During their first months of life, babies require a lot of your time, so I’ve slept and bathed less than normal and generally not cared about my own appearance at all. I can tell you it’s totally worth it! It’s so amazing to see Journey grow and become more active with time.

In my short time as a parent, there are some must have items that make new parenting much easier.

Here’s my list:

1. Bassinet – When I came home from the hospital, I couldn’t move up and down much, so I slept in the living room with Journey. The bassinet I received as a shower gift from my TXU work family has been invaluable! She sleeps in it 90% of the time and we can easily move it from room to room. It also plays music to entertain the baby and has a light so that you can check on your baby without turning on a bright overhead light.     My bassinet
2. The NoseFrida Snotsucker – When my friend Lilia told me about this contraption, I was so grossed out by it! Though it had great reviews, it took me two days of Journey having a snotty nose to decide to give it a try. I can describe its effectiveness with one word — awesome!!! This thing is the new version of those old bulb syringes that our parents used on us and it works really well to help little ones breathe.
3. Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion – I knew when babies were born, they came out all gross and covered in goo… But I didn’t know that because they’ve been sitting it fluid for 40 or so weeks, that their skin peels and flakes a lot for the first few weeks. I received a few Aveeno sets at my baby shower, but the lotion is what I’ve been using on Journey the most. It feels like liquid silk and every time we go to the pediatrician she raves about how great Journey’s skin feels. I love it!
4. Boppy Newborn Lounger – James and I hold Journey a lot when she’s awake, but if we’re not holding her she’s normally reclined in her Boppy lounger. I take a lot of her pictures here since she can’t sit up on her own. It’s essentially a big, comfy pillow with a little indention for the baby to lay. This was a shower gift from my SMU mentor Alicia and I’m getting a lot of use out of it. Boppy Heirloom Newborn Lounger – Uptown Chevron Gray
5. Boon Grass Drying Rack – Babies need as sterile an environment as possible which means lots of cleaning! We’ve started incorporating bottle feeding and in addition to pumping each day, there are lots of pieces to be cleaned multiple times a day. The Boon Drying Rack and Twig Accessory allow all of Journey’s stuff to be set apart from our other dishes and the set up of the system allows parts to dry quickly. Thanks to my friend Kim for this purchase! Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack
6. Carter’s baby Memory Book – A few days before I went into labor I was in JcPenney and found this memory book in the baby section. Since we’ve been home, I’ve been obsessed with writing in it and recording things about her. My only regret is that I didn’t start it before she was born, but reminiscing things from my pregnancy has been a lot of fun. I’ve heard that kids grow up so fast and to take lots of pictures so this book will definitely help. I love that it holds 5 years of memories, so I have at least 4 years and 11 more months to obsess over my child! 

Being a parent makes you intrigued by the weirdest things, but I hope this list is helpful to a new parent or soon-to-be parent out there!

– L