Now that I’m preparing for Baby #2, I’ve been processing all over again what to buy, how to set up a nursery and everything in between. I figured now was as good a time as any to share a few of my favorites and must-haves for any new mamas out there!

Nursery

The first thing we all think about when it comes to a nursery is a crib! I did SO much research on this topic and my mom ended up buying our crib, so I didn’t even pick out the specific one we ended up with, but I love it (check it out by clicking here)! It’s a 3-in-1 from Dadada and it’s been super easy to assemble and use.

Thinking about this purchase a second time around, I’ve realized the crib matters much less than the mattress. We sprung for a Newton Baby mattress with Micah and I’ve LOVED it! I know they use it as a marketing scheme, but it really does give me peace of mind that it’s breathable if the baby gets face-down. Plus, it’s completely washable and waterproof! Check it out for yourself here.

Another all-important nursery item is the nursing chair! I spent so many hours in that thing, and I’m glad we got a good one, the Abingdon Swivel Reclining Glider. But closely behind the chair in importance is the curtains! I had no idea how much this would matter for baby’s sleep, but it really does. You need complete black-out coverage regardless of the time of day or window size. Click here to see my favorite (super affordable and almost always on sale) set of curtains.

Sleep

Sleeping takes up SO much of a baby’s first year of life, and we wanted to make sure Micah slept well and on a schedule from as early of an age as possible. I know people have varying opinions on swaddles and sleep sacks. I’ll be honest with you, we have used EVERY kind of swaddle and sleep sack known to man in Micah’s first 12 months, and all of them worked well and were needed in each season. This is an area that depends on your baby and will take some trial and error. One good place to start if you’re just looking for something to put on a registry is the Love to Dream swaddle because it can transition and zip off/on depending on what the baby likes and needs in each stage.

Another often-debated item is a sound machine. I would say it’s a MUST! We use the Hatch and there’s a reason it’s a best seller. But I would honestly say anything that works consistently with noise will do the trick. We’ve already bought a second cheaper sound machine as a backup that we might also use for baby #2.

Lastly, I’ll mention the all-important baby monitor. I think there are tons of great options out there that will get the job done. It is just a relief to be able to see and hear your baby anytime. One feature that was important to me was a sensitivity power off. Basically, when the baby isn’t making loud noise, the monitor will turn off the screen and sound so you (and your sleep) aren’t disturbed. Don’t worry, you can always tap one button to check in on that cute bundle if you want to :). We also didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on something in case we needed to replace it. We’ve had great success with the iFamily Baby Monitor and I would highly recommend it.

*One side note: There are varying opinions on the Owlet sock. We were able to get one second hand and it’s been great to use during sickness in times of stress/worry about the baby’s oxygen levels, but it wasn’t practical for us to use every day.

Feeding

Let me save you even more time here and tell you that recommendations in this area completely depend on your baby. You might have to do some trial and error on size and flow and type of bottle. We got a whole set off our registry that were a total bust! Again, if you’re looking for a place to start, in my opinion you can’t go wrong with having some Dr. Brown’s bottles on your shelf.

If you’re breastfeeding, the one thing I will advocate for until I’m blue in the face is hands-free Momcozy breast pumps! They are affordable, amazing and a HUGE convenience when you’re pumping and trying to live a normal life.

Travel System

This is another area I did a TON of research on. I would have loved a Mockingbird or Nuna, but I just didn’t have the budget for it. We ended up with the Chicco Bravo Travel System and I’ve LOVED it! It came so highly recommended online and I can see why. My only regret in this area is not registering for a regular car seat too. Micah outgrew the infant car seat quickly and the car seats are no cheap item. We ended up finding a Graco Extend-2-Fit secondhand and have really liked it!

What else would you add to this list?

Of course there are several more areas and dozens of products I didn’t hit on this list, but hopefully this is a helpful starting point for you as you plan to welcome your little one. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions about baby gear (marina@thepursuitblog.co).