Baby Must-Haves

Our little Ellie is just over a week old and I wanted to do a post to share what items were just a must-have these first few days. In the beginning, they really don't need much besides love and the basics, but there were a few items we were so happy to have and made our nights home alone so much easier.

Bebe au Lait Chateau Silver Nursing Cover
Since I'm solely breastfeeding and my little one eats constantly, having a nursing cover has been awesome when guests are over. While in the hospital and the first few days at home, I was just using a swaddling blanket, but once I busted this out it was amazing! I don't know why I waited to long to open it! I love the wire opening it has to watch her eat too. The corners have terry cloth to wipe up any mess and weigh down the cover,

Fisher-Price Cradle Swing - My Little Snug-a-Bunny
This swing came highly recommended by so many family members as a must-have. The swinging is too strong for our little bunny (we don't use any of the music or mobile part either), but she loves sleeping/napping in it. She'll nap for hours in this thing, it's all comfy and snuggly, she really loves laying in it, especially when we have her swaddled. In some of her fussy fits, this has been one of the few things that help her settle down.

Boppy + Cover
We've used this since day one. It makes holding her so much easier, all of our guests, used it in the hospital and at our home. It supports your arms so they don't get tired from carrying/holding her weight. I use it to b/f her and to support her when she's laying on my chest (depending on our positioning). It grows with them for a few months as well with different ways to use it as your baby develops. It's a must-have in our household!

Lansinoh THERA°PEARL 3-in-1 Breast Therapy
These babies have been amazing! You can put them in the freezer or heat them up to help with engorgement/mastitis, plugged ducts, pain relief, etc. They're reusable and can be used alone or with your pump. I had already bought some gel soothies, but these were far superior and I used them several times a day, oftentimes after every feeding just because they felt so good on my sore breasts.

Traditional Medicinals Organic Mother's Milk Herbal Tea
This is an all organic, caffeine free, herbal tea that helps promote lactation. My milk didn't come in until day 4, which is when I picked it up too, and I have at least 2 cups a day. It smells and tastes like black licorice, which I love, and I really enjoy drinking it. I haven't noticed a difference in my milk production, but so many people swear by it I'm going to keep it up. Plus, I like having something warm to drink in the morning and at night.

aden + anais for Target Jillaroo Swaddle Wraps
Moms weren't kidding when they tell you how much you use these wraps. I have several, some are Carters brand, and they're so lightweight, we use them for everything. Little blankets, to lay her down on, when we cuddle with her, when she's feeding, and more. They're so light weight and soft, they're perfect for summer and their sensitive skin.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Aquaphor has always been a staple for me with my dry skin and eczema and I've been using it on my nipples as well to help soothe and heal them as I get used to breastfeeding. It's safe for baby so you don't have to wash it off before feeding. They also talked about how great this product is in my baby basics class for rashes, baby eczema, etc. We still use Desitin for rashes (she hasn't had one yet- knock on wood), but will probably also use this as well.

Summer Infant Cotton SwaddleMe
These little numbers are a miracle! The nurses at the hospital swaddle your baby so tight and quickly, they were baby ninjas. Doing it yourself is not nearly as easy, but these SwaddleMes are the best! They velco to stay in place and you can get it really snug- just like how your little one was inside the womb. Whenever Ellie is upset, we feed her, swaddle her, and boom! She's out for hours.

These have been our necessities and future gifts for all soon-to-be moms on my list.They were used daily and made the transition into parenthood easy on us. What are/were your must-haves?