When it comes time to shop for your baby and fill out your registry, you may ask yourself, “How could someone so small need so much?!” It’s shocking, we know. While there are always the random items that a well-intentioned aunt purchased on a whim that will inevitably sit in their box unused for years, most of it is going to get used at some point or another.
Friends, family, and strangers on the internet will all make sure you know to buy the usual: a crib, an infant car seat, a stroller, clothing, and about 3 million diapers. If you have all those, you may want to keep reading, because we’ve rounded up 15 baby products no one ever tells you you’ll need (but you definitely will).
Laundry Detergent and Stain Remover Spray
Washable Crib Mattress
You know you need a crib mattress, that’s a given. But you don’t want to register for just any old one. If your baby has an accident in the middle of the night, you’re going to want to get everything cleaned up as quickly as possible. A waterproof mattress that is easy to clean with soap and water will save you time, money, and much-needed sleep.
A Backpack
No question about it, you need a (large) bag for all the baby gear you’ll be packing up and carting around with you everywhere you go. But you may want to stay away from all those superchic, one-shoulder diaper bags and opt for a backpack instead. Not only will it keep your hands way more free, but it will save you a lot of shoulder pain. Plus, there are a lot of really cute ones now!
Sound Machine
A sound machine is not usually on the top of must-have baby lists, but it should be! They are super helpful for soothing fussy babies, encouraging nap time, and masking the sound of you leaving the room after putting baby down. Plus, they can help drown out noises like a barking dog, traffic, or noisy siblings that could wake baby.
Poop Bags
Yes, you read that correctly. The disposable bags you use to clean up your dog’s poop in public? They come in really handy when you’re out with your baby as well. Whether you need to change a dirty diaper and you’re not near a public garbage, or you’re handling a particularly spectacular blowout and want to be courteous about containing the odor, these work really well.
Diaper Rash Cream
Save yourself the trouble of running out when your baby is already in discomfort and get a tube of diaper rash cream now. It can be startling to open up their diaper and not have anything at the ready to soothe them. Better to be prepared!
Gentle Hand Sanitizer and Hand Soap
You’re going to be washing and santizing your hands a lot once you have a baby (and asking everyone who comes in the house to do the same). While you may not have sensitive skin now, that may change after a few thousand (or million) hand washes.
