As a first time mom I had no idea what I would need or what was really important to have. The internet will have you believing that you have to have it ALL! I’ve written up a top 7 mommy must-haves list for any mom- new or seasoned to have in their home. I’m talking beyond the basics. After talking with other moms and using these myself, I have to say this list is die-hard. So here we go! Bookmark this page for you or your best friend to refer to later. Trust me on this!

1. Bedside Bassinet

Even if you have a crib already set up like I do, you will want to have your little one right next you in those first few months. As a matter of fact- the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends recommends room sharing like this for at least 6 months but preferably a year! You will really need a good bedside sleeper. Among the many moms I’ve spoken to the Snoo is the best on the market and totally worth the investment. It’s like a bassinet, rocker, and white noise machine in one so you can actually get some sleep instead of being up rocking your baby to sleep for an hour (like I was doing!). Game changer.

2. Dock-A-Tot

I can’t believe how much I use my dock-a-tot! It has been so convenient to use anywhere around the house. If she falls asleep in the living room, we can safely lay her down in it instead of holding on to her. Back in the day people used to put the baby down with pillows all around so they don’t fall. Say good-bye to those old school tricks. This has raised pillow like edges so you don’t have to worry about your baby rolling over it. My daughter would usually fall asleep in her swing and having the dock-a-tot right there made it easy to do the transfer to a safe sleeping space. In case you didn’t know- babies shouldn’t be left sleeping in a swing due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This mommy must have makes it easy and convenient to put your baby in the right sleeping position. We even take it with us when we are out visiting family.

3. Swing

Ok I know just finished talking about how babies shouldn’t sleep in the swing. But it is the perfect thing to put your baby in when they are awake and supervised. Most babies just love the rocking motion and it puts them in a position where they can watch the comings and goings of everyone in the house. I love the swing so much I have two of them. One in the master bedroom and on the main floor. This has been so useful when I want to move around or if she’s just fussy. It really does soothe them. This fisher price sweet snugapuppy dreams swing is great because it rocks side to side and front to back. You’d be surprised how changing the direction of the swing can make a difference. It also has daytime/nighttime music and a rotating carousel of stuffed animals to keep your little one entertained. Love it!

4. Play Gym

This seemed insignificant to me at first but it is a mommy must-have! It is recommended that you start tummy time with your baby as soon as you get home from the hospital. Tummy time should be on a firm, flat surface and it helps to build up strength in their neck and upper back. It also helps to counteract flat head syndrome that can happen from them being on their backs alot. This carters play gym doubles as a tummy time mat. It’s a two in one and helps with development in both positions. On their back they get to see and interact with the hanging animals. On their belly they have a safe space for tummy time. It’s a win-win on this one!

5. Baby Carrier

It sometimes feels impossible to get anything done with a newborn. They want to be held… ALOT. Without a baby carrier I literally wouldn’t get much done around the house. I mean clean laundry piles everywhere and forget about dinner lol. With a good carrier you can have your cake and eat it too. Baby gets to be super close to mommy (or daddy) and sleep while you cook, fold clothes, or anything else that you need to do hands-free. I love this Tula one. It will take you from birth to toddler years! With multiple positions you can wear baby on your front or your back. They can face you or the world. And it has an ergonomic design that won’t cause strain on your back either. Trust me- you need this!

6. Monitoring System

Want peace of mind? This is a true mommy must-have. Yes, for the first 6 months to a year you may be room sharing. But that doesn’t mean you will never put baby down in their crib or leave the room while they are asleep. I put my daughter down in her crib for naps (so she can get used to it) and I am able to watch her while I am downstairs working out or cleaning up. So many moms I know have either the Nanit or the Owlet. Both have attachments like a sleeve or sock that let you monitor your baby’s breathing, heart rate, and oxygen saturation rates. Perfect for when you are transitioning baby out of your room into their own. You should see how many moms say they sleep so much better when they have a good monitoring system! Totally worth having.

7. Humidifier

You won’t want to skip this one! Particularly if you live in a place that gets cold (below 40 degrees) you will want to have on wherever the baby is sleeping. Since babies are nose breathers- they get super crusty when the air is dry. You should see how many booger crusts I’ve had to scrape out of there after a night. I noticed such a difference when I started using this humidifier. Their skin doesn’t dry out as much either with it. A sure mommy must-have!

**If you are breastfeeding you will want to check out my pro tips for breastfeeding success. There are more must-haves related to breastfeeding that you will want to know about.

This rounds out my top 7 list of mommy must-haves. Let me know if this helped you at all. Remember that you can also use this to find the best baby shower gifts for your friends and family too. These are good for any mom that you may know. Feel free to comment below!