Kate’s Must-Have Baby Products

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Charlie The Love Bug!

With another #nospendnovember in the books, I can finally share all my must-have baby products that have gotten me through the first stages of having Charlie at home.

While it may seem counter-intuitive to be writing a post about buying products right after #nospendnovember, it’s important to note that we aren’t trying to advocate never buying anything new ever again. Rather, our philosophy is shop intentionally and purchase the best products that are available to you. (Don’t know what I’m talking about? You can see the details in our Instagram No Spend November highlights.)

There are some truly life changing products out there that can add efficiency and functionality to your life. And if there’s something that’s going to make my life with two little boys easier, I’m all in!

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite must-have products for anyone with a baby on the way or who currently has little ones at home. Many of these products would be amazing gifts with Christmas around the corner or maybe a socially distanced baby shower in the near future. These are the things I couldn’t live without!

****This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I have only recommended products I use and love.****

Feeding

Baby Brezza Formula Dispenser

The Baby Brezza is like a Keurig for baby formula. It’s expensive but it would be a great gift for a bunch of friends to go in on together. There are some controversial things in the news about it not dispensing properly, so be aware of that but I LOVE mine! It’s a lifesaver in the middle of the night. One note, you do have to follow cleaning instructions carefully. 

If the Formula Disperser is a bit too pricey, the Baby Brezza Instant Warmer may be a better option. It’s way more affordable and will definitely give you peace of mind if you have baby brain and are worried about getting the water temperature right in the middle of the night!

Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottles

Poor Charlie had terrible gas when we first brought him home and we later discovered he had a tongue tie, which was contributing to the problem. Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottles really helped! They have a more even milk flow and the shape of the nipple worked way better for him.

Playtex VentAir Bottles

We didn’t have the same problems with James, he took a bottle very easily and didn’t have any tummy troubles so we used Playtex VentAir bottles which worked perfectly for him. If you’re looking for an all around reliable bottle, these are the ones I recommend.

Milkbarn Cloths

If ever there was a necessity with a new baby, it’s burp cloths – I go through them like mad! I love this particular brand because they’re made of organic cotton and are big enough to deal with any inevitable spit up, spill or mess. Not to mention, could these be any cuter? They come in a variety of patterns and they’re all adorable. I have two sets from when James was born that I am still using with Charlie so they last incredibly well.

Toiletries

Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer

Ok, this may seem like an indulgence but trust me, your baby will disagree. When you’re desperate to get your bundle of joy back to sleep in the quickest way possible, turning on the lights and slapping a freezing cold wipe on their warm little backside is not the way to go about it. This wipe warmer with a soft night light will potentially get you tons (minutes?) more sleep every night!

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

I haven’t had huge problems with diaper rash, but I do know this product is a must-have on every changing table. It’s super protective and it’s free from parabens, preservatives, dyes and talc so you don’t have to worry about putting something toxic on your baby’s skin.

Little Remedies Baby Gas Relief Drops

As I mentioned above, Charlie really suffered from terrible gas and these drops really seemed to help quickly! They’re safe for newborns and are free from alcohol and sugar, which is obviously essential.

3 – Step Cradle Cap System

Cradle cap is so common, but it can be really disconcerting for new parents. Charlie admittedly had a mild case, but this product cleared it up after a single use! It’s incredibly gentle and I saw immediate results. I also lent it to a friend who’s son still had cradle cap at 10 months and it cleared it right up!

Bathing

Stokke Flexi Bath

This is such an ingenious invention! It’s a portable bath that has a heat sensitive plug to let you know when the water is exactly the right temperature. The plug changes colors to let you know if the water is too cold/hot. I love the cradle attachment for newborns and the plug for easy draining. I got mine when we were living in the city and were tighter on space but honestly baby baths can be so bulky that the fact that this one collapses and tucks right next to the bath is great.

Summer My Bath Seat

If you ever watch my stories on Instagram, you’ll know that James spends a ton of happy time in the bath. He loves all his sharks and whales and now Charlie can join him! This seat has been a game changer for our nightly routine because I can safely bathe both of them at the same time.

Sleeping

Snoo Smart Sleeper

So sleeping. Yeah. It’s a constant topic of conversation around here. I’ve been struggling with James getting up very very (very) early, but Charlie has been doing really well for the most part. We invested early on with the Snoo Crib and while it is wildly expensive, there are some options. Rentals are available on the Snoo website and lots of moms resell the crib when their baby grows out of it. Which you could then do when you’re finished with it, so it may not cost you much in the long run and wow, what an investment! It’s possible to get it during one of their annual sales for around $950 and sell it on Facebook Market Place for close to $700!

Sleepea Baby Swaddle

If the Snoo is too much for you they have another great product that is WAY more affordable. Their sleep swaddlers have such a unique design-they have velcro straps to secure your baby and a breathable mesh fabric so they don’t get too hot while sleeping. Definitely recommend!

Baby Merlin Sleep Suit

Once Charlie got too big to fully swaddle, I still needed something to prevent him from waking himself up. This sleep suit did the trick perfectly. It still prevents their reflexes from waking them and makes them not want to roll over so easily. We used this with James as well and it lasted through both boys.

Homedics White Noise Sound Machine

Unfortunately for me, I have two very light sleepers. White noise is a necessity in our house and I really love this particular product. Its inexpensive which is great and easy to transport (not that we are all doing tons of travel these days).

Marpac Hushh Portable White Noise Machine

Did I mention I have two light sleepers? 😉 That applies everywhere we go, not just at home at bedtime but for nap time too. Fortunately, this travel sound machine is a huge help. It clips to basically anything and fits perfectly in a diaper bag. I use mine on the headrest in the car and on the handle of the stroller.

Toys

Munch Mitt

So these first two items maybe aren’t technically toys, but they sure do the job. Charlie has them with him constantly and while they may be the drooley-est things ever, they really seem to help sooth his sore gums. The Munch Mitt has a velcro strap to keep it on his hand and off the floor, which is a major plus!

Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys

These teether keys are a nice change from the Munch Mitt. You can pop them in the fridge or freezer so they’re nice and cool. They have textures on both sides so the top and bottom gums will get worked at the same time. Of course, they’re free of all the nasty stuff, so rest assured about them going in your child’s mouth.

Take Along Mobile

This little mobile is the greatest entertainer! It easily attaches to the side of a crib, stroller and especially in the car! It has 5 different melodies so you’ll only go slightly crazy from hearing the same tune over and over again. But baby will love it, even if it’s not on your favorite playlist. Charlie HATED the car until he was about 5 months old and this really helped soothe him.

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes

Here’s one toy we don’t leave the house without! James and Charlie both love it and so you can rest easy knowing that it will be around for a few years. It has ten different melodies and most importantly a volume control!

Carriers

If there’s anything that’s worth spending money on for new parents, it’s reliable secure baby carriers. Without them, nothing can get done! They free up your hands so you can do dishes, wash clothes or grab the pint of ice cream from the freezer. I used the K’tan Baby Wrap every single day from 0-3 months and the Happy Baby every day from 3-6 months. If you are a new mom, are going to be a new mom or know someone who is, these are truly must-haves!!!!

K’Tan Original Baby Wrap

Happy Baby Carrier

I hope this list was helpful to all you moms out there! These products have made my life easier and hopefully they will do the same for you. I know how hard it can be to enjoy these exhaustion-filled, tantrum-laden, endless baby days, but they’ll be gone before we know it. Let’s get through it together, send me a comment and let me know how you’re doing!