Baby Gear

This weekend I attended a baby shower for a friend, and it prompted me to do a post for mamas of the tiniest Baby Bees – the ones that haven’t even been born yet.

I remember before we had Becca, trying to navigate a world of baby gear was intense.  What was a NEED, what was a WANT… and which product was just right to fit the needs and wants that I had?  When we had Grayson, we had a very specific list of things we knew we would need, and of course, even tho it’s only been two years, we’ve found new products that we love that weren’t even available when she was coming along.

So, here’s a short list of the products that we have used with one or both of our kiddos that we find to be super helpful – and why.  Please note that each of these is an affiliate link, so if you choose to purchase from this link, you not only get a great product, but you help our family out as well. 🙂  (So thank you!)

Gerber Unisex-Baby Newborn Sheep 4 Pack Flannel Receiving Blanket, Sheep Green, One Size
You seriously can NOT get enough receiving blankets.  They are VITAL for any baby, but especially if you end up with a spitter like Grayson.  The sweet little thing still at almost ten months spits after eating.  We have at least two receiving blankets in the diaper bag at all times.  And, after we had Becca, we sent my mom to the store to buy more of these.  Trust me – you need a lot.  For Grayson, we have ten receiving blankets and fifteen of the cloth diaper burp cloths… and it has totally happened that they were all in the laundry at once.

Graco Sweet Slumber Sound Machine, White
We learned quickly with Becca that white noise can really make a huge difference in how baby sleeps – and it also works great to drown out the noises that might be made by others in the home while baby is in bed.  Because we knew how much she loved her sound machine, we purchased a second one before Grayson was born, and actually took it with us to the hospital.  Truly from night one he has slept with the sound machine on.  I firmly believe that the consistency and the comfort of the noise is what helps both of our kids be such awesome sleepers!!

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Added Comfort Starter Set
We really struggled to find good bottles that worked for Becca to reduce gas.  Then, when Grayson was coming along, we discovered that none of the bottles we had tried with Becca were still on the market, so I couldn’t buy replacement nipples.  Which was VERY frustrating.  So, I went to the store and started looking… and discovered that the bottles I had originally looked at for Becca but didn’t buy were still on the market… so we went with those, and have never looked back.  We absolutely love Tommee Tippee products, and these bottles are absolutely fabulous!  This is the exact starter set that I bought, and we have loved using them.  They are also super easy for Grayson to hold himself now that he’s holding his own bottle.

Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Pail with Refill Bags, 10 Count
You know it’s a product we like when I tell you we have two of them… and this is one of those products!  We have one in both the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms.  They are easy to change, the refill bags are sold at every store we shop at, and the refill bags are very inexpensive (I can get a box of 10 for $6.)  Plus, I like that it has a baking soda container in the lid!  If I’m able to smell the diaper pail, I can just add fresh baking soda, and instantly, no more smell!  I also love that it’s baking soda, and not something with a flowery fragrance.  No smell at all is much preferred in our house.

WubbaNub Infant Pacifier – Giraffe
This is one of those products that wasn’t around when Becca was born (or if it was, we didn’t know about it), which is probably fine since she didn’t take a pacifier very long.  Grayson, on the other hand, is a pacifier guy.  So much so that we own two of these adorable giraffes (we’ve lovingly named them Geoffrey 1 & 2 – a nod to one of our favorite stores). They are a fabulous way to never lose the “paci,” “binky,” “plug,” or whatever nickname you want to call it.  Plus, you just throw it in the washer when you need to launder it!  SUPER easy.  Love love love love love this product!!  (Also – Soothee pacifiers are the ones given to you in the hospital for a reason.  I’ve talked to LOTS of moms, and the vast majority of them spent money on other brands of pacifiers, but the free one they got at the hospital was all their baby would take.  Soothee is THE brand of pacifier for baby!)

Fisher-Price Booster Seat (Red/White)
We received this as a gift from my parents when traveling to see them when Becca was little, and we used it for her for travel a lot – super convenient.  But then with Grayson, it has taken on a whole new level of use.  Because we use it for him every day.  We just attached it to a chair from our dining room table, and he sits at the table with us instead of in a high chair that takes up a ton of space and is hard to clean.  Seriously mamas, don’t spend money on a high chair.  This baby is $37 – and ALL YOU NEED.  Save your money for diapers.  You’re gonna need them.  For what seems like forever.

Obviously, we had lots of other products that we love for both kids, but these are my big six money/time savers for you – you NEED these things.  Don’t waste your money on others.  Moms with older kids – what was/is your favorite baby product?  Share it here in the comments!!