This is my top 15 list, of things I did not already own, for life during the first few months with a newborn, and beyond.

1. Muslin Swaddle Blankets
2. Natural rubber pacifier
3. Wash pod
4. Nose Frida
5. Sophie La Giraffe Teething Toy
6. Boppy Pillow
7. Red night light
8. Baby Carrier/Sling
9. Teething Herbs
10. Elimination Communication Garments:
    • Tiny Undies Trainers
    • Legwarmers, other organic clothing options
    • Clothing
    • Very Small Underwear Options
11. Cloth Diapers
    • I recommend having at least a few cloth diapers and covers even if you decide to go with another option.  They are so easy to wash and have around in case you run out of disposable diapers.  I did disposable and Tidee Didee early on, then combo of disposable and washable, until it all got too much for me to keep up with and at four months, I started doing E.C. with my son.
    • For cloth diapers, I searched for a long time to find some damn near perfect pull-ons, to save time and my back.  I recommend this pull-on diaper, and this pull-on diaper cover, although I don’t use them together.  I also really like this fitted diaper insert idea, but have yet to try it.
    • Wool diaper covers are so useful for nighttime and daytime, if you are doing cloth diapering.  I use mine over and over, and have only washed it once twice!
    • An economical way to go is buying multi-packs of muslin flat diapers.
    • Flat diapers can be affixed with various things like the Snappi, which I use, and then use the pull on diaper covers over, or just fold the flat and stuff in a diaper cover.
12. CordaRoy’s Convertible Sleeper
    • For nursing in a reclining or laying down position, and for co-sleeping,  If I could afford two, I would have them.  One as a sleeper always, and one as a bean-bag chair always.  Queen size is probably ideal.  I have bad back issues, and this is the only thing that I have been able to sleep on comfortably with or without baby.
13. Vitamix
    • To make smoothies for momma, salsa for the partner, and baby food for the kid.
14. White Noise
    • I used an app on my smartphone, but there are many ways to get the white noise sound.  I know they make white noise machines, but I also love using a fan, heater, kitchen exhaust fan, etc.
15. Mattress Liner/Pad of some sort
    • To go under your sheets or whatever surface you and/or baby are lying on.  I don’t have a recommendation for a specific one yet, but I could not have lived without something like this during the first six months.