My Favorite Baby Items and My Biggest Regrets

June 27, 2022

I finally have a list of my favorite baby items! Now that I have a toddler I feel like I know what to buy for the next kid. I was tempted to make this list earlier, but I now feel that I have the perspective to really evaluate what I loved, hated, and didn’t need!

Some of the links in the post are affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission, at no cost to you.

My Top Baby Item Recommendations

If the item has an asterisk (*) it means we are still using it at 19 months!

Baby Monitor*

I love our monitor. I didn’t want one that synced to my phone or measured her oxygen levels or whatever. I knew before I had her that I would need to rest when I was away from her, and that those kinds of monitors would lead to me over-monitoring her.

We went with the Motorola monitor and it’s amazing! My favorite part is that you can turn the screen and volume off but there are little colored lights at the top that turn on when there’s sound in the nursery. We can also talk to Baby M through it.

It has a pretty nice range, so I can bring it outside with me in the morning while I’m playing with the dog.

Aden & Anais Muslin Blankets*

As a former preschool teacher, I’ve had my eye on these for awhile. My students would use them for nap time and their parents would confirm that they had gotten them as babies. Anything that’s usable for years and softer with every wash is a bargain, in my opinion.

I have dozens of muslin blankets from them, and it’s one of the few items that I’m glad I over-purchased. We use them for everything!

Pottery Barn Circle Mat*

Did you know babies can learn just from watching you? We put Baby M down on this mat from a few days old and let us watch us. It’s a nice alternative to a swing, which can inhibit gross motor development with high levels of use.

Gerber Cloth Diapers*

We didn’t use these as cloth diapers, but as do-it-all rags. They worked as emergency wash cloths, burp rags, high chair cleaners, etc. They retain a lot of moisture!

Jellycat Stuffed Animals*

Ugh, I love Jellycats! They are the softest stuffies ever. We have the raccoon, owl, bunny, and puppy. Baby M just adores them.

Chicco LullaGo Bassinet

I am so glad I went with this bassinet and not one that is right on the side of the bed. Baby M was a loud sleeper, even as a newborn. Like, you can’t imagine something so tiny is so loud. I was able to put her at the end of the bed and get (some) rest.

The Runaway Bunny*

This is my absolute favorite baby book. I read it before I was even pregnant and I cried. It’s an American classic! You can also view my (hopefully future) The Runaway Bunny Inspired Nursery here.

Baby Jogger*

My mom got this for my husband as a gift and we’ve fallen in love with it. It’s like a mountain bike. If you keep reading you’ll see that my baby didn’t tolerate wraps, so we ended up carrying her pretty much everywhere. She loves this stroller and we love that she loves it 🙂

Baby Bjorn Bouncer

This one is pricey, but worth it. We added this to our registry because we knew we wanted multiple kids and would pass it on to someone who really needs it after. I love the simple, ergonomic design. Baby M really started to enjoy it once she learned how to kick to make herself bounce!

Fisher-Price Calming Vibes Hedgehog Sooth*

We got this as a gift and it’s just the sweetest little toy. It vibrates and plays lullabies. It’s also super soft.

Sleep Sack*

Who invented these things? They’re genius. I can’t remember when we stopped swaddling, but these were the next step. Now, even with a toddler, I don’t have to worry about my angel getting tangled in blankets or being cold. Burt’s Bees has lasted through puke, poop, and many, many washes.

Antilop High Chair*

This is the best high chair. Ever. It is all plastic, so it’s a breeze to clean. It’s under 8lb. It’s sleek, simple, and stylish. I don’t know why anyone would even consider another high chair.

Mushie Bibs*

I love the Mushie bibs. They’re held their shape over time and are so easy to rinse off. I put a command strip on the back of our high chair so I can hang the bibs while they drip dry!

My Regrets

UppaBaby Stroller and Car Seat

This car seat was so dang heavy. And it didn’t last too long before Baby M grew out of it. The stroller is nice, but it really doesn’t come with much. No cup holder, no front pocket, no tray for the little one to have a snack.

Now, we really only use our baby jogger, as it’s just as smooth and has great carriage space.

Little Unicorn Crib Sheets

I love these crib sheets, but they haven’t stood the test of time. They are too shrunken now. I probably didn’t wash them correctly, but what parent wants to read the tag and do a separate load of laundry? No thanks! Our Burt’s Bees sheets have washed beautifully.

Munchkin Step Diaper Pail

Call me crazy, but was this ever necessary? We started putting our diapers in a little bag outside of the front door and take it out every night. I feel like this pail didn’t really do much. You have to buy the inserts, and it takes up space.

It has a baking soda scent sanitizing thing-a-ma-jig attachment at the top, but the room still smelled like a dirty diaper. I had to put the whole pail outside in the sun for days to get it to stop smelling. It’s definitely not on my list for baby #2.

Things I Bought Way Too Much Of

Poop Bags

I bought those disposable diaper bags like they were going out of style. Now I used them for the dog and the cat litter. I think I’ve used maybe 5 in total so far. Most people are find with us sticking a dirty diaper in their trash or there has been a garbage can around.

Flimsy Bibs

You know those terrycloth-like bibs? I have dozens. I don’t know what I was thinking. We have a few of the Mushie bibs and that’s all we use! My baby wasn’t a drooler, so I think that made a difference.

Wraps/Carriers

I loved my Solly Baby wrap. And my ErgoBaby Wrap. And our ErgoBaby carrier. My baby hated all three. She couldn’t stand being contained past week one!

Diaper Creams

So, modern day diapers are so effective at holding liquid that there is less of a need for diaper cream/baby powder than there was in earlier generations. We are still on our first jar of Aquaphor.

Nipple Butter

Again, I don’t know why I bought 5 when I only used it once!

Nursing Pads

I loved using reusable nursing pads, but I didn’t need them for long. I also didn’t need the 100 or so nursing pads that I bought. I don’t know why I thought I was going to be walking around like a geyser all day.

Gerber White Onesies

These bad boys stain so easily. I received so many (I registered for so many), and I wouldn’t buy them again. Not only are they easily stained, but the fit didn’t seem to last as long as other cotton onesies.

Baby Socks

So. Many. Socks. Now we have so many partner-less socks. My kid hated them. I really only needed 1-2 pairs.

What are your favorite baby items? Your least favorite?

Do you love or hate anything on this list?

Let me know below!

How I Breastfed for Over a Year

March 17, 2022

I breastfed for 13 months and I couldn’t be more proud of myself! It was something that I decided I wanted to do even before pregnancy. Fed is best, of course, but I knew I wanted the bond and endless benefits that come from nursing.

Keep reading to see how I was able to breastfeed my baby for over a year!

Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind when prioritizing breastfeeding is all the amazing benefits for mama and baby. Here are some of those benefits from the CDC website (click for reference):

How I breastfed my baby for over a year:

I Kept Telling Myself I Could Quit

I told myself I could quit – tomorrow. I just had to make it one more day! It’s simple, but it got me through the first really tough weeks.

I built a freezer stash for my own sanity.

I began pumping almost immediately after my milk came in. I used this pump and these bags to store my milk! I would lay the bags down flat in my freezer at first, that way they would defrost faster.

Pumping and storing milk allowed my husband to give her a bottle and it gave me a little freedom to get out of the house, or you know, take a shower.

Not everyone has an easy time pumping, and I definitely didn’t once Baby M started solids. But, I didn’t have a problem with doing it. I would sit down for 20 minutes either during naptime or after my baby went to bed and just scroll on my phone and pump.

Realistically, I would’ve been sitting on the couch on my phone anyways, so it never felt like a big deal.

How to Build a Portable Breastfeeding Bin

I Rewarded Myself

One thing I don’t miss about breastfeeding is the sheer amount of calories I would have to consume to make enough milk and to feel satiated.

I would treat myself to my favorite high protein, high carb meals all the time!

I also purchased a few new sweaters and tops that were nursing friendly.

Mommy and Baby Day Off Schedule

I followed @g1avasis, @marissathemilkmom, and @milkymamallc for inspiration! I didn’t know a lot of moms who nursed past a few months, so seeing other moms online really helped motivate me to keep going.

10 More Mom Influencers to Follow for Inspiration

I supplemented when necessary.

There was a point where I didn’t have hours to sit pumping the amount I needed to satisfy my baby. She was only getting one bottle a day, but once we started solids my supply had slowed down.

It seemed like a huge decision at the time, but we started supplementing with formula. My husband was able to give her a bottle and I wasn’t attached to the pump every spare moment.

Let me tell you, I have never felt so free!

We used Enfamil liquid before switching to the powder for our baby. My heart goes out to families that exclusively bottle feed – that stuff is expensive.

5 Things I Did to Go Into Labor Naturally

We weaned when we were ready.

We weaned around 13 months. My baby was nursing for a minute or two when she woke up. She would pinch and poke me towards the end and it was becoming a very uncomfortable and frankly annoying experience.

One day, we just stopped. There was no “last time” or tears. It felt like a mutual decision between my baby and I.

I am so grateful for the bond we share and memories we made nursing. I’m proud of myself for sticking with it and finding a way to make it work.

How to Survive Your 1-Year-Old’s First Blood Test

It’s been a relief to have my body back.

No, not in that way. My body will never come “back” because it never left. It has definitely changed and shows the wear of a pregnancy and birth and sleepless nights.

What I mean is it’s a relief to have my body back. I no longer have to monitor what I put in my body and worry about it affecting my baby. I’m not in pain if I haven’t fed or pumped in a few hours.

I had an instinctive moment of hesitation while drinking an extra large espresso drink, before remembering that the caffeine wasn’t going to affect anyone but me!

My plan for next time.

I have big pumping plans for baby #2! Next time, I plan on prioritizing pumping in the beginning so I can build a bigger stash for when we decide we’re done nursing. We are going to get a deep freezer so that the frozen milk lasts longer.

I also plan on trying to breastfeed longer. There are so many benefits of “extended” nursing and it was just so convenient and easy!

What’s your experience with breastfeeding?

Is it normalized where you live?
Let me know below!

My Baby is Growing Up

February 15, 2021

My baby is no longer a newborn. She’s a cooing, grasping, giggling baby. At 12 weeks old she is growing seemingly overnight. Every week I put more and more outfits in the “too small” bin for storing. Today, after putting away her tiny little onesies and tiny little pants it hit me that she will never be this small again.

I’ve put away my crop tops and size 2 pants “for another time”, or skirts and dresses for next summer, but she will literally never fit into these clothes again. The only time I’ll see them again is if I have another baby or give them away. She hits milestone after milestone these days. I had no idea it’d be this bittersweet.

I think becoming a mom has made me a complete mush. And that’s okay. I’m going to keep soaking up the coos and teensy feet.

I am so grateful for my time with her.

10 Items You Can Buy During the Two Week Wait

April 10, 2019

This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about them here.

…or before the two week wait, or whatever.

There’s a part of my brain that’s incredibly messy and spontaneous, and then there’s also a part that loves to be ahead of the curve. I had my wedding planned before I got engaged and here I am again, researching babies before having one.

Just as a clarification – I’m not pregnant or trying to conceive. Let me say that again, I’m not pregnant or trying to conceive.

I’m 25 and I have some sweet time before moving onto the next chapter of my life.

I do, from time to time, purchase small ticket items from Target or pick up gently used onesies while at the thrift store.

Now, I know this title will be met with one of two responses, “wait for the shower” or “you’ll jinx it”. Both valid reactions. My husband thinks I’m nuts.

But, I know there’s a small sliver of you out there, like me, who can’t wait.

Here’s my justification: I will have a newborn one day. Come hell or high water. Whether it happens naturally, assisted by science, or through adoption.

Buying these items gives me some weird sense of security, or hope. Maybe it’s because I’ve been told so many times that everything related to pregnancy and motherhood is so innumerably uncontrollable.

Either way, I like the little “hope chest” I have for that little miracle someday. I would suggest telling your partner what you’re doing, or they might be a bit concerned/freaked out if they find out.

I have searched for lists like this endlessly online and can’t find any that aren’t tailored for a registry.

So, here’s a list of 10 things you can purchase early, whether you’re in the two-week wait, or in the two year wait, like me:

Books. Baby books are just the sweetest! Whether it’s Good Night Moon or Stellaluna, we all have our childhood favorites that we’d like to pass down onto our own children.

Newborn diapers. One pack. Maybe two. Your little one might not even need them, have an allergy, etc. Do you research here.
Pacifiers. I know there are many shapes and kinds of pacifiers, but I’d pick up some of these from Philips Avent.
Muslin cloths. Muslin cloths are perfect for burping, spit up, slobber, swaddling and more! Check out cute printed ones from Little Unicorn or aden + anais.

Gentle laundry detergent. Do some research here on what would be best for your family!
Baby thermometer. Our (adult) thermometer broke this winter, so I replaced it with this one, which works for adults and just so happens to work for babies too.
Nail clippers. Little ones need special clippers for their nails. Add these to your cart on your next Target run or Amazon Prime binge.

Safety items. Electrical socket covers, child locks and stove covers will come in handy down the road.
That expensive toy. Or clothing item, or book. For me, it’s this onesie I saw in California. As a Cali girl at heart, I’ll have to snatch it up.
Sale items. Hit up a clearance section for discounted shampoo, washcloths and more.

Remember that some items expire and safety guidelines change all the time. Always consult with a doctor or check out americanpregnancy.org for more resources.

Did you purchase any items before you found out you were pregnant, try to conceive or in the two week wait?

If you have a baby of your own, what would you add to this list?