The Baby Products you’ll actually use (Part 2)
Lucy is 4 months old (how?!) reflecting on some of the products we've used thus far (& those we haven't) to help those of you feeling overwhelmed with all the baby product research & info out there. We haven't started solids yet, so I can't speak to bibs, food gear, high chairs, etc. but will try & remember to update once we're there!
Baby Book - The Short Years
Sleeping
Bassinet
Note: We got the Halo and it was more than we needed, just a simple, easy bassinet is all you need. The height of the Halo is great, but all the functions and gadgets are way too much
Bassinet Sheets (x2)
Note: Better than just a regular sound machine, esp during sleep training because you can turn up the volume without having to go in the room with baby. We haven't used lights yet, but plan to when helping with wake up times
Portable sound machine (rechargable)
Transportation
Carseat & extra base for partner's car
Note: we got the Doona+ but if we could do it over, I may just get the Mesa. The Doona is SO convenient, but we already had to make a warranty claim because of issues with the handle (seems poorly made). But the convenience really can't be beat.
Note: bring this to the hospital to clip onto your bed in post-partum.. LIFE SAVER!
Note: I was hesitant to spend so much on the Uppa Baby Vista but it was AMAZING! The bassinet was clutch for walking Lucy around in naps around the house to soothe her early on & was great for family walks.
Shopping cart covers - nice to have for baby
Baby Gear
Note: This is helpful when you need to put baby somewhere safe while you're working around kitchen, etc. Also great for newborn (supervised) naps
Note: Baby Bjorn is a lot of money, just get this cheaper/ simpler one
Pack & Play + sheets (x2)
Note: 4Moms is THE BEST pack & play - the bassinet compatibility, ease of set up & take down AND the changing station truly is out of this world. This product is A MUST!!
Note: People rave about the Nanit, but one thing that is FANTASTIC about this monitor is that you can use an app or a handheld monitor. It was nice to leave Lucy with an alternate caregiver and they could use the handheld monitor vs. having to leave an iPad or something behind with them
Note: this thing is great for clipping the camera to the bassinet, pack & play, crib when she's smaller
Toys
Note: I can't rave about this thing enough - it's SO well made
Note: these are great for early days when baby is learning/ discovering hands & feet
Black & white books (we got these soft ones)
Kitchen/ Eating/Cleaning
Burp Cloths (Kea Baby is #1, these are #2) -- have ~20 total
Drying rack (all plastic, no grass)
Note: the grass drying mats are difficult to clean and can be a breeding ground for bacteria if you don't stay on top of cleaning
Note: some people dislike this, we loved it
Sterilizer Bags
Note: each bag has 20 uses, these things are SO easy to use & cheaper/ easier than a huge sterilizer
Bottle soap (Babyganics is superior to dapple IMO)
Detergent
Bottles - Dr. Brown's (4oz & 8oz)
Teething/ Soothing
Note: great variety pack because you never know what baby will like - comes with a pacifier clip
Note: amazing for on-the-go paci storage to keep it sanitary & easy to find when out & about
Baby bibs (this variety pack is great, you need a lot when drooling/ teething)
Clothes
Note: keep this in your diaper bag, you'll need it for soiled clothes on-the-go
Ollie Swaddle
Note: It's expensive, but the quality is superior to all other swaddles and worth it.
Note: this helps you transition from swaddle pre-sleep sack
Note: You only need 0.5 and 1.0 TOG
Hygiene
Wash cloths (10-20 total)
Note: we used 2 per bath time, 1 to keep on her to keep her warm & 1 to bathe
Note: this stuff works miracles, it's worth paying shipping
Note: take this to the hospital! Babies come out with talons
Note: these things are incredible
Note: use these over a huge sterilizer, cheap & easy!
Note: to put bottles/ pump parts in & out of the kitchen sink to keep things sanitary
Note: We used Dr. Brown's at first, which were great, but silicone is way better for preventing bacteria build up
Diapering
On-the-go bag dispenser (i.e. dog poop bags)
Note: we use this dispenser SO much! I like the Ubbi a lot because you can retract it, which is super helpful. Just use dog bags for refills.
Changing pads (3-6)
Note: We put these down on the keekaroo so the pad wasn't cold on Lucy's back, it made for VERY easy clean up/ wash.
Note: expensive but worth it. the wipeability is great
Ubbi pail + bags
Note: Having one without a pedal & just stays open without having your foot on it is helpful when grabbing & reaching during a really messy clean-up
Note: I wore these to the hospital when my water broke & post partum ... they're WAY better than the hospital grade undies
Note: this thing feels like butter, I loved getting into this after delivery
Things You Don't Need
Bottle sterlizer (just use sterilizer bags, less stuff to store in your home)
Halo Bassinet (it's too much functionality, just get something simple)
Carseat covers (like this) - not breathable, if I could go back I'd just have gotten the Amma
Swaddles that didn't work for us
SwaddleMe (these worked the longest, until we finally caved & got the Ollie which worked great)
Weighted swaddle/ sleep products - the AAP does NOT suggest sleeping in weighted products for SIDS risk
Burp cloths we didn't like
Copper Pearl (bunched up after washing)
Wipe dispenser - extra stuff you don't need, just pull it from the wipe container
Vitamin D Drops - just take your baby outside. We also found these drops gave our daughter SUCH bad gas and from asking around a few GFs they had similar experiences.
