I am constantly amazed at people who act like some of my ‘necessities’ are completely foreign to them. I’ll admit that I do my research, spend an inordinate amount of time stalking other mom blogs, and am very forward when speaking to those more experienced to me.

For example, I cloth diaper, and I love it. I recently had a mama chide me because I was using more water doing the laundry that my son’s diapers create. Fine. So we had a discussion about the amount of time that a disposable diaper sits in a landfill versus how much water waste I create. Ummm…disposable diapers take a very long time to break down…and the ones that say they’re ‘biodegradable’?

That’s under the right conditions. This is not saying that using disposable diapers makes someone a ‘bad’ person-it’s a personal choice. I would rather use cloth because I know the benefits. That being said…I have compiled a list of my personal mommy ‘must-haves’. These are items that have been INDISPENSABLE to me as a mom.

Cloth Diapers

 Fuzzibunz Perfect Size Diapers, size small. I used these diapers for the first month of Smalls’ life, and they were completely wonderful. Keep in mind that Smalls was 9 pounds 2 ounces when he was born, and 9 pounds 11 ounces at his 1 week check up (yeah, he’s a big kid).

I loved these diapers because they were VERY similar to ‘sposies, and daddy/grandma/friend/neighbor-friendly. I actually also purchased Fuzzibunz one-size diapers hoping that we would use them for Smalls as he got bigger (and we did for awhile), but we found that they just didn’t fit him quite right. So for newborns, the perfect size diapers are the BOMB.

Softbums Dry Touch Microfiber Basic Pack and bamboo diaper inserts have been completely wonderful as Smalls has gotten bigger. They’re one-size, all-in-two diapers. This means that they adjust from as small as 7 pounds, all the way to potty training.

That’s pretty great, in my opinion. I personally have 10 shells (the outside), and 30 pods (the inside absorbent layer, hence the name ‘all-in-two’), and I do diaper laundry every 2-3 days depending on how many diapers we go through.

Portable Sanity

Itzbeen Baby Care Timer. This thing was (and is) awesome. When Smalls was brand new, I couldn’t remember what time I’d taken my medication (I had an emergency c-section), what time he’d last ate, which side he’d started on…you name it, the Itzbeen times it for you.

It has four buttons:

1. Diaper changes,
2. Feedings (and yes, the symbol is a bottle. My baby is breastfed. I got over it.)
3. Sleep, and
4. Whatever you need it for (yes, really).

It also has a little flashlight, a blue night light, a clock, a slider to remind you in your delirious state which breast baby started eating on last, AND it’s programmable.

I.Love.It. Granted, I don’t rely on it much anymore, but as a new mom, I couldn’t remember how to put my pants on, let alone when the last time I’d changed Smalls’ diaper or which boob he’d fed on last.

Zip On Crib Sheets

Yes, these are really a thing, and yes, you definitely need them in your life. So before you finish reading, do yourself a favor and add a QuickZip Crib Sheet Set, to your registry.

…I’ll wait (seriously, do it NOW).

I love these sheets. If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying to change a dirty crib sheet with a sleepy, crying, hungry baby, then stop reading right now. We can not be friends.

But, if you know what I’m talking about (or you can imagine it…think 2 am sheet changes with a screaming, soaking wet baby whom you’ve already changed into a new diaper and jammies, and are barely able to zip into a sleep sack while they claw and scream…), then listen up.

These are the BEST crib sheets!  The concept is simple: the ‘base’ surrounds the bottom of your crib mattress, and there is a zipper around the top.

So, when Smalls is freaking out at 2 in the morning, I just unzip the top sheet and toss it on the floor along with his waterproof pad which is super soft, by the way). Then, because I’m a freaking genius and already put two waterproof pads down (you’re welcome, self), then the bottom part of the sheet and the top just zips right on. It literally makes sheet changes take 30 seconds, and accomplishable while holding (and NURSING!!) baby. I’m in love. I would recommend one complete set and two additional sheets. I haven’t needed more than that.

UPDATE: I have had my QuickZip sheets and mattress pads for going on 6 years now, and they still look brand new. Plus, I found out that QuickZip makes MORE than just crib sheets, y’all! They also make amazing twin sets (hello, bunk beds!), full, queen, and king sized sheets. Seriously. You have got to try these.

A 1-Step Babyfood Gizmo

The Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker is a must if you plan on making baby’s food. It is SO easy. If you’ve been following my weekly posts entitled Mommy’s Little Foodie, then you’ve probably heard me sing its praises. It takes me minutes (literally) to make his food for the week.

It’s as simple as adding water to the appropriate ‘fill’ line, putting it in the reservoir, chopping your fruit or veggie and turning it on. It automatically turns off when it’s done steaming, and you can puree in the same container. Add in their Multiportion Freezer Trays and you’re looking at making a month’s worth of food for less than $10.00 and in less than 60 minutes.

Quality Unmentionables

My HOTmilk Nursing Bra was quite possibly the ONLY thing that made me feel human again after the birth of Smalls. Yes, I have a Bravado! Seamless Nursing Bra as well, but my HOTmilk bra makes me feel sexy. There. I said it. Yes, I have a baby. Yes, I gave birth. But I DID NOT give up my right to feel sexy. Quite the opposite, in fact!

I love that these bras are wireless, but still give great shape, awesome support, AND they’re pretty.

Did I mention matching panties?? Now don’t get my wrong-I’m not always out to look haute, but there are days when I want Ish to look twice.

Okay, most days are like that. This is especially true lately as I’ve recently lost (never to be found again!) 16 pounds! Only 20-some more to go!

Instant Skinny (Kind Of)

This next one was a necessity after I had Smalls. For those of you who’ve had a baby, you understand how your belly becomes…well, gelatinous. Yup, I said it. This Breathable Elastic Binder was a HUGE help. It held me in and supported my back (and my abs) when I was getting used to my new body.

I really think that wrapping my post-baby belly was one of the reasons that my belly is nearly flat now. I’ve always had a little tiny bit of pudge below my belly button (hopefully Tracy will fix that!), and it didn’t disappear, but just weeks after Smalls’ birth, I had a semblance of my body back!!

Nearly 8 months later, I’m happy to say that It’s well on its way!

Pumping…Stuff

As a breastfeeding mama, I cannot live without my hands-free bra (yup, something else you didn’t know you needed!). I know it’s a silly thing, but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a pumping bra…but I’m really, really glad I did.

I also love, love, love my Pump In Style. It’s amazing (and I can read Hunger Games while I pump!). I’ve stocked well over 10,000 ounces of milk, which I am donating to a friend who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in her 9th month of pregnancy. She is unable to breastfeed due to chemo, and I am so glad I can help.

Gentle Exercise

Once I was cleared to exercise, I pulled out Tracy Anderson’s 30-Day Method. I loved that the workouts were in the book AND on a DVD, so I could stop and start as I needed to. Because I was breastfeeding, I couldn’t reduce my calories as drastically as she required. I definitely lost inches (and some pounds!), though!

I also liked that I could work at my own pace. There are other barre workouts out there, but I really liked the format, explanation, and accessibility of her Method. It helps that I know it works! Tracy also has a Post-Pregnancy Workout DVD that has some wonderful ab work (in my opinion). It’s not easy, but you WILL get results!

Baby Monitor

Alright, this is my last one (this may become a segment! There are so many things that I deem ‘necessary’ in our life lately!). I absolutely love our color video monitor. Yeah, it’s kinda pricey, and I guess you don’t really need it…

But I love that I can hear Smalls make a noise, hit the button (it’s in color if there is light on in the room, although I’m not entirely sure why that is important…) and make sure he’s okay.

The other night when he rolled onto his tummy, I could see it as it happened, and was able to respond accordingly. He didn’t make a lot of noise, but he does sigh when he rolls over. I like that I can check on him without flying out of bed and across the house…but that’s my preference.

Now I want to know…what gadgets do you rely on to get you through your mommy moments?