Having just had my first baby (3 weeks old while writing this!), I already have a good idea of which products I can't live without! It's true what they say "babies don't need all that much", and I completely agree! Here is a list of those things I did splurge on, that proved to be SO worth it!
Must-Haves
This tub is AWESOME! Be sure that it fits in your sink, though. You could (if you had to), put it in your tub, but the real benefit of this tub is when it's up nice and high in the sink. Let's face it- after birth, the last thing you will want to do is be bending over! The best thing about this tub is that it gives you a temperature reading, and filters fresh water in and out, so the tub water can always stay clean!
2. DockATot
Our baby sleeps in between my husband and I (we have a cal-king bed, so there is plenty of room!), and this "dock" keeps her snug and cozy. I love that she is so close to me for middle-of-the-night feeds; I personally couldn't imagine having her in another room when she is this little! The convenience of having her close-by to comfort her before a full-blown meltdown is also key for us! Training her to sleep in her dockatot now, we are planning on making this bed a key element in her transition to her crib when she gets older. She will have the comforts and familiarity of the dockatot, while adjusting to her new surroundings of the crib. We will simply place the dockatot inside the crib, and voila!
This was one of the big purchases we made for our baby, but the piece of mind is worth every penny! While in her dockatot, we put the owlet sock on her foot. The Owlet monitors her oxygen levels and heart rate, ensuring while you are dozing off, your little one is safe and sound. I used to be a heavy sleeper, but after my daughter was born, as soon as she stirs, I am wide awake! The owlet helps give me peace of mind that she is doing alright so I can catch up on some z's for the hour or two before she wakes!
I am a huge advocate of co-sleeping now that I have this bed for her, and I have some tips and tricks for ensuring safety and maximum comfort for baby! 1) Be sure baby is snuggly wrapped in a swaddle. The sides of the dockatot are nice and high, and baby fits perfectly in the middle which simulates the coziness of the womb. 2) I also keep the DockATot as high up on the bed as possible, (at the head of the bed) and my husband and I put our pillows about 1-2 feet below her DockATot, so even if we pull the covers all the way up, it will not cover her. 3) Owlet. We use this daily!
This was hands-down the biggest game changer for me throughout the pregnancy. It boosts my milk supply, curbs my hunger cravings, and gave me the ENERGY I need to NOT be a zombie throughout the day while waking up in the middle of the night 6+x/night! (oops did I say 6+ times/night? I meant 20! haha!)