Ultimate Baby Guide from The Local Moms Network

With so many baby products on the market, how do you decide what you actually need for your little one? Introducing The Local Moms Network Baby Guide – a trustworthy resource created by experienced moms, for moms. 

Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, The Local Moms Network Baby Guide takes the guesswork out of building your baby registry. You’ll find mom-tested and baby-approved recommendations for everything from nursery necessities to feeding your baby.

Almost a decade ago, Asya Geller of Greenwich Moms started this guide to share her favorite baby essentials with friends. Since then, it’s been updated and perfected by moms across our network. Refer to it, make your picks, and get ready to welcome your bundle of joy with confidence. Then be sure to pass it along to the next mama-to-be!

This story originally appeared on The Local Moms Network.

Diapers. They’re not glamorous, but they may just be the only item a parent truly needs when the baby is born. These products make it as painless as possible.

Diapers 

• Coterie (Arguably the most important item on this list, they’re incredibly absorbent, soft-as-cashmere and basically blow-out proof! Use code TLMNGuide2024 for 20% off first-time orders!)
• Pampers
• Kirkland Signature Diapers

Wipes

• Coterie (You can’t have diapers without wipes and Coterie’s wipes are our top pick! Made with 99% purified water, these strong soft wipes are 30% larger than your average wipe, which means one wipe goes a long way. Plus, they are hypoallergenic and made from biodegradable fibers!)
• Water Wipes
• Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes
• La Petite Creme French Diapering Lotion, Balm and Pads

Changing Pad Liners

• Munchkin Waterproof Changing Pad Liners 

Changing Pad and Covers 

• Regalo Changing Pad
• Keekaroo Peanut Changer 

Diaper Pail, Bag refills, and Deodorizers 

• Diaper Genie
• Deodorizers
• Amazon Brand Bag Refills 
• Ubbi Diaper Pail + Plastic Bags

Diaper Cream 

• Earth Mama Diaper Balm 
• Boudreaux Butt Paste
• Desitin 
• La Petite Creme French Diapering Balm

Portable Diaper Changing Pad

• Skip Hop

Whether you’re nursing, pumping or formula feeding, the accessories that accompany feeding your baby can be confusing! Here are some of the must haves to make life a little easier. 

Nursing Pillow

• Boppy Nursing Pillow 
• My Breast Friend 
• Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow 

Nursing Cover 

• Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover 
• Copper Pearl Multi-Use Cover

Breast Pump and Replacement Parts (check with your health insurance provider for information on free pumps!)

• Spectra S1 or S2
• Elvie Hands Wearable Pump 
• Replacement Spectra Parts
• Willow Go Wearable Pump
• Haakaa Manual Breast Pump

Breast Milk Storage Bags 

• Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags 
• Medela Breastmilk Storage Bags

Burp Cloths

• Burts Bees  
• Aden + Anais Burp Cloths 

Bottle Brushes 

• Munchkin 
• Dr. Brown’s 

Bottle Soap

• Dapple Dish Soap 
• Seventh Generation (clean, plant based, can use for all dishes)
• Babyganics

Bottles 

• Dr. Brown’s
• Evenflo 
• Comotomo

Bottle Drying Rack  

• Boon Drying Grass
• OXO Space Saving Drying Rack 

Bottle Accessories

• Baby Brezza Bottle Washer 
• Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced

While starting solid foods may not be a priority when your baby is first born, you’ll need to introduce them around 4-6 months. To prepare, consider these helpful items.

High Chairs

• Stokke Tripp Trapp with tray 
• Inglesina Fast Table Chair
• Lalo The Chair Convertible 3-in-1 High Chair

Bibs

• OXO Bib
• Bapron 

Plates/Bowls/Utensils/Cups 

• EZPZ Plate 
• EZPZ Bowl 
• EZPZ Cup 
• NumNum Starter Spoons 
• Self Feeding Spoon and Fork 
• Munchkin Straw Cup
• Munchkin Snack Bowl 
• Austin Baby Co Placemat 

Baby Food Prep

• Baby Food Mill
• Baby Food Containers
• Magic Bullet Blender

People love to tell expecting parents to sleep when the baby sleeps, but that’s a lot easier said than done! Below you’ll find our favorite sleep products from necessities like bassinets and crib sheets, to helpful accessories like white noise machines.

Bassinets/Mattress Covers/Sheets

• Halo Bassinet
• Chicco LullaGo® Anywhere LE Portable Bassinet
• Snoo

Swaddles

• Swaddleme 
• Ollie Swaddle 
• Love to Dream 
• Aden + Anais Blanket 

Sleep Sacks (Check for different weights and sizes)

• Kyte Baby
• Halo Sleep Sacks 
• Woolino Sleep Sack 

Crib Mattress 

• Naturepedic Organic Mattress 
• Newton Crib Mattress

Crib Sheets

• Pottery Barn Crib Sheets
• Burt’s Bees Crib Sheets

Portable Crib and sheets 

• Graco Pack N Play
• Graco Pack N Play Sheets
• 4moms Breeze GO
• Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

Sound Machine

• Hatch
• Yoga Sleep Portable Sound Machine
• Yogasleep Dohm 

Baby Monitor 

• Nanit
• Infant Optics Monitor 

Whether you’re heading to the grocery store, a weekend at the grandparents, or on a two-week vacation, traveling with baby can be exhausting. Here are the items that make transporting your bundle of joy a breeze.

Stroller (and corresponding travel bag)

• Uppababy – Vista, Cruz, or Minu
• Uppababy Stroller Travel Bag 
• Zoe Double Stroller 
• Baby Trend Snap-N-Go EX Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier
• Bugaboo Donkey
• Babyzen yoyo

Car Seat 

• Uppababy Mesa 
• Uppababy Mesa Carseat Bag
• Nuna Rava 
• Bugaboo Turtle 
• Doona

Wagon 

• Quest Beach Wagon
• Keenz Wagon 
• Veer All-Terrain Cruiser 

Stroller Accessories 

• Stroller Fan
• Snack Tray – stroller specific 
• Cup holder – stroller specific 

Stroller Caddy

• Skip Hop

Stroller Mittens  

• 7am Enfant 

Stroller Sleeping Bag 

• 7am Enfant 

Baby Carrier

• Ergo Baby 360
• Boba Wrap
• Solly Baby Wrap
• Baby Bjorn Mini

Mirror for Car Seat (one for each car)

•  Britax 

Diaper Bag

• Amazon Backpack 
• LL Bean Zip Top Tote 
• Tote organizer 

Bathing your baby can be great bonding time. Here are our favorite products to keep your baby comfortable and clean.

Bathtub

• Skip Hop Whale Tub 
• OXO Tot Splash & Store Bath Tub

Towels 

• Pottery Barn Hooded Towels
• Weezie Baby Hooded Towel
• Burt’s Bees Baby Bath Bundle- Hooded Towel, Washcloths & Robe

Baby Soap and Moisturizer 

• Tubby Todd All Over Ointment 
• Evereden Shampoo and Body Wash 
• Aveeno Baby Wash and Shampoo 
• Pipette Soap
• Pipette Lotion

Our favorite products to help keep our babies safe and healthy. 

Humidifier 

• Honeywell Humidifier 
• Canopy Humidifier 

Snot Sucker 

• Frida Baby Snot Sucker 
• Electric Snot Sucker

Nail File

• Bbluv Nail File 

Medicine 

• Benadryl 
• Infant Tylenol 
• Frida Baby Windi Gas and Colic Reliever 

Laundry Detergent and Stain Remover 

• HealthyBaby Laundry Detergent
• Dreft Stain Remover  

Sunscreen 

• Think Baby
• Tubby Todd Mineral Sunstick SPF 30
• Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen

Oral Care

• Firstgrin Introductory Oral Care Kit 
• Dr. Brown’s Infant to Toddler Set

Thermometer 

• Braun ThermoScan 

From lounging to playing, leisure time with baby is the best! 

Baby Containers 

• Baby Bjorn Bouncer with toy bar
• California Beach Co Playpen 

Jumper 

• Skip Hop Jumper 

Play Mats/Gyms

• Lovevery – The Play Gym 
• Ruggish Play Rug 
• Tum Tum Wedge 

Toys

• Loververy Play Kits 
• Grow Go Kids 

While teeny tiny baby clothes are adorable, they’re oftentimes unrealistic. Focus on getting the essentials to keep your newborn comfortable during those first few months.

White Long-Sleeved Onesies 

Zipper PJs

• Little Sleepies
• Hanna Anderson 
• Magnetic PJs

 

Don’t forget about caring for yourself, mom. After your baby is born, be sure to take some time for self-care. You deserve it!

Breast Care

• Frida Mom Breast Care
• Lansinoh Breast Therapy Packs – Hot and Cold 
• Bodily Nursing Bras 
• Larken Hands Free Pumping Bra 
• Kindred Bravely Nursing and Hands-Free Pumping Bra
• Lansinoh Breast Pads
• Blanqui Breast Pads
• Earth Mama Nipple Butter

Down There Care

• Frida Mom Peri Bottle 
• Frida Mom Postpartum Care
• Good Wipes