10 Unconventional Baby Essentials To Get You Through

When you’re preparing for baby’s arrival, you’ll likely already have a list of essentials you think you’re going to need.  Diapers and baby wipes for example, are just a couple of well-known essentials every new parent needs. However, did you know there’s likely a lot of stuff you’ll need which isn’t on your list?

As well as the obvious necessities, there’s a lot of unconventional essentials you’ll want to stock up on too. Here, you’ll discover just 10 unconventional baby essentials to get you through.

1. Caffeine (And Lots Of It!)

Sleepless nights come as part of the territory with a new baby. However, many parents have no idea just how much sleep is typically lost during baby’s first year. According to studies, the average parent loses around 44 days of sleep in the first year of their little one’s life. Yes, you read that right, a staggering 44 days of no sleep! So, it’s crucial to come up with a plan before baby actually arrives.

Caffeine is going to become your new best friend. Even if you’re breastfeeding, it’s typically safe to consume caffeine. This is because only around 1% of the caffeine you consume is passed onto baby. So, you’re going to want to stock up on caffeine if you want to survive that first year!

2. Nursing Pillow

When baby is first born, they aren’t going to be very heavy. However, when you’re nursing, it’s surprising how quickly your arms can become tired when trying to hold baby in place. That’s where a nursing pillow comes in extremely useful.

You can use the pillow to keep baby propped up while you feed them, giving your arms a much-needed break. This is a great investment for both breastfeeding and bottle feeding and it can even ensure baby is in optimal position to feed too.

3. In-Car Deodorant

You don’t realize it now, but you’re really going to want to keep a deodorant in your car! When you’re a new mom, most days are going to consist of dashing around. This makes it really easy to forget the things you need when leaving the house, such as deodorant.

So, why exactly do you need deodorant? Well, for a reason nobody appears to understand, when you’re breastfeeding you tend to get smellier armpits. It’s a mystery, and not a good one! Keeping deodorant in the car can therefore help you to counteract this embarrassing problem whenever you’re heading out.

4. Car Seat Canopy

You already know that you need a car seat, but have you considered a car seat canopy? These awesome affordable pieces of material can protect baby against the elements as you’re carrying them to and from the car. They can also help if you have the car windows open as you’re driving. Plus, they can help to protect against germs which may be circulating the air. As an additional bonus, you’ll find a car seat canopy also reduces the chances of strangers going in to touch your little one.

5. Disposable Tableware

Some days you’re really not going to have the time, or the energy, to wash dishes. That’s where disposable tableware can come in useful. At the very least, you’ll want to invest in disposable plates. However, why not go all out and buy disposable cutlery and cups too? Obviously, you don’t want to be using these all the time, but on those days where you really don’t have the capacity to deal with the dishes, they’re a sanity saver!

6. Diaper Bag Dispenser

One of the worst things about changing your baby’s diaper when you’re out and about, is the smell it can leave when you have to carry it around with you. However, with a diaper bag dispenser you can leave the odors behind.

These clever dispensers typically come with diaper bags included. All you need to do is change baby’s diaper and place the dirty one in the dispenser until you get home. There’s no mess and no odors to worry about, leaving you to enjoy the rest of your trip out.

7. Portable Space Heater

This one may sound a little strange, but a portable space heater can come in useful all year round. Babies can often get cold during bath time, so a portable space heater can really help to warm up the room. Even in summer, if you have the air conditioning on, the bathroom can feel a little too cold for your little one. So, warming it up briefly can help to keep baby comfortable while bathing.

8. Multivitamins

When you have a baby or toddler at home, colds and illness are something you’re going to experience a lot! While you can’t always prevent your little one getting a cold, you can help the rest of the family to fight off potential illness. One way to do this is to invest in good-quality multivitamins.

Taking multivitamins every day is going to boost you and your family’s immune system. So, when your baby or toddler does get a cold, it won’t necessarily be passed onto everyone else. It’s definitely no fun when you’re dealing with an entire household that’s sick.

9. Robot Vacuum

Want to make your life so much easier? A robot vacuum is exactly what you need. When you’re trying to look after baby, the last thing you want is to have to vacuum every day. A robot vacuum however, does it all for you. Simply press the button and watch it get to work. It can vacuum your entire house by itself, cleverly avoiding objects as it goes along.

10. Carpet Stain Remover

Finally, stains are an extremely common problem you’re going to need to deal with on a daily basis. Whether it’s baby vomit, drool or stains from sticky fingers, your carpet is really going to take a battering. So, it’s worth stocking up on carpet stain remover so you can quickly clear up any spills and stains before they become too problematic.

Conclusion

These are just some of the best unconventional baby essentials you’re going to want to invest in. Each and every single item on the list above is going to prove invaluable! Do you have any additional unconventional essentials other parents might find useful? Share them in the comments below!