I’d originally planned to write a post on what we registered for before Gemma arrived. My friends and family gave me great advice and suggestions for creating a minimal, necessities-only list and we got so many wonderful items that we’ll be able to use now and for years to come for baby girl.
I never ended up writing that post, but now I’m able to give you our honest review on everything we’ve used and loved so far! Here are my top 10 baby items. I hope you find it helpful if you are expecting or have little ones of your own.
Doona car seat and stroller
This stroller is an absolute must have and my number one registry suggestion. The Doona is lightweight and converts into a carseat with ease, making it great for travel and getting in and out of the car quickly. I’m a big fan of dual-purpose gear. This is the only stroller we use at the moment and it will serve us well until she grows out of it or we decide to have another little one in a few years.
Pottery Barn Comfort Swivel Glider
I spent a long time researching nursery gliders. I didn’t want to compromise style for comfort and this one checked all the boxes. The silhouette is timeless, the fabric can be customized, and it glides and swivels. You’ll spend a lot of time in this chair, so find one you love to sit in and look at!
4moms MamaRoo
Gemma loves the MamaRoo. As much as I love holding her, there are several times during the day that mama needs a break. It entertains her, soothes her, and occasionally even puts her to sleep when I’m not able. Recently she’s been very into the
BabyBjorn carrier
This baby carrier is so soft and lightweight. I have a few wraps that I like for around the house, but the BabyBjorn is great for walks or any activity on the go. Zach and I both love wearing Gemma in it!
Snuggle Me Organic Lounger
The Snuggle Me another must have in our house, we couldn’t live without it. While it’s not advised for babies to sleep in it, naps in the Snuggle Me just kind of happened (and still do). The materials and neutral cover options sold me. It’s been a lifesaver–one of the most used items for our family.
Fridababy Bitty Bundle of Joy
Fridababy products are the best. This bundle has items for both you and baby, and you will use them all.
BabyBjorn Bouncer
Gemma loves her BabyBjorn bouncer so much! I didn’t think we’d need both the Mamaroo and this bouncer, but we use them in different situations. It’s nice and lightweight, so we can bring it to the grandparent’s house, outside on the deck, or into the kitchen while I’m prepping dinner. I just got this toy bar that clips onto the sides now that she’s getting more active and Gemma is crazy for it.
Aden + Anais Adjustable Swaddle Wrap
Velcro swaddles are hands down the superior option when it comes to swaddling your babe. Love the quality of items from this brand. The wraps can be used to swaddle the arms in or out, depending on age and baby’s preference.
Dr. Brown’s bottles
Our nursing journey has been difficult, but we’ve finally found what works for our family in pumping and bottle feeding. We have a few different kinds of bottles and Dr. Brown’s are my favorite. They’re narrow and light, and they have a venting system that mimics breastfeeding and makes it easy on baby’s tummy.
Boppy Nursing Pillow
The Boppy Pillow should be on every mama’s list, whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It sits baby up in just the right position for nursing/feeding so that you’re comfortable and it’s less work on your end. It’s also good for supporting your little one when they’re big enough to sit up on their own.
Honorable mention: This wasn’t on our registry, but one of the best items I bought before baby was a portable cart for housing diapers, wipes, pj’s etc. We’re able to move the cart from room to room with ease and it always has everything we need. It’s been SO helpful!
I’ve linked all of these items below along with a few others we’ve used a bunch over the last several months:
Shown in the above photo: Crate&Kids Ever Simple Crib | SnuggleMe Organic | Crib sheet | Bunny stuffed animal | Monogrammed baby quilt