Round 3, sisters! We are officially two months into life as a family of five, and the transition has been smoother and better than I could have imagined. More on that later. For now, I wanted to take a quick sec to share my top newest baby-phase favorites!
I mean, there’s nothing to make you feel like an old vet mama like all the hot new gear popping up left and right. Did you know there’s now a stroller that self-collapses and features full-power lights?! It’s true. I swear they’re just a few years away from pushing themselves. Who needs moms?! An app is coming; I’m calling it.
That said, though, I’m amazed by how well my list of 20 trusty go-to’s has held up over the years! I still stand by and use almost everything on that list, with a few exceptions noted below. Also, if I were pregnant with my first baby, I’d obviously purchase or register for the latest-and-greatest of all those things (unless I could get them secondhand—score!). For instance, Rock ‘n Plays now rock on autopilot, and I got one at my sprinkle for Reese—game changer! I also received the Ergo 360 and it’s a dream. And you can’t go without a video monitor but this time I’m so into this one. The camera looks a little like R2-D2, and his view pans and tilts via remote control! I also love freaking my bigger girls out with the talk-back feature when they’re causing mischief in Reese’s room.
So, here you are, friends! Some of these, I discovered with Hadley, and others are brand-new to my nursery. I never tout products just for kicks, so know that I truly love these, use them faithfully and can’t recommend them enough!
1. Woombie—This treasure of a womb-like cocoon comes first on the list because it might be the best baby item I’ve stumbled upon in the past several years. For me, personally, that is. All my girls have l-o-v-e-d being swaddled, and I know that’s not always the case. But you know, curiously, what they also have liked to do? Attempt to break out of my straightjackets. They need the cozy tightness but their arms sometime have other ideas. Babies are complicated! So, simplify the swaddle life with these safe, snug, wiggle-proof, easy-zipping wonders.
2. Comotomo Bottles—Emerson was my toughest newborn by a landslide. Her colic was unrelenting and heartbreaking. If you’ve had a gassy screamer: I am so sorry. It was one of the toughest mom seasons I’ve ever had. At the time, Dr. Brown’s bottles were the best option available to me and they did aid in minimizing her tummy pain. These newer Comotomo bottles, however, ALSO have anti-colic technology and the best latch around, IMHO. The nipple shape mirrors breastfeeding to a T. You can even squeeze the bottle to mimic a let-down. Additionally they are MUCH easier to clean than Dr. Brown and his zillion parts (God bless him). And let’s be honest, have you ever seen a bottle so chic?
3. Medela Manual Pump—I’ve been shouting this tip from the rooftops since 2015! If you are exclusively breastfeeding, with either frequent or occasional bottle feeds, I highly suggest you get one. My supremely powerful Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is my staple this time around. But date nights? Long car rides? Airplanes? Poolside? Anywhere and everywhere you want to pump without the distinct “reeee-errrrr” as your soundtrack? The handheld! We left Hadley for four nights when she was five months old, for my 30th birthday in Punta Mita, Mexico (go there!). I used this thing like crazy. I’ve also used it in the bathroom at football games, concerts, and weddings, and countless times in my car. Silent. Discreet. Essential.
4. Hushh White Noise Machine—Ever since roaring into motherhood with a screamer, I’ve been an absolute white-noise junkie, thus so have my babes. For me, it has tied with Swaddle as the most powerful and effective of the timeless Five S’s. I still have this one at home. But, as all my friends with 3+ kiddos predicted, we are on-the-go A LOT and Reese currently naps in her car seat at least 75% of the time. I love a white noise app as much as the next girl, but it started really draining my battery and, well, taking my phone from me! Enter the Hushh. Oh, how I cherish this lil guy. His tagline speaks for himself: “Help baby fall asleep and stay asleep anywhere!” He is so lightweight, so tiny, so darling. And, I know only a true addict would say this, but the particular pitch and shush and quality of its three different noise settings? All so perfectly pleasing and smooth. Some white noise starts to scrape on your eardrums, you know?
5. UppaBaby Kickboard—The UppaBaby Vista stroller will be my fave until the cows come home. My 2013 model is still going strong. I mean, as if I would drop another grand on the 2018 one! Who am I kidding, of course I would. As if my husband would let me drop another grand on the 2018 one! He’s still getting over the sticker shock from half a decade ago. I digress. IT’S WORTH EVERY PENNY! But my version hadn’t quite perfected the double-stroller conversion situation, so I never even bought the second seat because the positioning was just too awkward back then. So I bought a Double BOB (see below)—and simply the kickboard attachment for my Vista. It’s truly the best for a two- or three-year-old. My girls call it their “skateboard.” The Vista is still my daily go-to and the kickboard is totally fun and adequate for our regular outings.
6. Double BOB Stroller—I have a complicated relationship with my Double BOB. I can’t live with it and I can’t live without it. People everywhere will get mad at you, to be clear. Not all people. But some. You will not escape the odd glare from a stranger just livid that you dare take up a whole half of the sidewalk with, um, yourself and your whole army of beautiful children who more than deserve to do so! Anyhow. My abiding love for this thing ultimately outweighs the slight annoyance at its colossal size though it might not outweigh the actual stroller because it probably weighs 2,000 pounds. Are you sold yet?! I’m sorry, but you still need it (or something like it) if you have two babies! (Unless you live in a major metropolitan city in which case you might actually get beat up.) It’s been my go-to for neighborhood walks, the beach, Disneyland, and any sort of other major attraction that requires you to be on your feet all day (zoo, Sea World, museums, the fair, etc.).
7. Covered Goods Nursing Cover—You’ve seen these around! Those black and white stripes! What a seriously thoughtful invention. They envelop your carseat in style and double as a super-comfy nursing cover. Supposedly also as a cart cover and infinity scarf though I have yet to delve so deep. So soft! So versatile! They even come in all kinds of other patterns now. I obviously have my eye on the jaguar print.
8. Loulou Lollipop Pacifier Holder—First of all, where do all the pacifiers go to die? With all the stray socks, I assume? I have lost actual dozens over the years. Secondly, how did I not know about pacifier clips until my third child?! You mean it actually remains attached to her and won’t keep evaporating away in plain day?! This adorable one is saving my life this time. Doubles as a teether with its cute silicone beads. I’ve only lost two pacifiers instead of 20 this time and I’m gonna call that a victory.
9. Closet Organizers—I spotted these in one of my best friend’s nurseries when I was pregnant with Reese and immediately thought the same as above. Did I really make it to baby GIRL number three without a clear way of organizing her clothing?! The horror. But really, actual horror. I vaguely remember the headache of navigating the other girls’ outfits from months zero to 12 but choose not to dwell on the nightmare. I adore these things! They make me feel like I’m shopping in a boutique when really I’m picking out my hungry babe’s #OOTD in between burning the pancakes and executing a ponytail.
10. Fawn Diaper Bag—Here she is. My all-out baby mama statement piece. I call it my “I am Girl Mom, Hear Me Roar” bag. The Fawn is totally The Diaper Bag of 2018. All the girls are wearing them!!! But I didn’t know this at first. You better believe I chased down a mom at the zoo when I first-ever spotted this stunner and begged her for all the details. Mine is the big version. I’m obsessed. It’s every bit as functional as it is fashionable. (Just be careful about rubbing the pink leather against any denim, though it comes in other gorgeous colors, too.)
11. Fenugreek & Mother’s Milk Tea—Every time, I have aimed to nurse for a year and just not been able to make it. With Ems, I dried up around 10 months, and Hads, right around the 8-month mark. Does these mean I’m destined for 6 months this time? I dunno. (Maybe? Do you have any tips for me?) Trying to balance my dream of finally reaching a whole year with the practicality of having three kids and a body that will do what it wants. Still though—I’m doing all I can to keep the milk flowing for as long as I can. And I’ve noticed a BIG difference in my supply with incorporating Fenugreek capsules and Mother’s Milk Tea! I take two of the capsules twice a day, and have one cup of tea every few nights, always with two tea bags, honey and a splash of almond milk. Also I drink enough water daily to hydrate a nation. So far, it’s going SO well, and I feel pretty proud that inside my freezer looks a bit like a breastmilk black market. P.S. The dairy-free Halo Top is super delicious!
12. Aquaphor—Aquaphor is the Holy Grail of creams/lotions/ointments in our house. Chapped lips? Aquaphor. Eczema? Aquaphor. Hurt feelings? Aquaphor. It’s glorious. I discovered it when Emerson started getting really bad eczema around 18 months. With Hadley, I learned it was a great staple for babies, too. Diaper rash, cradle cap, those red rashes they get in all their cute little creases—Aquaphor is your answer. Keep some on tap.
13. Water Wipes—My aunt is a doula and gave me a huge box of Water Wipes as part of her gift to me way back at my baby shower for Emerson! I forgot how much I loved them until I got a whole box again at my sprinkle for Reese. They are the purest baby wipes on the market and, well, they’re just kinda perfect as far as wipes are concerned. And let me tell you, all wipes are not created equal! These provide the spot-on amount of moisture and, best of all, have no weird smell. Spoil your baby’s bottom with these pure and sweet wet ones.
14. Belly Bandit—Now, please don’t think I’m going all Kardashian on you. Okay, maybe I’m going a little Kardashian on you. But not on purpose! I just really love my Belly Bandit, and I trust that it’s medically sound. I have worn it in the weeks immediately after all three of my births and I don’t wanna over-state it, but fine, I swear by it. You secure it around your waist like a corset, and it just slowly helps bring all your organs back into place where they belong. I know it was also due to good genes and lots of hard work, but my tummy got back to a pretty solid place after both of my older girls, and I think it will get there again. If this whole thought makes you uncomfortable, skip it, sister. Hugging Emoji. But if you wouldn’t mind a little extra help getting things back to normal around your midsection, you buy yourself a belly bandit and you thank me later. (For the record, I love the Kardashians.)
15. Baby Turbans—I know, I know, you thought you were gonna make it through a whole five minutes without me talking about baby turbans. Well, your five minutes is up and I’m ready to tell you that these hot little biscuits are the best thing to happen to babies since probably milk! I just can’t get enough of their hipster vibes. Gimme all the turbans till I go to meet Jesus. They’re cute as apple pie, plus they legitimately keep their little baby bun heads so nice and warm. Amazon has some great options, but the truest treasures are buried on Etsy.
That’s all, folks! Did I miss anything you’re loving? I wanna know!
Love you guys!
