One of those burning questions when planning for a baby for the first time is “What are the must have baby items for first time moms?” How can you possibly know what you will actually need and use since you have never done it before?

Aside from the very basic items such as a car seat, crib, clothes and diapers, I wanted to put a list together of items that were essential for me to have as a first time mom. These are all things that I used almost every day, if not every day, in those first 6 months plus of having a baby. If I was to go back over and do it again, I would not want to do it without these crucial items and here’s why!

1. Comfortable baby carrier(s)

This is an item you will want from day one! Just because we have a baby does not mean we don’t still have errands to run and things we need to do around the house. From doing the dishes, to eating a meal and even enjoying a friend’s company, being able to carry your baby hands free makes a WORLD of a difference.

There are several carrier options out there so you should be able to find one that is within your price range. Also, some may be better for certain ages and activities than others.

I personally started using the Boba Wrap when my daughter was first born up to around 6 months of age. It is a bit complicated to put on so I watched a YouTube video and had a friend demonstrate how to put it on for me. Once I got the hang out it, I used it almost every day! The fabric is super soft and cozy for both baby and mom.

I loved the feeling of my little one being tucked in safely to me and it made nap times a breeze. It sort of mimics the feeling of being in the womb since they can feel the beating of your heart, the vibrations of your voice, and the warmth of your body.

Once my daughter was a bit heavy for the Boba Wrap I switched to the Ergo Baby carrier. This is a little sturdier and good for on-the-go activities like walks with the dog, going to friends and families houses or even just getting housework done. The baby would fall asleep easily in this also, which made naps easier outside of the house.

The Ergo Baby carrier and others like it grow with your child and allow you to do front or back facing and eventually carrying them on your back as well. Once they reach a certain weight, you will want this option to save your own back!

2. Convenient baby bath tub that grows with them

This is another must have item that will be needed right away. I know there are different opinions on how soon to bathe your little one and that’s up to you but eventually you will start bathing them. A baby bath tub doesn’t have to be anything fancy.

It is extremely nice to have one that has a mesh hammock that the baby lies on while you bathe them. It is already kind of scary giving your tiny fragile baby a bath for the first and several times thereafter, so having a soft place to set them on is crucial.

Once they are able to support their heads and sit up a bit on their own they can be placed in the main padded seat of the baby tub. I used one with a foam padded head rest and a support piece between the legs so sinking into the water wasn’t possible. This is an important safety feature to me!

Eventually, they will reach the age and stability to be in the regular bath tub. Before this happens though, it will be paramount to have a safe and convenient baby bath tub to wash them in.

3. Play yard with changing table/infant insert

Having a safe place to lay your baby down is extremely important. While the crib may seem like the perfect solution it is not always practical or convenient. Thus, I recommend having a product such as a Pack n Play. The various functions that it serves makes it even more valuable.

I got one that has an infant insert so you don’t have to reach all the way to the bottom to lay down or pick up your little one. As a note, this feature has a weight limit.

The other feature that is crucial is the diaper changing hammock. It provides a nestled in place to change your baby and it is at about waist height which helps save your back from strain while bending over.

Once they reach a certain weight, you then remove the changing table and infant insert and you have a safe place for your child to nap or play that allows some freedom and peace of mind for you.

4. High definition video & audio baby monitor

This is an area with a variety of products out on the market. It can be overwhelming to choose the right one that is going to fit your needs. This is particularly important for us first time moms that may be a bit more paranoid (or cautious to put it nicely) to be out of site of our babies.

YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO SEE YOUR BABY ON THE MONITOR! Trust me on this one, just having sound to hear when your baby cries is not going to be enough to settle your mind. Having a good quality camera so you can see down to the detail of you baby breathing provides that piece of mind.

It allows you to put them down with confidence to take a relaxing bath or much-needed shower. To have a nice dinner with the hubby…even if it is at 10pm at night. Perhaps even watch a movie. The possibilities are endless! All while being able to check, in a glance, at your peaceful little angel sleeping away!

We wound up getting the Axio brand that came with an HD monitor and two cameras. The double cameras was nice if you plan on having more than one location that you put your baby down for a nap or sleeping at night. We placed one in our room where we had the bassinet and later a Pack N Play set up and the other was in the nursery pointed at the crib.

Other features that are nice to have when it comes to your monitoring device are:

– Temperature of the room

– Ability to move the camera side to side, up and down, and zoom

– Movement alert and cry alert settings

5. Baby swing or rocking/vibrating seat

Baby swings and rocking seats are a great way to keep your baby soothed and entertained while also giving your arms a break. There are many options out there so you may have to try a couple to see which one your baby likes best.

These can also serve as a help in getting your baby to fall asleep and/or stay asleep for naps. The swaying and rocking mimics the feeling of being in the womb and can help settle them to sleep.

6. Wipe warmer with a night light

This one serves two purposes that are mostly related to nighttime diaper changes.

The first, especially if you have a baby born in the cold of winter, is to provide a warm comfortable diaper changing experience. This is important when changing diapers in the middle of the night so you don’t shock the baby with a cold wipe which can stimulate them awake.

Secondly, if it has a night light on it, then you can change the diaper without having to turn overhead lights on. This can also potentially rouse the baby and wake them.

7. Sound machine with white noise and music options

Sound machines are an effective way to comfort a baby and allow them to sleep without being woken by any little noise in the house. Babies are used to the loud noises of the womb, so make sure to hit the soothing decibel level of around 50 or higher.

Crank up the volume as loud as it goes and turn it on for every nap time and night sleeping. Who knows, you may even sleep better yourself if you and baby are in the same room with the sound machine.

Conclusion

With so many baby products out there these days it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones for you and your family. These are just some items that I would not have wanted to go without for my baby. Do your research, look into reviews and when in doubt, wait to purchase something until you can be assured the need is there.

Were there any other baby items that you could not live without or were recommended to get from a friend or family member? Still have further questions as to which brand is best for these must-have items or any other questions? Please feel free to leave a comment below!