17 Baby Items I (Actually) Recommend

I get asked fairly often what our baby “must haves” are, so I finally compiled a list! I feel like you collect SO MUCH STUFF when you have kids when, really, you don’t need half of it. I mean, let’s be honest…when you come home from the hospital with a newborn you just need diapers and your breast (or bottle). 😉

Anyway, after having two kiddos, these really are the items that we have loved and been so glad we purchased. I hope this list helps someone out there (and you guys are always asking where I get my sippy cups and bibs from…!). Like everything else, these are the things that just worked for us. I hope they work for you as well but everyone is different. All babies are different. My other big advice is don’t get hung up on all the “stuff” you need when you’re expecting your first baby. There’s so much gimicky baby stuff out there today and I just can’t even with Babies R Us. That place gives me a migraine with all it’s stuff everywhere. Let me know if there’s something you have seen me use a lot but I might have forgotten to mention here! 

Fisher Price Rock n’ Play

This served as a great safe spot to “dock” the baby while I showered, put on makeup, cooked, ect. I don’t believe they recommend putting your baby to sleep in it, but it’s great because it’s lightweight and can be easily taken from room to room with you.

4Moms Mamaroo 

Just get a swing! This is the one have. Grayson LOVED this. Luke…not as much. But I still am including it on this list because Grayson had colic when he was little and this was one of the only things that calmed him down. 

Phil & Teds Sport Stroller (single and/or double version)

We only recently got this last Spring but already it’s one of my favorite things. I love this stroller! I wrote a whole review of it here.

WildBird Ring Slings

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know how much I love wearing my babies! I love woven wraps but especially love the ease and simplicity of a ring sling. I still wear Luke all the time in my sling and, on occasion, wear Grayson as well. 

Carters Sleep and Play Footed Onesies

I love these! They are cheap, comfy and cute. 

Disana Wool Sleep Sack

Here’s the sleep sack I have used for both of my kids from the time they transitioned out of the swaddle until age two (Luke is still in his wool sleep sack). Wool is breathable, which makes it great for any climate. I have even put Luke to sleep in this wearing only a diaper on very hot nights (85 degrees in his room) and he was totally fine. Wool breathes and wicks away sweat. These sleep sacks are gold to me. Plus, you literally never have to wash them. I only wash ours once every few months if you can believe it.

Ikea Sippy Cups

These are “the” sippy cups I have used for both of my kiddos. I love these. I have been so let down by basically ALL other sippy cups on the market. These are super cheap and great for mealtime. 

Ikea Smocks (aka bibs for messy kids)

You guys have always asked me where I get my bibs so here you go! These are huge and a MUST for any messy kid. 

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

We have two of these and love them. Grayson (age 3.5) still uses his every day. They literally last forever and very sturdy. I highly recommend.

Stokke Diaper Changing Bag

This is the changing bag I had when Luke was little (now I just use a backpack). I loved this bag and all it’s compartments. It’s expensive but was worth it, in my opinion (buy the cheap sleepers and sippy cups and splurge on this bag!)

Swedish Baby Nests

We co-slept with Luke for the first three months and used one of these to do so. It was so, so, so great. I love this. If I had to rank all of these items in order of importance to me, this would probably be number one. 

Moms on Call Book for 0-6 months

I know it’s not for everyone, but I have followed the moms on call “schedule” for both kids now (still following, actually) and it’s been the most amazing thing for us. I highly recommend this. It’s worth checking out. 

Moms on Call Swaddle Blankets

THE best swaddle blankets and, let me tell you, I have tried them all. I’ve tried the muslin ones, the stretchy ones, the ones with velcro…all of them….and these are the best! 

Gerber Baby Bottle with Latex Nipples

Also – I have tried every bottle out there and these worked the best for us! I started both my kids on one bottle of pumped milk a day at three weeks old. Neither of my kids ever had “nipple confusion” (I nursed Grayson until 12 months and Luke is 15 months and still going strong). These are, again, super cheap and they just work. No leaks, no hassle…these are wonderful. 

Summer Infant Duel View Monitor

Here’s the monitor we have! It’s fine. I do recommend it. I feel like, in general, all baby monitors have some quirks to them but this one has lasted the longest for us.

All Natural Rubber Pacifiers

Oh, how I tried to get both my kids on pacifiers at a young age…Grayson wouldn’t have it and I THOUGHT Luke would but at three months he stopped taking a pacifier. I am including these, though, because for the first three months of his life this is the only paci he would take. 

LectroFan Sound Machines

A MUST. We own two and they are on (loud) every night in each kid’s room. White noise is magic, my friends.