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1. A backpack diaper bag because backpack > shoulder bag, especially when it comes to staying balanced while holding a baby on your hip. This backpack can hold everything you need in it — changing supplies, toys, snacks, spare clothes for baby, a spare shirt for YOU. (This is the voice of experience. Trust.)
2. A singing, light-up toy that will totally mesmerize your baby, distract them from crying in those high-stress moments, and turn tears into giggles. This little elephant is cute, cuddly, and super soothing. *adds to cart*
3. A waterproof mattress cover because getting up in the middle of the night to discover a blowout is hard enough... No need to do mattress cleanup, too! Pro tip: Buy two. Put a mattress cover and a crib sheet down, then layer another mattress cover and crib sheet on top. That way, you won't have to re-make the crib in the middle of the night!
4. A diaper caddy that doesn't actually look like a diaper caddy, because while you may be up to your eyeballs in you-know-what and wipes and diapers now, time flies, and wow do babies grow! You can totally repurpose this cute woven basket as a toy organizer later.
5. A tube of Aquaphor, the true MVP of parenting. Baby has diaper rash? Aquaphor. Drool rash from teething? Aquaphor. Boo-boos from just doing what babies do? Aquaphor. You get the point. Keep this one on hand at all times!
6. A set of three swaddle blankets that will come in handy in so many ways. Sure, you could use them to keep your baby warm or as a make-shift changing pad, but did you know that your tiny tot could also wear it as a toga after an epic blowout? Just sayin'.
7. A box of dog poop bags (yes, hear me out) for those moments where you're changing your baby in a restaurant and you don't want to be the people who left a SUPER stinky diaper in the single stall. The bags can help contain the smell, and you don't have to ruin everyone's meal.
8. A two-pack of zippered jammies, because NO ONE should have to fiddle with buttons or snaps at 3 a.m. on next to no sleep with a kicking and crying baby. No one. The inverted zipper on these makes it easier to reach your baby's diaper with getting them fully undressed.
9. A Maxi-Cosi baby rocker that comes with an infant insert so you can have a safe place to put your baby in those times when you just need a *minute*. As your little one gets bigger, they'll love bouncing and kicking, and it is seriously just the cutest.
10. A space-saving vertical bottle rack, because you will 100% lose all your living room space to the baby, but you don't have to lose your kitchen counter, too! Also, file this under things you can keep using long after you put away the bottles.
11. A five-pack of Medela steam clean bags (each one can be used 20 times!) so you can quickly sanitize everything from pump parts and baby bottles to pacifiers and teething toys, giving you more time to focus on what's really important: trying to figure out when your last shower was and how long you've had that spit-up in your hair.
12. A rolling cart that can be anything you need it to be! It's a diapering station, a pumping/feeding station, a clothes sorter, etc. This parenting thing? Oh yeah, you're on a roll now.
13. A stroller organizer because that stroller is basically an extension of your home, and it's going to have to hold a LOT of stuff. Bonus: This caddy has two insulated beverage holders — one for your caffeine (or grown-up juice) and the other for your baby's bottle.
14. A NoseFrida nasal aspirator, which honestly makes you want to vomit when you think about it, but when your little snuggle bug has a stuffy nose and can't sleep you will do ANYTHING. And this thing? Yeah, it gets the job done. That's love.
15. A baby carrier, because sometimes you just need to go hands-free, and wearing the baby is the only way you'll get anything done. These are especially helpful if you have a big sibling (like a daredevil toddler) to look after, too!
16. A Graco Pack 'n Play that is a true classic for a reason — it's a safe and sturdy place for the baby to sleep or play, and it's so easy to transport that you can use it at home or on the road. This is your BFF in those moments when you desperately just need to go to the bathroom and have 30 seconds to yourself.
17. A Wubbanub, which is truly the cutest pacifier around because your little can snuggle the attached stuffie at the same time. Pro tip: Get a couple different styles and commit to which one you're going to use each day. That way, you can keep track of it and whether it's clean.
18. A Nanit Pro smart baby monitor that will give every new parent the data they need to know about the most precious thing: sleep. Not only will you get insights and tips about your sweetie's slumber, but you can also monitor your baby's breathing. Psst: You can use your FSA or HSA for this one.
19. A Lil Mixins organic early allergen peanut introduction powder because exposing your little peanut to peanut protein early is known to significantly decrease the risk of an allergy later. This is nuts (sorry), and check with your pediatrician before, but it works.
20. A stroller with a reversible seat so you can get that coveted quality time and connect with your kiddo even if you're just going for a walk. And if you need a break, just have baby face outward for a bit. Choosing a stroller is like choosing a car for the next three-plus years... Gotta make sure you like it!
21. A multi-use antimicrobial carseat cover, which keeps your little one safe from germs and gives you both privacy when you need it. And we LOVE a good multi-use product.
22. A pair of Apple AirPods so you can listen to your audiobook while rocking the bébé to sleep late at night and not have to worry about anyone getting tangled up in the cord. Listen, not all baby purchases are actually for the baby. Treat yourself.
23. A cool mist humidifier that rotates 360 degrees to help your little one breathe when they have the sniffles, which means you can also breathe easy and maybe get a better night's sleep.
24. A no-touch thermometer for those times you need to take your sleeping baby's temperature during the night without having to wake them up...because you worked SO HARD to get them to sleep, and if you wake them up, there's a solid chance you might both cry.
25. A baby care health and grooming basics kit so you can keep your baby looking their best. This kit comes with a brush, comb, nasal aspirator, and a pair of safety nail clippers. The nail clippers are the most important here, because baby nails may be tiny, but they are SHARP.
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