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Baby is on the way and you’re trying to make the most of this time to prepare before the Big Day. Whether you’re a minimalist, or like to feel prepared for every scenario, are making a traditional baby registry or compiling a list of must-haves for yourself, these are the items you don’t want to miss. Well.ca’s Baby Event runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 5 and is the perfect opportunity to snag deals on some of these items. Here are our top must-haves now.
First thing’s first: you need a car seat. The hospital (should this be where you deliver) won’t let you leave the premises without one of these – and with reason. Car seats are the most effective way to keep your precious bundle safe in a vehicle because they are designed to fit a baby’s growing body, providing proper restraint. They are carefully tested with stringent standards in place and even feature an expiry date, as research and standards evolve. You want a trusted brand such as this UPPAbaby’s Aria Infant Car Seat that also works with its UPPAbaby Vista travel system (more on that right below).
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2. A reliable and adaptable stroller
These days, you have so many options with travel systems that if you plan right, you may only need one. We love strollers that can grow with a family and your children’s needs as they age – with different attachments that help it adapt for whatever helps keep your baby happy and asleep (and you on your way). And the great thing is, you can find deals that fold in various attachments for your needs. From bassinet to seat to even a car seat, we love the UPPAbaby Vista V3 & Bassinet Jake Bundle for this reason (and the frame adapts to hold two babies at once, should yours be close together in age). Pair with the aforementioned UPPAbaby Aria bucket car seat and you’re ready to roll, with your baby in tow.
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UPPAbaby Aria Infant Car Seat DualTech Grey Anthony – $1729.98
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For a great budget option, we like Evenflo’s travel system and infant car seat solution. It has everything you need – including a chair that can adapt and grow with your child.
3. A safe place for baby to sleep
If you have a bassinet, such as the one that comes with the travel system above, you may not need a crib or a separate sleep area for the baby for the first few months. UppaBaby offers a Bassinet Stand to keep the bassinet elevated (and so you don’t need to keep the babe on the floor or in the stroller inside the house).
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Another popular bassinet pick is the SNOO. It features a built-in white noise machine and can gently rock your baby to help bring it to calm.
Alternatively, if you don’t want a traditional crib, BabyBjorn’s play yard will do double duty – being both highly portable (it’s one of the lightest play yards out there) and space-saving – it may be all you need for the first couple of years of your child’s life.
4. A safe space for baby to sit
One thing you may realize pretty quickly is how challenging it can be to have free hands when you’re caring for an infant. As such, you’ll want solutions that will keep the babe safe, busy and happy and the parent able to carry on with the necessary tasks – especially in those early days. While there are lots of swings and chairs out there, we (and our babes) loved the BabyBjorn Bouncer most. It’s easy to use, the fabric is simple to remove and washable – and bonus: you can even gently rock your wee one with your foot, when both hands are busy (such as when you’re pumping milk).
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As the baby grows and starts eating solids, you’ll need a high chair that grows with your child and won’t be in the way the rest of the time. For that, we recommend this Munchkin Float High Chair, which folds for easy stowing away and is easy to clean (because there will be lots of messes to clean).
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Gerber Organic Rice Cereal – $7.99
Lastly, babies are naturally curious and love to handle and mouth whatever they can get their dimpled little hands on. We loved seating our babes in their chairs and handing them toys to explore, such as this Fat Brain Toys InnyBin that helps them develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
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5. A way to wear your baby
If you’re often in motion (or your babe needs you to be), another great option is a baby wrap or a more robust baby carrier. Babies love the sense of movement that comes with being swaddled and carried, because it reminds them of their time spent inside the womb. And babies naturally crave closeness with their caregivers, so a carrier provides them this while also allowing you to keep your hands free. A solid carrier can be a game-changer for new parents, especially if you plan to travel with your baby in those early months.
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Moby Wrap Elements Wrap Taupe – $64.99
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6. A diaper changing system
Assuming you won’t be stuck at home throughout your child’s diaper-dependent time, you’ll need a portable changing station to swap dirty diapers for fresh ones. We recommend a sturdy backpack-type of diaper bag that’s easier to balance than a shoulder bag and a change pad that can hold all your diaper changing essentials, such as diapers, wet wipes, and diaper balm).
And if you want a traditional changing pad to place on top of an existing dresser, we recommend this Bumbo Changing Pad.
You may also like:
The Honest Company Club Box Diapers Above it All and Pandas – $38.99
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WaterWipes Sensitive+ Newborn & Baby Wipes Unscented & Hypoallergenic – $55.09
Munchkin Go Change Travel Diaper Changing Kit – $24.99
Because you’ll only sleep as soundly as your baby does, you need a trusty monitor to help you keep an eye on your little bundle. We like the Nanit because you can monitor your baby (or more than one) through the Nanit app even if you’re out of the house, because the company touts its security, and the app monitors your child’s breathing as well as features a slew of perks such as tracking your child’s growth.
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8. A way to stay warm and cozy
Newborns and even older babies like to feel swaddled and cozy – especially as temperatures drop. Safe options include muslin swaddles, if you prefer to wrap your baby yourself, or swaddles like the SwaddleMe by Ingenuity Monogram option that offer the same feeling without the requisite energy (it will be on short supply) – no middle of the night origami skills required. Lastly, as the baby grows, you’ll want a soft, breathable sleep sack that will offer warmth without the need to use blankets or covers. Paired with beyond-adorable Kyte zippered footie, your baby will be comfy and stylish in one fell swoop.
You may also like:
Lulujo Cotton Muslin Swaddles Bunnies + Fern – $31.99
SwaddleMe by Ingenuity Monogram Collection Swaddle Dino Mite 1.0 TOG – $44.97
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Kyte BABY Zippered Footie Bewitched – $45.98
9. Quality bottles that will last
At some point, your baby will likely use bottles. Whether to supplement with human breast milk, formula or to shift to non-human milks after they reach 12 months of age, you’ll want quality bottles that can withstand sterilization and that won’t leach harmful chemicals. Our top affordable pick is the Evenflo Balance+ Wide 9oz Bottles 2 Pack, but we also used and love this Philips AVENT Glass Natural Baby Bottle With Natural Response Nipple. For silicone bottles, the Como Tomo bottles are perfect when you’re on the go, travelling or as babies grow.
You may also like:
Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro – $299.99
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Philips AVENT Glass Natural Baby Bottle With Natural Response Nipple – $32.99
Como Tomo Silicone Baby Bottle Pack – $41.99
10. A plan for the hard days
Inevitably, there will be days when the nights feel extra long, when your body is tired and sore or when the inevitable cold or flu sweeps through the household. For these days too, Well.ca stocks items to lighten the toll. For those early post-partum days, when your body is still very much healing, you’ll love Frida Mom’s Postpartum Recovery Kit. It includes comfortable disposable postpartum underwear, perineal healing foam (great especially if you’ve experienced tears during childbirth), perineal cooling pad liners and instant ice maxi pads.
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And if you’re planning to nurse or pump milk, don’t miss Earth Mama Organic nipple butter (yes, that’s a thing). The brand behind the must-have diaper balm offers a salve for those days when your breasts feel especially sore – and may even chap – especially early on in your nursing journey.
You may also like:
Perlimpinpin Bamboo Nursing Pillow Lotus – $54.99
Evenflo Advanced Manual Breast Pump – $39.97
Earth Mama Organics Organic Diaper Balm – $20.99
We love multitasking devices and the fridababy BreatheFrida 3-in-1 Humidifier, Diffuser + Nightlight is one such example. Not only will it help you bring moisture back into the air during the winter months, it will offer a subtle nightlight to help you navigate your baby’s space without disrupting sleep.
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Lastly, while you may not yet have been acquainted with a little marvel called the “snotsucker,” consider yourself initiated. This small-but-mighty device may mean the difference between a comfortable baby and one that’s having a hard time breathing through its tiny nasal passages. If your doc approves the use of saline, you’ll also want to stock this Fridababy NoseFrida Saline Snot Spray in your baby’s emergency care kit.
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InGenuity Calm Springs Plush Activity Gym Chic Boutique – $71.50
Upseat Baby Floor & Booster Seat with Tray Sage – $111.97
LITTLE Bot Miffy X Little Bot Baby Play Mat Ofie Mat – $188.99
