Baby Stuffs You Can't Live Without

Now that we are approaching the six-month mark, I've been able to figure a few things out about baby gear. First, there is sooo much CRAP for babies out there. Holy cow! It makes a lot of sense that the baby gear/clothes, etc. industry is a billion dollar one. Fortunately we didn't have to buy a lot of stuff, but the stuff we did ultimately buy was a LIFE SAVER.

I am going to tell you now. If you are an expectant mother. Add this shiz to your registry now. Right now. DO IT. Because these items will save your life. Literally. Figuratively. Here are the top ten baby items YOU NEED. (according to moi!)

1. Madela Pump In Style

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I didn't have supply issues fortunately right after Jack was born, but if you are a mama who finds that there is not enough milk coming in, pumping is one of the very best ways (aside from frequent nursing on the part of your little one) to get the milk juices a flowin'. And now that I am back at work, this system is absolutely essential to me being able to continue breastfeeding my baby.

2. Fisher Price Rock N' Play.

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This is the best invention of all time. If you want your baby to sleep like a bug in a rug (what does that even mean??) then get this sleeper for your newborn. I am going to petition Fisher Price to make one for larger babies because the day Jack outgrew his was a very sad day at the Sadlier home. (Can you tell I was a little emotionally attached to this thing? lol)

 

3. K'tan Breeze Baby Carrier

 

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This is a baby product I really wish I would have had sooner. It's saved my life (more like my back and arms) many times over. Jack loves it and gets excited every single time I put it on. We mostly use it for napping. Since I have a fickle napper who hates it when I put him down mid-nap, this is the only way I would be able to hold him and rock him to sleep and keep him asleep for a long enough nap that he needed.

 

4. White noise app or white noise machine.

 

I don't have a pic for this one, but do yourself a favor and get used to the ever repetitive sounds of waves, or static, or even musical melodies. Your baby will probably have a preference. We use this one.

 

5. Humidifier.

 

There are dozens of these on the market, but make sure you get one. Babies (especially breastfed babies) are prone to stuffy noses because they are often so close to the breast. Get one of these and keep it going all night long. It helps add a little white noise too.

 

 

6. Bumbo

 

Jack lurrrrved his Bumbo. Now that he can sit on his own, he doesn't use it as much but it is still useful when it comes to making sure he doesn't go anywhere (he's been trying to crawl lately, but will fall on his face. poor kiddo.)

 

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7. Gripe water.

 

Some people swear by the mylacon drops, but I found they made it back things up for poor Jack (ifyouknowwhatimean...)

 

We really, really like this stuff. We prefer the apple flavor (although it's harder to find for some reason) rather than the black licorice flavor. yuck.

 

8. Nuk Binkis.

 

All babies seem to have their preference on what kind of binki they like. Some aren't really pacifier kids at all. I don't think Jack would have been had I not gone back to work because frankly, he used me as a pacifier 24/7. (TMI alert!)

 

Now, these little guys have to suffice.

 

Evidence of his enjoyment of said pacifier.

 

 One in the mouth, one on each hand. Just in case a back up is necessary. 

 9. Aden + Anais blankets.

 

These things rock. Especially if you have a summer baby. I hear they are great for swaddling, which we never really did. They are light weight and super soft. Kinda spendy though so if you can find the muslin blanket somewhere else for cheaper, you might want to go that route. I hear you can get them at TJ Maxx. My great Mother in Law got us ours though so I haven't had to go shopping for other ones, but I might check these cheaper versions out soon.

 

10. Mesh teethers.

 

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These are our newest love. We put frozen breast milk or some kind of frozen peach or mango in it. Jack loves it. Although he starts to get a little impatient with it after a while. But on our worst teething days, these have been our friend. :)

 

So there you have it, folks! The top 10 items your baby MUST have. At least according to me. And to Jack. He is the best tester of these items after all. So readers, do any of you have MUST HAVES that you want to share? What were/are some of your favorite baby toys, items that you have found invaluable on this rocky road we call parenting?