New parents usually get inundated at baby showers with every type of bib, onesie and pacifier on the market.

But what items do new moms really swear by?

Lifestyle asked a handful of moms which essential items they wouldn’t want to live without.

Boppy pillow: One mom said she loved this versatile pillow. It helps to lift babies to a more comfortable position so they can feed more easily. “I found this pillow to be a lifesaver,” the mom said. “I actually used it before my daughter arrived to support my growing belly while I attempted to sleep. The pillow was also great for giving my arms a much-needed rest while I fed my daughter.” Some parents also like that this product can transition as the baby grows — first into a spot for tummy time, but also as a tool when they’re first learning to sit and prop themselves up.

Baby carrier: For any mom who has found getting tasks done around the house a challenge with a newborn, this item can be a big help. One parent said they found the Baby Bjorn carrier to be a great way to free up their hands, so they could get things done while still keeping their child close by. It also stopped the baby from crying, they said. Another mom really liked her Lillebaby carrier. She said: “It straps baby to you so you can hold him hands-free. The motion of you walking, combined with the warmth and smell of mom, makes it a very comfortable place for baby to drift off.”

Baby wipes: You can never have enough baby wipes when you’re a newbie parent. Whether your little one has decided to dive into a plate of food headfirst or grab a fistful of cat nip when you’re not looking, these wipes are extremely useful. One mom said she ended up using them for everything — from changing diapers, to keeping her and her child’s hands clean to cleaning up any messes throughout the day.

Rocking chair: If you have a colicky baby, a rocking chair or baby swing is essential. One busy mom-of-two said this item became a huge asset for her with her youngest son who was colicky and would cry for hours as they tried to get him sleep. “The motion of the rocking chair soothes him off much quicker and he gets into a deep sleep so I can put him to bed and expect him to stay there a little longer,” she explained. “The swing does the same thing and when it’s 3am and I haven’t slept much, putting him in the swing and letting that motion calm him while I doze on the couch is a life saver.”

Second-hand clothes: Let’s face it children grow so fast and clothing them through each season of their young life can be pricey. One mom swears by groups like Freecycle and Bermuda Giving, which let you know when someone is giving away useful items. She said: “Clothing your baby can be so expensive and when you can get almost new hand-me-downs online it makes everything so much easier.”

Nursing cover: If you’re out for the day with baby, they’re bound to get hungry. One mom said she couldn’t manage without her nursing cover, which has a rigid top edge that allows her to breastfeed discreetly in public and still see her baby. “I don’t remember the brand of mine, but it came from People’s Pharmacy,” she explained. “Along the same lines, an easy nursing top is essential and I recommend a tank from Nest. It has clips on the strap for easy access, while keeping everything else covered. It also has a built-in shelf bra.”

Diaper Genie: Babies have some wonderful smells to them — whether it’s the scent of baby powder or the smell of their freshly washed hair. Studies show that newborn smells can be intoxicating for a new mom and even light up pleasure centres in their brains. But one thing that doesn’t smell so pleasant to any parent is baby poop. For this reason the Diaper Genie is very useful. “It clamps after you put the diaper in so the room doesn’t smell like dirty nappies,” one mom said.

Breast pump: This mechanical device extracts milk from lactating moms. The milk can then be stored in the fridge and fed to your baby using a bottle during those times you can’t be physically there to nurse your little one. One mom said she wouldn’t have survived without this item. “Especially during the times when I wanted a break during the nights, the breast pump allowed my daughter’s dad the chance to feed her. It also allowed him to bond with her separately,” she said.

Burp cloths: If there is one item that saved the day for one local mom it’s burp cloths. She recommended that new parents have lots of them around — it’s more than likely you’ll go through a ton. “Babies dribble, a lot, and our daughter had reflux for a while,” the mom explained. “Muslin or burp clothes are great for protecting your clothes and furniture and also come in handy as light blankets or sun shades over the stroller. In the first few months, we permanently had a muslin slung over our shoulders. There are really nice luxury ones, by labels such as Aden and Anais, but basic ones are also fine.”

Car seat: This one might seem really obvious, but having a really good, quality car seat can certainly give you more peace of mind when you’re shuttling your little one around. Although you can get used ones, one parent said this is one thing you shouldn’t skimp on for your child. “Don’t buy second-hand as you have no idea if the seat has been compromised in an accident and, at the end of the day, the quality of the seat could save your child’s life,” she explained.