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Baby Essentials: Things You Will Use the Most in the First Year

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May 19, 2024

I’m Iryna.
Wife, Twin Mom & Runner! I am a busy mom chasing my twins around and in my free time, I love me some good target trips or some self care. Let's be friends!
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If you are a mom who is currently pregnant or maybe just had your baby/babies and looking for baby essentials you will actually use in the first year of your baby’s life, then this post is for you. Here are the top baby products I am using with baby #3 that I used and loved with my twin boys.

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There is an overwhelming amount of baby products on the market, but with this guide, you will know exactly what to buy that’s been truly tested and tried. My twins are now 3 and baby #3 is arriving this September so I want to share my top baby essentials I will be re-using with baby #3 that I loved using with my twins. 

From baby gear to everyday must-haves to make newborn life a little easier, this list will make you feel prepared and ready to welcome your little one. 

This list will cover baby gear, baby bath products, baby essentials, baby sleep essentials, and more.

Baby Essentials for Sleep

This is an easy one! You will need a bassinet, crib, crib mattress, sound machine, blackout curtains, and some basic needs for sleep such as crib sheets, swaddles, and sleep sacks.

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BabyLetto

Crib

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Newton

Crib Mattress

100% breathable, 100% washable and perfect for your little one.

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Happiest Baby

Bassinet

I used with the twins and loved it so much. You can rent it too!

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Nanit

Baby Monitor

Use this with the twins and purchased a floor standing option for baby #3. Use code 'IRYNAC15" for a discount at checkout. 

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Hatch

Sound Machine

100% recommend this! I use it with my twins now and it's my favorite baby purchase. Also grab this bundle for on the go when the baby is a newborn. 

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Amazon

Blackout Curtains

You wont need these till about 4 months but after that, these will help your baby sleep so much better! Take it from me as a pediatric sleep consultant. 

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Happiest Baby

Swaddle

Super easy to use and only takes 5 seconds to swaddle your baby! Swaddling helps them sleep a lot better. 

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Kyte Baby

Sleep Sack

Once your baby is rolling, discontinue the waddle and use a sleep sack. I used this one with the twins the most. 

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Baby Feeding Essentials  

These feeding items for infants and babies are my most used with my twin boys and I plan on using all of these with baby #3. 

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Baby Brezza

Bottle Sterilizer

Helps to keep your bottles and pumping parts clean and germ free! A must have for baby. 

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Philips Avent

Glass Baby Bottles

I used these with the twins and plan on using the same with baby #3. I love that they are not plastic as germs and bacteria leeches on way more on plastic compared to glass.

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Baby Brezza

Formula Dispenser

Most used baby item with the twins. My plan was to breastfeed but i had to supplement with formula as i wasn't producing enough breast milk. This made feeding the babies so much easier. 

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HIPP

Formula

I used this formula with the twins and plan on doing the same with baby #3 if I run into the same breastfeeding issues as I did with my twins. This formula is European and the reason why we chose this was because of the higher EU standards and regulations when it comes to food. 

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OxoTot

Bottle Brush

We love it and keep repurchasing it after a few months of use. We used it with the twins and still use it for their cups and bottles. Highly recommend. 

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OxoTot

Bottle Drying Rack

I love how compact this drying rack is. I use it only for bottles and pump parts which helps to keep it away from the rest of the dishes. A must have baby item. 

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Amazon

Burp Clothes

These were our favorites with the twins. The are so soft and a really great size. I saved all of them for baby number 3. Cannot recommend them enough. They come in a lot of different color options. 

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Green Sprouts

Bibs

My twins were formula fed and bottle fed breast milk. I used these bibs for all their bottle feedings.It helped when they would spit up from constantly being changed. I love these and saved all of them for baby #3. 

Baby Straw Bottle

Grosmimi

Straw Cup

Once your baby starts drinking water, these straw cups were our favorite ones! We used them for over 2+ years. I started to offer these around 9-10 months. 

Stokke Tripp Trapp

Stokke

High Chair

I initially went with a different high chair but ended up getting this one and it was my biggest regret not going with this high chair from the beginning. It can be used from newborn all the way up to an adult. My twins who are 3 now use these chairs daily for all their meals. 

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Amazon

Plates and Forks

We love these plates, currently still use them with the twins and will get more for baby. 

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Motif

Breast Pump

I recommend doing research on a pump that would work best for you if you are planning on breastfeeding. I used this one and one that was hands free / cord free which allowed me to pump anywhere. 

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Baby Bath and Diapering Essentials

Must have baby items from all things bath and diapering. There's not a lot but a few are essentials. 

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Amazon

Bath Tubs

I used 3 different bathtubs with the twins. They are all broken down by age. the first one is ideal for newborn, the next one we used from about 3 months to 6 months and the last one was when they were able to sit up supported. For us that was about 6 months and we discontinued it around 12 months. 

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Tubby Todd

Baby Bath & Body Wash

I've used these with the twins since they were newborns and still use them to this day. You will love their products and the link below will apply an automatic discount at checkout. 

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Honest

Baby Bath Towels

These were the best baby bath towels. They were thick, cotton and I loved using them with the twins. I will use the same ones with baby #3. 

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Honest

Washclothes

Same with these washcloths! Best ones I found. 

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Costco

Diapers

I tried a few different diapers and I loved two brands: Costco brand and Coterie diapers. Coterie were definitely the best ones but they are a lot more compared to the costco brand.

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Healthy Baby

Baby Wipes

I will be using these baby wipes with baby #3 because they are EWG certified for one of the best non-toxic baby wipes and that is something that is extremely for our family especially when it comes to baby wipes. 

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Amazon

Waterproof Changing Pad

We had a changing pad with the twins but I honestly was not using it as much as I thought I would. I kept it for baby #3, but I found it a lot easier to change the baby on my bed or on a mat as an example. 

Baby Gear Essentials

These have been some of our most used baby products with the twins in the first year and beyond. I've tried quite a few different baby products and these made to the top of the list!

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Bugaboo

Stroller

I will be using the Bugaboo Donkey with baby #3 which I used with the twins and HIGHLY recommend if you are expecting twins. The stroller does convert into a mano position and will work great for just one baby. I almost went with the UPPABaby Vista but didn't like how the twins would not be side by side. If I was expecting only one baby, I would of went with the UPPABaby Vista

Doona

Car Seat & Stroller

I got this for baby #3 and I am so excited!! This can be easily converted from a car seat into a stroller. Perfect for a busy family on the go. 

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Nuna

Convertible Car Seat

Once your baby grows out of their infant car seat, you will need a convertible car seat. We got this one and love it. The twins are still in this seat. 

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Amazon

Diaper Bag

Lots of options out there. With baby #3 and twin toddlers, I am looking for a backpack style diaper bag and really love this one. 

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BabyBJorn

Baby Bouncer

We loved using this baby bouncer with the twins and we plan on using the same one with baby #3. 

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Amazon

Play Mat

This non-toxic play mat is a great option. We used it once the twins started becoming more mobile and we still use it to this day. Highly recommend this one. 

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Lovevery

Play Gym

Your baby will spend lots of time playing on this play gym. They will do tummy time on it and it's just a great place for the baby. 

Stroller for Twins

Baby Gear That is Nice to Have

These are my nice to have baby items and you can definitely make it without these but I do own all of these and loved using them with the twins. There is one baby item that I am extra excited about to use with baby #3 that I didn't get to use as much with the twins.  

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Munchkin

Baby Swing

The twins have lived in this swing for the first few months. I know some babies do not like swings but mine loved it. I upgraded our swing with this baby and got this one. 

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Snuggle Me

Baby Lounger

Another one of these baby items that I used a lot with the twins. It was a safe place for me to put them down and have them longe. They were always supervised and I got baby #3 the snuggle me. 

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Mabe

Baby Carrier

With the twins, I was not able to baby wear them as much as I wanted but I purchased this stunning baby carrier for baby #3 and I am so excited to use it. I know with twin toddlers, baby wearing will be essential. 

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Skip Hop

Activity Center

Once the twins can sit up, we used this activity center A LOT! It was a safe place to contain them while knowing they are safe. 

Baby Clothing Essentials

This may be a little controversial but when my boys were newborn all they wore was footie pajamas and onesies. I got them a few cute outfits but they didn't really wear them. So I highly recommend stocking up on footie PJs! 

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Target

Pajamas Footies

These were our favorite ones. I literally have 2 of each color and style for baby #3 because I saved all of them. They grow really fast at this age and you will be going through them fast! I absolutely love these for newborns and babies. 

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Target

Onesies

Another one my twins lived in and I have plenty for baby #3!

Linking some of my favorite newborn clothing you will ACTUALLY USE here!

Baby Items I Bought With the Twins that I will Not Use with this Baby  

Before we get into the list, I do want to say that this may be different for each family but these are some of the items I will not be using:

  • Diaper Pail: these just get very smelly and pulling out the diapers is really hard once the bag is full. I am going to be skipping on this one this time around.
  • Socks / Shoes for Newborns: they will basically live in footie pajamas or even footie jackets so you really do not need these. Half the time they fall off and get lost anyways. 
  • Infant Tylenol: my boys projectile vomited from this medication anytime I would try to offer it to them when they had a really high fever. Never buy this. I found this clean medication that I use with my kids now and it's truly the BEST. They have  infant formula and kids
  • Bottle Warmer: I got this with the twins and I think I used it maybe twice. Total waste of money. If you end up using the baby brezza formula maker, it makes the perfect temperature bottle for your baby. 
  • Crib Bumpers: a no go and these are not safe!!
  • Quilts / Blankets in Crib: your baby should sleep with nothing in their crib AT LEAST for the first year of their life to reduce SIDS. This includes lovies, blankets, stuffed animals, quilts and blankets. The only thing they can have in there is a pacifier if they take one. 
  • Weighted Sleep Sack: there are some claims that will make moms believe their children will sleep better with a weighted sleep sack however I would disagree. The American Academy of Pediatrics actually advised against these as they are unsafe for your baby. 
  • Dreft Baby Detergent: extremely toxic especially for newborn skin and is actually one of the worst baby detergents on the market. Go with this option instead or this one

This post is all about Baby Essentials you will actually use the most in the first year of your baby's life. Be sure to grab this Baby Registry Checklist for a list of complete items!

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