursery Style Wipe-Clean Changing Pad We have a funny upstairs downstairs set up at our house, so we ended up needing to get two of most things. For a changing pad, I surprised myself by preferring the one one linked above. The things I liked about it were: easy to clean/wipe down, easy to find washable liners, stays put on the table, the open foot end lets it grow with baby, and the detachable mobile was a great point of focus for our daughter in the early days. Here it is on Amazon.

• NATUREPEDIC Organic Cotton Changing Pad This was the one I thought that I would prefer, and I think the main reason I didn’t is that we used this on top of a dresser, and I was not able to use the stabilizing strap. I added a grippy fabric underneath, but it didn’t really help. It is organic cotton, but it has a plastic coating to make it wipe-able. That said, I loved that I could get organic cotton covers for it like this. Here it is on Amazon.

• Keekaroo Peanut Wipeable Changing Pad I used this recently at a friend’s house and loved it. If we were starting our nursery again today, this is likely what I would buy. It feels so solid, has the same easy of cleaning as the first linked option, and the open foot bed to accommodate growth. Here it is on Amazon.

Diaper Pail

• Ubbi Diaper Pail. These are made of stainless steel while also being modern, stylish, and come in a million colors. But here is what you need to know: they will trap the smell inside, as in you will not smell anything when the lid is closed. But they will really trap the smell inside, as in when you open the lid you will be met with an assertive stench. They sell their own brand of wastebags, but the beauty is that any tall kitchen bag will fit. To help contain the inner odor issue, we take the bags out more often, and we have been using their diaper sacks for poopies (which I don’t love because they are single use plastic and create that much more waste). They also now have odor absorbers but we have never tried them. Here it is on Amazon.

• MUNCHKIN - Step™ Diaper Pail I used this at a friend’s and I really appreciated the foot pedal and the odor control (I didn’t get slammed in the face with diaper odor when the lid opened like I do with our Ubbis), that said, I did not spend an extended period time in a small room with it. Here it is on Amazon.

Diapers I think the best you can do is try a few types to understand the best fit and what satisfies your own inner rubric when weighing all things like your baby’s body, comfort, durability, blow out prevention, skin concerns, environmental concerns, and cost.

Everyone wants to talk about Coterie! Here’s my take: I couldn’t bring myself to purchase Coterie diapers because beyond the millions of diapers we go through each day, there would be times when we would burn through multiple diapers in the midst of the chaos of just one changing with a dirty diaper and an extremely wiggly baby. Now that our kiddo is older and sleeping through the night, I would be weighing different variables and might feel better about spending $1+ per diaper if it truly lasts 12 hours and is proven to prevent skin irritation. That said, I would still only use them at night when my daughter is in the same diaper for that long of a stretch. Coterie says that their cost is off-set by needing to change your baby less, but there isn’t a world where I am changing my daughter’s diapers less during the day, and that is just too much per diaper change for me (especially in the beginning when it seems they are just wetting themselves every 20 minutes).

These are the diapers that we tried, either through sample packs or whole packages:

• Kudos (too many blowouts)

• Millie Moon (apparently recently recalled for chemical rashes?!)

• Coterie (see above)

• Dyper (best eco brand we tried but still had some issues with blowouts)

• Huggies Overnight (what we now use for overnights, we size up one size)

• Pampers Swaddlers (available at Costco btw)

• Pamper’s Pure, now called Amore, their non-toxic brand

In the end, Amore is the brand we chose. I really didn’t think that this would be the brand we’d pick, but it was the best fit for our rubric. Currently, I can only find them at Target and Amazon :( so it’s a pick your poison kind of situation. With the latter you can get a discounted subscription, but be warned: be liberal in your estimate when it comes to frequency!

My runner up brand up is Dyper.

For overnight, after reading multiple forums, we landed on Huggies Overnights in one size larger than our daughter’s actual size. Here they are on Amazon as well.

Again, I think that it all comes down to what aligns with your unique concerns, and most importantly, what performs best for you. I tried a lot of different variety packs, like these, and I also registered for the registry welcome gifts that many major retailers have, and it is quite easy to meet the requirements to qualify for their gifts without having to actually host your registry with them…this is something that I would only take advantage of guilt free from brands like Target and Amazon. These gifts are primarily made up of product samples, including bottles, diapers, wipes, and so on. There also seems to be a pretty vigorous DIY diaper sampling culture on Etsy?!

And of course I have to mention cloth diapers, and I send my blessings to anyone with the fortitude for this option—you are better than I! I have heard good things about this brand. Here they are on Amazon as well. As I have not used them, I don’t feel qualified to speak further about them :)

Swim Diapers The swim lessons I took my daughter to had the littles wear two reusable swimmies over each other, check their diaper for poop right before we got in the water, then pull baby out, above the water, and check their diaper every 15 minutes. If poop gets into the water, they literally have to drain the pool, so it is a big deal and something you want to manage as a good neighbor.

FYI, swim diapers are designed to keep poop in, and to let pee out.

• Reusable Swim Diapers (similar alternative on Amazon)

• Disposable Swim Diapers there are also disposable options like these from Huggies (also on Amazon), and Dyper (also on Amazon) which are apparently all just regular diapers with the absorbent layer pulled out, so it is very easy to also just DIY your own if you use disposable diapers (or DIY your own with your cloth diaper cover).

Wipes I never knew how deeply opinionated I would be about wipes. Yes, there are differences. Preferences run deep because different wipes have more or less friction, come in different sizes, effect skin differently, and either come out one sheet at a time with one hand, or don’t.

• Pampers Aqua Pure. This is the one brand I like, and I am sure that there are other great brands out there…but every time that I opened a pack of something new, I had to use up all of the sheets, even if I did’t like the wipes. So once I found one that hit all the notes, I was done experimenting. They are non-toxic, come out one at a time (even with one hand), they have a decent surface area, the material doesn’t drag, and they don’t irritate my daughter’s skin. The 56 packs fit perfectly in my wipe dispensers too :) Here they are on Amazon as well.

  • Examples of why I wouldn’t like certain wipes: Water Wipes (really wanted to like these) too much friction/drag, sheet size too small, paper quality felt less durable); Huggies Natural Care, they do come out one at a time! But did not like the texture, and didn’t feel wet enough?

Wipe Warmers I would avoid anything like this that will be near impossible to replicate on the go/road/away from home, but if you feel dead set on one, or your baby demands it, here is an option a friend used and liked

• Munchkin Touch Free Wipe Warmer the touchless aspect is clutch!

Changing Tools: Booty Cloths, Peepee Tents, Diaper Balms, and Rash Creams for prevention, you want dry skin and a skin barrier; for treatment, you want a zinc based cream or ointment.

Booty Cloths

• DR. MAX'S Organic Baby Washcloths drying your baby’s skin after clean up is the best way to prevent diaper rash. I have 10 cloths total, I know that may sound excessive, but I like to have plenty of clean cloths on hand, and change the cloth once a day. I love the color palette and graphic stripes of these, they add a little bit of whimsy to an otherwise not so cute situation lol.

Peepee Tents

• Pee Gaurd / Pee Tent I don’t have a boy, but I have heard that these are invaluable if you would like to avoid peepee in your eyes! Here is an option on Amazon.

• A DIY Tutorial to make our own, thanks Debby from Patchwork Posse :)

Diaper Balms

• Tubby Todd’s All Over Ointment Eczema Treatment I was determined to avoid petroleum in diaper creams. We were able to do that successfully with Tubby Todds, which again, I just love. If our daughter is on the cusp of rash/has minor skin irritation, we apply Tubby’s followed by a skin barrier like those listed below.

• Weleda Diaper Cream honorable mention for the texture, smell, ingredients, and efficacy (for soothing skin).

• The Honest Company, Treat™, Healing Head-To-Toe Ointment in the non-petroleum world, this is as close as I have found to offering a similar kind of skin barrier to vaseline based ointments. Just be prepared to warm the ointment a bit before applying. I found the tub easier for scooping, but this squeeze bottle is likely more hygienic.

• La Petite Creme Organic French Diaper Cream and similarly this option

• Coterie Bum Balm based on friends & reviews, this is a very luxe and effective option.

• Maty’s I LOVED this brand, but they went out of business :(

• Aquaphor from time to time, in the cases of persistent diaper rash, we have had to break from intention to avoid petroleum and just use this old steady betty. Here it is on Amazon.

Rash Creams when facing real skin irritation and diaper rash, that’s when zinc based rash creams come in. These are usually for short term application.

• Babo’s

• Triple Paste Cream

Sidebar: I was not a fan of Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, on so many levels, from (un)ease of application to branding. I found it nearly impossible to rub in completely, and the remains on my hands were such a liability, I couldn’t do anything without a two handed wash, which, is just not always possible right away. That said, some people swear by it, and the price is very reasonable.

Changing Stations

Caddies

• Colorful Nappy Caddy I am obsessed with this stripey cutey! I’ve purchased it for a few friends. In my set-up, I keep cloths, creams, gloves, and diaper sacks in the dresser drawer below the changing pad; I keep diapers, wipes, and creams on top of the dresser in a caddy.

• Scalloped Rattan Tiered Diaper Caddy I love how this one maximizes space.

• Alternate theory, use a dresser as your changing table, then you can just leave everything that you need in the top drawers. Bonus! It can be used for something else after diapering season is over.

Age needed: you can purchase in advance, or bring your baby IRL into a store to try them on with your LO, or visit a store prior to birth to see how easy different models are for you.

We tried SO many slings! SO MANY. It was really hard for me to find options that felt straight forward/easy to put on alone (or whilst following around a baby), distributed weight evenly, and blended with my own aesthetic/what I typically wear, so I am only linking to my success/never looked back one.

• The Wildbird Aerial Buckle this was the one that hit all of my criteria, and after using it for over a year, my love has only grown stronger!

Age needed: They won’t let you leave the hospital without a carseat installed, and due dates are estimates at best, so I would get your car seat by 7 months and install it in your final weeks of pregnancy to make sure you have everything that you need to get it in place.

Strollers can wait, though it may be easiest to just have this ready and waiting for when you are ready to begin strolling.

• Nuna ® PIPA ™ Urbn Granite Grey Baseless Baby Car Seat + TRVL LX ™ Stroller Next Travel System at Crate & Barrel We got this combo and absolutely loved it, the ease of getting our daughter in and out of the car without having to take her out of the carseat as well, and the ease of connection, with it going directly to the clasps in the car was clutch. The one handed/one button fold down on the stroller, and the fact that it can sit on its own, was so helpful.

• Nuna ® PIPA ™ Urbn Granite Grey Baseless Baby Car Seat + TRVL LX ™ Stroller Next Travel System

• Nuna RAVA™ Next Convertible Car Seat We got this when our daughter turned 1 for the remainder of her car sitting days and continued using the same stroller. This carseat can also be used from day one (as in, it was not necessary for us to get the first car seat, except for the ease of using it as a set, which was a big sell for me). You can weigh what is most important to you, and if you do opt for getting one infant and one baby, toddler, and beyond one, you can always resell the infant carseat when you are done using it (or use both if you end up having multiple children).

  I would recommend going IRL if you would like to take a look at the collection in person to better understand the differences between models. Both of these outlets: Nuna at Crate & Barrel; Nuna at Nordstrom

  I’m not calling out purchasing carseats secondhand because an infant CPR instructor got in my head about the risks (such as not knowing 100% if the item is fully functional, how old it is, if internal parts have deteriorated, etc.).

  That said, if you know someone personally who is selling you one, or if a receipt with the date of purchase can be confirmed in a resale situation, I think it can be perfectly reasonable, and again, just depends on your own comfort level. I would also be more comfortable purchasing things like a stroller or a bassinet vs a carseat.

• Car Cam this has been such a game changer. We originally got a mirror and then switched to this (though we kept the mirror up because our daughter like to make faces at it :)

• Cabin Care Wireless CarPlay Adapter take note, this one is specifically for CarPlay equipped cars. Amazon option.

• Window Shade, this one can stretch to fit wider windows. This one is great if you are roadtripping and need baby to really sleep/truly blocks direct sunlight.

Dagny Dover All of the sudden, it was impossible to occupy any baby coded environment without tripping over a dozen of these diaper bags. They were recommended to us (it felt like) by everyone we knew. And we happily joined the crowd and bought a diaper bag that seemed wildly expensive, but also, what did we know? We’d never bought a diaper bag before.

One factor that I consider when weighing the cost of something, especially when it feels higher than my comfort zone or expectations is:

1) Material: is it durable? lightweight? will it wear well? is it easy to clean?

2) Value retention: will it hold value on the resale market?

In this case both are a yes. And it is a very attractive bag—if not ubiquitous—very thoughtfully designed and well made. I also love that it is unisex. The travel changing pad that it came with is also great. The scuba fabric is lightweight and feels super modern. BUT, if I am honest with you, we very rarely use it.

Which has led me to wonder if diaper bags in general, for drivers at least, might be unnecessary?

In practice, my husband just carries around a tote bag with: diapers, wipes, a small tube of cream, and a liner from our home changing pad, and teething crackers.

In my oversized purse: small toys/diversions, a couple of diapers, a small packet of wipes, a small tube or tub of diaper cream, a couple of snacks. I am also thinking of getting this for more active days.

Her water bottle is in her car seat cupholder, and one of us grabs it when we leave the car. In the trunk we have an emergency gallon of water, extra diapers/wipes/maybe a stray change of clothes, and doggy bags (more on that below).

Our cavalier approach aside, if I still lived in New York, or had a more urban/car-free lifestyle, I think I would be using a diaper bag religiously.

If you do opt for one, and if it is the Dagny Dover, do yourself a favor and check out Poshmark or FB Marketplace before purchasing one new. Or explore your holdings at home. There is no magic ingredient that makes a diaper bag a diaper bag other than whether or not it holds diapers.

Age needed: around 2-3 months (though you will likely be receiving them at your shower/as gifts)

I have to admit, reading Hunt, Gather, Parent (here it is new, here it is used, and here it is on amazon) changed my perspective on toys. The author, Michaeleen Doucleff argues that children benefit from just playing with the real world objects and tools in your own home. This is part of a broader strategy of integrating children into the household tasks and chores that run your home, making them more effective participants in the family team, rather than isolated into their own play zones with parents waiting on children hand and foot. I will touch on this book in greater detail in a future Milky Time Library post.

In our house, we set up a little Montessori shelf where a limited rotation of toys are available to our daughter at any given time, with books constantly available. We try to stick to natural materials for the toys that we purchase, but we also do not turn away toys (though we do sometimes donate them). We have lots of stuffies but usually just keep 2-3 out. It is so difficult to avoid synthetic fibers with stuffed animals and soft toys (especially when gifted or for longstanding sentimental ones). Keep in mind with wooden toys, however, that they can be quite menacing in tiny, impulse-control-free hands. So proceed with caution and play with care! The durability of wooden toys does make for great second hand fodder.

• Lovevery Play Kits We love the age specific nature of the Lovevery kits, and the frequency is perfect. This was a great registry item, but when our original gift subscriptions wore out, we ended up re-subscribing. We love their bath kit too.

• Lovevery Play Kits & Toys secondhand The materials used in most of these toys means they are quite literally indestructible, making the ideal for secondhand purchase. You can find a ton on Poshmark, FB Marketplace, in thrift stores, and likely wherever you like to shop secondhand.

• Lovevery Playmat yes there is a reason it seems like everyone has this one. We absolutely loved it—from the textures, to the tummy time card holder that can be swapped out, and its washability.

• Sarah’s Silks this company takes a page from the Waldorf school’s philosophy of open ended, natural materials to generate creative, imaginative play. The idea here, similar to Montessori, is what can the child do with the toy rather than what does the toy do for the child. In the latter, the child is passive, entertained. In the former, they are actively engaged and drawing on own their imagination. A silk scarf could be a cape, a river, a fort, a game (like peekaboo), etc from one day to the next. My daughter is presently obsessed with their giant rainbow play silk.

• Maileg these Danish, wildly whimsical universe of play have become emotional support toys for ME. I am absolutely obsessed. And there are many cotton toy options. For the littlest, their rattles, this tiny teddy bear, this sleeping bunny, and their small cotton toys are our favorite.

Age needed: for most items here, day 1

Thermometers day 1

I would recommend having both an internal thermometer and a non-contact thermometer. In the case that one does not render an accurate reading, I find it reassuring to have to more than one to go off of.

• Easy@Home, Digital Basal Thermometer internal option, well reviewed and affordable, and here is its amazon listing

• Dr. Talbot’s, Infrared Thermometer non-contact option, also well reviewed and wallet friendly, and here it is on amazon

• 3-in-1 Infrared Thermometer for Kids & Adults - Jax the Giraffe I am including this one based solely on how cute it is!! But in full transparency, I have never used it. It has 40 reviews on their site, and they are all positive. On amazon it has 111 positive reviews.

Gas timing will depend on baby

• BioGaia, Protectis® Baby, Probiotic Drops these can be especially useful after a c-section since babies miss ingesting healthy bacteria from the vaginal canal. Here it is on amazon

• Frida Baby Windi this is a wild tool, but it essentially allows you to release the gas out of your baby’s booty…you can wait and see if your baby suffers from excessive gas before you purchase this, or the below option. Here it is on amazon.

• Frida Baby Windi & Tummy Rub Set and this is the same thing with a warming belly rub that our baby found very soothing. Here is the Tummy Rub by itself on amazon

• Mylicon drops that help with gas. Here they are on amazon

• Gripe Water we used to use it, but further research suggests it is not ideal, especially for babies 1-6 months old where it might fill the stomach and lead to a false sense of fullness for the babe

Nail Care day 1

• Haakaa Electric Baby Nail Trimmer Set In the beginning, clipping my daughter’s nails was terrifying to me, so we used a dremel style one at first, like this. Here it is on amazon

• Safety 1st, Light Up Nail Clippers Once we moved on to regular clippers, first I just used ours (a very reasonable option). I also ended up getting these and my husband was like: can we use these instead of ours? Here it is on amazon.

• Interactive Nail Clipper I saw this in the course of other searches, and I have not tried it, but I am giving it honorable mention because I think it’s a really cute tool of distraction. Here it is on amazon.

Brushes & Combs timing will depend on baby

It wasn’t until after a year old that we needed to do any kind of haircare. It will all depend on your baby and how they decide to arrive when you will need any grooming tools, but it’s safe to say you will likely need these tools at some point, so you can purchase in advance or wait and see, up to you :)

• Domani Home Baby Brush and Comb Set I almost did a whole write up about how many brushes and combs there are on the market that look similar to this set, but of all that are out there, this one has the most supple looking goat bristles, also qualifies for free shipping :)

• Kyte Baby 3-Piece Brush Set I love the density of these natural, super soft goas bristles. And the delicacy of the comb. Here it is on amazon

Nose Aspiration day 1

Babies cannot blow their own noses or clear them themselves, so welcome to the world of boogie and snot extraction! When they have stuffy noses at night, it often means you are not sleeping, so these tools really come in handy. And yes, I am about to suggest an actual booger picker…

• Boogie Micro-Mist Saline Inhaler before using any aspirator, it’s a good idea to first try and loosen the mucus with sterile saline. This was our best option, and we just tried to keep it on as long as our daughter would tolerate. Btw, love this brand, hate their branding. Comp on amazon.

• NeilMed NasaKleen, Babies & Kids Nasal-Oral Aspirator our most used manual option, I found the lid on this one stayed on better than the Frida baby one that we first bought. Here it is on amazon.

• NeilMed, Babies & Kids Nasal Aspirator this is based on the original, manual bulb aspirators that we all grew up with. Call me a freak, but I really like that its see through so you can tell if you are actually extracting anything. Here it is on amazon.

• Hospital Grade Nose Aspirator we used this far more than I ever would have thought we would. We tried another one like this, but found it really did not have as much suction when it came down to it, and this is not something you want to be using either for long or more than necessary. Here it is on amazon.

• Baby Nose and Ear Cleaner with Case we are still using this regularly. Comp on amazon.

You have time! Worry about this once they are on the cusp of crawling.

Crib and/or Bedside Bassinet day zero

• SnuzSnuzPod5 Bedside Bassinet we really loved this, and also love that you can remove the bassinet top and use it solo, which really came in handy with travel. Since we purchased it, they have added wheels, which is very exciting.

• Nestig we love this crib! It starts as a mini for brand new babies, then transitions to a full size crib (transition time will be based on your baby’s length more than their age), then to a toddler bed. This model comes with the mattress for the mini crib, and then uses the same mattress for the full size crib and toddler bed iteration.

Crib Bedding mini crib bedding, day zero. Full size crib bedding, 6 months +

Qty: 3 sheets, 2 liners (each size)

Everyone is different, so I am including a few different types of sheets. Of these option, organic percale was our go-to. When in doubt, we always opt for the cooling option since it is more likely that babies will overheat than be too cold in sleeping situations.

In terms of quantities, I would recommend 2 sheets/liners for the mini, and 3 sets of sheets and two mattress liners for the standard crib size. Lay down one liner and one sheet; then another liner and another sheet. When there are messes in the middle of the night, this way you can just peel of the top two layers rather than having to reset the whole mattress mid-clean up. Once you’ve graduated to the full size mattress, you can keep one additional sheet in the drawer for back up/in case of emergencies.

Mini Sheet

Nestig Set of 2 Mini Mattress Organic Cotton Sheets organic cotton, very cute, a bit pricier for the duration of time you will be using them

Joey & Joan Set of 2 Mini Cotton Sheets jersey cotton, not organic, but short term use

Mini Liners

Nestig Set of 2 Mini Waterproof Mattress Covers

Biloban Set of 2 Waterproof Mini Mattress Covers

Crib Sheet

• Nestig Set of 2 Organic Cotton Percale Sheets these are still a bit pricier than I would usually opt for, but as a set, they are more affordable than many other options (including some listed below). I will say that I have found percale to be the most durable of the different sheet options we have purchased, and these will be in it for the long haul (vs the mini size which has a very short shelf life)

• Organic Cotton Jersey Sheet with a bit of stretch to hold shape

• Organic Seersucker Sheet

• Organic Crinkle Percale Sheet

• Organic Cotton Gauze Sheet

Crib Liner

• Nestig Waterproof Crib Mattress Cover

• Newton Set of 2 Waterproof Crib Mattress Covers

• Keababies Set of 2 Waterproof Sheets if I were doing this all over again, I might get this set instead of traditional mattress liners, and two of the above organic cotton sheets. This way I would still have the ease of a quick nighttime change with less bulk

• an organic amazon option

Snoo to Snoo or not to Snoo

• Snoo I will go more in depth on this in a future post :)

Swaddles day 0

You will need these as soon as you are home from the hospital. You can swaddle until baby rolls over, at which time you want their arms free and you can move on to sleep sacks.

2-3 swaddles to start should be all you need

Cloth Swaddles just a piece of fabric really, but a very soft and sweet one that magically becomes the most comforting place in the world for your baby. I had many, but we had an especially wiggly baby who was always getting herself free. That said, I would start here and see if they work for you, they are the simplest and most versatile option that also can double as a nursing cover or a blanket

• Organic Muslin Swaddle by Kindred Bravely, I love their patterns! An alternative on Amazon with great patterns and colors as well.

• Bobos Choses this is supposed to be a cool mom brand, like IYKYK ; ) organic and also create memorable prints for future use.

• Organic Stretchy Knit Swaddle

Velcro Swaddles

• 3-Pack Soothe Swaddle Wraps with Knot Hats I love that these come with matching hats as well, and ORGANIC!

• Halo Swaddle we absolutely loved these, the velcro swaddle really stays in place, however, these are not organic, and you definitely need to wash them in a laundry sack so it will not stick to every burp cloth in the washer

• Aden + Anais Essentials Cotton Wrap Swaddles (3 Pack) also not organic, but the prints are so sweet.

Sleep Sacks move on to these once your baby is rolling over until transitioning to a toddler bed around 2-3 years old. You will want 4-7 of these.

• ergoPouch Sleep Sack 1.0 TOG Oatmeal Marle organic cotton, 2-way zip, a longer body that is more blankey like

• Keababies 2-pack Snooze Sleep Sacks organic cotton, 2-way zip, and a standard fit

Age needed: it depends on your sleeping plans, but I would say, setting up the nursery before the baby arrives is much easier than waiting until after they are already here

I am just covering the basics here, we will definitely discuss nursery decor/decorating in a future post

Lighting & White Noise

• Hatch Sound Machine and Light the Hatch noise machine is perfect for nighttime changes. Set it to red for overnights. You can turn also adjust the setting to turn off the clock display after a certain time

• Hatch Go Sound Machine handy for travel, tha car, and for friend’s whose baby needs to crash at your place

Humidifier

• BabymoovCool Mist Humidifier I ended up purchasing two of these—the capacity is large, the nighlight is a lovely bonus, and the output is not hot so does not dankify your room :) It is about the size of a gallon of milk, so keeping that in mind when designating space for it! Here it is on Amazon.

Nursury Gliders & Recliners

• Babyletto Cali This is the recliner that I wish I got (I still think about it). We put the recliner that we did buy in our bedroom and daybed for our nursery

Daybeds or Montessori Beds if you do move your baby out of your bedroom, especially before one year, consider a space for you to sleep in the nursery on rough nights. We already had a daybed, so that made the decision for us.

• Picallio bedBED Montessori Bed I love that this can start as a Monetessori inspired floor bed to a standard twin

• Article Linia Twin Daybed a nice dark wood option

• Nestig Cove Daybed I really like that this has an option to add a trundle bed for when it becomes a kiddo bed and you are hosting sleepovers :) it fits with any of their daybeds

Age needed: even if your baby is sleeping in your bedroom with you, it is great to have this on hand from day 1

Nanit One Monitor and Flex Stand one monitor that can be viewed from your phone anywhere has been wonderful—it’s great when you are out for the night to be able to see your little babe sleeping (or not sleeping, lol). It also offers a much wider, clearer view than other monitors I have used. Here it is on amazon.

Non-Wifi Option That said, we also have liked having a typical monitor with its own audio output for night wakings and phone free viewings. Nanit has its on display unit, but it is quite pricey. It’s also nice to have a non-wifi option for times when the internet is down, so we have this in addition to our Nanit. Here it is on amazon.

I will discuss in a future post:

Baby Clothing I am going to dig into this in a future post, for now I am just covering footies, onesies, and hats/socks which are a day 0 buy.

I would recommend size 0-3 months, and when it is time to size up, consider skipping over to the next size

Also, these drawer organizers are so helpful for all of the tiny things

• Magnetic 2-Pack Footies love the ease of magnets, they are perfect when they are very little

• Burts Bees Organic Cotton Footies organic cotton, cute prints, and very affordable

• Young Days onesies are made with organic cotton and just a little bit of stretch, plus the cutest prints (which really do help when you are sleep deprived I swear)

• Magnetic Me “take me home set” is soooooo cute, and the hats are essential for new borns. Plus the soft/easy waistband is perfect for accommodating their umbilical stump.

• Next Onesie this brand is super fun, I love their sets, but I would say to wait to get into the fashun of it all until baby is a little older

• Baby Beanies If your newborn is going to be wearing hats, they should probably have ears on them.

Age needed: outdoor blankets can wait until 6 weeks on; play mat, loungers and rockers from the first days and weeks; activity tables vary, but typically from when sitting up on their own or 6 months; pack n’ play nice to have ready for travel but can wait until the first few months

• Inside/Outside Baby Playmat I kept this in our diaper bag, then/now the trunk of my car. It’s nice when they are really little, not even crawling little, and also great for diaper changes

• Puffy Picnic Blanket I keep this in my car or baby wagon and it’s so great to have for an impromptu sit down somewhere

• Lovevery Play Mat already mentioned in Play & Toys, with the mobile it is homebound, but the mat itself can easily be rolled up for travel. This is a great place to set your baby down and practice their tummy time.

• Aldar Convertible Activity Table this is in this section becuase if you have a movement obsessed baby like I did, something like this Montessori style activity table can be used once your baby is 6 months old and will be an absolute life saver for you. Also a great contender for shopping second hand.

• LEVO Baby Rocker I still wish we had gotten this one, but I would say that it may be wise to wait and see what kind of baby you have. Ours hated to be strapped into anything, so the kinds that we did get did not end up working out.

• Lounger Curve and Organic Cover Set as I mentioned above, we registered for several more complex rockers and loungers and in the end, our baby just didn’t like them! This was the one that we did use the most for the first several months.

• Infant Rocker this is kind of a cool hybrid of the two above options, with all organic cotton and a very sweet mobile for a gentler price than the LEVO

• Pack n’ Play® Close2Baby Lux Playard day 0 purchase! We have used this countless times for travel, and when our friend’s babies sleep over or take a nap

This is a great time to reevaluate your laundry detergent and your cleaning supplies with the new consideration of your babe’s skin and the items you clean that will ultimately come into contact with their mouth.

Age needed: could be nice to get in advance if you plan to prewash baby’s clothing/bedding, etc

• Branch Basics Laundry Detergent Love this company, have met the sisters and love that I can actually know the humans who behind the brand (vs a massive conglomerate)

• Dirty Labs Laundry Detergent also a huge fan of this one, such a fantastic option for baby laundry

  • I have admittedly not tried this variation, but I have used their enzyme boost, so I love that it is combined here as an all-in-one. And that none of their packaging is plastic in general is a big plus

• Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate I am obsessed with these grove concentrates, they smell SO good and I don’t stress about using them on surfaces that my daughter will eat off of. It’s BYOspray bottle, so you can re-use one that you already have or purchase one

• Branch Basics also has a cleaning concentrate if you would like to go all in with them, you might also consider one of their kits

• Bottle Parts Basket for the dishwasher

Age Needed: you can take your time with all of this, but I would recommend having a hamper on hand day 1.

Hampers & Toy Storage

• Misha & Puff Rattan Baskets (Set of 2) I purchased this Misha & Puff set, and it began as clothing hampers, but then become toy & stuffy storage (respectively)

• Blue Chicken Stripe Hamper love this circus theme (and also that it can be personalized)

• Felt Daisy Hamper I wish this wasn’t only available in pink, but it is from the same collection as my (now out of stock) diaper caddies, and I think this shade could be folded in with some bold and/or earth tones

• Ferm LIVING Pear Braided Storage Basket if I was buying today, I would have bought these for toy storage. I like a lid for storage and an open top for tossing dirty clothes into.

• Palmer Scalloped Hamper same note as above :)

• Pom Pom Hamper a nice lightweight, open option

• like-it Round Eco-Plastic Laundry Basket these are super duper basic, have the kind of utilitarian design that I secretly love. We use these for our own laundry and they stack, are lightweight, and extremely durable.

I hope that this guide is helpful! Please feel free to add your own suggestions and thoughts in the comments, we learn more when we share and show up for one another!

I will be revisiting this guide and updating/editing/refining as time goes on. I am sure there are typos in this version, things that I missed, and things to come back to.

Please take any imperfection as a sign of my humanity :)