---
title: Gear for New Parents
date: 2024-07-12
lastmod: 
published: true
tags: 
    - parenting
    - babyprep
---

I've compiled a list of useful items to purchase in preparation for a baby. I've excluded a bunch of the obvious stuff (e.g. diapers).

## Whole House / No Specific Location

- **Wall clocks**: you will want these in every room that you intend to feed the baby in; it's useful to track when and how long the baby feeds.
- **Wall plate extension cords** ([Example](https://www.amazon.com/Socket-Ultra-Thin-Electrical-Oversized-Certified/dp/B07S8DZ1T5?th=1)) paired with **cable management boxes** ([Example](https://www.amazon.com/Management-Organizer-Strips-Electrical-Computers/dp/B08P2ZKWSW?th=1)): you can delay babyproofing until your baby starts to crawl, but it's good to remove tripping hazards.
- **Baby wrap carrier (e.g. KeaBabies Baby Wrap)**: they work really well once you figure out how to use them properly, and they seem to be more comfortable for the parent and the baby (and more adaptive to the baby's size). 
- **Gloves**: if you have sensitive skin like me, invest in gloves because you will be washing your hands much more frequently when the baby is around. Reusable nitrile gloves to use while washing dishes and cleaning the house, biodegradable disposable gloves to use while cooking, and fingerless moisturizing gloves to use whenever your hands get dry. 

## Nursery

- **Wipe warmer**: this made diaper changes a lot less painful.
- **Disposable changing pads** ([Example](https://www.amazon.com/Rocinha-Disposable-Waterproof-Breathable-Underpads/dp/B07WVP81Z7)): I typically try to get reusable alternatives to reduce waste, but I am okay with going disposable for anything that regularly gets poop on it .
- **Drawer organizers**: a baby has lots of little things, so you will typically need to put multiple types of items in a single dresser drawer.
- **Drawer labels**: these are especially useful for people who come to help
-  **Hospital-grade breast pump (e.g. Spectra S1)**: we had the Momcozy S9 Pro (not hospital-grade), and was more uncomfortable while less effective at removing the milk. Your insurance might cover it.
-  **Let-down collectors (e.g. Haakaa Ladybugs)**: keep one of these on an end table next to where you nurse or where you spend most of your time, because when let-down starts to leak, you will feel really bad if it goes to waste.
- **Resinol**: smear this stuff on the baby's butt after every change to keep diaper rash at bay.
- **Pacifier medicine dispenser**: I don't know how we would give him medicine without this.
- **Electric nail file**: don't be scared of this thing; it is really gentle; it can't cause nearly as much damage to a baby as the baby's own nails.  
-  **Swaddle bags with microfiber wings** ([Example](https://www.amazon.com/BSTOPPT-Adjustable-Wearable-Swaddling-0-5%EF%BC%88Heart/dp/B0CNTPXPKB)): these make swaddling really easy, and they are super cute.


## Parents' Room

- **Cosleeper cushion**: if you can avoid having the baby sleep in your bed, that's best, but if you can't, get one of these. 


# Kitchen

- **UV Sterilizer**: these things are super convenient (especially while traveling) because they are so much faster than steam sterilizers. Papablic makes a small one for pacifiers and the like, as well as a larger one for bottles and pump equipment; we have both and we love them.
- **Boon Cacti Bottle Brushes** ([Example](https://www.amazon.com/Boon-Cacti-Bottle-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B082PZ44M9)): they're fun and functional!
- **Reusable cleaning gloves**: you will do a LOT of washing, especially if you use pumped breast milk. If you have sensitive skin, these are a must-have.
- **Drying pads**: even if you have drying racks, water gets everywhere. It actually works well to set your drying rack on top of a drying pad.
- **Dedicated baby sink**: if you're lucky enough to have an extra sink in your kitchen like we do, pick one to use exclusively for baby stuff. It just makes life easier.
- **Momcozy Kleanpal Pro Baby Bottle Washer**: if you can afford it, this is well worth the price. Before this, I spent over an hour a day on handwashing bottles and breast pump equipment; now, all I have to do a quick rinse and load it into the washer.
- **Water still**: if you formula feed or if you have the aforementioned bottle washer, you will go through a lot of distilled water, so it's useful to get a cheap water still (there are plenty <$100 that you can find online).
- **Thermos-type bottle warmer**: steam-based bottle warmers get the bottles all wet and heat the plastic up high enough to cause microplastics to leak into the milk, and hot plate bottle warmers are very prone to leaking.


## On-the-Go

- **A quality diaper bag**: when you're out and about, you live out of your diaper bag. We have the Zara Lemon Diaper Bag, and it works great.
- **Portable changing pad**: public bathroom changing tables can get pretty nasty.
- **An infant carseat; not a convertible**: it is difficult enough to get the baby into the seat even when you have the convenience of being able to bring the seat inside your home. We don't have a stroller base that goes with the infant carseat, but I think it would be convenient since that thing is damn heavy.
