Are you expecting? Or maybe shopping for the perfect shower gift? I’m often getting asked the question by friends and followers what my top items were (and still are) for Griffin. From car seats to strollers, and everything in between; these are the items that worked best for us! *Disclaimer: this is just my personal preference based on experience with the items. There are plenty of other go-to items that work for others too! 🙂
Before we get started…
Tip #1 for moms-to-be: Use BabyList for your registry. I loved this simply because I didn’t have to commit to certain stores to register at. PLUS, I did it all online. Buyers also like this because they can shop with a simple click to purchase a gift rather then having to go to the store itself. (I know, I know–technology has saved us & ruined us at the same time)! Amazon is also another great registry platform. You can get (most) anything from there anyway, so it’s a great resource!
TOP 10:
1. Car seat & Stroller: We went with the Quinny Zapp Xtra Mico Travel System. I loved this because all the items worked together, and it was perfect for taking anywhere (planes, trains and automobiles!) I’m also all about neutral colors, so the black was nice and sleek and would always match all my outfits (of course-haha)!
Extra perks:
– The seat folds with the frame easily and compactly. All the others we looked at were so bulky!
– 360 degrees rotating wheels that also lock into place.
– The lightest car seat in its class. This was a big selling point for me. The car seat plus the baby in it is HEAVY.
– The only compact buggy around that’s compatible with the Maxi Cosi car seat to use from birth until 37 pounds.
– Has 3 forward and 2 rearward facing recline positions for extra seating comfort.
*BONUS: Quinny just did a collaboration with Rachel Zoe, and I’m obsessed with the new products. I only wish these were around when Griffin was born. Premium cognac leather and gold detailing…C’MON, this thing was made for me (err, I mean Griffin)! I can only hope it’s still around when baby #2 arrives. And no, I’m not pregnant 😉
Amazon
2. High Chair: You need the OXO Tot Sprout Chair! This chair is a no brainer simply because it grows with your child from 6 months to 5 years old. It is consistently rated by Consumer Reports as a “Top Pick.” A bit higher price point, but completely worth it in my opinion!
Extra Perks:
– Tool free adjustments including height and depth of the seat and tray.
– 5 point harness to secure your baby firmly in the seat, plus comes with another piece without the straps for when your child is older.
– 30 color combos to fit the look of your home (you know I love that)!
– Easy to clean. The cushions are removable for scrubbing AND replacing if they get ruined or you want to change up the color.
– The recess in tray makes for a contained, mess-free design.
OXO
3. Diaper Pail: The Ubbi Diaper Pail is the way to go. The #1 reason I went this route and not the Diaper Genie direction was because there was no special bag required. We simply use our tall kitchen garbage bags!! Ok, ok thats not the only reason…it’s also because of the sleek and contemporary look- are you surprised?
Extra Perks:
– Features a powder-coated step design that DOES NOT absorb odors.
– Safety lock prevents children from accessing the pail.
– Holds on average 30-35 diapers. But if you’re lazy like Garin and me, we push it to 50 diapers-ha!
– Sliding lid minimizes air disruption.
– Comes in multiple color choices to match your nursery.
Buy Buy Baby
4. Baby Swing: So, we actually had a hand-me-down swing from my sister, which was really convenient! However, a swing is a swing and if you don’t have plans to get one…YOU NEED ONE! It was a lifesaver for us to be able to get things done-Griffin loved it! I honestly think they’re all pretty much the same, but if you’re looking to get the high tech splurge, you gotta go with the highly talked about mamaRoo. Not only does it swing, but also bounces up and down!
Extra Perks:
– Has 5 unique motions, like car ride and tree swing.
– Has 5 different speeds
– 4 built-in sounds or it connects to any MP3 player. PLUS, it’s Bluetooth compatible so you can make adjustments from your phone or tablet.
– Seat reclines to multiple positions
Target
5. Carrier: BabyBjorn is the best! This one is good from infant up until age 3 (or 33 pounds). Although, our time is slowly coming to a close with this thing. Griffin is 10 months and 24-25 pounds, so I’m not quite sure we’ll make that 3 year capacity last! We really like this carrier because both Garin and I can wear it-in front for when he was littler, and in the back for later stages.
Extra Perks:
– Comfortable and ergonomically friendly
– Equipped with a waist belt that helps to keep the child’s weight on your hips, and not your back or shoulders.
– 4 carrying positions
*OTHER: They offer a variety of styles, so if you’re looking for just the baby carrier, they offer that too for a quarter of the cost.
Target
6. Bath Tub: 4moms Infant Tub is fool-proof! It is the only tub designed to be used with running water, so dirty water flows out as clean water flows in. PLUS, my favorite part is that you can control the temperature. My worst fear was the water being too hot, but the digital thermometer does the thinking for you!
Extra Perks:
– Can be used in a single or double basin sink, and the bathtub.
– Super light for easy storage and maneuvering.
– Comes with a snap-in rinse cup.
Target
7. Diapers: We LOVE The Honest Co.!!! I’m sure you’ve spoken with several parents who swear by a certain brand of diapers. For many it is Pampers (which we like too), but the winner in our household is Honest. It’s not just the cute patterns that have me swooning, but it’s the fact that Griffin RARELY had a blow-out in these. And if he did, I think it was because of user error (i.e. not taking out the flaps on his rear or pulling the tabs tight enough.) They also won us over because of how heavy-duty/absorbent they are! They hold SO much–haha, not idyllic, but when desperate times call for desperate measures…things happen!
Extra Perks:
– Hypoallergenic (no chlorine, bleach processing, latex, synthetic fragrances or lotions)
– Naturally derived odor blockers
– Ultra-soft plant-based inner and outer layer, which is gentle on the bottom.
The Honest Co.
8. Fridababy NoseFrida “Snotsucker”: Ok, I know this sounds gross, but it WORKS! You use your own suction to draw mucus out of your child’s nose. But, don’t worry, there’s a filter! No snot will be entering your mouth–not even close to it. Garin and I were quite skeptical at first, but now it’s all we use. And it is MUCH cleaner then those bulbs we used to have as kids. Don’t even get me started on all the bacteria and mold that grows in those things-yuck!
Target
9. Amber Teething Necklace: Alright, the hippy side of me is about to come out. Believe it or not, this thing has surprised me beyond belief. We noticed the most difference when Griffin started teething and was drooling non-stop. The natural stone promotes an immune system boost and anti-inflammatory traits. *Note: this is not something that your child chews on. It simply stays put around their neck 24/7. The only time we take it off is for swim lessons because they say it should not be put in chlorine. As long as there are 2 finger widths of room between their neck, they will be fine. Make sure the necklace is verified by the Gemological Institute to ensure true amber qualities.
Ringology
10. Baby Shusher: Simply put- God’s gift to mankind, hehe. We learned about this beautiful tool from the photographer at our newborn session. It instantly helped to calm Griffin down after hours of making him look picture perfect. Shortly after, we went out and bought our own. It quickly soothed him when he was fussy, and was perfect for on the go. We even whipped it out in the middle of a restaurant once-we were NOT ashamed. The other customers were grateful, I’m sure. It has 15 min and 30 min timer options, and you can control the volume to your liking. Mamas, you need this!
Amazon
If you’re still with me, that means I haven’t bore you with this list-YAY! Hoping these tips bring joy to you and your little one. Feel free to email us for more recommendations or questions 🙂