Top 5: Baby Must Haves
As a first time mom (FTM), it’s almost impossible to figure out what items are essential and which ones you can pass up. With all the different options available, making a decision can be extremely hard! If you’re anything like me, you do A LOT of research on things before you use it, so to save you some time, here’s a list of my vetted-top-5-must-have items that made parenting for the last year and a half much easier (in no particular order):
1. Portable Sleep Station
Okay, I know I said there was no order to this list, but this item for sure was the number 1 best thing we had for Kairo. We used the doc-a-tot. (From their website) The “DockATot is a leading brand that makes multi-functional lounging, playing, chilling, resting and snuggling docks you can take anywhere. Designed with love in Sweden with a strict emphasis on style and comfort, there is simply nothing else like it on the market that allows mothers to feed, soothe, and bond with baby….Babies need a nurturing and cozy surrounding and feel calmer being in a smaller environment, which mimics the mother’s womb. Our docks create a soft and tender surrounding for little ones to lie in and feel snug and comforted.” The doc-a-tot was perfect for cosleeping. It also served as a great on-the-go nap station. They have 2 sizes so it can grow with your baby. 10/10 would recommend.
2. Baby Carrier
There are so many options when it comes to baby carriers. And while they all do the same thing, my advice is to try them out until you find one you and baby are comfortable with. The two I found work best for us were the boba wrap and the wildbird sling. These carriers make it easy to keep baby close while doing everything else. I can cook, clean, shop, eat, feed, even pump while never having to put Kairo down. Some think doing this is spoiling them, but there is plenty of research that proves baby wearing is extremely beneficial to mom and baby. I still use these carriers occasionally with Kairo at 17 months old.
3. Baby Monitor
We went almost an entire year without having a baby monitor. We didn’t need one initially because of co-sleeping, but as I started desiring more freedom, I found the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor to be very useful! It’s really simple to use. It doesn’t require wifi or Bluetooth either. All you have to do is plug it in and turn on the monitor. This has made my life so much easier. I can exercise in the basement, work outside in the garden, or watch tv in another room and still keep my eye on him. It is rather pricey, but this investment is definitely worth it.
4. Binxy Baby
I don’t know how I stumbled across this item, but I’m so happy I did. The Binxy Baby is a baby hammock for shopping carts and a true life saver. You don’t have to bring the car seat in the store anymore. Just clip the hammock on your cart and strap baby in. It’s really that simple. If you’ve been looking for a way to make grocery shopping a little more enjoyable for you and baby, consider this a godsend. I know many of us might be avoiding bringing baby to the grocery store due to COVID, but for the moms who have no other choice, check this product out. If your baby is older (9 months+) I highly recommend the Skip Hop Shopping Cart and Baby High Chair Cover. It’s versatile and perfect for outings with baby during COVID. It covers highchairs and shopping carts. And it’s super easy to clean after each use.5. Lovevery Toy Subscription
I subscribed to the Lovevery toy box when Kairo was 15 moths old, but I wish I had discovered it sooner! Finding appropriate toys for each developmental stage can be very time consuming, but Lovevery does the hard part of determining what toys promote learning and development at each stage. With the subscription, you get a box of toys every 3 months. It normally includes about 5 toys, a book, and a pamphlet of information for parents regarding the different millstones your child will be hitting soon and activities you can do to foster additional learning. The company takes a Montessori approach to their toys so they’re simple, made with real material (wood), realistic, functional and constructive allowing for unique exploration, and a lot of fun. Kairo loves them and it’s one less thing I have to worry about. 10/10 highly recommend.
There it is! My Top 5 baby must have list. It was actually pretty difficult coming up with a list of only 5 things, as there are so many more items that contribute to a more easeful life, but everything previously mentioned has definitely made the past 17 months easier. None of these products are sponsoring me (though I’m open to collaboration! Holla at me!) so these are my true unfiltered opinions. I hope it’s helpful.
I assume all of our lists might be different, which is to be expected given each of our baby’s are different. So, besides the essentials (like diapers, pacifiers, or bottles), what are some things on your Top 5 list? Share with me in the comments!
We’ll talk again soon. Until then, Stay ViKtorious, Mama!
