🛍️ Maddy’s Complete Guide
New Parent Guide
to Success
Must-haves accumulated from thousands of families in our childcare network — organized by age so you only see what’s relevant right now.
💛 Maddy’s Biggest Tip
Take everything you can from the hospital. Anything they open for you they cannot reuse — so take home pads, wipes, disposable underwear, diapers, etc. You paid for it!
Postpartum Recovery
Items for your own recovery — most of these you’ll use immediately after birth.
FridaBaby Disposable Postpartum Underwear
Frida Mom
These are amazing! Once I wore all the ones from the hospital I started wearing these. After several weeks I switched to just wearing at night with a pad.
Frida Mom Peri Bottle
FridaBaby
Super helpful to stay clean since you can’t wipe for several weeks. Bring this to the hospital — so much easier than the basic squirt bottle they provide. Warm water is more comfortable.
Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads
Helps with pain and hemorrhoids. Place on top of your pad. The hospital may provide these — check before buying.
Dermoplast Pain Relieving Spray
Spray on vaginal area or a tucks pad — don’t overuse. The hospital often provides this. Helps significantly with pain.
Postpartum Pads — Multiple Sizes
The hospital provides huge pads but buy thinner ones for when swelling goes down. Buy multiple sizes — day and night.
Any brand
Ice Pack for Vaginal Area
Essential for the first few days. Many hospitals provide these — take as many as you can!
Get from hospital
Flushable Wipes
Once somewhat healed, flushable wipes just make you feel cleaner than regular toilet paper.
Any brand
Breastfeeding Essentials
If you’re thinking you don’t want to spend money on breastfeeding supplies — remember that formula is very costly. These items pay for themselves.
Nursing Bras — Regular
Can also be used to pump. Get at least 2–3. Maddy can explain how.
Kindred Bravely Sublime Nursing Sports Bra
Kindred Bravely
So comfortable. Worth the price in Maddy’s opinion.
Pumping Bra
One is usually enough since you can double up regular nursing bras for pumping.
Auden Seamless Sleep Nursing Bra — 2 Pack
Target — Auden
Didn’t realize I needed these until several weeks in. When baby started sleeping longer I would wake up completely soaked. Sleep in these with nipple pads.
Nipple Cream
Used a ton in the first few weeks, less after two weeks. A must-have for the early days.
Nipple Pads — Disposable
I liked having both disposable and reusable. Disposable ones are easier at first when you’re leaking more frequently.
Nipple Pads — Reusable
More comfortable than disposable. Switched to these more once feeding schedule was more predictable and leaking was less frequent.
Ice / Heating Packs for Breasts
Only used a few times but was so glad I had them. Breastfeeding can be super painful at first — used cold only.
Breastmilk Storage Bags
Tried a few kinds — these are my favorite. Don’t trust the bag measurement lines; use what your pump bottle measures. Lay flat to freeze. Pro tip: open each bag, write date + amount in sharpie, then pour milk in.
Haaka Manual Pump
Suctions onto the side you’re not nursing on and collects milk passively. Great for building a stash early on — but can affect supply. Best used just for engorgement relief.
Haaka Lady Bugs
Catches letdown milk passively on the side you’re not nursing on. Great for capturing and freezing that let-down milk once accumulated.
Hospital Bag Essentials
Things to pack that make your hospital stay and early days at home much smoother.
Sleep Mask
Didn’t use much in the hospital but used a lot at home trying to sleep at all hours of the day.
Any brand
Extra Long Phone Charger
Helpful if the outlet is far away from your hospital bed — which it often is.
Folder for Papers & Pen
Helpful to stay organized and keep up with all the paperwork for baby.
Any folder
Baby Book Hand & Footprint Insert Pages
Our hospital did these on their own — ask them to do them again on your baby book pages too while you’re there.
Bring from home
Clip-On Reading Lights
Still using these in the middle of the night when I don’t want to turn on lamps in the bedroom or nursery.
Any clip light
Miralax — Just in Case
Didn’t end up using mine but was glad I had it. Helps with the first bowel movement — less scary than you think!
Any pharmacy
Going Home Outfit for Baby
Bring multiple sizes just in case — newborn vs 0–3 month sizing can be very different.
Any brand
💛 Maddy’s Note
Don’t buy everything at once! Start with the essentials and add items as you discover what your baby needs. Every baby is different — what works for one may not work for another.
Car Seats & Strollers
The biggest investment — pick based on your lifestyle. Urban families have different needs than suburban ones.
Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat
Graco — $ Economy Pick
Lightweight and easy to use. SnugLock Elite also great value with higher-end LATCH connectors.
Chicco KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat
Chicco — $$ Editor’s Choice
Maddy’s top pick at a medium price point. Compatible with most strollers.
Britax Willow Car Seat
Britax — $$
Lots of safety features for the money. Solid construction.
UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Car Seat
UPPAbaby — $$$
Very easy to install and adjust. Top pick if getting an UPPAbaby stroller. Wool option has no flame retardants.
Doona Infant Car Seat + Stroller
Doona — $$$$
Converts from car seat to stroller in seconds. Perfect for urban families.
Baby Jogger City Mini 2 Stroller
Baby Jogger — Maddy’s Top Stroller Pick
Favorite lightweight all-purpose stroller. Great for everyday use.
UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller
UPPAbaby — Luxury Pick
Favorite luxury stroller — convertible for a 2nd child. All-purpose, compact, reversible seat.
Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System
Evenflo
Great value travel system — includes car seat and stroller.
Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller
Baby Jogger — 2 Kids
Best double stroller option for two kids.
Graco Ready2Grow Double Stroller
Graco — Budget Double
BuggyBoard Stroller Board
BuggyBoard
Attaches to your stroller so a toddler can ride while baby is in the seat.
Stroller Organizer with Insulated Cup Holder
Portable Stroller Fan
ToyStraps for Stroller & Car Seat
Keeps toys from falling on the floor constantly.
Baby Carriers
Watch instructional videos and practice a lot before baby arrives!
Boba Wrap — Newborn Carrier
Boba — $ Budget
Less bulky than Moby wrap. Great for newborns. Watch instructional video first.
Ergobaby Wrap Carrier
Ergobaby
Great for beginners with a guiding edge and built-in pocket.
Lillebaby Complete Carrier — Best Value
Lillebaby
Best value — versatile and comfy, baby can face out, no newborn insert required. Comes in bold fashions.
Ergobaby Omni 360 Carrier
Ergobaby
Great “do-it-all” carrier — no infant insert required, baby can face out. Classic colors.
BabyBjorn Carrier One
BabyBjorn
Baby can face in or out. Easy to switch from front to back carry. Dads love this one.
Bouncers & Swings
Graco Simple Sway Swing
Graco — Best Value
Parent favorite. Compact frame, 6 speeds, comfortable seat, sounds & vibrations at a great price.
Baby Delight Bouncer
Baby Delight
BabyBjorn Balance Bouncer
BabyBjorn — $$$
Looks great, baby learns to make the bouncer rock with own movements. Can be used as a seat up to 2 years.
SNOO Smart Bassinet
Happiest Baby — $$$$
Mirrors Harvey Karp’s 5 S’s. Cry-activated. The gold standard — also available to rent if you don’t want to buy.
Bath Time
FridaBaby 4-in-1 Grow With Baby Tub
FridaBaby
Blooming Bath Flower — Sink Bath
Blooming Bath
For sponge baths in the sink. Highest-rated option for newborn sink baths.
Munchkin Inflatable Duck Tub
Munchkin — Great for Travel
Great for travel.
Mustela Gentle Baby Shampoo
Mustela — Favorite Shampoo
Our favorite all-around baby shampoo. Very gentle.
Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo — 3 Pack
Burt’s Bees
Great lather and pleasant scent.
Everyone 3-in-1 Kids Soap — Pack of 2
Everyone
Castile-based soap. Often used in hospital NICUs.
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
Aquaphor
A mom-favorite with many uses beyond diaper rash — dry skin, cuts, chapped lips.
Cetaphil Baby Lotion 13.5 oz
Cetaphil
Baby Duck Bath Thermometer
No-Touch Forehead Thermometer
Munchkin Float & Play Bubbles Bath Toys — 4 Pack
Bamboo Hooded Animal Towels
Kids Step Stool
Sleeping — Bassinets, Swaddles & Sound
Graco Pack ‘n Play with Napper/Changer
Graco — Must Have
Every parent needs a PNP! Great value and a must-have for travel too.
Halo Bassinest Glide Sleeper
Halo — Top Value Co-Sleeper
Glides across the floor to push towards/away from bed as needed. Mesh lining.
Lotus Bassinet Bundle
Lotus — Travel Bassinet + Crib
Best travel bassinet pick — converts into a travel crib later for extended use.
Newton Crib Mattress
Newton — $$$$
Breathable, totally washable and recyclable. The safest option available.
QuickZip Crib Sheet Set
QuickZip — Must Have
A must-have for quick, middle-of-the-night sheet changes. Total game changer.
Love to Dream SwaddleUP
Love to Dream — $$
Zipper-style swaddle with arms up. Easy for diaper changes — great for swaddle busters.
Organic Swaddle Sleep Sack — 3 Pack
HALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket
HALO — Must Have
An absolute necessity to keep baby warm once out of swaddle stage. 3-way adjustable.
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine + Night Light
Hatch — $$$
Noise machine and night light combo with adjustable smart features. Worth every penny.
MyBaby White Noise Sound Machine
MyBaby — Budget Pick
Great portable option at a fraction of the price. Perfect for travel.
Nanit Plus Baby Monitor
Nanit
Owlet Baby Monitor — Combined Movement + Video
Owlet
Tracks everything + sleep coach. Combined movement and video monitor in one.
Soft Lovey — Various Animals
Baby Blanket
Diapering
Pampers Swaddlers
Pampers — Best Disposable
Very absorbent and soft. The gold standard for disposable diapers.
Kirkland Signature Diapers — Best Budget
Costco
Best store brand. Buy in bulk and save significantly.
Costco
Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes
Costco — Buy in Bulk!
Buy in bulk. Amazon Essentials baby wipes also great if you’re a Prime member.
Costco
Ubbi Diaper Pail
Ubbi
Best looking, controls odor well, no special bags required.
Aquaphor Diaper Rash Cream
Aquaphor
A mom-favorite with many uses beyond diaper rash.
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
Boudreaux’s — Cult Favorite
Portable Diaper Changing Pad
Formula Dispenser — Travel Container
Feeding — Bottles, Breast Pumps & Supplies
Philips AVENT Natural Baby Bottle 9oz — 4 Pack
Philips AVENT
Easy switch from bottle to trainer cup later.
Natural Flow Anti-Colic Baby Bottles 8oz — 4 Pack
Comotomo Baby Bottle
Comotomo
Very breast-like, easy to clean, simple design.
Spectra S1 Breast Pump
Spectra — Top Pick
Great affordable pump. High performing, closed system, gentle and comfortable. Check if covered by insurance first!
Elvie Wearable Breast Pump — Wireless
Elvie
Wireless, rechargeable, portable, hands-free. Very popular — check insurance coverage.
Willow Wearable Breast Pump
Willow — Upgrade Pick
Wireless, wearable pump for hands-free pumping. Not as strong as traditional pumps but very convenient.
Boppy Original Nursing Pillow
Boppy — Must Have
Best selling budget pick. No buckling needed. Great for tummy time too. Get 2 if you have a 2-level house.
Baby Brezza Formula Pro
Baby Brezza
Automatically makes a warm, formula-mixed bottle at the touch of a button. HUGE hit if you can afford it.
Frida Baby Medicine Pacifier & Syringe
FridaBaby — Must Have
6-Piece Silicone Feeding Spoons
WeeSprout Suction Plates — 3 Pack
WeeSprout
Suction Bowls
Waterproof Bib — PFAS/PVC/BPA Free
Silicone Bibs
Munchkin Trainer Sippy Cup 7oz — 2 Pack
CamelBak Eddy 14oz Kids Water Bottle
Toddler Fork, Knife & Spoon Utensil Set
Nuby Banana Massaging Teether
Snack Cups
Teething Cooling Gel
Lunch Box with 4 Compartments & Ice Pack
Clothing
Get at least 7 onesies in 0–3 month and 3–6 month sizes to start. Always choose zippers over snaps for middle-of-the-night changes!
Newborn Kimonos — 2 to 3 Pack
Easy on/off — don’t go over baby’s head and are easy on the cord stump area.
Footed Onesies / Footie Pajamas
Target, Carter’s, Amazon
A mom favorite! Get the ones with zippers.
Baby Night Gowns
Easy for diaper changes at night — just lift up, no snaps or zippers.
Hanna Andersson Socks
Hanna Andersson
These socks will fall off the least of any baby sock. Worth it.
Zutano Booties
Only if cold — stay on reasonably well.
Playing & Development
Lovevery The Play Gym
Lovevery — Best in Class
Designed by child development experts. Best play gym on the market.
Fisher-Price Kick and Play Piano Gym
Fisher-Price — Budget Pick
Babies LOVE kicking the piano and making music.
Magnetic Tiles Coodoo
Coodoo — STEM
Evenflo ExerSaucer Activity Center
Evenflo
The go-to basic activity center. Can swap out toys when baby grows bored.
Wonder Weeks Book + App
Wonder Weeks — Must Have App
Tracks your baby’s mental development leaps. Helps you understand why baby is fussier some weeks.
High Contrast Flash Cards
Diaper Bags, Medicine Chest & Must-Haves
Diaper Bag Backpack
Large, gender-neutral, great for both parents.
Cute Diaper Bag — Tote Style
Philips AVENT Soothie Pacifiers
Philips AVENT
May have to try several kinds. Start here.
NoseFrida Snotsucker
FridaBaby — Must Have
Baby Tylenol — Infant Acetaminophen
Do NOT use before 2 months. Have on hand just in case.
Little Remedies Gas Relief / Gripe Water
For bad gas pains — try both to see what works best for your baby.
BioGaia Probiotic Drops for Infants
BioGaia
Highly recommended for colic and digestive issues.
Baby Nail Clippers — Safety 1st
Cheapest and simplest nail clippers work the best. Get two — one for home and one for diaper bag.
IKEA Antilop High Chair
IKEA — Best Budget High Chair
Bare bones yet VERY functional and super easy to clean. Everyone should own one.
IKEA
Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair
Stokke — Luxury Pick
Beautiful modern wooden chair that grows with baby for years.
Frida Baby DermaFrida Flake Fixer — Cradle Cap
FridaBaby
Brica Magnetic Car Window Shade
1–2 Years Guide Coming Soon
Maddy is building out the 1–2 year guide with must-haves for toddlers. Have a suggestion from your own experience? Send it her way and she’ll add it to the list!
📧 Send a Suggestion2–4 Years Guide Coming Soon
The 2–4 year guide is in the works! Toys, activities, and gear for the curious toddler stage. Suggestions welcome.
📧 Send a Suggestion4–8 Years Guide Coming Soon
School age gear, learning tools, outdoor activities and more — coming soon. In the meantime check out our Back to School section in the Family Shop.
🛍️ Browse Family ShopNeed Childcare Too?
PioCare connects Colorado families with pre-vetted nannies, babysitters, and household helpers — faster and more affordable than any agency.
Parents, Check out the Baby Registry through Amazon! Great way to make it easy for anyone and everyone to send you all your desired items. Here are some items to check out that come highly recommended!
Bath & BED time
Babyganics Baby Shampoo + Body Wash Pack of 3 $29.22 USD
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
$6.79 USD
$9.47 USD
$8.99 USD
$14.99 USD
$19.99 USD
$11.99 USD
Organic Swaddle Sleep Sack – 3 pack
$25.96 USD
$29.99 USD
Bamboo Hooded Animal Towels baby-toddler
$12.99 USD
$48.95 USD
$5.79 USD
FUn for all
$21.99 USD
$35.99 USD
On the go
$550.00 USD
$250.48 USD
$429.97 USD
Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System with LiteMax
$384.48 USD
Baby Jogger City Mini Double Stroller
$719.97 USD
Graco Ready2Grow Double Stroller
$269.99 USD
$79.95 USD
Stroller Organizer with Insulated Cup Holder
$22.94 USD
$15.29 USD
ToyStraps for Stroller & car seat
$8.99 USD
$26.99 USD
$12.99 USD
$89.99 USD
$29.99 USD
Meal Time
6 piece Silicone Feeding Spoons
$8.99 USD
$5.96 USD
Nuby Nananubs Banana Massaging Teether
$4.98 USD
$8.45 USD
$13.99 USD
$9.39 USD
Philips AVENT Natural Baby Bottle 9oz, 4pk
$29.95 USD
$19.99 USD
Munchkin Trainer Sippy Cup 7oz, 2 pack
$13.49 USD
CamelBak Eddy 14oz kid water bottle
$26.99 USD
Toddler fork, knife, spoon utensil set
$11.49 USD
BACK TO SCHOOL
Back To School Elementary Essentials– 32 pieces
$29.99 USD
Backpack – 20 different designs
$33.99 USD
Kids Lunch Box -12 different designs
$9.99 USD
Back To School Elementary Essentials– 154 pieces – multi children home
$109.99 USD
Back To School Middle School Essentials -51 pieces
$41.99 USD
$7.99 USD