As a new mom, one of the most surprising things, apart from being in charge of an actual human being, is the endless list of stuff that goes along with the whole raising of a person thing. I know I’m not the only one eager to cut through the noise and just get to the essentials—the really effective, incredibly useful and helpful items that are making this new mom thing a breeze. Okay maybe not a breeze, but certainly far more manageable.

Below, six essential items I sourced at buybuy BABY, which has rapidly become my go-to destination (online AND in real life!) for baby items. Everything about this experience is new, so the fact that I can find essentially everything I need in one place, with the confidence of expert help when I need it, is huge. After three weeks of this whole “mom” thing, I’ve learned (with the enormously helpful advice of Christopher at my local buybuy BABY) that there are six baby items I absolutely refuse to live without. I’m sure there will be more, but right now I’m taking things one nap at a time.