Our 10 Favorite Things & Must-Haves: Newborn Edition

Our little McCartney has been in this world for two and a half weeks, so I'm pretty sure that makes me a baby product expert, right? ;o)
Maybe not, but we definitely have found some things over the last couple of weeks that we absolutely LOVE!
So, I've compiled a little list of our favorite gifts and purchases, our must-haves, and more for bringing your newborn home.
Enjoy!

1.  Aden and Anais Swaddles

We were so lucky to be gifted two sets of these from Brittany and Grace.  Let's just call it like it is - they are AMAZING!!! So soft and they get softer and softer with every wash.  Plus, they are huge in comparison to other swaddles which I think makes swaddling so much easier.  They're also great for covering the car seat and covering up while nursing if your hooter hider isn't nearby.

Oh, and I was glad to hear awhile back that Aden and Anais stands by their product.  One of my friends had some swaddles and one kinda frayed in the dryer.  She sent them an e-mail about it and they sent her a whole new set!  I love when companies believe and stand by the quality of their product.  It really says something about them.

2.  Aden and Anais Burp Cloths (aka Burpy Bibs)

Once again, another A&A item to love.  We got two of these at my baby shower and I am just a little bit obsessed with them.  First of all, being Aden and Anais they are incredibly soft (have I mentioned how soft their stuff is?).  They're also realllly long and have a curve in their design so they fit perfectly over your shoulder and stay put.  We keep one in the living room and one in the bedroom so that I don't have to go on a search for them when it's time to burp her.  I plan on ordering a few more because they are so awesome and the more the merrier.

3.  Fisher-Price "My Little Snug-a-Bunny" Cradle Swing

We actually purchased this* and set it up the weekend before she was born.  It was one of those last minute impulse buys and thank goodness we did!  She LOVES it!  She sleeps in it during the day and is happy as a clam to rock back and forth while I make dinner or fold some laundry.  We chose this design because of its features (mobile, mirror, music, different swing speeds and directions, etc.) and because it fit into our living room decor.  However, any model would work.  Just find the one that you like the best.

*FYI: When shopping at Babies'R'Us make sure you compare the prices online.  Often they are way cheaper.  For example, this swing was about $25 cheaper online.  So, here is how we went about saving that cash.  We ordered it online and did a site-to-store pickup.  It was already in-stock and was ready to be picked up within an hour and we saved a nice amount on it.

4.  Graco Pack'n'Play

I did a lot of research before I registered for this.  Originally I had one picked out with a lot of bells and whistles, but the more I read about them the more reviews I found saying that all that stuff was unnecessary.  So, I finally decided on this one and we really like it.  It is a simple playpen, with just a mobile and the newborn sleeper as extras (we don't flip it over for the changing pad).

Originally we had it on the other side of our bedroom.  But when we put her in it the first night we decided to do some rearranging.  My nightstand and lamp got the boot and we placed this (it fit perfectly btw) right next to my side of the bed.  It's wonderful because when she cries I can just reach over and get her out to nurse her.  Also, it helps me be a little less paranoid since she is right next to me (I'm always checking on her and making sure that she's breathing and is okay.  Don't all moms do that?).

5.  Cloud B On the Go Travel Size Plush Sound Machine (Sleep Sheep)

After reading a ton of awesome reviews, I decided on this sound machine.  It has great sound options (creek, rain, ocean, whales!), a timer with different settings, and a velcro strap so it can be attached to the stroller.  Right now we have it hooked on the pack'n'plays mobile where she can see it.  We use this as part of her nighttime routine and it definitely helps her doze off.

The only thing I don't like about it is that I blame the nightmare that I had about a tsunami the other night on the fact that we were listening to ocean waves.  Let's just say it was babbling creek and rain sounds for the rest of the week.

6.  Swaddle Me

We didn't really use these the first couple of weeks, but the past few days we've been using them at night to "burrito" our little gal.  She is really strong and at night this keeps her little arms from sneaking out like they do in her regular swaddles (I swear the girl is like Houdini - no matter how secure you have her those little arms escape).  While we don't use these every single night, they have definitely become our go-to if she is in a flaily mood when we put her down for the night.  They help calm her and make her feel nice and snug.

7.  A Cozy Blanket

I bought this the Saturday before she was born and I'm so glad I did.  It is just perfect for snuggling up on the couch.  It's so soft and the perfect size - just what I needed to wrap her up and hold her.  And trust me, you'll be wanting to snuggle more than anything else.

8.  Pampers Swaddlers

These diapers are fantastic!  So far, no leaks.  We've had a few very minor blowouts (only one major one).  Overall though, they keep the nasty stuff contained.  They're super absorbent and not too bulky.  Plus, they have the little line on the bottom that lets you know when there is a wet diaper.  Just a convenient little perk that I totally love.

9.  Burt's Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment

We've been putting this on her since we got home and so far her little bum is as happy as can be.  I did just order a tube of Desetin that is supposed to be amazing, especially for breastfed babies.  I'm excited to try it out.  In the meantime though, this stuff is wonderful!

10.  Amazon Mom

After doing some research before she arrived, I found that this was the cheapest place to get our diapers.  It's also nice because they deliver everything right to your door (so nice!).  For example, after a couple days I realized just how quickly you can go through a tub of wipes (especially when you have an extraordinary pooper like we do).  So, I went online, placed an order (Pampers Sensitive Wipes btw), got 20% off for scheduling future shipments (we'll receive a huge box ever two months), and boom done!  They arrived two days later on our front porch and saved me a trip to Sam's Club.


So, there you have it! Our 10 Favorite Things & Must-Haves for our newborn little gal!

What about you?  What are your favorite items for keeping your newborn happy?

~Kelly Jo