Baby Must Haves in the City

Baby Must Haves in the City
📍 Upper East Side, NYC

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Let’s talk about having babies in the city, specifically New York City! Are there women who are better equipped to talk about the subject? Yes! My hat goes out to the parents who boldly raise their children in the city that never sleeps. While these families may have a different perspective, I’m speaking as a new mom who volunteers to schlep from Connecticut as often as possible. If I can’t get back to living in my dream apartment on the Upper East Side, at least for the time being, I’m more than willing to make the journey. Exposing Brennan to as many experiences as I can is a top priority for me. In fact, we’ve made the commute twice in the past two weeks, and I’m getting a sense of what went well. For my fellow suburbanites, here’s a list of my baby must haves in the city.

Oversized Tote Bag

While countless diaper bag styles are on the market, I love the simplicity of a solid LL Bean Tote Bag. It fits everything you can imagine for a full day, and even an overnight stay, in the city. The rugged canvas material is enough to survive anything Manhattan throws at you.

UppaBaby Vista Stroller

There are pros and cons to nearly every stroller, but we have a lot of love for our UppaBaby Vista Stroller. For our excursion into Manhattan, we opted for the bassinet over the car seat to ensure that Brennan was sleep-safe all day long. If you find yourself traveling with your little one, the bassinet is a safe alternative for a crib in case the hotel isn’t able to accommodate. 

BabyBjörn Carrier

As soon as Brennan was big enough, the BabyBjörn became my new best friend. If she had it her way, she would cuddle on my chest all day, but that doesn’t exactly help me be productive. Now, she’s happy to “let” me get things done around the apartment. While in the city, David wore Brennan while visiting the MET. While she probably won’t remember the day, I’ll always cherish seeing her in my favorite place for the first time.

Insulated Water Bottle

When you’re on the go with a baby, it can be stressful to instantly find water for making formula. Instead of carrying a giant jug or buying it on the fly, we’ve opted to pack a small prefilled water bottle with distilled water for le bébé. I love this sleek S’Well Bottle because it’s compact and holds 17 ounces. AKA enough to make 4 bottles.

Baby Bottles

Having two baby bottles, like our NanoBébé Bottles, on hand helps keep cleaning to a minimum. If you prefill them before you head to the city, you can almost instantly have a bottle of formula ready. Why this particular style? Well, after some trial and error, we found that Brennan seemed to prefer them. Bring whatever works best for you and your little one. 

Formula Dispenser

If you’ve ever had a little one, you know what a precious resource formula is! Having enough on hand can be the sole difference between a great and catastrophic day. We found this Formula Dispenser on Amazon. It has given us so much peace of mind. Just fill it up once, and you’ll have more than enough formula ready for a day or two. I’ve found in early parenthood, it’s the little things that make my life so much easier!

Portable Fan

Summer is officially here! As we venture out with our little one, we’re so mindful of her overheating. After all, her tiny body isn’t quite ready to control her body temp. This Portable Fan has been the answer. It hooks right up to Brennan’s stroller and can be positioned any which way. I know it will be the purchase we’re going to use for years to come!

Sound Soother

Like the portable fan, the Sound Soother is one of our most used baby items. It helps take the edge off for Brennan at home, while in the car, and especially when we’re out and about. I’m so happy we have it on hand to keep our little one content, even when big feelings want to get the best of her. 

Travel Changing Pad

The never-ending question. Where can we change Brennan? I’ve become hyper aware of the places that do and do not have changing tables in their bathrooms. I’m looking at you, Central Park… Our little one doesn’t care if it’s inconvenient. When she wants a new diaper, she gets a new diaper! This Travel Changing Pad gives us a soft and clean service to do our business. It folds up to the size of a notebook and has extra pockets for diapers and wipes. 

Even the best laid plans can go wrong when traveling with an infant. Just remember you’re doing the best you can. Keep up a good sense of humor, and lean on your partner. Whether you’re relaxing at home or on the go in the city, you’ve got this!

Love from NYC,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England.