Let me tell ya, there are a lot of completely useless baby products.
Wipe warmers, baby bedding sets (newsflash: all you’ll use is the fitted sheet), baby powder (as far as I’m concerned, it’s just a cheap dry shampoo replacement)…there’s so many things you’ll never use.
But on the other hand, there are products that will be absolute lifesavers.
And I know a thing or two about that. I’ve pretty much spent the last 5 years with a baby (my oldest was 4 when my 4th was born). With little kids, a job, and no time, I relied on these products to make it through the crazy times.
Here are the most awesome, life-altering baby products.
14 MUST HAVE BABY PRODUCTS
1 ) BABY BJORN CARRIER
I’ve used about 5 different carriers with my kids. Two are clear favorites–and the baby bjorn is one. Here’s why:
- You can use it almost from birth (8lbs and up).
- It’s really easy to figure out and put on. And let’s be honest, if it takes forever to figure out a carrier, you wont use it.
- It’s great for dads as it doesn’t look feminine and, as stated above, it’s so easy to put on.
- Baby can face in or out.
- You can clean and take care of household duties while still comforting your infant.
The sleep deprivation with a baby is real and super intense. Taking care of the house tends to go down the tubes, which makes mama feel pretty crummy.
But with this bad boy, you can comfort your little sweetie and have 2 hands to free to help your other kids or get stuff done.
Because baby grows out of this one by about 20 lbs, it can’t be used forever. Which is why I love…
2) ERGO BABY 360
The Ergo Baby 360 is another one of the best baby products around. Once baby can wear the Ergo without an infant insert (which I just do not like, personally), the Ergo baby is my favorite carrier and can be worn until baby is a whopping 33 lbs.
Like the Baby Bjorn, baby can face you or face forward. And because the baby’s weight is resting on your hips, it’s very comfortable. Even wearing a toddler won’t kill your back. Throwing this on will quickly become second nature.
3) BACKPACK DIAPER BAG
Finding the right diaper bag was like dating for me. I had to go through a lot of duds before I figured out which one I wanted to settle down with.
For me, no matter what bag it is, it needs to be a backpack. I need to be able to run and use of both my hands without a bag getting in my way.
After no fewer than 10 diaper bags–a few Petunia Pickle Bottom bags (which are ridiculously expensive), and various Amazon buys, I finally settled on this Herschel backpack in raven crosshatch. It’s not actually even a diaper bag, It’s just a high quality backpack that has held up really well for the last 2 and a half years.
Why I love it:
- It’s super functional. I never actually used all the weird pockets that came with all my diaper bags. Always in a rush, I just threw everything in the middle. I use the front pockets for my wallet, cell, phone, and lipgloss (if I’m feeling fancy). Then diapers, wipes, and snacks in the big part. I put a diaper changing pad in the laptop pocket.
- There are a bazillion print options
- My husband has zero qualms about wearing it around town.
- Very Durable: After a particularly bad spill all over the backpack, I literally hosed it down in the backyard. Good as new.
- Inexpensive: Costs a fraction of the expensive diaper brands, but is just as high quality (if not more).
For more options, check out Amazon’s vast diaper backbag selection.
Related: The 10 Best Diaper Bags for a Newborn & Toddler
4) PORTABLE CHANGING PAD
As a mom, you find yourself changing diapers all over the place. If you are lucky enough to find a diaper changing station, it’s probably in a nasty bathroom crawling in germs.
So you need a pad to laydown. This diaper changing mat is by far, the best I’ve used. It’s basically a super durable, portable changing table with pockets for diapers, wipes, and trash bags.
Throw it in the diaper bag, or keep it around the house for a portable changing station.
5) OXO TOT WATERPROOF ROLL UP BIB
Once baby is self feeding and making the most epic messes possible, this bib is a lifesaver. Hands down, one of the best baby products on the market.
I like any old cloth bib when they first start feeding so I can use it to wipe their little faces. However, once they are going for it like blind-folded linebackers at an all-you-can-eat buffet, this bib is where it’s at.
The pocket really catches a lot of the mess that falls from their little hands and mouths. It’s comfy around their little necks and it rolls up for easy storage or throwing in a diaper bag.
My 1 year-old loves it because once she empties her high chair tray, she goes back for more in her bib pocket ?
6) PACIFIER CLIPS
It took 2 kids to learn this. I can be a slow learner sometimes, folks. Pacifier clips will save you so much grief if your baby uses a pacifier.
7) AVEENO BABY PRODUCTS
These are the most gentle, skin-nourishing baby products for bath-time, no question. Other soaps can be hard on baby’s skin–even if it’s advertised for baby.
They’re pediatrician recommended and perfect for sensitive baby skin. I love the lotion, baby wash, bath bubbles, and oatmeal bath (especially for my little one with eczema).
8) EARTH MAMA ORGANIC DIAPER BALM
Hands down, this is the best bum cream out there–and I’ve used A LOT.
Instead of just protecting the skin (like Desitin), this stuff heals it. And it smells awesome. A bit pricey IMO, but a little container goes a long way.
9) SOUND MACHINE
When you are sleep deprived and have a small baby having a rough night, you would sell your soul to the devil to help them sleep.
Noisemakers are really helpful to calm and soothe babies, cover up household noises, and signal sleep time. Once the sound maker goes on, my kids automatically start shutting down and nodding off to sleep.
10) MIRROR FOR CAR SEAT
I can’t tell you how many times I’d be driving and convinced my baby stopped breathing because I couldn’t hear any noises. But with this handy dandy backseat mirror, I could easily see my baby’s tummy reassuringly rise and fall.
This mirror is a must, if you drive. You’ll want to be able to see your rear-facing baby without pulling off on the side of the road.
11) BOPPY NURSING PILLOW
As I’ve nursed all 4 of my babies, the boppy nursing pillow was completely essential to comfortable nursing. I’ve loved it.
(Side note: Also makes a tummy time helper and a great lap pillow to rest your hands and book while reading!)
12) COMOTOMO BABY BOTTLES
These are the best bottles for breastfed babies.
We call them them “booby bottles”, ’round these parts. They do a really great job mimicking the breast for the baby.
My babies that took bottles loved them and had the easiest time drinking pumped milk from them. A little pricey, but totally worth it, imo.
13) MUNCHKIN FORMULA DISPENSER
If you will be doing any formula feeding, then this is a must-have baby product. Each compartment of this formula dispenser hold an 8oz serving.
When I was out and about, all I had to do was pour the contents of the compartment into a baby bottle of water, and voila! Milk for baby. Can also be used to dispense snacks like cheerios.
14) PORTABLE BABY GATE
Once baby becomes mobile, you realize what a death trap your house is. Baby gates are handy for keeping baby away from danger zones or simply containing them in one room. This one is a fantastic and economical choice. Our has lasted almost 6 years!
MUST-HAVE BABY PRODUCTS SAVE TIME & HASSLE
These products are serious lifesavers, saving time and frustration. In the end, these products allow you to spend more time snuggling your baby and less time dealing with unnecessary inconveniences. After 4 babies in under 5 years, I would have never made it without these guys!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
7 Ways to Fit Exercise into Your Morning Routine
How to Keep Kids Busy So You Can Get Stuff Done
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