I’m a Mom of 5, and These Are the 15 Items I Recommend to Every New Parent

As an elder millennial mom of five, I enjoy perusing the baby shower registries of my younger and much hipper mom compatriots. When you’re a first-time parent, your wishlist is filled with things you think you might need (or that a passed-around Google Doc tells you you’ll need), but those of us who have been in the trenches for a while know all too well that many of these products will collect dust while the baby chews on the remote or plays with a cardboard box.

From must-haves like baby bottles (I can’t recommend this Dr. Brown’s set highly enough) to newer innovations—like this pump-ready breast milk cooler, the right baby products can make a world of difference when you’re in the sleep-deprived newborn phase. After five kids, these are the baby products that got me through sleepless nights, neighborhood walks, and so much more. 

A Stroller Wagon

As a first-time expecting mom, my younger sister has her eye on the fanciest, flashiest stroller on the market, but I am doing my best to convince her that what she really needs is a stroller wagon. Stroller wagons emerged on the market only for my last baby, and I couldn’t believe what a game-changer mine was. I own the Evenflo Pivot stroller wagon, and I have used it almost exclusively over any type of stroller from the baby stage through now, when my youngest is in preschool. 

In my opinion, stroller wagons are ideal for new parent gifts if they plan to have more than one child, spend a lot of time outside, or want a stroller that can handle bumpy terrain. I have used mine up and down dirt roads, in our yard, through fields, on the beach, and in regular places like the zoo and park. I absolutely recommend stroller wagons because you can fit two kids plus stuff in them, have shade and snacks, and for whatever reason, my kids never protested sitting in a wagon like they did a stroller. The updated version of the Pivot Xplore even includes a bassinet insert so the littlest one can stretch out to rest, too. 

To buy: Evenflo Pivot Xplore Dreamz Terrain Stroller Wagon $397; amazon.com

An Umbrella Stroller

Stroller wagons are great for adventures outside with lots of gear and multiple kids, but I’m also a firm believer that every new parent needs a lightweight umbrella stroller in their repertoire of parenting products. A good umbrella stroller is a lifesaver for travel or for anytime you need to pack light. And while you can definitely pick up a basic umbrella stroller, it’s very convenient if you can gift a new parent one with a storage basket and canopy. Even better? One with a cupholder like this Summer Infant option. Plus, it comes with its own carrying strap and weighs only 13 pounds. 

To buy: Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller $99; amazon.com

A Video Monitor that Tracks Breathing

A newborn’s breathing is a big source of worry for many new parents, which is why I really appreciate the Nanit smart baby monitor because it functions as both a regular video monitor and a breathing monitor. The Nanit has a sensor-free breathing band that your baby wears like a regular swaddle that will track breathing and alert you of any changes through the app. Plus, the notifications and alerts continue to your phone even when you don’t have the app open, which is a big plus for parents who want the monitoring without staring at their phone all day (and night) long. You can also get personalized sleep insight and recommendations after the Nanit analyzes your baby’s sleep patterns. Read more about this monitor in our full review.

To buy: Nanit Pro Smart Baby Monitor $270 (was $300); amazon.com 

A Stretchy Baby Wrap

All of my newborns lived in a baby wrap, and my favorite by far was the Boba wrap. The Boba allowed me to wear my baby, freeing up my hands for other tasks like caring for other children, cooking, or just running into a store without having to lug the car seat around. The Boba wrap is inexpensive (as far as baby wraps go—they can be very pricey!), comes in a variety of prints and colors, and you can upgrade to luxury options like organic cotton if you like. The Boba also comes with easy-to-follow written and video instructions, making it ideal for parents who are new to babywearing. 

To buy: Boba Wrap $34 (was $45); amazon.com

An Easy-to-Clean High Chair

One of my biggest mistakes as a new mom was registering for an all-white high chair. (I know, I know.) So I am now passionate about ensuring no new parent ever has to try to clean the messes I cleaned. I recommend two things in a high chair now: it should be as easy to clean as possible and it should be convertible so your child can use it at different stages. 

My sister-in-law and new mom recommends the iconic Stokke Tripp Trapp with the infant seat attachment. Her baby loves it and my sister-in-law loves that she can get stuff done in the kitchen while her little one hangs out in it. For a more budget-friendly option, the Skip Hop convertible high chair offers similar 4-in-1 functionality and easy-clean materials for only $165. 

To buy: Stokke Tripp Trap High Chair with Baby Set $319; amazon.com 

A Spinning Activity Center

Activity tables are great, but to really entertain an older baby or toddler, spinning activity centers are where it’s at. We owned this Fisher-Price activity center with a seat that spins a full 360 degrees, providing tons of entertainment for my baby to check out every toy to his or her heart’s content. (Oh and don’t worry: that seat is machine-washable and easily snaps in and out.) The other key feature is that the table legs are adjustable, so it can grow with your baby as they get taller and need more room to stand. 

To buy: Fisher-Price Baby to Toddler Sit-To-Stand Activity Center $125; amazon.com 

An Actual Baby Swing

I know, I know infant seats with motion like the Nuna are all the rage with new parents these days, but I am old school and am convinced that newborns like more motion to keep them soothed. In fact, when I worked in labor and delivery, our unit used an extremely old-fashioned hand crank swing to soothe fussy little ones when their parents needed a break at night. Sometimes, you just have to use what works, and baby swings can work. We loved the Graco Simple Sway because it’s more compact than traditional swings and still offers both vibration soothing and side-to-side motion. 

To buy: Graco Simple Sway Swing $120; amazon.com 

A Baby Swaddle

After five children of my own and working as a labor and delivery nurse, I can confidently say that the majority of newborns love to be swaddled. Not all babies, of course, but most are very soothed by the act of being swaddled up, and if you don’t quite have the hospital swaddle technique down, a swaddle baby wrap can make swaddling easy because it removes the guesswork. These wraps feature an adjustable fit and zip open for easy diaper changes.

To buy: Aden & Anais Cotton Knit Baby Wraps $32; amazon.com

A Rocking Recliner

I’ve done plenty of baby feeding, rocking, soothing, and snuggling in a rocking recliner, and it beats any aesthetic rocking chair out there. This chair checks all the boxes: comfy arms for nursing or bottle feeding, easy-clean material, lumbar support, and both rocking and reclining. It also features built-in, dual USB ports, which will seem like the best invention ever when it’s 3 a.m., your phone is about to die, and you have a fussy baby in your arms who refuses to be put down.

To buy: Baby Relax Otto 4-in-1 Glider Rocker Power Recliner $400; walmart.com

A Glass Bottle Set

I cannot recommend Dr. Brown’s bottles enough, and for any parent who prefers to avoid plastic, their glass bottle options are top-notch. My fifth baby was both born prematurely and was exclusively bottle-fed, and we had a great experience with all of the Dr. Brown’s glass bottles. For any parent who knows they will be bottle feeding or just wants the option, I highly recommend this starter set that features everything they need, including bottle brushes and silicone bottle holders to make gripping easier. Plus, Dr. Brown’s venting system is clinically proven to reduce colic, spit-ups, and gas, which is always a plus. 

To buy: Dr. Brown’s Option + Wide-Neck Glass Bottle Starter Set $69; amazon.com

An Insulated Diaper Bag Backpack

Many new parents-to-be are pretty savvy to the fact that diaper bag backpacks are the way to go, but take it from an experienced parent: They really are so handy. In addition to looking for a roomy diaper bag backpack, I recommend one with an insulated bottle pocket or compartment so you can take prepared bottles on the way or stash breast milk if needed. 

I personally owned the Itzy Ritzy Boss Plus and absolutely loved it—it offers plenty of space and organization, two insulated bottle pockets, and a dedicated changing mat in its own zippered compartment to make emergency changes fast and easy. One of my favorite features is its rubberized, structured bottom, which ensures it stays upright and doesn’t fall over right when you’re trying to find that crucial toy buried in the bottom.

To buy: Itzy Ritzy Boss Plus Diaper Bag Backpack $185; amazon.com 

A Cooler for Breast Milk or Formula

I went very old school with an insulated lunch tote for carrying breast milk around when I exclusively pumped for my last baby, but new mom and skincare consultant Catherine Dziardziel has informed me that the pumping game just got much better thanks to a gadget called a breastmilk chiller. “My new favorite thing is called a Ceres Chill,” Dziardziel says. “It’s a thermos you can take with you on the go and store your milk. It makes pumping on the road so much easier.”

The Ceres Chill OG Breastmilk Chiller looks like a thermos you may remember your dad using for lunch, but there’s some interesting tech here: You pump directly into the thermos, where your liquid gold can be safely chilled and stored for up to 20 hours. It’s compatible with all major breast pumps, travel-friendly, and when your pumping days are over, it can be used as a regular thermos for sipping hot (or cold) beverages. Looks like the Stanley cup might have some serious competition.

To buy: Ceres Chill OG Breastmilk Chiller $72; amazon.com

A Hiking Backpack

For any new parents who want to spend some time outside, a hiking backpack carrier makes a great gift. A good hiking backpack should have three essential elements: Adjustable and comfortable straps (read: thick, not thin), plenty of lumbar support, and a shade to protect little ones from the elements. We used a hand-me-down hiking backpack, but this option is highly rated and has all the necessities for a baby shower-friendly price.

To buy: Besrey Hiking Backpack $120 with on-site coupon (was $140); amazon.com     

A Forehead Thermometer

While a baby will most likely get rectal temperatures while in the hospital, at home, I’m all about the forehead thermometer. Getting a forehead temperature reading is fast, accurate, and much easier than wrestling a sick baby down for a temperature any other way. I have no scientific proof, but I’ve used both really expensive and cheap thermometers, and I have never found a significant difference between the two. This option features a bright LCD display for middle-of-the-night readings, and can be used on all ages.

To buy: GoodBaby Forehead Thermometer $17 with on-site coupon (was $23); amazon.com  

A Full Coffee Shop at Home

The ultimate gift for new parents? Anything that helps with the sleepless nights (in this case, caffeine). I can tell you from experience that coffee has never tasted better than it has in my postpartum days. In fact, rumor has it I may have developed a rather unhealthy two-a-day Starbucks drive-through addiction after my fourth baby (oops). But fortunately, I was gifted this EspressoWorks all-in-one espresso machine that includes all the essentials—including an espresso tamper, grinder, and milk frother—for making espresso drinks right at home. It’s a great idea to gift to any parent who loves coffee, because we all know they’re going to need it more than ever. 

To buy: EspressoWorks All-In-One Espresso Machine with Milk Frother $220; amazon.com

Shop More Deals for Parents

• My Teen Daughters and I Use These Stanley Tumbler Accessories Every Day—and They’re All $15 or Less
• As a Nurse and Mom of 5, These Are the Products I Always Reach for During Cold and Flu Season—All Under $30
• These Planners Under $50 Will Help Keep Your Family Organized in the New Year