Baby Recs
This is a list of all the baby things we purchased based on lots of friends recommendations. Links should take you straight to websites. Feel free to add questions or comments!
Strollers, Car & Travel
Lots of friends recommended this or the Uppababy Cruz, but said if you're planning multiple kids the Vista is best. Update: We’ve loved the Vista and the bassinet it comes with. The bassinet was great for walks and daytime naps (he outgrow it around ...
Friend shared: "Great way to keep the baby engaged" - attach to stroller or carseat. At 2-4 months this was Jacob's FAVORITE toy - he stared at it endlessly!
We did some research and decided on the Nuna PIPA, but also heard good things about the Chicco Keyfit. You'll need an adapter if you get the Uppababy stroller, but easy to buy on Amazon. The Uppababy Mesa carseat doesn't require an adapter but was ge...
Will need depending on your car seat/stroller combo.
We like this much better than just a mirror - easier to see while driving and only thing that works for night driving. We just keep it closed most times since it can be a bit distracting.
Our post-PIPA carseat, we love!
Our air travel carseat - super lightweight, easy to install, and approved for planes (which most typical carseats are not)
Home & Play Accessories
Multiple friends recommended for travel + around the house - we got with the bassinet adapter. We don't love that the legs stick out (easy to trip on) but otherwise great, and he sleeps super well in it when we travel.
Lots of friends recommend the Ergo Omni360 over BabyBjorn - we only used
Multiple friends recommended, but I'm not sure I'd buy it again - we preferred the boppy for when he was small and the bumbo (both on this list) for when he was bigger. I guess it was nice to have it as an option though? He would also always have mas...
Friend shared: "This you wont be able to use until almost ~3 mos, but it's so great and we used it to have A sit at the table with us." Completely agree - once they can hold their head up this thing is amazing and we put him in it more than almost an...
Friend shared: "Amazing way to trap your baby when they’re old enough to chill in here". 100% agree. We call this his "baby office" and it's been a great baby trap / entertainment device since he was around 6 months (he's 13 months now and still uses...
Multiple friends recommended
We tried the K'tan wrap but I liked this one much better - super easy to put on / position baby and he would always pass out in it immediately. I also liked that I could just wear this and pants and call it a day (no actual shirt needed). I loved it ...
This is a ridiculously expensive high chair (a relative gifted to us), but we really love it. So so easy to put in and clean, and looks great in our house (vs. like another big plasticy kid accessory). If you can afford it or add to a registry we def...
We got this cushion for the Nomi high chair and it looks great / makes the chair more comfy, but honestly we barely use it any more since it's easier to clean without it.
He has LOVED this since 9 months or so - one of his fave toys.
The playmat was great for tummytime early on, but now that he's bigger he mostly just plays on our floor with this great / comfy / easy to wash mat over our rug.
We've used this a ton from around 6 months (when it was a baby trap/seat) to now (13 months, when he runs around in it like crazy).
We DID NOT have or use this; we used the boppy more than anything, but it was just recalled, so this will be what we use next time - definitely need this kind of baby holding device
Nursery
100% wood, nontoxic - one of the most nontoxic cribs and insanely affordable. If going luxe here, checkout Ouef/Sparrow or DucDuc brands.
Certified organic crib mattress
Friend shared: "Organic Cotton is worth it. Get 3 - one is on the crib, another dirty and another emergency…there will be emergencies."
Friend shared: "It has music and it moves, it's amazing." We can confirm - baby loves. We only used for a short period of time so can definitely skip it if not of interest.
We tried the Ubbi but wanted something with a foot pedal, so changed to the genie.
Another splurge item we love - super comfortable and looks great; we went with quick ship option from a brand others recommend for comfort and non-toxicity! You will need / want a table next to glider for night lamp, pumping, snacks, etc...
Cotton and washable. We don't currently have a rug pad but will likely add one. The rugs are pretty small so we have two matching in the nursery, they look cute together!
Goes nicely under the glider ottoman with the braids rug above
100% cotton and washable; these let light in, so likely need blackout shades too. They look great and go really well with the rugs and decals on this list!
Healthier than painting or wallpapering nursery - super easy to put on and look great!!
Sleep
Friend shared: "We chose Eufy, a top recommendation from Wirecutter. We also heard good things about the Nanit, but didn't like wifi in room and heard that can pose security risks." Update - we've been happy with the Eufy so far. Second update: this ...
Friend shared: "Swaddle Me - everything else is worthless." We agree this was one of the easiest / best DIY full swaddles, but actually quickly started to prefer the love to dream semi-swaddle after week one or two (next on this list). Wish we had ha...
Not a full swaddle (hands are up in squirrel-like position) but we preferred this from week 2 until week 10 or so, at which point we moved to the halo swaddle (next on the list) until he was out of swaddles around 3.5 months. My two cents - I'd proba...
These were the swaddles he wore most after the swaddleme in the first few days and then the swaddleup for the first few weeks. Every baby / parent is different though! We liked both the organic cotton and muslin (lightweweight).
Multiple friends recommended. He's been in a sleepsack since he got out of the swaddle and still uses it at 13 mos.
Friend shared: "Adan and Anais swaddle blankets (you can't have enough!)" And another said: "They are soft, organic and you need them everywhere. It's nice to leave in the car or other places you might forget to bring one along." Update - we complete...
Nursing & Feeding
Strongly prefer to the boppy. Super helpful for crossbody breastfeeding position. We got with the organic covers.
We used the kiinde bags for breastmilk storage in fridge and freezer - I'm not sure all the other accessories are needed / helpful, but we found the bags and rack much easier to store than bottles.
Glass bottles are apparently healthiest, but we may go plastic depending on what baby likes. Update - Dr. Brown's bottles were way better for baby's gas than Avent bottles; the glass ones worked well for us. Although we now use Platex slanted bottles...
These bottles are so poorly made and leaky, and not as healthy as glass, but they worked best for us when J would have really bad gas.
Went with the Spectra S1 (recommended by multiple friends), purchased through Aeroflow Breast Pumps site which handles insurance. Also rented a hospital-grade pump through the DC Breastfeeding Center. Update - the Medela Symphony hospital grade renta...
Natural ingredients and works pretty well
He loves the soothies - the more the better.
Cute easy pull over bibs for spit up and eating.
These are amazing and must have once baby is eating solids (6+ months).
This is beyond ridiculous and expensive, but honestly, one of our favorite things - super quick way to make a perfectly heated bottle. Great item if you have a relative who wants to splurge on something nice.
We love these - so easy and healthy. The oats were a bit too sweet so we get the non oats.
Baby Grooming
This one has worked really well for us; we put a towel in on top of the infant insert for now to keep him from slipping. Heard good things about the Boon too.
100% organic cotton
Nice organic towels
These were gifted to us monogrammed - super cute and absorbent (not organic though).
Manual nasal aspirator
A friend shared: "These things saved our lives in the first couple of weeks when A was super gassy / weirdly constipated.... brace yourself. They are not exactly fun to use...". Update: These were VERY helpful at reducing gas when baby J was very fus...
Never really used - we clipped or bit his nails.
Best sunblock we found.
Can use under arm too if scared by rectal!
We tried this and cerave for J’s eczema - we like this better and it has a better EWG rating. We originally used coconut oil but apparently it’s not a great idea to use food oils for daily moisturizing given potential allergen issues.
Changing & Cleaning
A friend shared: "We have the Keekaroo Peanut Changer and its great - its expensive for a changing pad but you don't need to buy covers and it saves you the laundry when they leak during a change...and it happens all the time. This one can just be wi...
Friend shared: "The changer can be a little cold when they are super little so I bought these liners to cover it temporarily." Update: we love these and bring them in our diaper bag too, but actually don't use them on the changer.
Recommended by many; better than the Betts & Emy version.
Recommended rash ointment from folks who try to get mostly nontoxic products.
Less organic / more intense diaper rash cream. We've been using basic Aquaphor instead of the ButtPaste and then the 3 in 1 very rarely for bad rashes.
Recommended by many friends; we have in white.
Solid bottle brush.
Friend shared: "This is kind of absurd, but also kind of great… I mostly like it for drying. For bottles and pump parts. Because I didn’t realize this, but bottles and pump parts need to be dry before you put them away." Out of stock on Amazon so we ...
You need different detergent for baby - we like Molly’s Suds (unscented).
Baby Clothing
Burt's bees has great 100% organic cotton clothing; he wears the Burt's Bees onesies more than anything else during the day; at night his go to is the Moon & Back long sleeve onesies (below) with a sleepsack swaddle.
100% organic cotton and cute patterns - baby wears these to sleep with Halo sleepsack swaddle every night.
I loved these (super cute and comfy), but not sure how organic they are
Very organic, lightweight baby clothing
Cute clothing with lots of organic options
Less organic but super cute baby clothing
Goumikids boots and gloves have velcro and stay on way better than other brands.
My favorite hat and mitten combo
Mom Clothing (Hospital & Home)
These are insanely comfortable and great for nursing - wish I had had in the hospital! I lived in these at home the first few weeks.
I wore these camis almost everyday; super convenient for breastfeeding and look good with day and nightwear.
Another great cami option, on the more expensive side
Loved this delivery gown and got compliments on it by anyone who walked in our room. Only problem was it doesn't have a back opening, so you'll need a different gown if you get an epidural (e.g., option below).
This gown had snaps everywhere for easy access during delivery, including for epidural.
Super comfortable and looked really nice; I wore everyday in hospital after the birth and made me feel way more human.
Expensive but worth it - one of the most comfortable things I own, I wore almost every day postpartum and great while pumping & breastfeeding
Lively nursing bras are great - very comfy and clip down is super convenient.
This is a great pumping bra - I have two and wear them both almost daily for pumping sessions.
A comfy fleece is super nice for chilly hospital and home. This one looks ridiculous but is insanely soft (very synthetic).
Great Gifts from Grandma
My mom bought a ton of gifts/things for when we visit my parents that we truly didn’t need (and we did zero research on ourselves, so can’t speak to toxicity etc.), but Jacob loves them so including them here!
Great from 6 weeks to 4 months or so - was the only thing that would entertain / settle him during his crankiest hour.
Starting at 6 months Jacob is absolutely obsessed with this (who knows how long that will last!). Prefer to the jolly jumper. Update - he still loves this at 13 months...
Baby Mozart time! It says 1+ years but he’s enjoyed this at 6 months.
I thought the one was super random but another hit with the baby. Maybe grandma knows best?
We keep this on the changing table and it distracts him super well.
We originally bought the LoveVery playmat but J greatly prefer this one. He is entranced by it still!
So fun
Other Hospital Essentials
This was so clutch during labor and recovery. Highly recommend, and make sure to also bring a long extension cord (15 ft) to ensure you can use in bed.
I haven't found a brand I love yet (these are pretty stupidly made and leak out the top if you move), but definitely needed something like this to protect nipples in the hospital vs. nursing pads that still directly touch/irritate
I didn't have one in the hospital and really wish I had - no idea if this one is any good, but we've been happy with Frida products generally
They had ice pads in our hospital too, but I liked these much better than what they had. Super helpful for first few days of recovery.
The hospital will likely have for you, but I brought one of these (you'll likely need one for home anyway) and liked it much better
I was never actually able to shower in the hospital and really appreciated having these.
You can’t drink enough liquids. This tumbler + a silicone bendy straw were clutch during labor and recovery.
Super important to stay hydrated during birth and breastfeeding - these things were my savior when I couldn't take any more water.
Turns out you can have one type of “solid” food when giving birth / on a liquid diet - gummies! We happened to have these with us and they were clutch when I was almost 24 hours without food and needed energy.
Loved these for hospital and breastfeeding at home - easy food to eat one-handed and great way to get fruits and veggies in hospital.
Another good food pouch option
Other Hospital-Related Recs
Other things we were glad to have at the hospital are in the comment below - happy to share specific product recs if helpful, but these are more generic!
