The baby paraphernalia you need simplified

Now I have a few tips on products and things that will help make life easier, but I understand it's all very overwhelming at the beginning so if you don't want to read on, you don't have to. You can look at this later, or never, I don't mind, I just want you to know that there is so much out there to choose from and you don’t necessarily need it all!

I went to a baby expo before my little one was born which was overwhelming but a great way to try out prams, fold them up, and see how heavy they were and how small they folded up. It was also great to look around at all the things available too. Its usually on annually, just google the state you are in to check out when. I’ve attached the link for the Melbourne one just to show you how wonderful they are and how much is avavilabe there. They also have some cheeky discounts to help with some of the things which is super helpful as every little bit helps! Melbourne Expo I PBCE (pbcexpo.com.au)

I ended up purchasing a Redsbaby pram which I loved for the early days. They are only available online though so I tried mine out at teh baby expo to see how it pushed and folded ect. You can also head into your local Baby Bunting and try some out there, the staff are super helpful and it gives you a taste of all the different types and prices and feature. When my baby was 2 I then bought an Uppababy Cruz for her which was also fabulous, it was slightly more compact than the Redsbaby and could stand up folded which was handy, however I didn’t check it in my car and it didn’t stand up in the boot so took up no less room that the Redsbaby so I sold that one and bought a Valco Snap which is very compact and lightweight. (Who has 3 prams in 2 years?!)

I suggest getting a Love to Dream sleeping bag for sleeping. Babies have this way of wiggling out of being swaddled and then there is the worry of the swaddle going over their face. They also have a way of once their little arms are out either waking up because they are cold or because they startle themselves. These sleeping bags are brilliant and have different thicknesses for colder or warmer temps. Here is the link. LOVE TO DREAM™ | Swaddles, Baby Sleep Bags & Sleep Suits

I also recommend getting a room thermometer so you know what the room temp is. It helps to keep the room around 20 - 21degrees to ensure they aren't waking because they are too hot or too cold. It also doubles as a night light. The Gro Company - Groegg Digital Room Thermometer | Target Australia You will need a better night light for in the middle of the night when you are up feeding if you choose to feed in the baby's room but the temp light is great for when they start sleeping through the night and you go in to check on them. I also have an oil heater for cold winter nights, it keeps the chill off the room beautifully and is super quiet. TRRS0920T Radia S Oil Column Heater 2000W with Timer | De'Longhi AU (delonghi.com)

I got my cot from a company called Quirky Bubba. The furniture is fine but they were super slow with delivery and forgot a box so I only got it all about a week before my baby was born. I’m sure I was just unlucky though. They are a great company though as I got a package and got everything I needed in the one place but places like Baby bunting offer packages as well. Just make sure you get a cot that converts to a toddler bed so you don't have to worry about a bed for a while! Quirky Bubba | Buy Baby Nursery Furniture Packages Online (babycotsonline.com)

You'll need a baby monitor so you can head out into the backyard or have a sleep while the baby does, it's just peace of mind. There are so many on the market. I've had two (I dropped the first one in water, which wasn’t such a bad thing it turns out as the next one was SOO much better!) Its a VTECH, it was expensive but well worth it. I still use it. Here is the link...Vtech Video Monitor With Remote Access RM7764HD | Monitors | Baby Bunting AU

A car seat is another must and is very overwhelming with so many on the market. I didn't have a capsule (which is something you can clip in and out of the car so you don't have to wake baby when you getting in and out of the car) I wanted one but I felt it was very expensive when it only lasts 6 months then you have to buy another car seat, so I just went straight to the car seat. This is the car seat I have which has been fabulous. Mum has the compact version for small cars so just check it will fit in your car as they do take up a bit of room. I don't generally have anyone in my front seat as they don't fit with the car seat rear facing as the front seat is all the way forward. I have a Mazda CX5. Britax Safe N Sound Brava Black | Extended rearward facing | Baby Bunting AU

A must have for the car is a mirror that you place on the headrest of the back seat so you can see baby and know what they are doing and if they are sleeping. It sounds silly but its a game changer! 4Baby Baby Sight Mirror | Mirrors & Shades | Baby Bunting AU

When I was pregnant I read a wonderful book called "Up the duff" (Up the Duff by Kaz Cooke | Boffins Books) which I highly recommend, it was great as it went by week by week of what was happening and what to expect. Then when I had my baby was I followed a book called "Save our sleep"(Save Our Sleep, A Parent's Guide Towards Happy, Sleeping Babies from Birth to Two Years by Tizzie Hall | 9781743535561 | Booktopia) from about 6 months of age which was wonderful for routines and sleep schedules, it saved me! I recommend both these books if you are into reading.

I also found having a baby carrier was fabulous. It was great for doing the grocery shopping or heading to places that weren't pram friendly and my baby loved being close to me. I got the Baby Bjorn one but there are heaps on the market but the one I had was fabulous. BABYBJÖRN Mini – newborn baby carrier | BABYBJÖRN (babybjorn.com.au)

A baby swing is also great for when you are trying to cook tea or have a shower and most of them you can use up to 9kg so you get a fair bit of use out of it. Ingenuity Comfort 2 Go Portable Swing Fanciful Forest | Swings | Baby Bunting AU

A bumbo seat was great when my baby was about 3-4 months and could support her head but couldn't sit up by herself, it meant she could sit for short period in the seat and watch me make dinner or clean or do things that have to be done. Bumbo Floor Seat Cool Grey | Seats | Baby Bunting AU

For the floor I had a little jungle thing that was great to pop her under while I popped some washing on or something, she loved laying there looking at the toys hanging and the one I had played music as well. Was great for tummy time too. Lamaze Symphony Motion Gym Fun On The Farm | Playgyms | Baby Bunting AU

I didn't buy a highchair until my baby was 4 months old and she certainly wasn't interested in food then, I more bought it so she could sit with us at the table and start to learn what dinner time was about. The most popular highchair is the Ikea highchair for $25 as its so easy to clean. I didn't go with this one though as I wanted one on wheels so I could move her around and one that reclined in case she fell asleep. The one I have is Peg Perego one, it was expensive but has been wonderful. Here is the link so you can check it out. Peg Perego Siesta Follow Me Highchair - Licorice | Highchairs | Baby Bunting AU

A nappy bag is a must too. I originally had a Mimco one BLACK ROSE GOLD MIM-MAZING BABY BAG - BABY BAGS | MIMCO which was fabulous, it had tow insulated bottle compartments at each end that zipped up and was a perfect size, it also wasn’t too girly so my husband didn’t feel too bad carrying it if need be. Then when my baby was 2 I updated to a Pretty Brave nappy bag Stella Baby Bag - Wild Flower | Baby Care Essentials – PRETTY BRAVE (NZ) which was bigger, you see as your baby grows you need less bottles, clothes and bibs and more toys to entertain them so you need a bigger bag!

I think that’s my top picks, and just to let you know none of these companies have paid me (I wish) to recommend their products, I’m just trying to help the new Mums and Dads out there struggling with the enormity of preparing for the littlest, most wonderfully expensive and time consuming thing they’ll ever have.

My best advice? Enjoy it! Its exhausting and hard work but by golly it goes so quick and next minute you’ll be kissing them goodbye a block away from their school so their friends can’t see you!

xx