By: Jessica Bramall
There are way too many ineffective, expensive, and unnecessary products out there for moms and their babies. Instagram influencers are constantly advertising what seem to be the most high-end products, and there are ten different brands for each item – all claiming to do the same freaking thing. As a first-time mom, this was so overwhelming for me. I had no idea what I needed vs. what was just a nice-to-have, and I wasn't in a position to just buy it all and hope for the best. Throughout our pregnancies, Kelli and I spent a lot of time comparing registries, and because she had Ford first she would update me on the must-haves and the can-do-withouts after the fact. Now that we both have babies, we've compiled a short list of our top baby registry must-haves. We hope this helps narrow down your search and gives you some peace of mind as you build your own baby registry! Shop All 10 of Our Baby Registry Must-Haves HERE! 1. Car Seat and Stroller The hands-down best purchase I made for Boston, which actually was not a registry item and something I bought after I realized how badly I needed it (and how much Kelli RAVED about it), was the 2 -in-1 Doona Car Seat & Stroller. It's light, compact, and you don't even need a car seat base if you're planning to travel or just hop in an Uber home. WHAT!? After using the Nuna TAVO + PIPA Travel System for only a month (that's what I originally had on my registry, which my husband's family kindly bought for us), I was exhausted from lugging both around. They were too heavy for me to carry after my c-section, and the size of the two together made me dread running even the smallest of errands, especially with him being so young. Now keep in mind that the Nuna Travel System wasn't at all a wasted purchase. I do love the PIPA infant car seat and will continue to use it as needed. I'll also get a ton of use out of the TAVO stroller once Boston is big enough to fit in the seat, and I'd need to purchase this anyway once he grew out of the infant car seat and was ready for a stroller. The Doona is a bit on the pricier side, but if you can buy or add one expensive thing to your registry, this is it. It makes it easier to do the things you didn't think would be so difficult to tackle once a baby is involved – walking the dog, running to the post office, conquering pediatrician appointments, and pretty much anything else that requires leaving the house. 2. Baby Lounger Kelli and I both have the SnuggleMe Organic Infant Lounger. One thing you will need to invest in is a couple of removable covers for the lounger – either the SnuggleMe brand, or Amazon and Etsy sell covers that fit just as well for far cheaper. It's much easier to throw the cover in the wash than to worry about cleaning the lounger itself. Also as a quick note, there's a lot of controversy right now around baby loungers and if they are truly safe. Boppy had one of their infant loungers recalled not too long ago, and many are just saying to stay away from these types of products in general to avoid the risks that can be associated with them. I will say first and foremost that I am no expert or doctor, and this is truly just my personal opinion, but a baby lounger is so helpful during the early infant stages before they can roll. It's provided extra comfort during naps, and when I'm exhausted and need a quick break it's easy to just set Boston down in a way that's still supervised without having to strap him into anything. If you are worried about safety and wondering how to properly use the SnuggleMe, they do offer baby lounger tutorials on their website! 3. Hands-Free Baby Carrier Solly Baby Wrap. No contest. Well I mean I also haven't tried other carriers, but this is amazing. It looks so intimidating when you pull it out of its packaging – it's like a scarf meant for a very oversized woman. But after watching and rewatching a random YouTube instructional video once or twice, I got it down first try. Once I put Boston in it he was OUT for at least an hour while I did things I hadn't accomplished all at once in I'm not sure how long – dishes, brushing my teeth, laundry. I was able to turn what was now a week's worth of housework back into a single day of tasks. 4. Changing Pad Keekaroo Peanut Changer. Also another no-brainer. It's just like they state on their website: it's stylish, functional, and affordable. Still unsure? Ask Kelli how much she appreciates hers (Ford loves a good blowout, spit-up, and pee trifecta every now and again). A quick wipe down is all that's needed after each use – no extra laundry or stress. For me, this gets cleaned ten times a day. The wipe order during diaper changes is religiously butt, flailing legs, feet, then Keekaroo Changer, then sometimes wall, wipe dispenser, and plant three feet away lol. Anyone using a lined basket or anything else with washable cloth for mere aesthetics, as always there's no judgment... but you’re crazy, mama. 5. Diaper Pail Munchkin STEP Diaper Pail. This is something anyone who plans on using disposable diapers will need. It's odorless and easy to dispose of once full. Now that Boston's six weeks old, I probably throw out the bag once every 4-5 days. There are a couple things to keep in mind – make sure when you buy the air freshener replacements that you buy the Puck. They sell smaller ones that look identical but are just meant to be placed around the nursery. Second, when buying the bag replacements, we buy the Diaper Pail Refill Rings, not the Snap, Seal and Toss Refills. The former just needs a quick cut and tie of an on-flowing bag. The latter requires you to go through a few more hurdles to remove and replace the bag once it's full. Final Blonde Thoughts If I can give you one piece of advice as you build your baby registry: don't prioritize aesthetics. Buy first for safety and convenience, then because you think your child will like it, and then because it's cute. I have a bad habit of choosing things because they fit with my decor or that I think Boston would look stylish in... but I digress. And as always, do what works for you! One mom's nightmare is another mom's one-way ticket to a full night of sleep. xo, Jess Shop All 10 of Our Baby Registry Must-Haves HERE! Comments are closed.
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