Maggie is one month old! Time really does fly by and I can’t believe it. This isn’t my first rodeo, but I do feel like time is going by even faster with the second baby. I’m also very fixated on numbers right now. Lizzie is 3 and it’s such a fun age and I find myself thinking about when Maggie is 3 and then I realize Lizzie will be 6 and I can’t handle it! However the first month of having a new baby at home is a big deal no matter how many times you have done it. And having the right newborn essentials is key to making your life easier.
It’s hard to recall everything we did or used with Lizzie, so I’ve come up with new routines and product favorites for Maggie. You would think that it being the second time around I would have it down to a science, but I don’t and that is ok. One thing I do have down to a science is what I like and don’t like product wise. There isn’t a lot of trial and error with me, I know what I like immediately and go for it. I’m also stubborn, so making it work no matter what is part of the process for me.
Newborn Essentials
Newborn Essentials – Clothing
Cloudnine Onsies – Discovered these recently and they are a game changer. I only us zipper onesies because snaps are a pain in the rear end. And now I’m addicted to bottom up zippers. This zips up from the foot vs. the top. You only have to unzip it half way to change a diaper. Trust me, these will change your life.
Aden and Anais Blankets – These muslin blankets got us through the first few nights as Maggie just had to be swaddled. As she grew into her classic swaddles (below) I started to use these as general blankets. They are lightweight, easy to travel with in the diaper bag and great around the house.
Aden and Anais Swaddles – Babies love to be swaddled when sleeping and these are my go to. The fabric is lightweight and the velcro is beyond secure, it’s never coming undone. This particular swaddle has a zippered bottom so you can easily change a diaper without taking the baby out of the swaddle. These swaddles aren’t weighted or anything magically to get your baby to sleep, they simply keep them secure. I prefer this as I want the baby to learn to sleep on their own.
Monica and Andy Blankets – We look Maggie home in a full Monica and Andy outfit and matching blanket and use the blanket around the house. They are a great weight and ideal for the stroller too.
Newborn Essentials – Feeding
Dr. Browns Bottles – Hands down the best bottle out there. They are old school classics and work like a charm. There was no reluctance from either of my kids with these bottles.
Burt’s Bees Burp Cloths – White burp cloths sound like a bad idea with a baby, but its actually genius because you can bleach them. These are great at home or on the go and can double as a bib too.
Burt’s Bees Bibs – Love these! They are 100% organic cotton and are super soft against the babies face and neck. They have a large opening which makes it super easy to get on and off the baby.
Baby Brezza – This is life changing and night time (and daytime feedings). We had this with our first and are using it again. It’s essentially a baby Keurig for bottles. If you are using powdered formula this is a must have. It makes a perfectly warmed bottle in seconds. One thing to note is that the warranty on it is only good for a year. We took our first one out of storage and it didn’t work. The company wasn’t able to do anything about it, but we gladly bought another one because it’s worth it.
Newborn Essentials – Gear
Dock-A-Tot and Spare Cover – You cannot live without a Dock-A-Tot. It’s the best place to keep the baby in the early days when you are up and about. I keep it on the couch next to me and I’m able to move it from room to room easily. I like that it’s portable because is the baby is sleeping and I need to move rooms, I just grab it and go without disturbing the baby.
Car Seat Covers – I have three car seat covers and have used all three within the first month. God bless that Chicago weather for allowing me to use them all in the same month!
- Light Weight Cover – Milk Snob has the best patterned covers. They are used to use and wash.
- 7AM Enfant Cocoon Cover – My all time favorite baby item is my winter car seat cover. I have this one and also have a larger for a toddler. These are 100% worth the money. They are functional, washable and look chic.
- Rain Cover – I walk everywhere so having a rain cover is a must. I have this one, which is a universal cover and will fit most car seats.
Baby Bjorn Bouncer – Another option for placing your baby down is this bouncer. It’s very plain so it won’t shout baby on board in your home. It’s also pretty functional too, you can bounce it with your hand or foot and keep your baby occupied. They have this attachment that your baby can play with when they are a little older.
Other Favorites
Not included in this list are a few other favorite things I just had to have to have for Maggie. These aren’t necessarily first month of life must haves, but I wanted to share for all the moms out there.
Monthly Markers – I take monthly photos and use these stick on monthly markers. I prefer these to the wooden markers you place next to the child. No baby sits still so having the sticker on her makes it a lot easier to take the photo.
Gap White Onsies – I take her monthly photos in these onesies, I love the quality and having the exact same outfit for each picture is important so I can see her other changes.
Headbands – I picked up these headbands (here and here) for her monthly photos. I love the oversized floral look and the actual headband stays in place.
Baby Book – I used the same baby book for Lizzie. The format of this book is easy to complete.
Monthly Cards – I started this tradition with Lizzie and plan on doing it for Maggie too. We write her a card a month to capture milestones and I include a picture. When she is older she can have these to read and look at. You can find my full post on this here.
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