12 Baby Products You Can Start Using Before Baby Arrives

In addition to all of the fun things you may experience during pregnancy, congestion happens to be a pretty common symptom. Sometimes it lasts the entire pregnancy, and it often gets worse at night. While humidifiers are helpful to have in baby's nursery for a few different reasons—it keeps the air from getting too dry and offer soothing relief during cold and flu season—they can also bring you comfort during your pregnancy if nighttime congestion is making it hard for you to get much needed sleep.

Sound machines aren’t just for babies. If you happen to have trouble falling asleep at night—or pregnancy insomnia strikes—you can bust out that sound machine you registered for to help you get some rest. And of course, once your baby is born, it’ll likely become a staple in their nap and bedtime routines. (Pro tip: you may even want to register for two, one for your room and one for the nursery.)

You’re gonna need a baby-friendly laundry detergent that’s gentle on newborn skin eventually, but you can also make the swap before they arrive. Start washing your own clothing and linens with it now, so when your baby is born and spending a lot of time on you, using their detergent means you’ll be snuggle-ready and won't potentially irritate their sensitive skin.

When your growing bump gets to the point where getting comfortable is a thing of the past, it may be time to bust out the yoga ball. A yoga ball (aka birth ball) not only offers relief for your changing body, it helps to prepare it for birth. Once your baby is here, don’t rush to deflate it and pack away once you’re home from the hospital. It turns out they’re an extremely helpful tool in soothing fussy babies (coming from someone who heavily relied on their yoga ball for this). 

Another helpful tip for heavy pregnant bump relief is using a ring sling baby carrier to support your belly. Check out this tutorial from Cassidy of Let’s Talk Babywearing to learn how to do it! And of course, a newborn-friendly carrier is super helpful in the fourth trimester for keeping your baby close and your hands free.

Toward the end of your pregnancy, you’ll probably be spending more time at home resting and getting your space ready for baby (aka nesting). The third trimester (especially the tail end) is also a time you may feel really uncomfortable—baby is almost at capacity in there. 

A cozy pair of button-down pajamas is great for lounging during this time, and they also make the perfect wardrobe staple in the fourth trimester. There’s nothing wrong with puttering around Adam Sandler style, but a cute matching set may help you feel a little put together and more like yourself. Also, the button down top in this pajama set makes them perfect for easy breastfeeding or pumping access. 

It's important to stay hydrated during pregnancy for many reasons, but it can also help ease morning sickness—dehydration often makes nausea worse. And once your baby is born, you still want to be sure you're drinking enough water for milk production. It’s safe to say that a good water bottle is something that’ll be super useful for the foreseeable future. And it’s been proven that the cuter your water bottle, the more water you’ll drink (just kidding, but it does make it a bit more delightful). 

A comfortable pair of leggings is a game-changer during pregnancy when your body is constantly changing and your regular clothes no longer fit. They’re comfy, stretchy and will grow with your bump. The Aligns aren’t specifically maternity leggings but they’re the ones parents rave about the most. By some magic, they fit before, during and after pregnancy. (Even five years into my parenthood journey, after a second pregnancy and many body changes over the years, mine still fit). These are high-waisted and come in different inseams—ranging from 23-31 inches—so you can find the perfect fit.

A versatile maternity top is another clothing item that can carry you from pregnancy to postpartum. The flowy fit of maternity tops works for both baby bumps and postpartum bellies and many tops, like this Kindred Bravely one, also have convenient features that allow for easy breastfeeding or pumping access after you’ve given birth.

There are so many times a rechargeable, handheld fan comes in handy in growing and birthing a tiny person—from pregnancy hot flashes to keeping you comfortable during labor. You’ll also be able to use it later on for keeping baby cool in their stroller during warmer weather. 

You don’t need a fancy journal to document your pregnancy. A cute notebook is perfect for doing some stream-of-consciousness journaling and putting all of your thoughts and feelings down on paper during pregnancy and postpartum. It can also be really therapeutic in the fourth trimester as you adjust to your new role and the sweet yet huge life change of becoming a parent. (If you prefer a few prompts to guide you, this is a great option).

Reading to your baby is one of the sweetest ways to bond and you can start before they’re even born. From the moment they can hear your voice in the womb, the rhythm and sound of your voice is recognizable and a source of comfort. Once they’re in your arms, those same stories can create a familiar, soothing connection that also nurtures their early language skills, social-emotional growth and bonding.