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It is no secret that babies can be expensive. A newborn baby will cost his or her parents around $12,000 before their first birthday. That doesn’t even take into account the money parents spend before their bundle of joy even arrives, on prenatal vitamins and maternity clothes.
That is why it is important to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck and only buying products that you actually need for your wee one.
New parents get pressured into buying lots of items that they never end up using, so before you make the same mistake, check out thislist of small but significant baby items that will actually be worthwhile during those beautiful but exhausting newborn days.
Sleep Sacks
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that babies should sleep without a blanket for the first year of their life. Keep your newborn warm by investing in a few Halo sleep sacks. This highly-rated product is the top choice of hospital nurseries for promoting safer sleep and keeping babes warm at the same time. The sleep sacks come in a number of colors and sizes, including preemie.
Waterproof Mattress Pads And Extra Crib Sheets
Diaper fails are a part of every new parent’s life. It’s important to make sure you have an extra waterproof mattress pad (along with an extra crib sheet or two) for those times when you need to get the crib clean ASAP so baby can go back to bed. And let’s face it, laundry is probably not going to be getting done on a regular basis, so backup sheets and waterproof mattress pads (like this option on Amazon) are a must.
Stroller Clip
Walking your baby in a stroller can be a great way to soothe a cranky baby and enjoy some sunshine at the same time. (And research shows that just a short time outdoors can help babies to sleep longer at night.) Save your lower back and biceps on these walks by investing in a good stroller clip, such as this option on Amazon. You can clip your shopping bags and other items on the stroller which will leave your hands free as you push the stroller or enjoy a much-needed sip of your latte.
Car Seat Toys
Some babies love being in the car, but this is certainly not true for all babies. In these cases, car seat toys that dangle from your car seat handle can be a huge help. They will keep babies entertained and distracted during long car rides or even when you are in the store and they are riding in the cart in their car seat. This adorable option is affordable and even makes sounds.
Headphones
You are going to be spending a great deal of time trying to be extra quiet so that your baby doesn’t wake up (newborns need about 14-17 hours of sleep!). Do yourself a solid and invest in a pair of headphones that can plug into your television or laptop, or splurge on a pair of wireless headphones (such as this highly-rated pair) for your smartphone. That way you can still keep up to date on “Game of Thrones” while you are letting the baby sleep and pumping for the sixth time that day.
Multiple Boppy Covers
Nursing pillows are a must for new moms who are trying to get the hang of breastfeeding. They save your wrists and help you to keep your baby in the right position for the best latch. But, don’t forget to register for one or two extra Boppy covers, because it will inevitably get peed on, spit up on, or let’s face it, get coffee or lunch spilled on it (hey, a mom has to eat when she can!). So, when the dirty one is in the wash, you will want another one handy to slip on your Boppy quickly. Check out Amazon for lots of fun designs and colors.
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