Life with The Libbys | Mom & Baby Favorites | First 6 Months

If you're a mom-to-be, I'm sure you've read all the lists and recommendations. What to register for, what not to, what worked, what didn't. And the truth is - it's all so different for each mom & baby. I found it super overwhelming thinking about all the things we needed. But the truth is - you actually NEED very little but there are a lot of things out there that can make your life a little easier.

I'll break down this post by sections because honestly some things we used every single day the first few weeks home, I haven't touched in months. Babies change and grow so freaking fast so if you're able to borrow/rent/or buy anything second hand I definitely recommend looking into it.

SHOP LTK

This list is not inclusive of all of the items we use/needed but just some top favorites.

For the Hospital:

• The biggest thing I wish we brought was a velcro sleep sack. The swaddle blankets at the hospital gave me major anxiety because Grey was constantly breaking out of them and I was worried she would get the blanket around her face. Also - bring more than one just in case they spit up and you need an extra. We discovered the Ollie swaddle a little later in our journey but it is definitely the best one we have used and can grow with baby.

• Robe and Button Up Pajamas for Mom. Comfy, loose fitting, dark colored was the way to go.

• Hatch light & sound machine. We got these for the nursery and our bedroom and packed one with us. I'm so glad we did. Especially in mom & baby, the nurses are constantly coming in and out of your room. The white noise and little light help block out some of that so you can get a little rest. I didn't bring one, but maybe consider bringing an eye mask too.

For Sleep:

• We know it's not for everyone but would 10/10 do the Snoo Rental again. Don't forget extra sheets & sleep sacks.

• Hatch light (great for nightlight and sound machine)

• Infant optics monitor + stand (we like that it’s not connected to our phone and has a separate monitor)

• Kyte baby onesies are superior to all onesies.

• Ollie to double swaddle in snoo and help with transition.

Breastfeeding / Feeding:

• Elvie catch (great for leaking in the early days)

• Elvie curve (great for using on the other side while nursing to help build up freezer stash, especially if you have oversupply)

• My breast friend breastfeeding pillow

• For pumps I used both the Elvie pump and The Spectra S1. I loved the freedom of the Elvie's but they were sometimes finicky where my Spectra was more reliable although annoying.

• Burp Cloths - never too many

• Baby brezza sterilizer/dryer

• Bobbie Formula (with the formula shortage, I highly recommend getting on waitlists where a lot of companies are not taking new customers even if you plan on breastfeeding).

• Freezer Storage - we use this in our freezer then move milk to our chest freezer once full.

• Mini Fridge for nighttime pumping/feeding if you live on second level.

House Products:

• Snuggle me lounger + cover + extra cover

• Babybjorn bouncer (she started really liking this closer to 2 months up until she could sit on her own)

• Lovevery play mat & toy subscription - we use this multiple times a day

• tommee tippee pacifiers (these are all she will take - recommend getting a sampler pack)

• Stokke highchair + newborn set (love that this grows with them and we actually use the newborn attachment a lot because we eat dinner at the table every night)

• Barefoot dreams blankie (the snuggliest)

Hygiene:

• Electric nose sucker

• Electric nail file

• Ubbi diaper pail

• Honest Diapers & Wipes

• Bath kneeler

Travel:

• Solly baby wrap (took us a few weeks to get the hang of it but awesome for the first few months)

• Uppa Baby Vista & Mesa - I like that the stroller can eventually fit two if we have another baby. I also like that the Mesa has a natural fire retardant option.

• Travel sound machine - great for her carseat.

• Babybjorn Carrier

• Ayla diaper bag

Postpartum

• ALL the frida mom stuff

  • Ice pads

  • Disposable underwear

  • Witchhazel liners

  • Peri bottle (bring this to the hospital - I liked it much better than the one they had)

• Tucks Pads

• Tylenol & Ibuprofen (sounds stupid but I didn’t have it on hand)

• Colace & Miralax (you will thank me later)

• Lived in my LuluLemon align leggings throughout pregnancy & postpartum. So stretchy and didn’t have to size up.

Other Products & Thoughts:

• Karrie Locher’s Online Classes - SO helpful for covering all the basics

• Hatch App to keep track of feedings, diapers, weight etc.

• We don’t use our bottle drying rack because we just put the pump parts/bottles into the sterilizer after washing

• I would say the bottle warmer is not a “must have” half the time we just warm up in hot water

• I think I over “nested” by taking everything out of the packaging. There’s some stuff I didn’t use and now I can’t return. It’s very helpful to have everything set up when you get home from the hospital but just be mindful to only take out things you know you will use.

• Fold over mittens for the early days.

Again this list is not everything we purchased/used for Baby G but wanted to put together some of favorites because we often get asked a lot and this is an easy resource to send to others. If you have any questions or need any more recommendations from a new mom, please don't hesitate to reach out.