Mommy Must Haves ~ First Time Mommy Edition

You GUYS!!! I have had an amazing time researching all the very best products and brands, as I prepare for my baby boy to be born in May!

It’s literally been NONSTOP google, mommy forums, IG research, and bestie advice, to bring you this list of Mommy Must-Haves! I hope you love it, share it, and take a much needed break...I did the work for you!

As shared on KTLA for my segment for moms...here goes!!

Let’s start with the nursery! There are so many pieces you need but I think we can ALL agree that it starts with the crib!

Crib

I love Babyletto for the crib because while you can find traditional cribs anywhere, Babyletto crushes the design side.

They have gorgeous, edgy pieces like the Jubilee 3 in 1, which is the one I chose in gold. 

It grows up with baby so you can convert it to a toddler bed and then later a daybed.

Here’s the link if you are ready to crush the baby vibe design in your nursery!

Benefits:

• Matching gold mattress support for a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic
• Four adjustable mattress positions
• Converts to toddler bed and daybed. Toddler bed conversion kit (M15299GLD) sold separately for easy transition as baby grows
• Meets and exceeds ASTM international and U.S. CPSC safety standards
• Made with Plated metal
• Lead and phthalate safe, non-toxic finishes
• Retails at $599

Bassinet

Having the best crib is super important but so is the bassinet. I’m sure you have heard of SIDS. It’s TERRIFYING! But sleeping in the same room as your baby for at least six months or even up to a year can help prevent it. So, a bassinet that you can leave next to your bed for midnight breastfeeding (which also reduces the risk of SIDS) can make it easier on everyone involved.

My girlfriend, Liz just had a baby boy and she SWEARS by SNOO. And she’s not alone, SNOO is the world’s most awarded baby smart sleeper.

So what is it? It is a responsive bassinet that combines white noise, gentle rocking, and snug, safe swaddling to help baby sleep better and longer. 

Created by Dr. Harvey Karp (The 5 S’s, Happiest Baby on the Block), SNOO helps babies by imitating the calming sensations of the womb.

My favorite part is that it responds to your baby when he or she gets upset. It will increase the rocking or change the sound to whatever is best for baby.

They say it can add an additional 1-2 hours of sleep, and even calm crying within 5 mins. That’s kind of amazing!

It retails at $1,295. Check it out here if you are ready to take a nap! 

Mattress

Let’s not forget how important that firm crib mattress is to keep baby from rolling or having difficulty breathing (extra bedding and super soft mattresses are dangerous for baby). We chose Nest for our baby mattress.

I wanted to make sure we chose something with certified organic ingredients made in the USA. I also wanted something breathable that was reasonably priced. This one came in at $299 and was all of the above. Perfect!

Blankets

With all these adorable sleeping options, I can’t help but get excited about what my baby boy will be wrapped up in!

I legit can’t wait to bundle him up and hold him in my rocker, so I HAD to show you these adorable blankets from Hangai Mountain Textiles I found!

These cozy, all natural blankets are made from unbleached and non-dyed fibers (super important), and are naturally hypoallergenic and water-resistant. So cozy and luxurious for your tiniest best friend. They retail for $200.

 
Weighted blanket & Swaddle

If you are like me, you want to have ALL the best for your little one. And I’m sure you’ve heard about how soothing it is for adults to have weighted blankets...so of COURSE we needed one for baby as well!

With retail starting at $79, this Dreamland Baby situation is so cozy, soothing, and warm for your little love bundle. My favorite part is that it works as a swaddle, to keep them feeling even MORE safe! 

 

Dresser

Another obvious need for the nursery is a dresser for all those adorable onesies! I choose a little Babyletto action for that as well.

I went with the Spout 3-Drawer Changer Dresser in all white. 

I love it because the diaper changer tray is removable so you can continue to use the dresser long after your little one is no longer in diapers. 

Benefits:

• Three drawers with metal drawer glides and stop mechanisms
• Made with sustainable New Zealand Pine Wood and TSCA compliant MDF
• Lead and phthalate safe, non-toxic finish
• Removable changing tray included to extend the life of your dresser
• Changer tray fits a 31" x 16" changing pad (M5319BL sold separately)
• Hidden hardware construction
• Anti-tip kit included
• Meets ASTM international and U.S. CPSC safety standards
• Retails for $349

 

Rockers

I haven’t found a glider that I’m obsessed with yet...so standby. But I did find Rocker Mama which I adore! It turns any ordinary chair into a rocker! You legit just place it behind you when you sit down and rock back and forth on the go! Epic.

It retails starting at $69 and literally ROCKS. Okay, that was SO cheesy! But the good news is that this piece isn’t. It really is so comfy and amazing. It’s already one of my favorite Mommy Must-Haves because when you rock during pregnancy it can help your baby when developing his or her nerves! 

Monitors

Monitors these days go way beyond the old school two-way audio situation. The newest ones on the market offer all the things...from heart and breathing monitors to videos that can monitor your baby’s sleeping. They are NEXT level!

It is super important to make this decision wisely. You need to know all the options on the market so you can monitor your baby and feel comfortable whether you choose contact or no-contact options.

In no particular order...

 
Miku

This monitor is available for purchase online and does ALL the things! It syncs up with your mobile device to offer:

• Contact free live breathing monitoring
• Sleep tracking
• Two-way talk
• Room temperature and humidity monitoring
• Movement & sound detection
• With mo subscription required 
• Lullaby & soothing sounds (coming soon)
• Retails at $399 (or apply for financing through Affirm)

 
Nanit

The Nanit monitor is a great option for moms interested in contact monitoring that does not place electronics on baby. I had NO idea how that was even possible, but the camera actually reads the customized pattern on the fabric to gauge. So amazing!

This is a great option that offers:

• A swaddle and band that works with overhead camera to monitor baby’s breathing, while keeping them safe and cozy
• Offers no electronic contact on baby during monitoring
• Tracking and analyzing of baby’s unique sleep patterns
• Crystal clear, overhead view of baby 
• Camera doubles as a nightlight
• Offers a two-way audio transmit to listen to and speak to baby
• Smart sensors with real-time reporting through push notifications on your mobile device to alert you of movement or sound
• Compatible with Alexa
• Retails at $379

 

Owlet

I had heard tons of positive reviews on the Owlet baby monitor with camera bundle (4 stars with 1,700 reviews on Amazon), so I was excited to check it out. Setup was super easy, and the app worked great.

This seems like a great option for parents looking for visual and contact monitoring of their little one.

Check out the features of the camera and sock bundle below:

• Tracks baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels
• Sleep tracking measures how long and how well baby slept
• Base Station displays wellness status at a glance
• Lights and sounds notify caregivers to potential issues
• Smart Sock communicates with Base Station via BlueTooth
• Live readings of heart rate and oxygen levels available in the Owlet app
• 2-way audio
• 130 degree wide camera lens
• Room temperature sensor
• Retails at $399

 

Breastfeeding

When I heard about the Willow breast pump, I thought I had hit the jackpot. And let’s be honest, as a girl on the go, I really did!

Voted by Time Magazine as one of the “25 Best Inventions,” this is the best breast pump on the market.

It fits discreetly in your bra so you can continue your life while you pump.

With the number of events The McCord List hosts in Hollywood (and in Vegas for WWDMAGIC), I needed something that could keep up. This. Is. It!

Features:

• Everything works inside the Pump and inside your bra, with no external tubes, cords, or dangling bottles to hold you back.
• Milk flows into the spill-proof Milk Bag or reusable Container inside the Pump.
• Smart, proprietary technology responds to your body and maintains suction similar to a baby, enabling true mobility without spilling a drop.
• Lie down, bend over, play with baby, take a conference call… pump wherever the day takes you!
• Quiet for discreet pumping
• Seven levels of suction are comparable to most traditional double electric and hospital grade pumps
• Connects to the Willow App, for easy volume tracking, session history, and personalized pumping tips
• Compatible with iOS (iPhone 5 and newer) and Android (supported models)
• Only two parts to clean (dishwasher safe)
• BPA free
• Rechargeable battery lasts up to 5 pumping sessions to get you through the day
• One year warranty from first use
• Retails for $499.99

 

Diapers, toiletries & all the things!

I’m not sure if you’ve heard of Hello Bello, but you’re welcome. My girlfriend has used this brand since her little man was born six months ago, and he has not had one diaper rash!! What?!?

From shampoo, body wash, vitamins, diapers, and wipes (all made from plant-based ingredients)...to baby clothes and diaper bags, Hello Bello is a one stop shop to all things baby!

Oh, and it’s kind of amazing that the brand was founded by celebrity parents, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard!

 
More toiletries

I was super excited when I heard about Beb Organics, because they offer non GMO, vegan, cruelty-free baby products to liven up bath time.

The gift sets are shipped in absolutely gorgeous boxes, making these the perfect gift for your baby or even another expectant best friend!

These products have retail starting around $14 for travel sizes and goes up from there. Their diaper balm looks amazing and is priced at $42.

 

It syncs up with your mobile phone to give you accurate readings on weight for your little person. Which I love because it helps you stay on track with important milestones for baby!

The app even helps you log feedings, diaper changes, and sleep, so you can stay on top of all the exciting changes with your little love bug! It retails for $129.

It retails for $89 and you can even purchase covers for the device to match it to your nursery design!

 

Nursery humidifier/nightlight

Speaking of nightlights we love, I can’t get enough of the Baby Dream Machine. First of all...it’s adorable, and secondly, it has all of the important things to get and keep baby sleeping well!

I’ll be honest, I have not focused on my future sleep more than I’ve done while researching my baby registry must-haves!

I’ve learned about the importance of white and pink noise (just like the womb), movement (also like the womb), and, now, red light therapy! 

Red light therapy helps our bodies produce more melatonin naturally, which is great because melatonin is what helps us sleep! And I’m pretty sure passing melatonin out in little pill form at bedtime is a bad call for infants. :) Just sayin!

In addition to that amazing red light feature...this adorable little nightstand decorator operates as:

• A nightlight—which is great for midnight breastfeeding
• Humidifier—optimal sleep happens in rooms with 40-60% humidity...which is hard to attain in LA or homes with electric heating and air (aka all of us!)
• Aromatherapy infuser for a more restful sleep 
• Pink noise machine—pink noise is said to be more balanced and natural than white noise, because it combines low and high frequencies. Studies have shown that pink noise induces more stable, deep sleep while improving sleep quality dramatically...I’m into it!
• Retail starts at $99

 

Bath time

I don’t know what makes me feel more excited than bonding with my baby boy over his bath! It just seems like the perfect moment to connect, and what better way to do that than with the help of TOYS! 

Regalo has all the things mommies need to be the hero in the bathroom! From cute facet covers to the must-haves to save the knees and help with balance getting out of the bathtub, this brand is crushing it. 

Check out the full list on their website.

Oh, and if you want to get a jumpstart on managing a mobile little one, pick up their extra tall door gate ($64.99)...

 

...and extra long bed rail ($49.99) like I did!

Bouncer

So apparently parenting without a bouncer is just a rookie move. Where do you put the little one when you need to wash a few dishes or make the bed? These are important questions! 

That’s why I was suuuuuper excited when I discovered the mamaRoo from 4Moms. Are you familiar with them? 

I looked everywhere and this was the one thing every mom said I needed. Many bouncers move in directions that are actually unfamiliar to you baby, which doesn’t always help to soothe the little nugget.

The mamaRoo can move in five different directions: car ride, kangaroo, tire swing, rock-a-bye, and wave. And everything is controlled from your phone, so if the little gets upset, you can quickly switch the motion! So cool.

You can also use one of their programmed white noise functions, or my personal favorite...plug in your phone or MP3 to play your own music. Awesome, right? I’ll probably play podcasts for my little guy so he aces all of his Pre-K tests. :)

The mamaRoo retail starts at $219.99.

 

Highchair
4Moms also crushes the feeding moment! They sell magnetic highchairs and bowls/utensils to help mealtime be a little less messy. The height and tray are adjustable and the tray liner and seat foam can all be removed for cleaning.

It’s pretty awesome. I’m obviously a BIG fan! It retails for $299.99 and looks really cute!

 

Baby food

This seems like the perfect moment to move into the best items to add to your baby registry for feeding!

I have been a NutriBullet fan forever, so when I heard about their baby food blender, it was a NO BRAINER for me!! Especially when you read about METAL being found in baby food...I’m sorry, what??! No, thank you! Totally worth the extra few minutes to make that homemade baby food. And now you can do it in style!

Here’s what we love about it:

• NutriBullet Baby ($59.99) is a complete food pureeing and storing system that saves parents time as they create healthy meals for babies, 6 month and older
• Easily prepare, make, and store nutrient-rich and wholesome baby food with the NutriBullet Baby complete Baby Food Prep System
• The full set includes stay-fresh re-sealable lids, a storage cup tray and freezer tray
• It’s an easy-to-use and friendly-faced blender made for busy parents
• All you have to do is bake, steam or boil small chunks of foods (fruits, veggies, meats), cool them until their lukewarm, then pop them in the batch bowl, attach to the power base, press down and presto! 

If this is a must-have for you, be sure to add it to your baby registry or buy it now on NutriBullet.com for $59.99.

 

Bibs

Okay, I am a BIG fan of the Bibito bibs! They are good quality silicone, which makes them super easy to clean and really modern and cute.

They retail for $18 and most importantly are non-toxic, free of BPA, plastic, phthalates, PVC, formaldehyde, and lead. And they comply with FDA and EU regulations. 

Booster seat

I love the idea of bringing your own booster seat when your little is big enough to sit on his or her own. I’ve always thought the restaurant boosters are as gross as they are UNCOMFORTABLE! I mean, could that plastic be any harder? But who wants to tote a big booster seat around...no one!

That’s why Bombol made my Mommy Must-Haves list, with their pop-up booster seat...that pops down to be the size of a book.

Yep, a book. This I can do!!

It is chic and comfortable while you are on the go, which also matters! But check out all the features and you’ll see why I love it!

• Locks instantly into a safe, sturdy 3D structure
• Ultra-light: only 1.1kg
• Stain, abrasion, odor-proof finish
• For kids from approx. 6months
• Removable 5-point that becomes a 3-point harness
• Comfy padded seat and backrest
• Fits almost all adult chairs
• The bag converts into a cover to protect seats (this is amazing!)
• Retails for $149

Strollers

Speaking of being on the go...let’s talk about those BIG decisions like your stroller!

The first lesson you learn when you are 3 minutes pregnant is how important that stroller choice is! And don’t be fooled, this will actually be one of your biggest investments. At first I was super confused because I would have assumed the crib would be the biggest buy, but think about it, the strollers you grab are going to get TONS of miles—literally! Especially as you calm baby and work off those postpartum pregnancy pounds. This is definitely the thing to splurge on...

But how on EARTH do you choose? Don’t worry! I took the guess work out for you!

I test drove all the norms...Uppababy, YOYO+, Silver Cross, and every one in between. After that and tons of research, we decided on two...

1) Silver Cross Wave 

2) YOYO+

Let’s be honest, your life on-the-go varies. Sometimes on-the-go means around the block while other times it means you are on a plane heading home to show off your family’s cutest and newest addition.

We needed something that would be our daily, over the top option for walks around the block and to the ocean and another for quick car rides and long flights. But with functionality concerns being so different with each example, we knew we needed more than just one!

Silver Cross Wave

Okay, this GORGEOUS piece of heaven is not joking. With massive, durable wheels and a cozy, luxurious bassinet that can be switched out with the included toddler seat, it is enough to make anyone fall in love. 

I actually didn’t even realize it when we ordered this gorgeous piece, but Silver Cross is the same brand Kate Middleton and Megan Markel use. NBD.

What I love about the Wave is the fact that the wheels can DEFINITELY take on these Marina Del Rey “sidewalks” that are more like off road adventures. I’m loving my new Silver Cross Wave and can’t wait to put my baby boy in there!

This showstopper has won tons of awards and retails here for $1,299.

Dimensions & weight limits

Weight limits 

• Main Seat: 55lb
• Tandem Seat: 45lb
• Basket: 33lb

 Dimensions

YOYO+ 

The YOYO+ was a must-have for us because of how freaking compact it is!!! The box it arrives in is so lightweight and small, you would never guess it was an entire stroller!

It drives, opens and closes with one hand, making this crazy simple. After it is folded closed, you can grab the shoulder strap and be on your way!

But that’s not all. This travel system fits in most airline overhead compartments!!! Yes, that’s right! You don’t have to do a gate check on this little piece of happiness (and risk damage—which always happens), you can simply fold it up and place it right above your seat on most airlines! Wow, that literally saves you 15 minutes on every flight!

This stroller is super easy when you are just running a bunch of quick errands and need something fast and easy. I ALMOST chose the Uppababy because I kept seeing them everywhere, but I also kept asking the parents who drove them, and while they were complimentary about the smooth ride, many complained about how bulky the Uppababy strollers are.

Fortunately, YOYO+ crushes the smooth ride AND the compact sizing...making this my choice for on-the-go, easy transports.

This one retails starting at $449, but remember that each pack (newborn+ or 6+) is sold separately.

Car Seat

On the topic of being on-the-go...it’s important I mention you won’t be going very far...at all (not even outside the hospital!) without a safe, up-to-date car seat. That’s kind of important!

For ours, I chose Graco 4Ever Deluxe, because it is another smart buy that grows with your baby. Meaning you can use it for 10 years of life! Isn’t that amazing!? From 4-120 lbs with 6-positions to adjust as needed.

This seat retails for $299.99, but I would DEFINITELY say it’s worth it because it has 4.5 stars and over 650 reviews on Amazon.

The one advice I would give is to consider which car seat is compatible with your stroller, in case you plan to move baby from car to stroller if he or she is sleeping. But safety comes first for me, when it comes to the car seat for my little, and I have read that car seats are not designed for long term sleeping anyway, so I am going to start out with transitioning the sleeping beauty and see how he does. 

Carriers

LÍLLÉ Baby Carrier
I am a big fan of the grow with you baby products and the LÍLLÉ Baby Carrier is no exception!

With transition sizing from XS to 3XL, this carrier is a great option as your little one gets, well, not so little! I love the baby products that do this because you will save so much money not having to buy bigger sizes every time your little friend grows!

This piece retails for $125 and is a must-have on your baby registry!

TushBaby
One product I never would have thought about is the TushBaby fanny pack baby carrier. Well, that is until a few weeks ago when I was with a girlfriend and her 7 month old at a party. Between him wiggling to get down and her attempts to carry on a normal conversation, her hips were struggling. She was constantly readjusting to keep him from sliding down her side, but every time she did, her phone would slid onto the floor. After about the 5th time of me helping her retrieve her cell, I realized why a product like this would become so handy!

We definitely don’t have the space to hold anything else with our little ones are going a little wild, so keeping the necessities around your waist with baby seems like a super smart choice.

Would you wear this?

I’m thinking of all the places I would! Like Disneyland when baby wants to be held, for example.

What do you think?

It comes in many colors and retails for $79. My favorite colors are leopard (pictured) and black/gold. 

Diaper bags

Another (obvious) necessity for a mom on the go is a solid diaper bag. And it’s true that you don’t want to carry around a bunch of stuff you don’t need, this brand found the solution to that, making MomKindness bags one of my favorites!

These bags are designed to come apart based on your needs. For example, if you are running in the store for a quick second, you can grab the small clutch bag that holds your wallet and keys and leave the rest in the car. Or, maybe you only need to do a quick diaper change, there is no need to bring the entire bag, just grab the included diaper changing pad and keep moving. I love the convenience and efficiency of it!

Another reason I love this brand is because every time you purchase a bag, proceeds go to support Every Mother Counts, which is a nonprofit dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every woman.

So grab one of their carry all tote bags (retail starting at $115) or convenient organizational inserts (starting at $25) and do some good as you stock your nursery!

Toys

It’s easy when running out of space on your baby registry to forget the fun stuff...but I was NOT about to! I’m having a little boy, and I KNOW he’s gonna want to play ALL the time! Especially since he is my husband’s miniature person. My husband is ALL about the fun in life! So let’s go through the stuff that I HAD to grab in anticipation of my little man’s arrival!

Little Tikes

Okay this Little Baby Bum Wheels on the Bus Climber just BLESSES my heart. I mean, can you even?! Littles can honk the horn, play music and sound effects, ride the slide down, and pretty much lose all sense of time. I’m obsessed and legit cannot wait to see my little guy play on it! 

It is water resistant, so you can use it indoors or outdoors. And it retails for $129.99 at Amazon and Walmart.com.

  

Little Tikes also has the adorable “My First Balance 2 Pedal Bike,” which is so great because it can grow with your little. But don’t bust this baby out until yours is at least 2 years old. 

It retails for $69.99 at Amazon and Target.com, and at select Target stores in February 2020. 

What I love is that it comes with safe and fun features like:   

• Solid rims for added safety (never a flat tire)
• Adjustable handle and seat for bike transition
• Patented telescoping cranks and articulating pedals that fold out for the ‘Grow With Me’ mode to accomodate big milestones
• Easy transformation back to a balance bike 
• Pedals that stay stored under the seat for ease of learning to balance

 
Skip Hop

I am so giddy about this adorable toy! The Silver Lining Cloud Baby’s View Activity Center gives your little all the stimulation needed, as he or she plays and bounces!

This little Mega Bloks Ride n’ Chomp Croc makes playtime and cleanup sooo much fun! Your little one can ride around, on top of the 25 included blocks, to “chomp” up all the toys into its center storage bin, conveniently place inside the chair!

It’s sooo cute because this is like the real life version of that old school game, Hungry Hippo! Only more fun! 
This toy retails for just $34.99, and if that isn’t reason enough to nab it...how about the fact that playing with blocks is proven to be amazing for baby’s brain development?

Check out these benefits shared by ParentingScience.com. Playing with blocks teaches:

• motor skills and hand-eye coordination,
• spatial reasoning,
• cognitive flexibility,
• language skills,
• a capacity for creative, divergent thinking,
• social competence, and
• engineering skills.

 
Bounce & Spin Puppy

We are totally a dog family, so when I saw that my little man could have his OWN dog (one who isn’t going to be scared of his Shrek style walking), I was hooked on this Bounce & Spin Puppy!

This guy ALSO teaches important things to your little one. Retailing at $59.99, it is certainly less expensive than a tutor, but your baby will be learning his or her ABC’s and 123’s as they bounce along and learn to balance themselves on this new (not so) furry friend. But make sure your little one is 12 months before he jumps onboard, this puppy spins around 360 degrees!

Clean products...literally

With all that fun your little one is DEFINITELY gonna make a little mess but that’s okay because you can now have TRUE clean, cleaning products... That’s where Force of Nature comes in. This has GOT to be the coolest cleaning product on the market right now.

Can you imagine an appliance that turns tap water, salt, and vinegar into something that is as powerful as bleach for cleaning?!

I am definitely over ALL the harmful toxins we have on the market today. As a mom-to-be, I know how important it is to protect myself and my family from harmful chemicals, so when I heard about this product I was obsessed!

Can you imagine pressing a button that electrolyzing edible ingredients into something safe enough to spray your baby’s pacifier down with? Or on all of those fun toys after a cold? Umm wow! The starter kit is $89.99...you’re welcome! 

Ahh!! We MADE it to the end! I truly hope this helped you! If you don’t mind, please share it with your mama to be friends, I wish I had this when I was googling EVERYTHING! Because we ALL need support! So send this along and get some major points from a friend who could probably use some major support right now!

Remember to follow and chat with me on IG @iamrachelmccord!

 

Love you, love me!

Rachel