- Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit – One of the first gifts I recieved from a dear highschool friend with a warning that it looks ridiculous but she swore it worked miracles… and ever since I put it on Lil G he hardly goes a night without it. Not the cheapest sleepsuit or sack, but it has become my favorite.
- Stadela Baby Bandana Bib Set – If your lil one is a drooler and spits up like mine, you will love these. Fashionable yet functional and easy to throw in the wash!
- J is for Jeep Car Seat Travel Bag – As a foster mom, I take car seats in and out of the car more times that one would like… and since I have more than can even fit in my car I need to store them. I used to store them in the basement, but now I keep them in my garage so these are the perfect solution to keeping the car seats clean in the garage. I also will use these for travel, so they are dual purpose. I need the carseats to last!
- Baby Paper Crinkly Baby Toy – A fellow mom recommended this simple toy and it’s fabulous! Affordable, endless entertainment and I love it because its so easy to throw in my purse and go. I can pull it out quickly to help contain a fussy moment. It is also a great early toy because the young ones can’t hit themselves in the head with it as with some toys.
- Boba Baby Wrap – Best $40 (minus 20% since I used a BuyBuy Baby coupon on this one) ever! When all else fails, putting Lil G in this calms him and puts him to sleep. He just loves this wrap, even still at 9 months. And I love it because it’s great time to connect since I never actually carried him in the womb, but he can bond right next to me with this wrap. He often naps in it while I work so that we can spend time together and still be productive… which as a single working mom is KEY some days! 🙂 I also use this while flying… I also have an ergo but this is WAY more comfortable to me when sitting. I use my ergo when I grocery shop, hike, or just need to go quick…. but my wrap is my favorite for comfort and also G’s favorite.
- Zutano Unisex-Baby Newborn Cozie Fleece Bootie – Again a recommendation from another mom when I mentioned that I have a hard time keeping socks on my lil man in the winter… this was a great fashionable and functional solution!
- Mixie Formula-Mixing Baby Bottle – Best find for an on-the-go bottle feeding mom! I unfortunately can’t breastfeed, so I am always carrying bottles and formula everywhere. After spilling half a can of formula in the parking lot one day ($$$), I searched for a solution and came across these. Keeps the formula and water separate until you need it, then will one quick push on the bottom and some good shakes you have a bottle ready with NO mess!
- Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens – At first I only had a sound monitor that I bought at a consignment store. It worked OK… but eventually I just felt more comfortable if I had a way to see the kids in bed. I always want to be extra careful when taking care of other people’s babies! So I searched and searched for video monitors. There are LOTS of options and it is hard to understand all the small differences between them. Eventually I selected this one after reading all the reviews on Amazon and it was one of the most affordable. I have LOVED it and won’t go back to a regular monitor. The clarity is great and I can control the camera and move it to see him better if needed. I really don’t have complaints about it…. simple to use and easy to install.
- The Mommy Hook Stroller Accessory Black – This hook is attached to my stroller at all times! I have a really large bottom on the stroller so I can put a lot underneath but when I am shopping this hook is key. I hang shopping bags to it or hangers of clothes while I shop. Sometimes I hang my purse on it as well… especially when traveling and I might have luggage underneath. I also use it to attach the dogs leash when we all take walks so that I have one less thing to hold onto. For those moms without the big basket on your stroller I would highly recommend this to help keep you hands free!
- Angel Dear Sleep Sack – I actual love this brand and find it all the time at Marshall’s/Homegoods. I have a bunch of fleece sleepsacks that I used a bunch for Lil G and Big L, but these are lighter weight so they were perfect for Big L last summer when the fleece is just too hot. I have burp clothes as well by this brand that I love! Very similar to Aden + Anais but cheaper.
- aden by aden + anais Changing Pad Cover, Safari Friends – Giraffe – I love the Aden + Anais muslin fabric and this pattern was just too precious. It’s been very durable and again a little touch a color and style for the nursery.
- UPPAbaby 2017 VISTA Stroller, Jake – I literally can’t believe how expensive strollers are these days…. so I definitely suggest test driving before buying (cause it’s like a mortgage payment for these things!). I spent hours on the internet after I had a bust with a high-end stroller I snagged at a consignment shop. I then proceeded to spend literally 4 hours in BuyBuy Baby testing out strollers (I even left and brought my mom back because I had so much anxiety about spending so much on a stroller). My mom thought I was CRAZY… but after spending two hours with me and both children trying out all the options she agreed this was the best solution. I really needed flexibility and ease of use as a foster mom. I needed my mom also to be able to use it and lift it in the car if needed. I could go on and on about the beauty of this stroller (like the HUGE bottom storage basket), but the simple story is I love it and have found it totally worth the money. I don’t think many first time moms realize the beauty of it… but when you have two as I did at the time I saw the light and had to have it!
I own all of the above products and just love each of them! If you are looking for great baby products I hope these help. I would love to hear some of your favorite products… I am always in need of great suggestions as a first time mom. Many of the items I listed are recommendations as you can see that I received from other amazing mommies 🙂
xoxo,
Katie
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