Before I dive in to our favorite baby items, I want to set the stage and let you know that EVERY BABY IS DIFFERENT. Lol, let me repeat that in a different way: Your child might not like/use/enjoy the things that are on this list, or on a list that your best friend or sister or brother gave you. Just like you and I have preferences, so do they.

A little preface, I will be the first to admit that our parenting/first months/first years have not gone how the vision in my head looked. There’s a reason that everyone talks about sleep as a struggle with newborns. So new mamas, soon-to-be new mamas, here’s my “two-cents”: Please do whatever feels right for YOU as a family unit. You will get advice from everyone, me included, but it all comes down to what your instincts tell you. After Web was born, the hormone changes and body changes were HARD. This isn’t something easy to do. All of the snuggles and sweet moments make up for that though. You can do it. You can do it. Repeat that to yourself.

We tried to get Web to sleep consistently in his Halo Bassinet by our bed, but seriously, this kid came out just like Ben and I; total Physical Touch Love Language guy. He was only content next to a warm body, and I wasn’t in a mental/emotional place that allowed me to listen to him crying without extreme anxiety. So we co-slept. I NEVER intended to do that, but it saved me the emotional stress that was happening. Eventually we needed to change though, we needed it for our marriage and Web wasn’t getting solid rest. He was waking often to nurse. At 9 months old we used the Taking Cara Babies course for 5-24 months. It was rough, but in the end he now sleeps so well. He never fights going to bed. He points at his crib when he is ready for sleep after reading books and wakes up in the morning well-rested. I feel so good about it. Naps on the other hand, well that’s still a challenge… You won’t find sleep any sacs/bassinets/swings in this post because, well, we used us, [lol] but really.

So, that was just to introduce the idea that really, truly, your parenting journey will be different from mine.

Our Most Loved:

• Ergobaby Four-Position 360, Cool Air Mesh with Infant Insert. Web LIVED in this during the earlier months. It was a lifesaver. And it allowed Ben to play Xbox during his nap times. 🙂

• Our Boppy was used every day all day. I used a pillow in the beginning of my breastfeeding journey, but it didn’t support his whole body. This was perfect for those many house spent breastfeeding. It also doubles as a cushion to help little one as they learn to sit up. I bought a cover on Etsy that I love, so soft and has a minky dot fabric back.

• Marpac Hush White Noise Machine Portable and Marpac Dohm Classic The Original White Noise Machine. I like these machines because the main sound is that of a fan. We needed white noise for Web, but some of the white noise machines that we had felt too harsh on my ears. It had nothing to do with Web, but when you have to hear it all the time too….
• We have the Infant Optics DXR-8 video monitor and it has been fantastic for us! Never had an issue. We don’t have a huge yard, so we can take it outside with us when we are relaxing on the patio after his bedtime. (not pictured: glass of wine)

• Our Lovevery play gym and toy subscription has been wonderful for his first year+ of life. He absolutely loved the toys, and it was fun for us to open up each new box and read about what he would be learning at that particular stage in development. We didn’t get the toddler toy subscription, but I am still highly considering it. These toys will last forever (as long as your dog doesn’t chew them up….sigh).

• Taking Cara Babies is something that we didn’t utilize until month 9, but we will be using this in the future as well. It helped to lay everything sleep related out. I need someone to tell me exactly what to do when it comes to sleep and crying, and all the emotions that come with that. Cara created a class/program that felt more aligned with my values. It helped us get some of our sanity back and in-turn, our relationship in the evenings.
• The Baby Bjorn Bouncer is a self-bouncing chair. It moves with baby. It is soft and comfy, and not too overstimulating. Web was is this quite often when I need to get things done around the house, or even just take a shower.

Diapering:

• Wipeable Changing Pad Cover by Cloud Island. OMG I didn’t realize how much I would love this wipeable option when I bought it (it was a recommendation from a friend, thanks Cindy!). Little baby boys pee when their diaper comes off, and it goes… everywhere! Wall, table, you. Really, so having something that was wipeable was perfect.
• We use cloth diapers from GreenMountainDiaper, the workhorse flats and fitted diapers are fantastic. We started in newborn sizes and moved up from there. We have Thirsties Snap Covers to go with these inserts and they are great! I love that we can wipe and reuse a cover if it wasn’t a messy poop, they grow with baby, and the designs are adorable! We used disposable diapers at night, just couldn’t find a system that really worked for us and went with that to make our nights easier.

• Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm is the BEST! We have never had an issue with diaper rash. It smells great and lasts forever. We originally chose this one because when using cloth diapers, you can only use balms that will wash out, but I am so glad we went with this option for him. We use the Baby Bum Diaper Cream Brush as well, but you don’t necessarily need it.
• Planet Wise Large Pail Liner and a stainless steel garbage can. Plastic can retain smells, gross. So we switched to this one and wash our diapers every 2 days. If it starts to get a little smelly, just set it outside in the sun for a day. (Also, if you diapers get some stains that you don’t love, set them in the sun as well.)

Extras:

• We love this nail clipper by Safety First because it has a built in flashlight that is so important for cutting little tiny nails.
• I know people love the Nose Frida, we have it, but have never used it. We use a traditional Bulb Nasal Aspirator. Web (knock-on-wood) hasn’t had issues with congestion that often.
• OXO Bottle Brush: it has a bottle cleaner and a nipple (bottle, not you) cleaner. lol
• This thermometer has been great for us, definitely play games with it so that baby gets used to it. But, it’s also a handy changing table “toy” when you have a crabby toddler that would rather be playing than getting his diaper changed.
• So, if you want a tub insert, but hate that it will be in your tub all the time, this one is perfect! We have an older home with a bathtub that doesn’t hold water well; this has been fantastic! It hangs up on the shower curtain rod after use and grows with baby.
• So when you register for baby bottles, pick all different kinds in small amounts. You can find mix-packs on babylist and other places. Buy that! You never know what kind of bottle your little on will take, especially if you are breastfeeding as well. Web eventually used the Comotomo bottles.
• This teether: Baby Banana

If you want to join our Peaceful Parent path, here is the resource that I most recommend: Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids.

Thanks for stopping by!!