Must-Haves for Baby

So, this is not my typical sort of blog.  Most revolve around Cooper, and while Cooper did dictate what is going to go in this blog, there will be no pictures of him!  So if you are here for pictures - move on.  I have several friends who are expecting and decided I needed to share some of my favorite items that I used all the time when Cooper was a baby.  I tried uploading pictures of them, but for some reason, the server is rejecting them.  Anyways, use your imagination!  In no particular order, here are some of my favorite baby things!

• Miracle Blanket:  This is a swaddling blanket that is fool-proof.  There is no guessing about how to swaddle your baby.  It comes with "pockets" for their arms and legs, and then Velcros closed.  I didn't actually have an official Miracle Blanket, but Target carries a swaddling blanket very similar.  We did not have one of these the first night we were home with Cooper, but we went out the next day and got one.  What a HUGE difference it made!  Cooper was much more content wrapped up as tightly as we could get him.  It just seemed like we couldn't figured out the regular blankets.  Like I said, these are fool-proof!
• Boppy:  I nursed Cooper for 12 months, but never once used the Boppy for nursing.  So I'm sure you are wondering why it is on my list.  Well first off, I have many people who used it for nursing and loved it!  But also, even though I did not use it for it's intended purpose, I used it on a regular basis for so many other things.  I would lay the Boppy on the floor and put Cooper in it.  It kept him elevated which helped greatly with his acid reflux.  When he was tiny, he did not like to lay down flat to sleep (I think his reflux just hurt too much!), so he would nap in his Boppy.  Also, just simply holding him was much easier with the Boppy.  Definitely a must-have!
• Travel System:  A travel system is a car seat, base, and stroller that comes together.  The base goes permanently into your car, where all you have to do is snap the car seat in and out very easily.  The car seat will also snap into the stroller.  I used the stroller/car seat combination all the time when Cooper was little.  Anytime I went shopping, I would take my stroller instead of putting him in the shopping cart.  My stroller had a huge basket on the bottom, so I would even do small grocery shopping.  I never had to worry about whether he was safe, and the stroller is so much easier to push around than the shopping cart.
• Breast Pump:  This one for me is a love-hate relationship.  I hated pumping.  Not because it hurt, but because it was just one more thing I had to do.  I LOVED nursing.  It was so easy and convenient.  Once Coop got the hang of it (it takes about 6 weeks for them to get it), I could just sit there and take a moment.  But pumping is handy for allowing me to get out of the house and let Matt or someone else watch Coop.  If you are working and want to continue breastfeeding, I recommend getting a good pump.  Don't skimp in this area!  The better the pump, the easier it will be and not such a hassle.
• Activity Mat:  There are so many activity mats to choose from now.  I LOVE them!  And babies LOVE them!  Cooper would lay on his mat and just stare at all the colors.  His activity mat had a mirror, and he would just talk to the baby in the mirror forever.  So cute!  I was able to get so many things done while he was on that mat, but then they start moving which leads me to my next two.
• Jumper and Exersaucer:  Coop was fortunate to have both of these.  My sister graciously loaned them to us, and I'm so glad she did!  The jumper was the stationary Rainforest Jumperoo.  He would jump, and jump, and jump in that thing.  It has toys all around so he would turn as he jumped to play.  His exersaucer was made by Baby Einstein.  He loved spinning and figuring out each different toy.  Both of these kept him occupied to let me clean or get dinner prepared.  Definitely life-savers!
• Booster Seat:  This is more of a recommendation than a must-have.  Cooper has a highchair.  I hate it!  It is very cute and sturdy and does it's thing.  But it is huge and takes up so much space!  I so wish I had saved LOTS of money and had gotten a nice booster seat instead.  One of my friends had given me that advice, but I selfishly wanted the new, cute matchy matchy high chair, so that's what I got, and now I'm stuck with it.  I think a space-saver high chair or just a plain ole booster seat would be perfect!
• Pack N Play:  We used his pack n play as a changing table when he was a baby.  I didn't want to invest in a changing table, and since most pack n plays come with changing table accessories, we went that route.  We had it set up in the living room, and literally used it 9 times a day for the first couple of months.  Now that we don't use a changing table any more, I take it on trips with me.  It is so handy to have and use as a portable crib. 
• Baby Swing:  I was hesitant to put this one on here.  Cooper did not use his swing very much - at all!  And it was a very expensive swing.  But, when he did use it, he would just sit and swing, and swing, and swing.  And I had a friend whose baby slept in his swing for months!  So, I do believe they work for most babies, and will probably work for our next one.  If they do work, it will be a relief for you.  Sometimes swings are the ONLY thing that works, and you will be glad you got one.

So these are just a couple of suggestions for you first-time moms out there.  Anyone else have anything that they think is a "must-have"?  Please share to give us some insight!