A few of my favorite baby items!

Let’s talk favorite things! Disclaimer: None of these are sponsored and all thoughts are 100% my own.

On my journey through motherhood, I’m sifting through a lot of baby items. When I registered for my baby showers, I will readily admit that I was picking based on what seemed like staples and what others had mentioned in passing. Now that I’m in the thick of it, I am a pro-packer and feel equipped to share my top picks! Some are a “must have”, some are just “meh,” and some are “must stop taking up space.” I thought I’d quickly roll through my Top 5 Must Have’s thus far.

#5: JuJuBe Diaper Bag
Ok, let me break this one down. Even if I didn’t have a child, I’d still want this bag. There are so many pockets appropriately placed inside, it comes with a changing pad which is intelligently placed on the back-side of the backpack (hello, extra lumbar support!) and its freakin’ cute! It’s easy to clean, big enough to fit the essentials (and much much more), and the straps are wide enough not to dig into your shoulders. I got it in grey, but the Black/Rose Gold combo is #Winning. Plus, its vegan leather. Add it to that registry STAT.

#4: LifeFactory Baby Bottles
Charlie and I did dorky amounts of research on plastic vs glass baby bottles, and ended up registering for both once we realized that both were quite safe and eco-efficient. While the plastic ones we chose are great, I truly LOVE these glass bottles by LifeFactory. For one thing, you can buy them in grocery stores like Whole Foods, Mollie Stones, etc., so if you find you need a different size or another nipple, they’re accessible. Another amazing thing about these is the silicone grip around the bottle which makes it less likely that you’ll break it if its dropped. I happen to also have very little patience for our bottle warmer (“must stop taking up space” column) and our tap water gets VERY hot in our apartment, so I fill a pitcher with hot water, place the glass bottle in, and typically in a minute or so, its warm enough for her. Yes, its heavier and you’ll probably only want to bring one or two with you on a day-long outing to save yourself from hauling heavy bottles. However, the benefits are endless — and cleaning them is QUICK. No greasy scrubbing required. Plus when you’re done with them you can recycle if you so choose, but you will want to keep them forever—they’re so cute!

#3: Copper Pearl Swaddles
If you don’t know this brand, check it out. It’s a Company started by women (you had me at #MomBoss) and not only are their blankets absolutely adorable, they’re soft and allow you to make a straight-jacket-esque swaddle. Holly DIGS these—it’s like a tranquilizer dart when I wrap her in these. Plus, they have hats, bibs and burp cloths to match! They also make an adorable gift for a friend (and you can find on Amazon).

#2: SoYoung Lunch Poche Bag
This is not a baby item, but I turned it into one—and I’m sure this isn’t an astronomical idea, but it’s worked out amazingly well. This lunch bag is insulated, zips at the top, is roomy and has a shoulder strap (perfect for us wannabe Sherpas who need 2 hands—combine this with your backpack and you’re hands free, lady [or gent]!). I have managed to put 2-3 bottles, my manual Medela pump, baby food pouches and 2 ice packs inside! You can find it at Anthropologie or online.

#1: BeautyCounter Baby Wash
No frills. No crazy scents. No chemicals. Safe. 1 tube of this wash has lasted us 4 months, and its still relatively full — a little goes a long way, so you don’t need to go overboard squirting it into the baby tub. It will lather nicely, makes bubbles if desired, and will give you peace of mind that what you’re slathering all over your precious little one is completely safe for their sensitive skin. I sneak a little for myself from time to time and in a pinch, I’ve used it as face wash. I really like this stuff and highly recommend it — also would make a great gift with some soft, bamboo wash cloths, a cute hooded baby towel and a pair of PJ’s!

What are the favorite baby items you’ve stumbled across? Any non-baby items turned must-have? Please share!

Love,
Val