Hi there everyone! Today, I decided to share some of my most favorite baby items with you. I think every mom could make a list, and they would all be a bit different. I’ll go through some of the big items, and the small items that I have absolutely loved. And maybe sometime next week I’ll share with you some of my not-so-favorite items too! :) (There’s only a few of those.)
Alright, so the big stuff first:
Chicco Keyfit 30 Car Seat (Color: Midori): I wanted a car seat that had the adjuster strap in the FRONT so I could cinch it tight each time I used the seat. I also wanted one that was easy to install. I was back and forth between getting a seat that could handle up to a 30lb baby, I still don’t know which is better. I ended up with the 30lb seat, and am still using it as my son is still in the 20lb range. This has been a fantastic seat for us, and I’m really glad we like it. We DO NOT have LATCH in our cars, and it was a very easy install.
Chicco Cortina Stroller (Color: Midori): I needed something that could handle pavement, since I have very few sidewalks in my neighborhood. I wanted something that had an adjustable handle, and that would recline all the way flat (ya, some of them do not). I put several miles on the stroller a week, and it’s holding up beautifully after nearly a year of using. It’s easy SUPER easy to fold and put in my car, and I love it.
What I don’t like: The stroller is kinda big (but what one isn’t these days). I had a Camry, and it took up all the trunk space. I upgraded to a 4 Runner, and now I have room for the stroller, a large box of diapers, AND a Costco run.
We got this as the travel system, and I love that the car seat snaps on easily to the stroller. I love this system. Yes, it’s expensive, but it was a gift---and one I use everyday.
Crib- We didn’t have any preferences, and I think we have a Carter’s one. It’s great. My son is chewing the rails, so don’t stress about a fancy one. They get teeth and decide they need to leave their marks on it.
Highchair- I have a dining set with 6 chairs and didn't want an extra one to clutter up my kitchen. My cousin has a fisher price space saver high chair, and I decided to get one as well. The chair straps to one of your existing chairs, so it might work for some families but not everyone. Mine has a different cover, but it’s the same chair. What I like about it: I can take the cover off easily to wash it. I have had crusty dried food on it, and it always comes out clean. The five point harness was fantastic when my little guy was too small to sit well. The five point harness is removable as well---and easy to get off. The chair also reclines and can be raised or lowered.
What I don’t like: I wish the fabric was slick so I could just wipe it off, but I do like that it washes up so well. If it was sticky, my kid would probably stick to it as well, so it’s probably fine. The waist straps are hard to take out…I think you have to disassemble the whole chair to get them out. My straps are stained and need a wash, but I haven’t messed with it.
Fisher Price Bouncer Seat: We have a small home, and didn’t want to clutter our home with a baby swing, pack n’ play, Johnny jump up, etc. so we were very selective on the equipment that we got our son. We did have a bouncer made by fisher price, and used it EVERYDAY for about 4-5 months. My son loved nap time in it, and I could get something done while he rested. We just had the basic one, and it was great. It did have a vibrator, and we used it sometimes, but I don’t think fancy toys or stuff is really necessary. Our cover is zoo animals, but this is the same model (judging by price range and overall look).
Once my son was mobile, I was finding him in the kitchen…down the hall…everyplace—and I couldn’t even cook dinner. I was going absolutely bonkers! We got the Evenflo Exersaucer in Mega Town. We chose this because I can easily move it from room to room, it has a little bit of “bounce,” to it, and it was affordable. This was the only ‘splurge,’ item we really got, but it is a lifesaver when I need to open my oven or take out the trash.
The only other thing that we have and I’ve loved is a changing table. We got it off Craigslist for $15. It’s simple, but it was really nice before my son got too squirmy for it. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it’s open shelves. I have baskets on it, but I sometimes wish it had drawers instead. But I can’t complain about a $15 item!
That’s all the big equipment we have for our son. I have wanted a pack’n’play mainly for travel, but my mom has one and I’ll just borrow it when we need it.
Other things I’ve loved so far include:
Munchkin Dishwasher Basket: Once my son started using sippy cups (We like the Nuby ones with handles for learning and the Gerber ones with or without handles after that), I NEEDED one of these. I had valves, lids, etc. all over the place. This is a lifesaver. :)
Munchkin Spoons: I tried the Gerber spoons first, and they were okay. Then I went back needing more, and saw that the munchkin were cheaper…and WAY cuter. They look kinda like crayons! These are fantastic. The only thing I DON’T like about them is that they have to be in the top rack of the dishwasher, so get a basket (mentioned above). The handles are longer on these babies too, and my wrist doesn’t get as tired.
Lingerie Bags: They are cheap-like 1.49 a piece at Target. I got several and put my baby’s socks, bibs, washcloths in them. This way they don’t get eaten/lost in the wash. Fantastic---and because of this method I haven’t lost very many socks (so far).
I honestly can’t think of anything else. What are some of your must have baby items?
~Lynette~
