After not having a baby for six years, in a lot of ways, it felt like I was starting over again. I had kept all of my baby stuff and baby clothes because we had been hoping to have one more, but battling infertility when I finally got pregnant we had a six and seven year old. While a lot of my stuff still seemed to be valid tried-and-true baby products, some of it was outdated and needed to be upgraded and there were a lot of things that simply didn’t exist seven years ago when I was getting baby stuff. Since having my third baby four months ago, I have kinda had to learn how to be a baby momma all over again and some of that has come through the natural trial and error that all moms have to endure.
*This post contains some affiliate links that I make a small percentage from at no additional cost to you. See a FULL DISCLOSURE here. *
My Tried-and-True Baby Product Recommendations
Boppy Nursing Pillow
This is probably our most used baby product! Not only do I use it every time that I nurse but everyone that holds baby loves to use it to help support him adequately. It has been essential for my young kids to be able to hold the baby because I feel like it allows them to give proper support and hold him without me helping them or stressing. I have used the same Boppy for all three of my kids and have even loaned it to a couple of friends along the way. It is machine washable and I got this new cover to make it feel updated and new. I also have a knockoff Boppy that I leave in the car for on-the-go feeding but it simply isn’t as good as the name brand one because it doesn’t hold the baby’s head quite right, doesn’t fit around me as well, and doesn’t have the cushion and correct height. I would not use it to let my other kids hold baby H because it just doesn’t have the support that the Boppy does.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Aden and Anais Swaddle Blankets
These are by far my favorite blankets and swaddle wraps. I have used them religiously with all three of my babies and both of my older kids still have one from when they were a baby that they love to snuggle. I prefer the 100% cotton blankets over the more expensive bamboo or muslin ones because I think that they are softer, warmer, and they definitely hold up much better. Both of my boys wouldn’t take a pacifier and these were by far their favorite security blankets. I love this brand in general and have used their crib sheets, burp cloths, and blankets as well. These swaddle wraps are one of my go-to gifts and I always try to keep a pack on-hand to give to new mommas!
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Bumbo Baby Seat
I couldn’t live without this right now! My little man is four months old and all he wants to do is sit up and be too big. This Bumbo seat allows him to sit up and look at things and learn how to grab at things in front of him. I love how light and portable it is so he can join me anywhere I am in the house and I can throw it in the car and take it with us too. All of my kids have used the same pink Bumbo chair and I have also loaned it out to friends a few times over the years too. It is very durable and easy to wash and the tray is a great accessory once baby starts to eat.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Cybex Eezy Stroller
My mother in law got me this stroller as a gift and over the years it has been one of my absolute favorite baby products. It is a simple umbrella stroller on steroids that I just always leave in the car for my go-to stroller when I am out and about. It is compact, lightweight, and portable like an umbrella stroller, but it is tall, sturdy, durable, and smooth like a bigger stroller. I always seem to have my hands full and I love that I can get it out and set it up and collapse it and put it back all with one hand. I have the simple straps that allow any infant carseat to sit in the stroller and lock in. I have used this with all three of my different car seats over the years. These adaptors make this stroller into a convenient travel system. Not surprisingly it looks like they have upgraded the adaptor for the travel system since I got mine (I am not sure if these new adaptors fit all car seats like the straps I have).
It would probably scare me the actual amount of times I have gotten this stroller in and out of my car and the number of miles I have put on it in the last eight years. It is something that I never would have bought myself or thought I needed, but looking back I am so grateful to have it and highly recommend it.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information.
Schwinn Jogging Stroller
Over the last eight years I have been on A LOT of walks and runs. This stroller has been through 5K’s and 10K’s and trained for a half-marathon. Before the baby came, I was almost convinced that I needed to trade it in for a newer upgraded stroller and I am so glad that I talked myself out of it. I have been back to running again this last month and I have zero issues with my Schwinn Jogger that is eight years old! It washes up easily and still has the original tires!
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information.
New Products that I am loving
Dock-A-Tot
This was something that I really debated about getting because it is a bigger more costly item and I knew this would be my last baby so it wouldn’t be as good as an investment. I was lucky enough to have a friend let me borrow hers and now I am going to purchase the larger version because my baby loves it so much. We co-sleeping with this has been the only way I have gotten any sleep in the last four months! It has just the right amount of cushion to cocoon the baby and rounded sided to help create a safety barrier when co-sleeping. It has also been my go-to for tummy time because it is the perfect height to prop the baby up comfortably while he works on his strength and motor skills. Because I borrowed mine from a friend, I didn’t want to put any wear on her cover so I bought this new one that has been great!
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
mammaRoo Baby Swing
This is another investment that I really wanted and was lucky enough to loan from a friend. This swing is amazing and has 5 different motions to soothe baby while asleep or awake. My baby loves to lay in the swing when he is awake and rock and look at the mobil. I love that it reclines to your preference and you can get a newborn insert so it has been able to grow with my baby and he can still enjoy it. This sits in my living room and is my go-to when I need to set the baby down and keep him happy and occupied for a little while or he just needs a little nap. One thing to keep in mind is that this is for small babies and once baby is 25 lbs or starting to sit up on their own they should no longer use this swing.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Ergobaby Carrier
I knew that I needed to upgrade my baby carrier because I USE IT SO MUCH! I figured there would be much better carriers available after seven years of advancements. I asked a lot of friends and this was hands down the most popular carrier and I have not been disappointed. My favorite part of this carrier is the waist strap that allows the baby to sit on the pad and takes most of the pressure off of the shoulders. I have some impingement in my shoulder and was really worried that would limit my babywearing and with this carrier, I haven’t had any problems. I use this every day and am very active with it and both the baby and I are very comfortable when we use it. I have the one that carries in all positions and have used it since my guy was a newborn but they also have one specifically for newborns up to 25 lbs.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Scooties (Sock-Booties)
This is a product that I sought out because babies’ feet were always cold and I either couldn’t keep socks on him or they were too tight on his legs. So I thought there must be something out there that would be better than socks. He has worn these everyday since I purchased them and I have since bought another pair for him. My mom and my grandma have both commented multiple times that they have never seen such a genius product for little feet and they have loved on A LOT of babies over the years. I looked at a lot of different brands and finally settled on this one because of the price, material, and velcro. I love that they have a long velcro section so I can custom fit them to my little guy’s leg and they will stay on without being too tight. I have washed them multiple times and they have held up great. I really can’t recommend these enough and have already had a couple of friends purchase them for their babies or to give as gifts. Everyone has been really happy with them.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Nursing Tanks and Bras
I have worn one of these Caramel Cantina nursing tanks EVERY day since they came from amazon! I love that they are a full tank and that they have just the right amount of compression and a built-in bra. I can wear them on their own or with my iLoveSIA Nursing Bra nursing bra for added support. They are very comfortable and helpful for my postpartum stomach and have just the right amount of stretch and length. I have lived in these tanks 24/7 for the last four months because they are so comfortable and convenient. They have easy and secure clasps that make it super easy to nurse discreetly. I always choose these over the other nursing bras that I bought because of the compression on my stomach and the full coverage they give when nursing.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Nursing Sports Bra
I just started back to running a little bit and decided to invest in at least one sports bra that was made for nursing so that it would be more convenient for me and baby. I wanted something that provided enough support for light running to not make a milkshake, but something that would not be too tight and restrict milk production or be uncomfortable. I spent WAY TO MUCH time looking at different options and reading the reviews and finally settled on this one from Kindred Braverly, and I have not been disappointed. I like the way the straps are wider on my shoulders and the amount of compression is perfect for me. I have enough support for a light run and can still wear this bra all day too.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Hands-Free Pumping Bra
I kept seeing those dang Instagram and Facebook ads for the Willow Wearable Breast Pump and it made me want a hands-free pump so bad! I knew that with two older kids always on the go and working outside the home that it would be super helpful to have a hands-free pump. If I would have known that I was going to have more babies I would have probably invested in the Willow pump, but I couldn’t justify getting it for one baby (especially when my insurance would pay for a good new one). So I did some research to see what other options there were and found that there were a few hands-free “bands/bras” available. I was skeptical to spend the money because I wasn’t sure how well it would work and if I would really use it that much. Now I don’t know what I was thinking! I could not live without this hands-free pumping band. I use it EVERY DAY and find that it not only much easier to pump with it but that I seem to get more milk when I use it. I picked this one because it is more of a band than a bra and it zips up over whatever you are wearing and is easy to slip on and off. It is also adjustable with velcro in the back so that you can get the perfect custom to fit to hold the bottle in place. It also comes with a strap to help get the perfect placement of the band and hold the bottles (I haven’t needed the strap) and is machine washable. I have been recommending this to EVERYONE who is having a baby and will be pumping. It has seriously been life-changing for me and I wish I would have had it for my other two babies.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Luvs Diapers (One Month Supply)
It had been so long since I had had a baby that I wasn’t sure what the best diapers are. I had always used Huggies in the past and knew that they were good diapers but not the cheapest. I wanted to know what the best diaper for the value was and so I started asking all of my mom friends. I have a friend that had 5 kids that are under 8 and she told me that she thought Luvs were the best value and that she found that the one month supply on Amazon was the best deal. I was skeptical about Luvs being quality so I bought a small box to try them out. After looking into it and shopping around, I have to agree that Luvs are great and the month supply box from Amazon is the best deal! I have ordered a big box from Amazon for the last three months and love that I am not out of diapers every other week.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
Mustela Baby Bath Products
I had two friends give me some of these products as a gift when I had baby H and they are so good. Don’t get me wrong I love some good old fashioned Johnson and Johnson, but these products are so dreamy. They are a step above all of the generic baby products and they smell so good and leave babies skin feeling so soft and smooth. If you are looking for a great baby shower gift or something extra for you new little one these are for sure a great buy! I specifically love the diaper rash cream the most because it smells good and has a creamer texture that goes on better than other kinds I have tried.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
CRZ Yoga Pants
I am a big believer that every momma needs a great pair of high waisted yoga pants for that postpartum belly or any belly for that matter. I know that I always feel the best when I have a good pair of yoga pants that give me enough compression to smooth my belly but are not too tight and uncomfortable. I have a couple pair of Lululemon yoga pants and they have always been my favorite. These CRZ yoga pants are very similar to my Lulu’s without the big price tag. They have a high waist that doesn’t slip down with all of the up and down a baby requires and the material looks nice and is quality. I love that you can order them from right from Amazon and have them making you feel like you are dressed for the day without giving up the comfort that all new moms need. I do recommend that you size up one size for postpartum or if you don’t love a lot of compression. I feel like they run a little on the small side compared to my Lululemon’s. I am positive that I bought too many pair and wear them WAY too often, but I love them so much that I don’t even care.
Pictures below are linked to Amazon for more information and options.
