5 Must-have baby essentials you would have never picked yourself

I wanted to take the minimalist approach when it came baby items for my child. My goal was to avoid the unnecessary clutter that came with birthing a child. Seeing moms with towers of items on social media made me realize how consumerism has taken over parenting. Everything recommended served a single use dedicated to baby that would later serve no purpose. I watched many essentials video deciding what was worth the cardboard box that would clutter my recycling. Two months into mothering and the random objects gifted and owned have become every day necessities that saved by sanity.

pexels by Helena Lopes

1. Kids Neck Pillow

When my baby was about 3 weeks old my grandmother and I went to the thrift store with my mother. This was my moment to get out of the house and take break from the baby. My mother had nearly killed us with her race car driving. My eyes were set on getting new blouses that fit my boobs.

I was in the dressing room for less than a minute before my grandma came waddling my way with the kids neck pillow. I didn’t see a use for it. On my 4th week of breastfeeding I reached for it constantly. My arm was hurting from holding my baby’s large head.

I refused to get a nursing pillow. They are too large and too expensive and too short lived. At least with this neck pillow, my baby could use it in the future. Not only that that pillow is small and transportable compared to a traditional nursing pillow.

When your baby has out grown nursing this pillow can be used for its intended purpose: travel. Some babies may even come to use the pillow as a toy.

2. Wiper Warmer

Have you ever put a cold wipe on your butt? The feeling is…startling least to say. If you wouldn’t want someone surprising you with a cold wipe on your bum don’t do it to your baby. A wipe warmer will make every diaper change a bit more peaceful.

A wipe warmer will always be a wipe warmer; but I think it can be a great addition to your bathroom if you commonly use wipes.

3. Baby Carrier

My baby was growing with me for 37 weeks. It is normal for your child to want to be on your body, feeling your warmth and listening to your heart. Your arms will tire trying to carry your baby around for his or her comfort. Opt in to getting the baby carrier. It holds your baby snug and frees your hands. I will say once you get used to not having to navigate with a bulging belly the feeling returns with the baby carrier. I cannot tell you how many times I have accidentally bumped by baby’s butt while he slept in the baby carrier whilst getting use to taking up less and more space.

4. Music Box

My favorite use of the music box is as an signal for nap and bed times. There are many on the market that are string pulled stuffed plushies. You will hate having the pull every minute or two but its gives you a place to tug when dealing with frustration during nap/ bed times. When my son was a premie pulling the music box to play before diaper changes would keep him calm when my voice no longer would.

The music box does not have to be used only during naps times. You can choose to play the music box during tummy time, stretches, and feedings. Adding music opens your baby’s ears to tones and pitches. Using music really shows its advantage when you don’t want to talk or have nothing new to say to your little one.

In the future, I hope my baby will learn to pull the music box for his own comfort.

5. Book light

There is a book light on amazon that is $8. A night light goes for $23. You can clamp the book light to your body or the edge of the crib. Choose the book light over the night light.