• Car Seat: The MESA car seat has been great! It is easy to go from car to errands by just clicking the seat into the stroller. It doesn’t hurt that William loves his car seat and he takes great on-the-go naps in it!
• Stroller: The UPPAbaby Vista has been one of the best decisions we have made. It is a great everyday stroller, but heavy duty enough for travel. We have brought it with us to London twice, San Diego and Charleston! Plus, its easy to fold up, comes with a bassinet for sleeping baby and the car seat snaps right in.
• Travel bag: If you decide on the UPPAbaby Vista, we recommend the travel bag, too. If you register your travel bag and stroller with UPPAbaby, they will replace your stroller parts if they are damaged while traveling- huge!
• Car seat travel bag: We ordered this one on Amazon before our first trip to London. It fits our infant car seat great, but will also be big enough once William moves into the next size car seat.

Sleeping

• Swaddle Me swaddle: Once we realized that William was colicky, we decided to start swaddling him. He disliked being swaddled during his first few days, so we just gave up on it. But, when our doctor told us it was a good soothing technique, we decided to try again and on the recommendation of a friend used the Swaddle Me velcro swaddles. Let’s just say- game changer! Will slept so hard and his little hands stayed tucked in right beside him.
• Merlin’s magical sleep suit: After Will started rolling over, we moved him to Merlin’s magical sleep suit. In the Sleep Suit, baby is free to move arms/legs, but the movements are muffled because it is a heavy suit. When we put William in this, he started sleeping 8-10 hours at night 🙂
• Sleep sack: I checked the monitor one night before going to bed and Will was sleeping on his tummy in the Merlin Suit, which kept him from being able to return to his back. We went cold turkey from wearing Merlin that night, and now Will just sleeps in a Woolino sleep sack. It’s more expensive than the Halo Sleep Sacks, but it can be worn from 2 months to 2 years and it’s so soft! He actually loves when it’s time to slip it on.
• Moses basket: When we brought William home from the hospital, he slept in our room in a Moses basket. I absolutely loved it because we could move the moses basket and its stand to different parts of the house during those early months when William was sleeping so much! We decided to move Will to his crib when he was 8-weeks old, after our trip to London.
• White noise: We bought an inexpensive white noise machine at Target to have on during naps and at night, it’s helped Will to soothe himself back to sleep and also block out outside noise.
• Crib: I am still in love with this iron crib. I knew I always wanted to do iron, so when I found this one at Bratt Decor, it was an easy decision. It will also transition into a toddler’s bed, which is a plus! You can see William’s completed nursery here.
• Security blanket: The softest blankets ever also come in a small, security blanket size. Will loves having it next to him to nuzzle his face into when he gets sleepy.
• Pack and play: We use this pack and play when we are at my parents’ house. Will loves taking his naps in it! But, we will also use it as a travel crib if a hotel doesn’t have a crib available. It’s so easy to fold up and take anywhere!
• Monitor: iMonitor has been great for us. There is an app on your phone, which is where you view your baby. It is SO nice to not have to carry around multiple devices to check on William when he is sleeping.

• Como Tomo: Will  doesn’t take a bottle very often, but when he does, this is the only bottle he will take!
• Béaba spoons: Now that we have introduced solids, these silicone spoons are great for a teething baby.
• Suctions bowls: A must- William is reaching for everything. Babies are a mess when they start eating! This bowl and everything in it will stay put.
• Bibs: Like I said earlier- babies are a mess when eating – it’s so cute! But, to avoid stains on their clothing, bibs are a must.
• High chair: For the little time we have been using a high chair, we love the OXO chair. It comes in different colors and I LOVE that I can take the tray in and out with one hand- perfect while holding baby or food! Plus, if we have a girl next I’ll definitely be replacing the cushions with hot pink 🙂

 Toys

• Activity mat: This is something that you will use for months. Starting off with tummy time (Oops! Will wasn’t a fan of this!) and also for baby to start looking at different objects. It also is a great distraction when you need to start dinner!
• Sophie: This is a great toy for baby to chew on and play. Always in my diaper bag!
• Mamaroo: The only swing we used when Will was a baby- 5 different motions and adjustable speeds. Will took a few naps in it and loved playing with the plush toys. Perfect distraction when I needed to get ready for the day.
• Wubbanub: A pacifier is a must for a colicky baby. We got the Giraffe one as a gift, but it came in handy during this first weeks of colic. Now, it has become Will’s BFF. He hardly uses it for a pacifier (only when he is reallly sleepy), but more of a friend to talk to in the car
• Petit Pehr blankets: First of all, they are so soft and machine washable. We always bring one with us while traveling, but also for play dates.
• Rattle: We have quite a few Jellycat stuffed animals, but this rattle is Will’s favorite right now.
• DJ booth: Now that Will is older, he likes to stand up and play. This DJ booth has plenty of features to keep him entertained!
• Books: William loves looking at books and we are building quite the collection already.

Clothing

• Pajamas: For the first weeks, footed pajamas are used all the time (you really can’t have enough). Plus, babies are just too adorable in them! Our favorites are Kissy Kissy and KicKee Pants
• Traditional/monogram: The Beaufort Bonnet Company has the cutest traditional clothing for babies and toddlers. All of Will’s monogram outfits and bubbles are from here. We’ve already started on his Fall Wardrobe with this navy bubble, this plaid bubble and the cutest christmas pjs (monogrammed, of course!) If you are looking for something for newborn photos, this is the cutest bow swaddle!
• Splurge items: Shopping for cute boy clothes is hard. We found a few splurge items here and there that can be worn for a season or two. Burberry has the cutest baby boy clothes for a splurge. William wore this onesie, this onesie, these swim trunks and we have this coat for this winter.

 Bathing/Health

• Bath tub: We went with the 4 in 1 bathtub- It may not be the prettiest, but it’s very functional.
• Hooded towels: Nothing cuter than a baby right after the bath, all cuddled up in a hooded towel.
• Bathing supplies: All you need is a few washcloths and a few toys
• Soap: We used fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products until recently. Now, we are using this 2-in-1 wash
• Other health items to keep in the nursery: a nail trimmer, nose frida (sounds disgusting, but seriously works!), thermometer,  children’s tylenol and a comb

Other items

• Diaper bag: My previous work bag now serves as my diaper bag- it fits everything!
• Changing station: Because I don’t use a traditional diaper bag, I use this changing station for on the go
• Nursing pillow: If you plan on nursing, this pillow makes those late night (and all feedings) easier. Plus, we use it now to prop Will as he learns to sit.
• Humidifier: I definitely recommend using this for the early months, especially if your baby is due in the winter!
• Dimmer switch: My husband thought I was crazy when I asked him to put a dimmer switch in the nursery, but it has been one of the most practical additions. When you are changing diapers in the middle of the night, or getting baby ready for bed, I love to dim the lights.

Other baby posts:

• Gender Neutral Nursery Reveal
• William’s birth story and newborn photos
• Tips for Traveling with a baby
• Three months with William and Six months with William
• William’s summer wardrobe
• Why we waited to find out the gender of our baby

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Cheers,

Stia, Jean & Katherine