With my son turning two tomorrow, I have had a lot of time to figure out what products are must haves and what items you can live without. So today I wanted to share with you a list of my must have baby products.
I have to admit, I am that pregnant person who buys every possible baby item on the market, I am a compulsive shopper and what better excuse is there to buy stuff then having a baby? I typically use Amazon to buy most things because you just can’t beat prime’s 2 day shipping (sometimes I even get things the very next day). I also love all of the reviews which is the main reason I buy almost everything online nowadays. I hope this post will be useful to you if you are expecting or just looking for a great gift for someone that is.
1) aden + anais swaddle 4 pack
Are these pricey? Yes. But my gosh are they worth it. They are SO soft and wash well. I swaddled my son in these at bedtime and nap time until he was about 3 months old. I used them for tummy time, as a blanket in the stroller and in the infant carrier, and when we are out and I needed to put him down or change him. Now that he is almost 2 years old I keep one in the crib with him and he just loves them, he rubs it and you can tell it soothes him. They are the best!
2) HALO SleepSack 100% Cotton Wearable Blanket, Cream, Small
It is so important to remember to always lay a baby on his/her back to sleep and have nothing but a fitted sheet in the crib until they are at least 1 years old. These sleep-sacks are a lifesaver. They are safe and keep the baby cozy at night. They even have them in a micro fleece material for the winter and a walker version which my son still uses at nap time and bedtime. He moves around so much a blanket would never stay on him. I always buy these for people as shower gifts.
3) Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens
I absolutely love this monitor. I have the camera hanging on the wall and you can barely even notice it. The picture on the monitor is so clear and it has a great range, I can go almost anywhere on my property and it still works. The sound is also perfect and there isn’t even a bit of static. The battery in the monitor does need to be replaced about once a year (you will notice it starting to loose charge very quickly but you can just purchase extra batteries on Amazon as well).
4)Born Free Tru-Temp Bottle Warmer and Cooler
This should actually be listed as number one on the list, this was so awesome. The cooler is convenient and the warmer works so quickly and the settings allow you to get the perfect temperature. When my son was first born I kept this on my nightstand at night. Before I went to bed I put prepared bottles in the cooler, then popped one in the warmer when it was time to feed him. Once he didn’t wake to eat in the middle of the night anymore I kept the warmer on my kitchen counter since I warmed his bottles until he was a year old. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!
5)hiccapop Wipe Warmer and Baby Wet Wipes Dispenser | Holder | Case with Changing Light
When I was pregnant I swear everything I read online said that a wipe warmer was a waste but of course I had to have one. Guess what? I love it! What is better then a warm wipe and the convenience of having them out on top of the dresser and being able to grab one with one hand? It’s a winner in my book.
6)Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail, Gray
Diaper pails aren’t exactly exciting but they are a necessary. This one looks great in the room and keeps the smell in and not in the nursery. I also like they you can use regular garbage bags which I have always done.
7)OXO Tot 12-Piece Baby Blocks Set
I by no means is someone who sits and purees fruits and veggies to make their own baby food however when my son started to eat more meals around 9 months these were great. I would make things in bulk and freeze portions in these so I could easily pull something out to feed him. Even now I will make mac n cheese, meatballs, leftovers, anything really, and freeze it in this so I always have something on hand.
8) Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Frozen Pop Tray
I started making these and giving to my son to help with teething around 6 months and now at 2 years old he is still eating them as a snack. I usually give it to him while hes in his highchair and I am finishing up dinner to occupy him. All I do it put baby food fruit puree in them and freeze. Simple and he loves them.
9) JJ Cole Jj Cole Original Bundleme, Infant Graphite
Connecticut winters are freezing cold so this was perfect to keep on his infant carrier. It made it so simple to make sure he was always warm and snug without having to worry about a blanket constantly falling off. I even have the toddler version for his stroller so we can still enjoy our walks outside even when the temperatures drop. Such a great gift to give too.
10) Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Cradle ‘n Swing
I was on the fence about even registering for a swing but figured hey why not? My son used this from the time he was born and took all of his naps in it until he was 9 months old. Then I realized it was time to move naps in the crib before he could unbuckle himself lol (I definitely should of moved naps into his crib when I moved him in there to sleep at night at around 3 months old). This was soothing to him and allowed me get to so much done. I even purchased a pricier swing and he liked this so much better.
11) BABYBJORN Baby Carrier Original, Black, Cotton
I totally wish my son sit fit in this. This was amazing to have, I carried him in this until he was a year old. Walking the dog, trips to the store, running errands and getting in and out of the car was a breeze. I could quickly put him in it instead of lugging a stroller in and out of the car. And honestly I was in the best shape ever from carrying him around in this all the time.
I typically use Louis Vuitton’s Neverfull as my diaper bag but do switch from time to time. This makes finding everything so quick. Everything has a “home” when you use this and you know exactly where everything is so you aren’t digging around and wasting time trying to find something. It also makes switching bags so easy. I recommend using this even if you don’t have a little one, it is just a great way to stay organized.
13) Puj Tub – The Soft, Foldable Baby Bathtub – Newborn, Infant, 0-6 Months, In-Sink Baby Bathtub, BPA free, PVC free (White)
I used this to give my son baths in the sink until he was about 3 months old. It was just so much easier then leaning over in the bathtub and trying to support him. I could quickly give him a thorough bath without killing my back. When he was sturdier I did move him into a regular baby tub that I put in our bathtub.
14) Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper LUXE PLUS Gray Melange
This bassinet is great but if you had a c-section it is AMAZING! The fact that you can swivel it right over your bed and the side bends down allowing you to easily pick up the baby is perfect. It also vibrates and plays music which the baby loves and there are side pockets to store some diapers and wipes. Put the Born Free Bottle Cooler/Warmer on your nightstand and you don’t even need to get out of bed at night!
15)Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Deluxe Rock ‘n Play Sleeper, White
This was nice to have because it’s so portable. I can move it from room to room or easily take to family’s house to visit for the day. He developed silent reflux at around 7 weeks so I had to move him from his bassinet to this which I kept right next to my bed. Babies should always sleep on a firm, flat surface however him sleeping on a recline was the ONLY thing that worked and allowed him to get some rest (when I moved him to his crib I put a wedge under his mattress). I always recommend this to new mom’s because of its portability.
16) Tommee Tippee Travel Bottle Warmer
It is easy to throw a bottle in a cooler and bring it with you while your out and and about right? Well how are you suppose to warm it if you aren’t at a restaurant to ask for hot water? With this I would just fill it up with hot water from my Keurig before I left the house. I put it in my bag or the bottom of my stroller and I could pop his bottle in it and warm it up at anytime no matter where I was.
17)myBaby Soundspa Lullaby Sound Machine and Projector
All I heard from people when I was pregnant was you need to let the baby get use to noises. I’m sorry but if you are sleeping and you hear loud noises or people talking you are going to wake up so why wouldn’t a baby? I have used this since he was born and still do every single day. I keep it right on his bookshelf which is by his door and it helps tune out any noises so I don’t have to worry about waking him up. I highly recommend this to anyone expecting.
I hope this list helps, tell me, what is the one baby item you couldn’t/can’t live with out? xo