Favorite baby products

[tiki]

Now that DD is 3 months and I can confidently say I have survived having a newborn, I thought I'd share the list of products that really made the difference for us. Maybe these will help someone building their registry:

Hatch Baby Grow: A changing pad and baby scale with an excellent baby tracking app for both iOS and Android: www.hatchbaby.com/pages/grow

Pinwheel mobile. DD smiled ecstatically at this mobile weeks before she smiled at a person: www.etsy.com/listing/261271730/pinwheel-mobile-red-orange-yellow-green?

Wubbanub. The only pacifiers that have worked for us. Bonus that they're harder to lose: www.amazon.com/WubbaNub-WN012-Green-Frog-Pacifier/dp/B000P22YTI/ref=sr_1_17_s_it?

Basic burp cloths: We originally bought a 10 pack, then quickly went back and bought another 10. Simple easy, incredibly useful. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VBYVWE?

Ready-to-use formula. Lactation issues are so common (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/132/4/e865.full.pdf) as I found out when my milk didn't come in until Day 7, and even then only in tiny amounts. I am so glad we had just a little bit of shelf-stable formula ready to go when we needed it: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KQCE1Y8?

Amazon's baby wipes: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M4M2UF0?

Little Remedies Kit with gas drops, gripe water, baby tylenol, and storage pouch. Gripe water has worked miracles for us. www.amazon.com/Little-Remedies-New-Parents-Survival/dp/B00ER96YZ0/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?

The Nose Frieda. Gross but effective. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RP0GHBO/ref=abs_brd_tag_dp?

Kiinde feeding system. We have been very happy with this brand, especially their slow-flow nipples: www.amazon.com/Kiinde-Breast-Storage-Twist-Starter/dp/B00CXSPL24/ref=sr_1_cc_3_a_it?

Best Baby Outfit: This coverall (not the footie) in modal fabric and the 0-3M size is the only item of baby clothing that has worked from 7 days old and 7 lb all the way to 3 months old and 13 lb. Highly recommended despite the high price. magneticme.com/product/woodland-origami-modal-magnetic-coverall/?

Scratchsleeves: These stay on and add no-scratch mittens even to basic short-sleeve onesies: www.scratchsleeves.co.uk/shop/products/Original-Cream-ScratchSleeves

Under the Nile cotton booties instead of socks: www.amazon.com/Under-Nile-Organic-Booties-Off-White/dp/B000PI1ZF6/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?

Zutano Cozie fleece booties for when it's cooler: www.amazon.com/Zutano-Cozie-Fleece-Bootie-Grippers/dp/B071NGWJHR/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?

Arms-only swaddle: Goes on & comes off fast, compatible with diaper changes if needed: www.amazon.com/Anna-Eve-Swaddle-Strap-Small/dp/B00UB1P65W/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?

Small spaces scrubber for washing bottles & pump parts: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y5QXLLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Unscented castille soap for washing bottles & pump parts: www.amazon.com/Dr-Bronners-Pure-Castile-Liquid-Soap/dp/B00DAI76TC/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?

Boppy (also needs a cover): sit on it after giving birth, nurse with it, sit the baby up in it, or just use it as a back support on the couch www.amazon.com/Boppy-Nursing-Pillow-Positioner-Naked/dp/B000KW5I6E/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?

Portable, rechargeable, actually dim nightlight with warm white setting: www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Idealeben-Childrens-Spherical-Warmwhite/dp/B01EBRRRJ4/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?

Upright baby tub: We had a hard time using the more reclined baby tub we got from a friend, but this one made baths easy: www.amazon.com/Shnuggle-Baby-Bath-Tub-Compact/dp/B00SNM4KS0/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?

Carrier / babywearing: We have one of those babies who wants lots of open space in front of her face when carried. She tolerates the Baby Bjorn or a sling like this best: www.amazon.com/Newborns-Toddlers-Ergonomically-Designed-Parent-Child-Extra-Comfortable/dp/B012ITT0RO/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?

Cybex Aton Q carseat: We have a small car and this gave us 1-2 more inches of legroom for the front-seat passenger compared with any Graco or Chicco seats we tried. It's also attractive and super easy to get in the car either with or without the base. Downsides include a high price and not being the lightest weight option.

Over-the-door shoe holder as an organizer for nursery supplies

Breast pump - I got a Spectra S1 with the rechargeable battery. I liked being able to carry it around the house without being tied to an outlet. It's not tiny, but I was also able to fit it in my regular work bag when the time came.

[estrellita]

I'll probably add more later but here are a few things off the top of my head we loved with E:

Dr Browns formula pitcher
Wubbanub (I wish we had gotten one sooner!)
Halo swaddle sacks (got one from the hospital and bought more)

[tiki]

I found some pics that I think show why DD prefers the Baby Bjorn - It's all about where her head is relative to the straps:

How she sits in our Ergo (which she hates):


vs sitting much higher in the Bjorn Original:

[expatjen]

I second the NoseFreida - effective and easy to use.

We love the Ergo. I used it successfully with DS for about 2 years and now with DD for the past 2 months. It’s helpful to get her to sleep.

I have both the Boppy and My Breast Friend nursing pillows and while I used the Boopy exclusively with DS, I found MBF to be a better fit for DD.

I’ll also mention that my Bebe Au Lait nursing cover has been a lifesaver when we’re out and about - it’s big enough, but doesn’t get too hot that it’s uncomfortable for DD or me. bebeaulait.com/collections/feeding/products/acapulco-nursing-cover

We co-slept with DD until just last week and used the Swaddle Me co-sleeper. www.amazon.com/SwaddleMe-By-Your-Side-Sleeper/dp/B00YBADM1O It was really helpful to not have to get out of bed to check on her or pick her up to nurse during the night. Now that she’s a little older, she’s in her cradle next to my side of the bed.

[rupertpenny]

The only thing I remember really loving was the Merlin Magic Sleep Suit. Everything else was fine, but that thing is amazing. It is my go to baby gift now.

[shauni27]

Nov 20, 2017 22:31:45 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

The only thing I remember really loving was the Merlin Magic Sleep Suit. Everything else was fine, but that thing is amazing. It is my go to baby gift now.

It makes me so nervous! Like, if baby is waking up in the night to eat then they are hungry. Does this actually prevent them from waking or once they wake up it just soothes them back to sleep? I want to try it but I am a wuss, lol.

[shauni27]

I loved the Nose Freida as well and the Halo swaddles (only swaddle S would tolerate). And I agree with the burp clothes (never too many!) and the auto rock n play. All life saving!

The other thing I would add is a sleep gown for baby for those first few weeks. It was so much easier than putting pants on and made diaper changes really easy.


Not sure there is anything else that isn't obvious or already listed.

OH! S was tricky with the bottle. He would drown himself if we let him--gulping way too fast and finishing a bottle in about 2 minutes and then puking it back up. The Haberman Nipple is pricey but replicates the flow of an actual nipple more--baby MUST suck for anything to come out (rather than milk just dripping out naturally from a regular bottle) and the filter in it prevents air bubbles. You can also control the flow. 

[rupertpenny]

Nov 21, 2017 9:17:17 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Nov 20, 2017 22:31:45 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

The only thing I remember really loving was the Merlin Magic Sleep Suit. Everything else was fine, but that thing is amazing. It is my go to baby gift now.

It makes me so nervous! Like, if baby is waking up in the night to eat then they are hungry. Does this actually prevent them from waking or once they wake up it just soothes them back to sleep? I want to try it but I am a wuss, lol.

Well your baby must not wake up every 15 minutes, lol.

We started using it with B around 5 months and it cut her wake ups from approximately 873 to about 2-4 per night. She definitely didn’t starve, and I was able to form complete sentences and make it more than half an hour without breaking down in tears for the first time in weeks.

[tiki]

shauni27, I wish we'd known about that nipple in the beginning! The Kiinde slow-flow nipples also do not drip if held vertically, but otherwise they're obviously not very similar to a breast. Since I was still trying to initiate breastfeeding when we had to start supplementing, I wonder of the Haberman would have helped.

[shauni27]

Nov 21, 2017 9:38:17 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

Nov 21, 2017 9:17:17 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

It makes me so nervous! Like, if baby is waking up in the night to eat then they are hungry. Does this actually prevent them from waking or once they wake up it just soothes them back to sleep? I want to try it but I am a wuss, lol.

Well your baby must not wake up every 15 minutes, lol.

We started using it with B around 5 months and it cut her wake ups from approximately 873 to about 2-4 per night. She definitely didn’t starve, and I was able to form complete sentences and make it more than half an hour without breaking down in tears for the first time in weeks.

Hmmmm, may be worth trying! I hope you didn't feel like I was judging you what so ever for using this--I absolutely was not, mostly just looking for additional information

S struggles in the morning hours a lot--he doesn't fully wake up but he thrashes around and wakes US up. Maybe this would be perfect for that!

[specialk]

Nov 20, 2017 22:31:45 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

The only thing I remember really loving was the Merlin Magic Sleep Suit. Everything else was fine, but that thing is amazing. It is my go to baby gift now.

Yesss the Merlin Magic Sleep Suit was the best. It was annoying to take him in and out of it, but it bought us some sleep so I didn't care.

Rock N Play

Doc Brown's bottles

A hairdryer to use as white noise because it's the only thing that worked lol

Swaddlepods for the newborn stage

Nosefrida

[Deleted]

Keekaroo Peanut Changer. Yes, I know it's expensive. But it's been AWESOME. We have coin laundry in our basement, and half the time some of the machines aren't even working. So I just do not want to deal with washing changing pad covers. Particularly at the beginning, we had a number of poop and pee incidents on the changing pad. We just put a diaper face down on it to soak up the waste and then wipe it down. Done and done.

Mamroo. We tried a more traditional swing. babyharpy haaaaaaated it. Fortunately, I got that swing used for $20 so it was no big loss. We registered for a rock and play, but I didn't know anything about them so chose one that doesn't rock on its own. Using my foot to rock it got old really fast. So we used a BBB 20 percent off coupon and splurged on the Mamaroo. She looooooves it. It's in our dining room, so we are able to eat breakfast and dinner together at the table every single day because babyharpy just chills in this.

Uppababy Cruz. We live in the city and do a lot of walking. But we also have a small car, and it fits in there pretty well. And I can even take it on the bus, and there is just enough room for someone to get by. With an adapter (which folds with the stroller), our Chicco Keyfit snaps right into it. It handles great.

Best Chairs glider/recliner (in-store only at BBB). The boppy did not work for me because it just doesn't fit around my belly well. This allows me to just put my feet up and nurse her easily. It looks nice in our living room.

These were definitely our splurge items. But we've really found them worth it because we use them every single day. We have tried to save money other ways. We have gotten a lot of clothes as gifts, but when we have had to buy some, we've mostly bought them secondhand. I even got my Moby secondhand for $10.

[hamster]

Only two weeks in, but so far my favorite item is the FP infant to toddler rocker. It reclines, sits up, rocks, and has a toy bar. It's super easy to grab and move from room to room while holding baby, and small enough to fit in the bathroom with me so I can shower.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00A4B34IA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8nffAb2CCNZX0

Also like the swaddle with the arms up because that's how he sleeps, but baby isn't a fan because he wants to roll on his side and it's too difficult to do so.

[tiki]

hamster , the infant to toddler rocker looks great! I'll confess I've been putting the boppy on the bathmat or sitting DD in the baby bathtub I posted when I need to bring her in the bathroom with me

[mbcdefg]

Halo Sleep Sack Swaddles

Boppy

Boon bottle drying set

Rock n Play (we left this at my mom's house so DD had a place to nap during visits)

aden & anais: Burpy Bibs, car seat canopy blanket, and muslin swaddle blankets. We also have some nice swaddle blankets from some brand called Lollipop.

The First Years blue bathtub (we did not use a sling or headrest)

NoseFrida

VTech VM343 video monitor (edit - actually don’t get this, the charger cord and battery life suck)

Halo Bassinest (we also have the newborn insert for this, but DD didn't seem to like it)

washcloths

Kirkland baby wipes from Costco.

For diapers we buy Huggies or Kirkland, whatever is cheaper at the moment. DD has also used gifted Pampers (thanks to a diaper raffle at the baby shower), and we'll be using gifted Luvs when she moves up to the next size. But ShopRite and Stop n Shop store brand diapers have been an issue for us (rashes).

Dr. Brown's bottles (although everyone in daycare also has this, so parts get lost frequently ... if you are sending LO to daycare then stock up!)

plain white burp rags/cloth diapers to use as burp rags (we layer them on the changing pad so if she pees/poops we can just toss the rag in the hamper and we don't have to change the pad cover)

two or three changing pad covers ... we just bought cheapos on Amazon

Ergo for carrying (we bought it secondhand)

DD mostly wears Carter's clothes. Gerber runs small, if you have a peanut baby and need smaller clothes. DD only wore onesies for the first couple months - she was too small even for sleepers.

For sleep n' plays/PJs, get the ones that ZIP. Buttoning up PJs is a giant pain in the butt.

If you're formula feeding, try to have at least two canisters in the house at all times. We ran out one day and I bought some on the way home from work, and MH was calling me every five minutes asking how much longer until I got home while DD was screaming in the background. 

ETA: Fisher-Price Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat: Daycare has one of these and DD loves it. MH mentioned it to a coworker with an older baby and the guy just gave us theirs to use at home.

MAM pacifiers stay in her mouth better than any other brand we've tried. I found them at the supermarket.

Ditto the kick and play piano.

DD LOVES the Lamaze My Friend Emily doll. LOVES. Her face lights up when we bring it out.

[estrellita]

hamster we have a similar rocker and E spent a lot of time in it! He napped in it or just sat in it when I wasn't holding him but wanted him close. As he got older he would start to grab at the toys and was amused when we spun them around

[hamster]

Oh, yes, washcloths! We need WAY more than I ever realized. But it's what we use to throw over him while changing, so they get peed on a lot. If you have a girl you may not need as many. I like the Carter's ones as they are a good size and absorbent.

As far as Gerber clothes, I returned most of mine based on the fact they run small, but I'm finding that they fit the best of everything as a lot of the 0-3 is still a bit big, but newborn is far too small. They seem good for transitional clothes.

[shauni27]

oh yes, hamster reminded me that we loved our baby bjorn bounce seat: www.amazon.com/BABYBJORN-Bouncer-Vintage-Turquoise-Cotton/dp/B0756P37L4/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1511285356&sr=1-7&keywords=baby%2Bbjorn%2Bbouncer&th=1

[mccallister84]

Nov 21, 2017 11:49:53 GMT -5 hamster said:

Oh, yes, washcloths! We need WAY more than I ever realized. But it's what we use to throw over him while changing, so they get peed on a lot. If you have a girl you may not need as many. I like the Carter's ones as they are a good size and absorbent.

As far as Gerber clothes, I returned most of mine based on the fact they run small, but I'm finding that they fit the best of everything as a lot of the 0-3 is still a bit big, but newborn is far too small. They seem good for transitional clothes.

You do. You may not in the beginning with a girl but once they start eating and you’re wiping down hands and faces at least three times a day you learn there can never be enough washcloths. Or when your baby has a bad diaper rash that gets irritated by regular wipes. At 6 months I started kicking myself for returning what I thought were extra wash cloths.

[mbcdefg]

Nov 21, 2017 13:16:25 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Nov 21, 2017 11:49:53 GMT -5 hamster said:

Oh, yes, washcloths! We need WAY more than I ever realized. But it's what we use to throw over him while changing, so they get peed on a lot. If you have a girl you may not need as many. I like the Carter's ones as they are a good size and absorbent.

As far as Gerber clothes, I returned most of mine based on the fact they run small, but I'm finding that they fit the best of everything as a lot of the 0-3 is still a bit big, but newborn is far too small. They seem good for transitional clothes.

You do. You may not in the beginning with a girl but once they start eating and you’re wiping down hands and faces at least three times a day you learn there can never be enough washcloths. Or when your baby has a bad diaper rash that gets irritated by regular wipes. At 6 months I started kicking myself for returning what I thought were extra wash cloths.

We used a ton of washcloths in the first month - I had to go out and buy more, in fact - because DD developed a diaper rash that wouldn't go away and her pediatrician recommended skipping wipes and instead using washcloths until it cleared up. (The pedi also recommended Desitin, which didn't seem to work, but then we randomly tried A&D and the rash cleared up very quickly.)

DD is five months old now and we're still going through a lot of washcloths because she spits up a lot. We use them to wipe down her face, hands, chest ... just generally cleaning her up between baths, which we do every other day. One of her eyes has been very leaky since birth, although it's gotten better with time, so every morning we need to take a warm washcloth and clean her eyes out because she's got dried eye boogers in the corner. And if she's lying on her back and spits up it gets in her hair (and dries if we don't notice it right away), so we wipe her head down with a warm washcloth as well.

The newborn Gerber onesies worked well for us because DD was under 6 lbs. and most newborn stuff was way too big on her. We didn't really put her in real outfits or even pajamas until she was a couple months old, because pants would fall off of her and her feet were in the butt of all the PJs.

[Poppy]

#1 Halo swaddle sacks, for sure

Other nice to haves: Kick 'n play piano mat, a million burp cloths/wash cloths, podster/lounger

@angryharpy mentioned keekaroo peanut changing pad. I had a different one (no longer produced) but same concept - wipeable and no cover. I loved it. Anyway, I gave it away so I tried to find it again to rebuy with no luck, but I did find this one from Bumbo which is significantly cheaper than the keekaroo: www.amazon.com/Bumbo-Baby-Diaper-Changing-Countoured/dp/B01N6KIRF6

[blondemoment123]

Boppy
Rock n Play
Dr. Browns anti colic bottles
Swaddles

[konapoppy]

Hands free pumping bra
Dr Brown’s bottles
Zipper sleepers

Twin specific:
Table for two
Twin z pillow
twin My breast friend
Baby trend twin nursery center
At least one full day’s worth of bottles once you know what they like (24 or so)
Baby brezza or dr Brown’s pitcher
Cooler for wherever you will sleep with the twins for night feeding or pumping (the last few might help singleton moms too)

[gerberdaisy]

DS is 4.5 months, but things we have loved so far and those we don't

Kick n Play piano-That thing will keep him occupied forever
Baby bum diaper cream brush-no more touching diaper cream
Dr. Browns Formula pitcher-makes it so easy to make daycare bottles
White noise machine-I have an old one for DD and use my phone with DS, it helps
Mam pacifiers-work the best for us
360 nursing cover-like milk snob or copper pearl- I love this thing, multi-use and the easiest nursing cover to use in public
Hands free pumping bra-essential for back to work

I didn't want to spend the money on a new changing pad (already had one from DD), so got one of the wipeable covers from target. It has worked well for us and haven't had to wash it nearly as often as the regular ones.

Things I hate
NoseFrida- Used it with DD and EVERYTIME I used it, I got sick afterwards, even with cleaning and new filters. Its gross, just germs going in your mouth.  Instead I got one of the electric ones, which is much better and easy to clean.
Mam bottles-got one as a sample, it leaks everytime, which is a lot of fun in the middle of the night

[redredwine]

Ola Nail Trimmer ( i actualy look forward to doing her nails, lol. I can do them when she's awake and nursing?!)
www.amazon.com/Olababy-Trimmo-Electric-Baby-Trimmer/dp/B01DE5UEEY

Swaddle Me Pod (OMG, the easieset swaddle EVER)
www.amazon.com/SwaddleMe-Pod-2-PK-PeaPods-NB/dp/B01416HEHA

Bumbo Changing Pad (similar to the Keekaroo Peanut) LOVE not changing a cover - we'd have to change it every day based on how much she spits up!
www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/bumbo-reg-changing-pad/3316115

Bumbleride Indie Stroller -great urban stroller, turns on a dime. Got the car seat insert and glad I did.
www.bumbleride.com/strollers/indie/indie/1671966

Sakura Bloom Sling

sakurabloom.com/

Bloom baby Wipes-super gentle
Pampers- we've come to rely on the"blue stripe" so any diaper that doesn't have it is annoying, lol. 
White Noise app for our phone so we can play in the car
Boon grass thing
Dock a Tot - takes up so much less room than setting up a PNP, RNP in the family room. We just plop it on the couch and she can sleep/hang out, etc. 
ZIPPER JAMMIES - the best kind of jammies. I'm not even a big fan of the gowns which people swear by. 
Ubbi Diaper Pail. Well, at least for newborn diapers. Not sure how well it will fair when she's on solids. 





Read more: pandce.proboards.com/thread/588445/preparing-baby#ixzz4zreXBVsC

[jennistarr1]

Do you think maybe we can update this list, it's a few years old and baby products do have a lot of turnover (recalls and new products)

[verycontrary247]

Feb 5, 2020 13:15:43 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

Do you think maybe we can update this list, it's a few years old and baby products do have a lot of turnover (recalls and new products)

I was looking at this and thought it was odd there were so many rock n play recommendations, didn't even notice it was from 2017

[barney96]

Noy even close to a full list, but some things I can think of off the top of my head..

Doona car seat (shopdoona.com)
Pros: car seat and stoller in one. One less thing to mess with when your life suddenly turns upside down and you get less sleep. Not that I cared but people loved seeing the transformer at work.
Cons: No cup holders (for mom when walking), no basket or "shelf" which could be handy when shopping. This is also only an infant seat (which we preferred to start with), not cheap (if you can find an open box, get it- couldn't find anywhere to get a discount except registry completion (15%) from babylist.com.
Knowing this, i'd get this sucker again.

Ubbi steel diaper garbage can (https://www.target.com/p/ubbi-steel-diaper-pail-white/-/A-14253842).
Pros: as long as the lid is closed, you cant smell a thing. Uses normal tall kitchen garbage bags.
Cons: it's just under $70.

Baby Bjorn bouncer (https://www.target.com/p/babybj-246-rn-balance-soft-cotton-bouncer/-/A-15067949?preselect=18757728#lnk=sametab).
Pros: adjustable incline, easy to get baby in and out of. Supposedly can become a baby seat for a toddler, but the videos of it look uncomfortable. My baby is 4.5 months old so I guess we'll see. Easily washable in washing machine.
Cons: Price. Its $200 new. Do yourself.a favor and get it used. We got ours used for $75.

If you're looking for the softest diapers, they are Special Delivery by Huggies (link was huge so just google).
Pros: super soft. My kid could stay in them overnight without leaking, but I know that won't be true for all kids.
Cons: more expensive, but again they are by far the softest.

My advice on clothes is also to shop at used clothing stores. I go more off of feel than look (softness) and sometimes you can find new stuff with original tags on them.

I would also suggest getting a backpack diaper bag (I got one from land but any will do).
Pros: you don't have to carry it in your hand or have it all off your shoulder.
Cons: even thought I got a black and grey one my husband thinks it looks girly and wont wear it. He does hold it for me when needed though.

I'll think if there's anything else but I'm guessing this is super long.

[tiki]

Clicked on GP randomly and was startled by my own old post! I'll edit out the RNP recommendation in acknowledgement of the recall. I'll also say that based on my own personal analysis of the safety data, the level of risk to my daughter as a full-term infant who could not roll was minimal and I don't regret our choice at the time.