10 Baby Items You’ll Want To Have Ready BEFORE Baby Arrives

While in the third trimester of my first pregnancy, I am really feeling the pressure to prepare for our baby. There are so many things you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives. The doctor’s appointments are scheduled, the baby shower is done and now we wait. This can be an anxious time, just trying to not count down the days until our little bundle of joy is in our homes, safe and sound. 

10 Baby Items You’ll Want To Have Ready BEFORE Baby Arrives

One way that I am passing the time is by preparing our home for baby. We all know that babies seem to have their own timeline and schedule. Even though our baby has a due date of mid-July, we know that he could very well come early, or late for that manner. Either way, we want to be prepared. I have teamed up with a variety of companies for this post on 10 Baby Items You’ll Want To Have Ready BEFORE Baby Arrives. I was gifted some of these products in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

1. Diapers

The first thing you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives is diapers and lots of them! Did you know that the “average” newborn could go through 10-12 diapers per day! That is 300-360 diapers in just the first month alone! My husband and I actually had a diaper party to stockpile before our son’s arrival. Essentially, we hosted a party at our house providing food and refreshments in exchange for people bringing diapers. I would highly recommend doing something similar, as we should be stocked for the whole first year! Heads up, most stores let you return unopened diapers to exchange them for the proper size. I already exchanged some size 3s for newborns at Target.

2. Swaddles

Aden & Anais cotton muslin swaddles are the ultimate in breathability and softness. The fabric has a light, open weave, which allows a baby’s body temperature to regulate itself naturally in order to prevent overheating, and it gets softer every time you wash it!

Not only are these great for swaddling, but thanks to their generous size (measuring 47″ x 47″), you can also use them for a nursing cover, floor blanket, stroller cover and more! Swaddle blankets are another item you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives so you can wash them and stash them all over your house!

We are putting some in both living rooms, our bedroom, the nursery, and my Freshly Picked diaper bag. It is nice to always be prepared!

3. Boppy Nursing Pillow

I can honestly say that I do not think I have ever been to a home that has a new baby and did not have a Boppy Nursing Pillow. That is why this is something you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives! Boppy’s nursing pillow provides support to moms as they breastfeed their precious, little one. However, I have used this several times when bottle feeding my niece or just holding her once my arms get tired. For being my little peanut, she sure does get heavy, fast! You can see how adorable she is in her boppy pillow below.

So Many Uses

Along with being used for both nursing and bottle-feeding, the Boppy pillow can also be used for so much more!

• Propping baby: use it as a safe space to lay baby while you need both hands to get things done while staying within a safe distance of baby.
• Tummy time: help baby get the pediatrician-recommended tummy time. Perfect for propping baby up and a great angle for an adorable photo
• Sitting: The cut-out center provides the perfect little nest to support the baby while they are
  learning to sit.

Boppy offers a variety of slipcovers in all different colors and patterns to match any baby’s style or nursery theme. They also have a protective, water-resistant cover. And all covers are machine washable. Along with their nursing pillow, Boppy also offers several other items, such as pregnancy pillows, which in my opinion is one of a handful of must-have items for your second trimester. 

4. Baby Breeza Bottles

Whether you plan to breastfeed or use formula, this is something I feel you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives. Again, it never hurts to be prepared.  In my opinion, it will be a huge relief to know that I can pump and have someone else give the baby a bottle when I need to be away. Like all decisions, we are struggling to decide if we want to use glass or plastic bottles, so we plan to have both ready before baby arrives. Here are some pros and cons I have found for both.

Glass Bottles

Pros:

• They last a long time
• Can boil them to ensure they are clean
• No chemicals
• Easy to clean and sanitize
• Taste better

Cons:

• Heavier than plastic
• Could shatter if dropped
• More expensive

Plastic bottles

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Durable and won’t break
• Easy to measure
• Less expensive

Cons:

• Not as durable as glass, can scratch and lose clarity
• Absorbs odor

Our best choice was to start with both! Either way, we are planning to use Baby Brezza bottles. Baby Brezza Natural Bottles are a breeze to feed & clean. With only 2 parts and an ultra- wide mouth, they are the only natural bottle that’s easy to clean & assemble. And your baby can easily transition between breast & bottle with its wide, breast-like nipple. Each nipple features the TruFlo Anti-Colic System so your baby swallows milk, not air. And of course, all of their plastic bottles are BPA-FREE. These bottles are available in four trendy colors (charcoal gray, white, blue and pink).

Baby Brezza makes everything you need for bottle prep, clean up and feeding, plus so much more. They often offer sales and shipping codes on their website and are really a great way to get ready before baby comes. All of their products are easy to use, easy to clean and most importantly, save new parents time and hassle! Which is something every new parent looks for when purchasing baby products. 

5. Boppy ComfyFit Baby Carrier

If you plan to baby carry like I do, having the Boppy Comfyfit baby carrier is something you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives. This carrier works for babies 8-35 pounds, so it can be used for most babies from the very beginning. By getting this carrier early, I am able to practice and get comfortable with putting it on, tying it and taking it off. Practicing all while I am still getting a decent amount of sleep and don’t have full mommy brain just yet! However, I would not advise trying to baby wear while in your third trimester of pregnancy! So check out Janessa’s Boppy ComfyFit Baby Carrier review. 

What I love about the Boppy ComfyFit baby carrier is that it is the perfect combination of a structured carrier and a wrap. For me personally, I didn’t want the bulkiness of a structured carrier. However, tradition wraps scare me. I am afraid I won’t be able to properly tie all that fabric and am not sure my petite frame can handle all of that wrapping and fabric. Plus, it comes with a traveling pouch! How cool!

The Perfect Hybrid

The Boppy ComfyFit is like a hybrid between the two. It can accommodate a newborn 8 pounds and up in the front facing mode. The baby can later be worn in the facing out direction once they are 6 months and older. It offers the baby a structured seat for a secure position. Moreover, the carrier is one size fits most! Therefore, my husband and I don’t both need a carrier and can easily switch back and forth.

This carrier is made of soft fabric with spandex, so it feels like your favorite yoga apparel. It has a zippered pocket in the waist belt to keep small items within reach. Comes with a “stash n’ go pouch” to make your carrier small and portable when not in use and is machine washable. And is currently available in three colors; black, heathered gray and midnight blue.

Check It Out

Even though it is easy to use, I would suggest watching a Youtube video to see a visual demonstration. I found that it isn’t hard once you get the hang of it. Just go slow and maybe ask your partner to help at first until you are more comfortable putting it on yourself. 

6. Baby Bathtub and Bath Products

Don’t you just love the smell of babies? Clean babies, that is. Another item you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives is a proper place to bath your baby and bathing products. We went with a standard infant tub that can sit on our countertop or go into the tub. Of course, we also need bathing products. I used the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database website to find their safety rating on all baby products BEFORE deciding which products were right for us.

7. Milk Snob

The Milk Snob original cover is another item you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives so you can pack it in your hospital bag for bringing baby home. This made in the USA product is designed with a 4-way stretch to provide a custom fit on any car seat. It is made in a variety of modern and stylish designs, colors, patterns, and character collections. Although they are known for their covers, they carry a variety of other products as well, including wraps and swaddles. 

All In One

This item was originally designed to be a well-fitted and stylish infant car seat cover that provides both protection against the elements and proper air circulation. However, it has so many more uses than that! The Milk Snob original cover doubles as a high chair, shopping cart, and infant swing cover. As well as offering 360-degree coverage for nursing. So again, this is a really great all in one product you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives.

When preparing for baby with this one product, you eliminate the need to buy so many more. Check out the Milk Snob website to see a video on the various ways to use the original cover.  As well as a tutorial on all of the amazing products that they sell. This is a great quality product, that is easy to take with you and has so many uses and functions. You need to check out this Milk Snob original cover out for yourself.

8. Infant Car Seat

You absolutely must have a car seat BEFORE bringing baby home. Obviously, the hospital won’t even let you leave without having an infant car seat that is safely installed. Choosing a car seat before your baby arrives is vital. Consider whether you want an infant bucket seat or a convertible seat from the beginning. You also need to decide if you want to purchase a travel system (matching infant car seat and stroller) or just a car seat on its own. 

9. Squid Socks

You should see our baby’s closet! Wow does this precious peanut ever have some clothes! Especially clothes from Carters. He will be stylish and dressed to the nines every day for the first several months, at least. But you know what I (almost) forgot to buy, socks!

Socks!

After nannying for several years through high school and college, I remember what a pain it can be to keep socks on babies feet. There really is not a need for shoes, but socks are a necessity for keeping baby’s toesies warm and helping them to regulate their overall body temperature. So then, like everything I have bought so far for our baby, I did my research. What are the best socks for newborns? What socks won’t fall off? How to keep socks on baby’s feet. I was starting to feel helpless until I found Squid Socks. I can’t believe I almost missed this item you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives.

Sheer Brilliance

Squid socks were created by a husband and wife back in 2014 with the idea coming to them while they were visiting family on their honeymoon, before having kids of their own. Squid socks come with “squiddy dots” that are made to keep socks on baby’s feet. I think of it as being similar to the anti-slip grips on the bottom of socks, yet these squiddy dots are on the inside of the sock along baby’s ankle.

This keeps the socks from slipping off or being pulled off by the baby himself. Click here to see an adorable video of just how well these socks stay on! Socks come in boy, girl or gender neutral patterns in sizes ranging from newborn to 3T. The perfect addition when preparing the nursery for baby.

10. Safe Space To Set Baby

A safe space is something you’ll want to have ready before baby arrives.  Or maybe several safe space options. A few of the safe spaces we have ready for before baby arrives include the beautiful, easy to transport, multifunctional born free kova baby bouncer.

Along with an outdoor option with the born free nisa playard. Of course, you should also check out your options for bassinets and cribs as well.