Behind The Butter

17 Baby Items I (Actually) Recommend

I get asked fairly often what our baby “must haves” are, so I finally compiled a list! I feel like you collect SO MUCH STUFF when you have kids when, really, you don’t need half of it. I mean, let’s be honest…when you come home from the hospital with a newborn you just need diapers and your breast (or bottle). 😉

Anyway, after having two kiddos, these really are the items that we have loved and been so glad we purchased. I hope this list helps someone out there (and you guys are always asking where I get my sippy cups and bibs from…!). Like everything else, these are the things that just worked for us. I hope they work for you as well but everyone is different. All babies are different. My other big advice is don’t get hung up on all the “stuff” you need when you’re expecting your first baby. There’s so much gimicky baby stuff out there today and I just can’t even with Babies R Us. That place gives me a migraine with all it’s stuff everywhere. Let me know if there’s something you have seen me use a lot but I might have forgotten to mention here! 

Fisher Price Rock n’ Play

This served as a great safe spot to “dock” the baby while I showered, put on makeup, cooked, ect. I don’t believe they recommend putting your baby to sleep in it, but it’s great because it’s lightweight and can be easily taken from room to room with you.

4Moms Mamaroo 

Just get a swing! This is the one have. Grayson LOVED this. Luke…not as much. But I still am including it on this list because Grayson had colic when he was little and this was one of the only things that calmed him down. 

Phil & Teds Sport Stroller (single and/or double version)

We only recently got this last Spring but already it’s one of my favorite things. I love this stroller! I wrote a whole review of it here.

WildBird Ring Slings

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know how much I love wearing my babies! I love woven wraps but especially love the ease and simplicity of a ring sling. I still wear Luke all the time in my sling and, on occasion, wear Grayson as well. 

Carters Sleep and Play Footed Onesies

I love these! They are cheap, comfy and cute. 

Disana Wool Sleep Sack

Here’s the sleep sack I have used for both of my kids from the time they transitioned out of the swaddle until age two (Luke is still in his wool sleep sack). Wool is breathable, which makes it great for any climate. I have even put Luke to sleep in this wearing only a diaper on very hot nights (85 degrees in his room) and he was totally fine. Wool breathes and wicks away sweat. These sleep sacks are gold to me. Plus, you literally never have to wash them. I only wash ours once every few months if you can believe it.

Ikea Sippy Cups

These are “the” sippy cups I have used for both of my kiddos. I love these. I have been so let down by basically ALL other sippy cups on the market. These are super cheap and great for mealtime. 

Ikea Smocks (aka bibs for messy kids)

You guys have always asked me where I get my bibs so here you go! These are huge and a MUST for any messy kid. 

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

We have two of these and love them. Grayson (age 3.5) still uses his every day. They literally last forever and very sturdy. I highly recommend.

Stokke Diaper Changing Bag

This is the changing bag I had when Luke was little (now I just use a backpack). I loved this bag and all it’s compartments. It’s expensive but was worth it, in my opinion (buy the cheap sleepers and sippy cups and splurge on this bag!)

Swedish Baby Nests

We co-slept with Luke for the first three months and used one of these to do so. It was so, so, so great. I love this. If I had to rank all of these items in order of importance to me, this would probably be number one. 

Moms on Call Book for 0-6 months

I know it’s not for everyone, but I have followed the moms on call “schedule” for both kids now (still following, actually) and it’s been the most amazing thing for us. I highly recommend this. It’s worth checking out. 

Moms on Call Swaddle Blankets

THE best swaddle blankets and, let me tell you, I have tried them all. I’ve tried the muslin ones, the stretchy ones, the ones with velcro…all of them….and these are the best! 

Gerber Baby Bottle with Latex Nipples

Also – I have tried every bottle out there and these worked the best for us! I started both my kids on one bottle of pumped milk a day at three weeks old. Neither of my kids ever had “nipple confusion” (I nursed Grayson until 12 months and Luke is 15 months and still going strong). These are, again, super cheap and they just work. No leaks, no hassle…these are wonderful. 

Summer Infant Duel View Monitor

Here’s the monitor we have! It’s fine. I do recommend it. I feel like, in general, all baby monitors have some quirks to them but this one has lasted the longest for us.

All Natural Rubber Pacifiers

Oh, how I tried to get both my kids on pacifiers at a young age…Grayson wouldn’t have it and I THOUGHT Luke would but at three months he stopped taking a pacifier. I am including these, though, because for the first three months of his life this is the only paci he would take. 

LectroFan Sound Machines

A MUST. We own two and they are on (loud) every night in each kid’s room. White noise is magic, my friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Katherine Riling
    October 11, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    Great list! I have the Skip Hop portable changing station that is worth its weight in gold to me! I don’t worry at all about yucky changing situations when we’re out and about- and it’s such a snap on the airplane, too. You can fold/unfold it with one hand.

    • Estella C.
      October 17, 2017 at 11:22 am

      This post could not have come at a better time! (I have a newborn at home and knew from the start I couldn’t repeat the practices I followed with my now 3.5 year old, who practically breastfed on demand for two years!) I just finished reading Moms on Call Basic Baby Care 0-6 Months and was wondering…at what age did you implement the feeding schedule, and how did that work for you? I know the authors state you can place Baby on a schedule as early as two weeks.

  • Andrea
    October 11, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    This is so helpful! Thank you! Expecting baby #1 in late February and am totally overwhelmed by all the “stuff”.

  • Britton
    October 11, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    Moms on Call for the win!!! My saving grace for getting a baby to sleep at night! I have two kids – 2.5 and 5 months. Ive used Mom’s on Call for both and they both sleep 7:30p-7:00a. Its glorious!!!

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  • Liz
    October 12, 2017 at 10:46 am

    Good tip on the Ikea sippy cups! I have a few other mealtime Ikea things and love their simplicity.

  • CL
    October 12, 2017 at 1:38 pm

    Would love your thoughts on breastfeeding in the ring swing! I used a wrap with my first, but I’m pregnant with my second (#1 will be 22 mo when #2 arrives) and am concerned about how to juggle both toddler and an infant who needs to be on the boob forever.

  • PAGE
    October 15, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Yes to Moms on Call!!! You blogged about it while pregnant with Grayson and I am forever thankful. I have two children as well that are 2.5 and 9 months. They both sleep soundly from 7:30p- 7:00a and you will find them both napping from 1-3p in the afternoon. Thank you Jenna!

  • Christy
    November 4, 2017 at 7:08 am

    Perfect timing! I’m pregnant with our first and there is just so.much.stuff out there. Having recommendations on items that were tried and true with your boys is so helpful. Thank you!

  • Rebecca
    February 11, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    I love this post!!! I have a bunch of these items and 2nd your recommendations! I have a 2.9 year old and a 12 month old. I would add the Kitchen Helper by Guidecraft to the list. I got it has a hand me down from a relative and I love it!!!. It has been great to use with my older son when I am preparing food in the kitchen and I am most likely going to buy another one soon for my 12 month old. I used to read your blog before I had kids and came here on a whim to get one of your recipes that I had not memorized. I and am so glad to see that you are back!!

  • Mary
    March 1, 2019 at 9:43 pm

    I absolutely loved the Swedish Baby Nests when my son was little. The Disana Wool Sleep Sack is fantastic too

  • pllfxuvyon
    September 25, 2019 at 4:09 am

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