If there is one thing we learned after becoming moms as military spouses it’s that you don’t need everything you’ll be told are “must-have” baby items and you surely don’t have the space to store them or a place to fit them in every home you’ll live in. So, what do you register for? After two kids each, living in a variety of places and home types, we’ve narrowed it down to these can’t hack it without items.
1. Tabletop highchair
As many military moms know, we never know what kind of dining situation our family will be in 6 months from now. We both have used THIS one for our littles all the way until they were sitting in booster seats at the table, and promise that it is a game changer! You can put it up at your bar if you don’t have a formal dining table, it breaks down and packs up easily to travel with, and you can toss it in the washing machine when it gets grimey! Pro-move, get the tray that goes with it to contain any and all spills!
2. Travel sound machine
We both believe in the gift that is white noise for baby sleep and THESE travel sound machines have been such an important part of long travel days by car or plane. Light to pack, rechargeable, and easily clip on to a car seat…you’ll want to make sure you have this ready to go at all times!
3. Travel monitor
THIS affordable monitor is perfect for parents on the go! No wifi or setup needed, just plug in and you’re good! Could you just bring your VTech sound monitor? Yes! But I love having the option to see my little ones when they are adjusting to new sleeping arrangements!
4. Baby wrap/carrier
There are a million options on the market, but we recommend a more structured carrier like THIS in addition to a cozy wrap-style carrier like THIS. The wrap-style was a huge help for handsfree moments in the early weeks when baby loves those up close and personal snuggles and the structured wrap is a game changer once they get a little bigger.
5. Blackout solutions
Are you noticing a theme? Whether it’s for pleasure or on orders, military spouses travel a lot! So we hope to support military moms by helping you be as prepared as possible for your next adventure with your littles! Whether it’s to darken a TLF room or just to give your baby their own space while on vacation, these blackout shades and this pack n’ play blackout solution (code “WAF”) are two staples in our homes!
6. Sleep sacks
As we all know, every baby is different. Heck, we each have 2 of our own and know that to be true even for siblings! But at some point, all of our babies have eventually transitioned to sleep sacks and THESE are our favorite. So soft, snuggly, and zip from the top AND bottom for those nighttime diaper changes!
7. SimpliFed
All of those items above are awesome, but what good is a sound machine to help your baby sleep when you are questioning your baby’s feedings? Let us introduce you to virtual baby feeding support – the resource that so many military moms have been praying for is here and fully covered by TRICARE. Referral or prior authorization is not required and all of this is free to you as a military family. No matter what your feeding journey entails, they are your go-to crew for inclusive, non-judgemental support starting during pregnancy and spanning all the way through post-partum. Take advantage of their baby feeding experts and rest assured you’re going to rock this mom gig!
Sign-up by texting BOOB to 888-458-1364 or visiting their website HERE.
8. Car Seats
Car seats are probably one of the most researched purchases for new parents and we are here to share that after trying MANY different types and styles, there is one that rises above the rest when it comes to longevity and adaptability. Yes, basically the milso of car seats is here and it’s the Diono car seat.
We love feeling like we’re getting what we’re paying for and with a purchase involving the safety of your child, the stakes are even higher. Kirst has owned her Diono seats for 5+ years and can confidently praise that they are extremely straightforward to install, stand the test of time and are easily adaptable (with her using them in both their SUV and smaller sedan in different seasons of carpooling needs).
Not only do we love that these car seats are accessible at all different prices ranges, but they are specially designed to grow with your family. As the leader in the market for being able to fit 3-across in most vehicles, investing in a Diono with her first kid would have saved Jen as she added her 3rd child and began sweating over whether or not she needed to upgrade her car! In addition to that major bonus, she has put hers to the test and has washed it quite a few times and is happy to report that it is one of the easiest car seats to take apart and wash! Use code WAF15 for 15% off a Diono of your choice!
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