Red Wellies # 3: 12 Must Have Baby Items

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Having a newborn again after 9 years and fourth time around, I wanted to share with you my top 12 favorite baby items.

If you’re stuck for last-minute gift ideas or want to know which must-have baby items to add to your baby registry, here's a list to get you started.

Some items that made the list are tried and true and I’ve used before and are using again, others are new discoveries that we’ve fallen in love with.

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Click on the pictures for more information

1. Ergobaby Four Position 360 Baby Carrier & Infant Insert

If I was only able to choose one item from this list, then this would be it!
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Starting with baby #2 and after much research and tying of different carriers, we settled on an original ergo and loved it, that was 14 years ago and so for Baby Freyja we registered for the updated version Ergobaby 360 and infant insert and we’re thrilled with the decision. As with most newborns, Freyja wants to be held all the time and the Ergo is an arm saver and allows me to love, nurse, cuddle her and get a few things done around the house. Despite having a forth c-section the ergo is very comfortable over the incision area and can be adjusted to be worn by anyone from Daddy [6’2”] to Grandma [5’6”]. I highly recommend the Ergo and infant insert to allow wearing of babe from birth.

The infant insert should be used from birth to about 4 months of age or until baby can support her head well.

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2. Snuggle Me Organic

Even though I co-slept with our other kids, this time around we weren’t planning on it. We knew that we wanted the baby close and in our room for at least the first six months to a year and had a bassinet and her crib in there. But after 5 weeks of sleepless nights with her nursing every 1-2 hours, and worry about her after her stint the hospital when she was sick, we wanted her closer to us and after much research decided to try the Snuggle me organic and we’re all loving it! During the night, she sleeps on it between us safe and sound and during the day may take a couple of naps in it. She also just loves to lounge in it and as it’s so light it’s easy to cart from room to room.

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3. Andy Pandy Biodegradable Bamboo Disposable Diapers

We're cloth diapering however Freyja is a heavy wetter, so I needed to find a nighttime solution. Initially we used Pamper Swaddlers from the hospital but then after trying several of the natural choices out there came across Andy Pandy Biodegradable Bamboo Disposable Diapers. They are brilliant and hold the messiest of poops and largest of wees without leaking! And more importantly they are super soft and gentle on baby’s delicate skin as they are naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial which makes them perfect for even sensitive skin. They are 100% free of any Chlorine, Phthalates, Latex, PVC, TBT, Alcohol, Preservatives, and Antioxidants

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4. Ecopiggy Natural Rubber Pacifier

I hadn’t planned to use a binky, but when Freyja was sick with jaundice and undergoing her treatment and in an incubator, she wasn’t able to nurse for comfort aka use me as her pacifier, so we offered up a binky to help sooth her. She doesn’t use one all the time, but on occasion wants to and whilst we still use the Soothie pacifiers, she prefers the natural rubber ones and we love that.

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5. BabyBjorn Bouncer and Toy Bar

With the other kids they had the noisy, all singing, all dancing, lights flashing, vibrating baby bouncers and I must admit they did love them, but sometimes were overwhelmed. At the same time a good friend of mine was using the BabyBjorn bouncer which her baby seemed to really enjoy. After much research and as we’re trying to get back to basics with Freyja, we registered for the BabyBjorn Bouncer in organic cotton and the optional toy bar. It’s really a hit with her! It’s super soft and supportive with 3 positions for play, relaxing and sleep, and as a bonus can be used as a chair up to 2 yrs of age. It’s so much simpler and doesn’t overstimulate baby. The optional toy bar is also a hit and can be positioned easily at any height or removed completely. At 6 weeks Freyja discovers the toy bar and loved it!

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6. Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Mittens

From experience, no matter how short you keep your baby’s nails, inevitably at some point they’ll grab at their face and cry not realizing they’re the ones causing the pain. Therefore, since the day Freyja was born, she’s been wearing these cotton mittens. Initially all the time, but now I put them on when she’s upset or going to sleep so that she doesn’t scratch herself

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7. Shnuggle Baby Bath Tub

With the other kids, before they were big enough to go in the kitchen sink for bath time, I used the First Years bath tub which is still a wonderful option and makes bath time very easy, however with the reclining positon, much of baby was out of the water and prone to getting cold which is never good. After weighing up the options this time around we settled on the Shnuggle Baby Bath Tub and Freyja is thrilled that we did. With this tub, the only parts that are exposed are her chest, arms, neck and head.

She loves bath time and we love the functionality of it. The tub is designed with a large bum bump to help support baby in a sitting position and has a large foam back rest so baby isn’t leaning on cold plastic. Before baby can sit unaided, this design allows for one handed support and the other to bathe her and then unaided, supervised bathing when they are older. The tub should last them from newborn to 12 months.

Because of its small, lightweight footprint, it can be used anywhere in the house. We’ve used it in the sink or on the floor in front of the fire for the baby spa experience.

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8. Halo SleepSack

I cannot say enough good things about wearable blankets to keep baby warm and safe without using lose blankets. When Freyja was a newborn and still wanted her arms tucked in when swaddled we used the SwaddleMe infant wrap, and now that she’s a little older and bigger we’re using the Halo 100% cotton SleepSack Swaddle which still allows for arms to still be swaddled fully or partially or arms out, next we’re going to progress to the Halo 100% cotton SleepSacks until she’s too large for them. Available in microfleece and cotton, they’re designed with a reversible zipper which makes midnight diaper changes a breeze.

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9. Pigeon Baby Nail Scissors

If you’re like me, the thought of cutting a newborn’s nails fills you with dread. In the past, I’d used tiny baby nail clippers and nicked baby’s skin. After doing a little research I stumbled upon Pigeon Baby Nail Scissors, made in Japan. They offer 2 version, new and 3 months +; the only difference being the length of the blade. These little scissors are super sharp and cut easily and precisely, with the rounded tips ensuring safety. They make cutting baby’s thin nails a breeze when she’s asleep

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10. Muslin Everything!! Blankets, Towels, Burp & Wash cloths

Yup, muslin everything!! Muslin is soft and gets softer with washes, it’s adsorbent and dries quickly, breathable and lightweight, and can be doubled to add warmth... We have large receiving blankets, which can be folded into a two-layer triangle for swaddling, used as a stroller blanket, car seat cover or for privacy while nursing. Towels for bath time with a hood and tie that baby can use from newborn and grown into, super cute burp cloths which also snap together as a bib and finally wash cloths we use as spit-up cloths and for bathing her. Move over toweling, there’s a new absorbent fabric in town!

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11. Hatch Baby Rest Night Light, Sound Machine and Time-to-Rise

Both hubby and I love to sleep to a sound machine, something soothing like waves crashing or gentle rain and when I was looking for a nightlight for Freyja’s room was delighted to come across this combination of night light & sound machine. From the app available in the App store and Google play, you can control the type of sound & volume, color and intensity of light, so no need to disturb a sleeping baby, all this is controlled remotely. Once your child is older you can set programs to run each day to help them get on a healthy sleep schedule, using the time-to-rise setting to help them learn when to get up.

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12. Boppy Nursing Pillow and Cover

I confess… I have 2. One in Freyja’s nursey and another downstairs. I’ve used them with all the kids and have found them to be great for not only nursing but also to help baby to be held more easily by her siblings. This added support has allowed her to have many sleeping and awake cuddle/bonding sessions with them. [It also allows me to nurse her and support with one arm whilst typing this with one hand ] There are a variety of covers and fabric choices to support all décor and personal preference. Downstairs the cover is a fun 100% cotton print which is cool and smooth to the touch, upstirs a subtle, soft 100% cotton jersey double sided print. As baby gets a little older it can also be used, under supervision, as a support when she’s sitting.

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Well, that's the list. If you'd like more details on any of the items mentioned above or have any questions, please comment below and I'd be happy to help you out!

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Original content by @redwellies