Mom Life

Not Your Average Top 15 Baby Items

June 5, 2020

With baby #3 on the way and so many of my friends pregnant, mostly with their first baby, the topic of baby registries has been front and center! It got me thinking to what my top baby items are. I definitely switched some things up from baby #1 to baby #2, but think I’ve found the sweet spot where I won’t be swapping the main things out for #3. Of course I’ll get some new stuff and with baby #3 being a girl (eek!!) I will need to add some girly colors into the mix, but the staples will stay the same!

Hope the below list is helpful! It is not in any particular order.

Halo Sleepsack Swaddle – I used the SwaddleMe’s for my first son and he broke out of them consistently pretty early on. The Halo Sleepsacks were much better and worked great for my second. They are more a little more expensive, but not compared to all the specialty ones on the market now.
Puj Bathtub – We have bathed both our boys in this in our small bathroom sink for the first several months before switching them to a cheap lounger tub in the real bathtub. I highly recommend bathing your infants in the sink especially if you bathe them nightly. It’s so much faster and you don’t have to bend down!
Hushh Sound Machine – If you want a loud sound machine this is it. I like my kids to have very loud sound machines in their rooms to help them sleep and to allow us to carry on normally in our house! Also, I love how easy it is to travel with since it’s portable and holds a charge.
Boppy Lounger – I will admit I do not have Dock-A-Tot so I can’t compare the two, but the Boppy Lounger is much smaller and slightly inclined which was very helpful for my first son who had horrible acid reflux. We don’t have a big house and I loved being able to throw this on the couch or other surfaces for an infant to rest on. I try to have my kids nap in their crib starting at a very early age, so they really just hang out on this or nap during the first few weeks before they are on a nap schedule.
Baby Bjorn Bouncer – This is hands down the best bouncer. I have had several and used many other types. You can adjust the incline, wash the cover extremely easily, and it folds flat for traveling or bringing to other people’s houses. I love how narrow it is too compared to other bouncers. Simple, but perfect design!
Mebie Baby Stretch Swaddle Blankets – These I came across with baby #2 and absolutely love them for swaddling a newborn while they are hanging out (in the bouncer, swing, or boppy lounger) or as a baby blanket in the stroller, car seat, etc.. I always kept one in my diaper backpack. As a swaddle, I only use them during the day, not for sleep swaddling, but they are large, soft, and super stretchy so you can get them tight around your baby and it helped keep my second happy while he was awake and hanging out with us!
Lalabu Tank Top – My mom found this shirt and gave it to all of my sisters. It’s a tank top that has a pouch/built-in carrier for a newborn. The shirts are tight, so I’d size up (I have a medium and a large). They are so nice for around the house or if you are out and about and don’t feel like putting a carrier on.
Freshly Picked Diaper Backpack – I got this with my second child and highly recommend it. It’s bigger than some of the other nicer diaper backpacks. If you don’t want to spend the money on this one, look into other backpack ones because the style is much better than a bag hanging off one arm when you are trying to carry a baby in the other!
Skip Hop Portable Changing Station – My sister gifted me this with my second and it’s great to throw in your diaper bag, the car, stroller, beach bag etc.. I always keep it stocked with a couple diapers, wipes, and diaper bags so I can grab it and go if need be!
Burp Cloths – There are so many cute ones on the market, but cloth diapers are by far the most absorbent ones. I still like to use a cute patterned one now and then, but I always keep these on me. My first son had horrible acid reflux so these really came in handy for him.
Scout Errand Boy Bag – This bag (pictured above with my son) is a must have for all moms that travel with their kids. You can throw so much stuff in it and it’s great for car trips or a trip to grandparent’s house! Also, this even bigger Scout Bag is great for packing a lot of towels, pack n play/toddler sheets, blankets, and miscellaneous items!
Boppy Tummy Time Prop Pillow – This little pillow is great to throw down on a blanket for tummy time and to use under their heads when they are laying on their backs and playing on an activity mat.
Mamaroo Swing – I bought this swing used for my second kid and loved it. It’s a much smaller, more narrow design than the traditional swing which is nice when you don’t have a ton of space. I like having a couple safe options for putting my babies down on each floor of the house (ie. bouncer, swing, boppy lounger, etc.) so they can hang out and you can be hands-free.
Stroller Fan – If you have a baby in the spring/summer, get a little battery powered clip-on fan for your stroller. There are similar styles that have a flexible base that might be easier to clip on than the one I linked, but this one works great too! It makes walks much more enjoyable for your little one and you less stressed about them overheating. I also bring it to the beach and attach it to the bouncer as well. (Tip: bring your baby bouncer to the beach! This is why the Baby Bjorn one is so great because of it’s smaller design and easily washable cover!)
Bottle Drying Rack – I love the design of this drying rack if you have room to put it by the sink. It drains into the sink, is dishwasher safe, and allows you to hang lots of items. I use it to dry breast pump parts, pacifiers, bibs, bottles, kid utensils, etc.. It doesn’t get gross and has lasted 3+ years so far!