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Baby & Toddler Items I Can't Live Without
40
items I've added baby and toddler buys that I honestly love and use repeatedly. Everything is Mom and toddler approved!
Sections
4
Summer
New Mama/Baby and Breastfeeding
Toys We Love
Safety/Lead Testing
Summer
My boy loves this splash pad to beat the heat! When I tell you he will spend hours out here, I'm for real!
Bluescape Dino Inflatable Play Center, Kiddie Pool with Sprinkler, Toys & Slide, Age 2 & up, Unisex
Great summer shoes! Soft rubber doesn't hurt my baby's feet and they're durable enough to wear every day. Small holes in the top and good tread make them great water shoes too!
Kids - Native Shoes
Hang on the fence or even your chair at hot ballgames, from the handles above the car seat to circulate air for your baby, from the stroller handles on a warm walk, or use the tripod to stand it on a table. 3 speed settings mean you can use it for an...
Mainstays New Portable Rechargeable Fan with Flexible Tripod for ...
We could not have made it through my boy's first summer without this! The 5 point harness kept him secure and the shade provided extra sun protection. My boy was leaned back and relaxed as he floated in the pool or the creek! Worth every penny-this M...
Mambobaby Float with Canopy Newest Size Improved
If swim diapers are your thing, we love these. Comfortable and never leave my baby with any skin sensitivity.
Pampers Splashers Swim Diapers Size m, 18 Count (Select for More Options)
Call me crazy, but I take this to the sandbar when we have our river days (or to the beach!). When we're not in the "big water", this is a great way for my toddler to safely play in the water while mama sits nearby and catches a break!
Funsicle 59" QuickFun Wading Pool, Dark Blue, for ages 2 & up
This water table comes with so many little toys for my toddler to use while he plays. If your kid is anything like mine, they love to splash with their toys and pour water into containers, and this water table has everything they need to keep them en...
Dinosaur Planet 3-Tier Kids Sand Water Table for ... - Walmart
This is the sunscreen I've been using this year. It's gentle on my boy's skin, not greasy, and long lasting even in the water! I just spray some in my hands when it's time to do his face, and we're ready for burn-free fun!
Beach Defense™ Kids Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70
We are loving this chairs for the ball field or the sandbar! They fold up easily and have a handle for carrying. The rocking motion is great if you're holding your baby or toddler during a long day outside. There's a cup holder and phone pocket on th...
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker XL Heavy Duty Folding Rocking Camping Chair, Pewter
We bought this spray last summer and are still using it. Baby friendly and it keeps the bugs away, which is a must if you're hanging out by the creek this summer!
Hello Bello Mosquito Repellent, Made with Natural Lemongrass and Peppermint Oils, 6.7 oz
This little set goes just about everywhere with me in the summer. My toddler uses it at the ball field while his siblings are playing, and at the sandbar. Scooping dirt/sand into the bucket will entertain him forever.
Play Day Amloid Beach Toys, 14 Piece
This kit has it all! I feel like I'm pulling out antiseptic wipes and cream, sting relief, and Benadryl cream all summer long. Throw it in your car and you're ready for anything those kids throw at you!
The Happy Explorer - 265pc Outdoor First Aid Kit
This one is super easy and quick to blow up, and has so many uses: travel with it in case you don't have a bathtub, use it to keep baby cool in the heat, use it at home if you don't have a bathtub. For me, I need it because our bathtub has lead in it...
Baby Inflatable Portable Infant Toddler Bathtub
New Mama/Baby and Breastfeeding
These are things I used regularly and loved when my boy was under 1 year old. You can't go wrong getting anything on this list for yourself or a new mama that you know!
Pampers Club! You need this. First of all, we love our Pampers over here for my baby's skin, & they're a great quality. With the rewards, you get cash back for every pack of diapers and wipes, which you can turn into coupons for your next pack! C...
Pampers' Referral Program: How Does it Work?
These are the only ones I will buy! They do not leak through, and are so soft and comfortable! Rather than having one large slit to the middle of the pad like other brands, these have two smaller ones which means they are more flexible and you're not...
Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads - Lansinoh
When I tell you this stuff melts right onto your skin...it is so soothing! I still carry it around in my diaper bag just in case!
Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter™, 2 fl oz
These are so soothing during the early weeks of breastfeeding, and they are reusable!
Soothies® Cooling Gel Pads - Lansinoh
This is another great option for early days of breastfeeding. You can either heat or freeze these and slip them into the cloth cover before using them. I also pulled them out when I had a clogged duct, and they came through for me again! Great to hav...
Lansinoh Hot & Cold Breast Therapy Packs with Covers, 2 Pack
These are made of a good, thick plastic and seal easily. I only pumped when I was at work or away from my baby, but these storage bags did not leak, tear, or get punctured one time. The only brand I buy!
Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags - 6oz/180ml, Clear with Measurements, 100 Count
I had the 2.0 but they've since come out with this newer version. Even though it wasn't hands free, I absolutely loved this pump. The parts were very affordable and I had great output with it. Would recommend to anyone looking for a wall pump (can al...
Lansinoh Smartpump 3.0 Double Electric Breast Pump
I only used these when I left my baby with his Meme for work, but he did great with them. I used the slow flow nipple because I was still nursing and didn’t want him to get lazy. He had no trouble getting used to the natural wave nipple design, it’s ...
Lansinoh NaturalWave Baby Bottle Nipples, Slow Flow, 2 Count
I pumped straight into these bottles and used the storage cap to keep these in the fridge until I dropped him off with his Meme the next morning. All she had to do was switch out the storage cap for the ring top and nipple. These bottles are super si...
Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Breast Pump Bottles, 4 Count
Pampers girl for life over here. My boy has not leaked through them, and they do include the "blowout pocket". They hold so much while keeping his skin dry, and he never has issues with his skin from these diapers.
Pampers Swaddlers Diapers, Newborn, 136 Count (Select for More Options)
My favorite diaper cream! I usually only need it if his tummy has been upset, but the zinc content helps create a dry barrier on his skin to help it heal.
Aquaphor Baby Diaper Rash Cream, 3-in-1 Diaper Rash Relief, 3.5 Oz Tube
Super soft and comfortable nursing bra. Love that you just pull down the side instead of having to clip your bra.
Joyspun Women's Maternity Wrap Front Nursing Bra, 2-Pack, Sizes S to 3X
When he outgrew his infant carrier, I switched to this seat and we love it. It's plenty roomy and comfortable for him, and he will be able to use it for years. Easy to install, and the revolve feature makes it so easy for me to load and unload him mu...
Revolve360 Rotational All-In-One Car Seat (Amherst Gray)
Super affordable travel system! We used the infant seat until he outgrew it, and loved that it clips straight into the stroller base. Another big seller was the bassinet that comes with it. My baby napped and rested comfortably in this last year to g...
Evenflo Omni Plus Modular Travel System with LiteMax Sport Infant Car Seat, Mylar Gray, Unisex
I can’t find my exact camera to link, but this one is very similar. Forget the mirrors, you can see your baby/toddler so much easier with a camera, and the night mode is a huge plus. This gives me such peace of mind when I’m in the front seat!
Baby Car Camera for Backseat, 4.3 HD Baby Car Monitor with Camera Travel Baby Mirror for Car Seat Rear Facing Baby Camera Monitor for Car with Night Vision Function
I used the sling when my boy was a newborn, and graduated to propping him up in the tub when he outgrew the sling. We also took this to the ball field during summer ball games so he could stay wet and cool. The little bump in the middle keeps your ba...
Shop - Bath - The First Years
You can of course use any cup, but I do use this regularly still and love it.
Rinse™ Shampoo Rinser - Munchkin
Soft and super absorbent! Do not buy the polyester “cute” sets…they are not soft and do not dry that baby off! Get cotton or muslin.
Comfy Cubs 2 Pack Baby Hooded 9 Layer Muslin Cotton Towel for Kids, Large 32” x 32”, Ultra Soft, Warm, and Absorbent. Baby Essentials Bath Towels, Cute Unisex Cover for Girls and Boys (2 Pack, White)
Loved this! He was probably 6 or 7 months before I took him out of it because he was pulling up and standing in it. The zipper drop down side was great as he got a little bigger to keep him from crawling out. When dropped down, I could easily reach h...
Beside Me™ Dreamer Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper - Charcoal Tweed
I still use this humidifier, and it doubles as a nightlight.
BreatheFrida the 3-IN-1 HUMIDIFIER, DIFFUSER + NIGHTLIGHT
Our nurse gave me an article similar to this before we brought my son home. As a FTM it was so nice to know what to expect and feel (somewhat) prepared for our 2nd night home. If you're having a little one soon, check out this and other resources. Yo...
[PDF] Baby's Second Night
I use this website frequently to check on what milestones we should be working towards, medical questions, safe sleep, when to start transitioning from nursing, etc. This is the parent site for American Academy of Pediatrics, so I trust that the info...
HealthyChildren.org - From the American Academy of Pediatrics
Toys We Love
I couldn't find the exact playpen I have for the life of me...but this one is very similar. I love the large size because he's able to still use it as a toddler. It keeps him contained safely while I get ready for work or take care of the dogs outsid...
Baby Playpen with Mat 71 x 59 inch Baby Playpen for Babies and Toddlers, Extra Large Baby Playyard for Indoor & Outdoor Activity, with Soft Breathable Mesh for Kids Center
My boy loves to throw, roll, and scoop these in his playpen. We put them inside his plastic pool for a rainy day activity!
Play Day 100 Polyethylene Play Balls, Muti-Color - Walmart.com
My (almost) 2 year old has been enjoying these puzzles that he got for Christmas!
Puzzles for Kids | Melissa & Doug
My toddler got this set for Christmas and I'm telling you...he is in here every single day! He loves playing inside the camper itself, but he loves getting out his camp fire and cooking utensils and making "big bites" for us. This one is definitely ...
Battat Happy Camper Pop-Up Fabric Tent with 20+ Camping Accessories, Toddler and Preschool Toys
Safety/Lead Testing
Super quick and easy to use surface swabs to test for lead in your home. Showed positive on our old bathtub!
Safe Home Safe Home Diy Surface Lead Test Kit