20 Things You Really Need When You Bring Your Baby Home

While imagining life with our new little baby and dreaming about the tiny person we’d soon get to meet were two of my favourite pregnancy activities, creating a Baby Registry at Babies R Us Canada was definitely my third. Wandering through the store and looking at all of the adorable products for babies was both exciting and overwhelming, especially because it was hard to know what items we wouldn’t be able to live without in the first weeks of bringing our little one home.

After having our second baby, I can confidently say that there are 20 items that made life with an infant a lot easier for both our son and our daughter, and, lucky for you, they’re all available at Babies R Us, both online and in-store. In case you needed a great reason to register at Babies R Us Canada, I’ve got 2: they offer R Club members a completion discount of 15% off to purchase almost any item on your registry that you may not have received (non R Club members save 10%), and you can create a registry online if you can’t make it to one of their many Canadian stores (they offer shipping and returns anywhere in Canada!) So, what are you waiting for? Check out this list of the 20 things you really need when you bring your baby home and head to Babies R Us Canada!

Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 Infant Car Seat

While every other item on this list will help to make sure life at home with baby goes as smoothly as possible, this is the one thing you’ll need before you even leave the hospital. The Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 car seat is easy to install using the one-click UAS system. The multi-position sun canopy provides UV protection for your baby whether they are cruising in the back seat or going for a ride in one of the many strollers that feature adapters to click this seat in quickly and easily. We have loved our Maxi Cosi for its easy to remove and clean seat cover, lightweight design, and incredible customer service and warranty program and recommend it to everyone we can!

$359.99 | Available here

Baby Jogger City Select Car Seat Adaptor Single-Multi Model

Speaking of car seat adapters, this is the one you need if you decide to go with the Maxi Cosi + Baby Jogger City Select combo. These adapters are easy to click on (like less than 30 seconds easy) and can be installed so that your baby’s car seat faces you or faces out. This adapter is also compatible when using the Baby Jogger with the Chicco KeyFit & KeyFit 30, Maxi Cosi Cabrio, Mico, Mico AP, Peg Perego Primo VIaggo Sip, Sip 30 & Primo Viaggo 4-35.

$99.99 | Available here

Baby Jogger City Select Stroller

One piece of advice I wish I had followed when I was pregnant with my first baby was to buy a double stroller right off the bat. Trying to sell our single stroller was a bit of a pain at 7 months pregnant with baby number two, so for that reason, I always tell anyone who’s planning to have more than one kiddo to consider purchasing a stroller that can be converted into a double when the need arises. We opted for the Baby Jogger City Select because of its long list of awesome features and accessories. Our toddler loves going for walks with the option of sitting in his seat or riding on the glider board while his baby sister sits in her car seat up top. With 16 different configurations available including seats, bassinets, or car seats, the options are almost endless when customizing this stroller to your liking. The wheels are big enough that we’ve been able to get over rocky beaches, snow-covered sidewalks, and grassy hills. There’s more than one reason so many people love this stroller!

$729.99 | Available here

Ergobaby Adapt Baby Carrier

The Ergobaby has been recommended by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as a “hip healthy” option for babywearing. This extremely popular baby carrier can be used for children between 7 and 45 pounds without the need for any extra inserts or padding, thanks to its ergonomic seat that adjusts to your baby as it grows. The Ergobaby is a parent’s best friend for anything from trying to chase a busy toddler at the park while carrying a baby to attempting to get housework done when your little one just wants to snuggle. It also provides a great alternative to trying to navigate a stroller through crowded areas like markets or hiking trails!

$179.99 | Available here

Medela Freestyle Double Electric Breastpump with BPA-Free Bottles

The Medela Freestyle Double Electric Breastpump is a nursing mama’s best friend, and I definitely don’t say that lightly. This pump comes in a handy carrying case that stores every supply you’ll need for pumping at home and on-the-go. The 2-Phase Expression Technology mimics the feeding habits of a baby to encourage let-down of milk, and the hands-free design allows you the option to hold a book or check your phone while you pump (take this time to do something for you-you’ve earned it!). Some health care providers will allow you to claim a breast pump as an expense, so if you have coverage, check your health insurance to see if you qualify.

$494.99 | Available here

Philips AVENT Natural Baby Bottle Newborn Starter Set

Finding a bottle that your baby will actually take can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. The first bottle we had success getting our picky eater to accept was this one by AVENT. The super soft, breast-shaped nipple helped to bridge the gap from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, which was a huge relief because it allowed us to share feeding duties between mom and dad. The fact that this kit comes with five bottles, a bottle brush for cleaning, a formula dispenser and pacifiers makes it the perfect starter pack for bottle feeding baby, whether it’s pumped milk or formula.

$59.99 | Available here

4moms mamaRoo 4.0

This swing was a total lifesaver for us – especially when we brought home our second baby and had a busy toddler running around. The 4moms mamaRoo has five different motion settings and five-speed settings so you can choose the perfect combination to keep your baby relaxed and entertained. The mamaRoo has a speaker that allows you to play built-in white noise sounds and can also be connected to your phone or other MP3 device. The swing plugs into the wall, so you never have to worry about replacing expensive batteries. As any parent can attest, the fully machine washable cover is essential. Our baby loved swatting at the plush balls hanging over the mobile (and, as she got older, pulling them out and seeing how far she could throw them across the room).

$329.99 | Available here

Playtex Diaper Genie Elite

The only thing worse than a stinky diaper is a whole garbage can full of them. Thankfully, the Diaper Genie’s Double-Lock design and 7-layer bag does such a great job of containing odours in your nursery, you won’t even know they’re there! The new carbon filters that attach to the inner lid of the Diaper Genie add an extra odour-fighting barrier so effective, it’s almost like that diaper blowout never happened. We’ve had ours for two babies and it’s still going strong!

$49.99 | Available here

Did you know that newborn babies can go through upwards of ten diapers a day?! Don’t forget to stock up on a 3 Pack of Refills for $24.99.

Koala Baby 5-Piece Changing Essentials Kit

This kit comes with everything you need to set up the perfect diaper changing station in your baby’s nursery (or anywhere in your home, really!) The soft, neutral-coloured covers are cozy on your baby’s skin and easy to throw in the washer and dryer to clean. The waterproof change pads can be folded up and tucked in your diaper bag for outings so that your baby has something comfy and clean to lay on when they inevitably need a diaper change in a public restroom.

$69.99 | Available here

Ingenuity FoldAway Rocking Wood Bassinet

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants share their parents’ bedroom, but sleep on a separate surface, such as a bassinet, for at least the first six months of life? This bassinet is perfect for providing your baby with a safe place to sleep close by, and its easy folding frame makes traveling with it a breeze. We tried two styles of bassinets for both of our little ones and found that having the option to rock them to sleep in the bassinet was much easier than trying to transfer them from our arms into their bed once they were calm or asleep.

$169.99 | Available here

Summer Infant Wide View 2.0 5” Colour Video Monitor

Congratulations! Your baby is sleeping in its own room, meaning you are ready for a full night’s sleep. But wait – what was that sound? A whimper? A cough? A cry? Your imagination? When going in the room to check on your baby means the bedtime routine starts all over again, this awesome monitor allows you to zoom in for a better look without ever having to open the door. With up to an 800 foot range, you’ll be able to see your baby from any room in your home, and the expandable system means you can add cameras to monitor up to four different rooms with auto-scan between rooms.

$179.99 | Available here

Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Nightlight Soother

White noise has been vital to creating a great sleep environment for both of our babies, and 96% of the reviewers for this Skip Hop Moonlight &Melodies Nightlight Soother agree that this product is perfect for doing just that. This cute little owl has adjustable light and sound levels and comes with a plug-in so that you don’t run out of battery power in the middle of the night. Eight different sound options are available, including four melodies and four nature sounds. A pivot lens projects stars onto the wall or ceiling, and the dimmable belly provides a soft, soothing nightlight. My husband and I loved having white noise when sharing our room with our baby so much that we actually bought a machine for ourselves once she moved into her own room!

$49.99 | Available here

Summer Infant SwaddleMe Original Swaddle 3 Pack

If you’re like me, you may never master the art of the perfect swaddle, despite your best intentions and hours of practice. Thankfully, the Summer Infant SwaddleMe adjustable infant wrap makes swaddling basically foolproof. With secure hook and loop closures, even the wiggliest Houdini baby will stay snug, warm and safe while they snooze soundly in these cozy cotton swaddles.

$39.99 | Available here

Summer Infant Right Height Bath Center Tub

The Summer Infant Right Height Bath Center Tub solves the age-old question of “what the heck do I do with this tub now that my infant has outgrown it?” This bathtub is perfect for your newborn, infant, toddler, and even for you as it transforms from a baby tub to a toddler tub and can also be used as a seat for caregivers giving their little ones a bath and a stool to help your older kiddos reach the sink!

$49.99 | Available here

Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer

Have you ever tried to hold a thermometer under a squirming baby’s armpit for ten full seconds? What about trying to snuggle five playful kittens at the same time? Most parents will agree that both experiences, while totally adorable, are pretty similar in their level of difficulty. That’s where the Braun No Touch + Forehead Thermometer comes in. With accurate readings given instantly, you can even take your sleeping baby’s temperature without running the risk of waking them up. The LED screen provides colour-coded fever guidance so there’s no guesswork involved in knowing whether your baby’s temperature classifies as a fever or not.

$99.99 | Available here

Penaten Medicated Cream

Stubborn diaper rashes are, quite literally, a pain in the butt. After trying many different diaper creams out there, Penaten Medicated Cream is far and away our favourite, so we always keep a tin on hand. It works so well, we often see relief even by the next diaper change!

$9.99 | Available here

Live Clean Baby Tearless Shampoo & Wash

This tear-free shampoo and wash smells incredible and is enriched with Chamomile, Lavender and Aloe. It’s gentle both on baby’s skin and the environment. After trying other natural shampoos that were twice as expensive, we are so happy to have found a product that we love and is easy on the wallet!

$7.59 | Available here

Infant Tylenol

There is absolutely nothing worse than having a fever or discomfort strike your baby in the middle of the night and having nothing on hand to help ease their pain. This happened to us once and since then, we’ve always kept a bottle of infant Tylenol in a safe, childproof place in the house, just in case.

$8.99 | Available here

NoseFrida The Snotsucker

I know, it sounds totally gross, but this is a product that parents swear up, down, left and right by. Listening to your baby fight the sniffles can be downright heartbreaking, but the NoseFrida nasal aspirator is extremely effective and easy in providing relief for stuffy little noses. A filter makes the aspirator totally hygienic by preventing the spread of germs from baby to parent. Once you see just how well this product works, you’ll never look back!

$22.99 | Available here

Safety 1^st Fold up Nail Clippers

What is it about baby nails that makes them so dang sharp?! Keep your little one’s claws cut short to avoid scratches on themselves and others with these Safety 1^st Fold up Nail Clippers. These clippers are small enough to cut tiny nails and the handle is shaped to give you the best grip possible. For parents nervous to trim their baby’s nails, I’ve read that waiting for about twenty minutes after your baby has fallen asleep is the best time to give them a trim!

$3.99 | Available here

 

This post is brought to you by Babies R Us Canada but the opinions are our own.