Favorite Baby Items

There are so many baby items I've been thankful for over the past 9 months, and I just wanted to list some of my favorites for the other parents out there or for people looking to buy baby shower presents. Here they are!

1) Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier: www.babybjorn.com
This carrier is a life saver in airports, crowded areas (like museums and festivals), and stores with cramped aisles.

2) Kiddopotamus Bibbity Rinse and Roll Bib: http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_bib.php
Less laundry! Yay! This bib is made out of BPA-free plastic that can be easily rinsed clean in between feedings.

3) Evenflo 3-in-1 Exersaucer: http://www.evenflo.com/product.aspx?id=181&pfid=92
This exersaucer has entertained Justin for months. It transforms from tummy time, to before a child can stand on their own, to the walking stage.

4) Baby Einstein Seek & Discover Activity Gym: http://www.babyeinstein.com/en/products/product_explorer/?state=category
This is another item that has entertained Justin for months. It has bright, contrasting colors, a mirror, lights synchronized to music, a rattle, etc.

5) Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe: http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_swad.php
This swaddler got us through Justin's first week home from the hospital. He wouldn't sleep unless he was swaddled tightly in this. It is made of soft fleece and is easily secured with velcro.

6) JJ Cole BundleMe: http://www.jjcoleusa.com/
This can be used until a child is 1 year old and easily straps onto an infant car seat. It acts as a jacket, so you don't have to go through the hassle of a real jacket.

7) Happy Heinys One Size Cloth Diapers: http://www.happyheinys.com/
I've posted about these before. A great money saver and easy to use and launder!

8) Nuby Nibbler: http://www.nuby.com/products/tableware/5360.aspx
This is great for food that may pose a choking hazard if eaten alone. You just put it inside the sock-like thing and it acts as a seive, so the baby only gets bite-sized pieces. Bananas and mangos are Justin's current favorites to eat in his Nibbler.

9) Sassy Aquatic Bobber: http://www.sassybaby.com/category?cattype=category&catid=23&productid=11&product=Aquatic%20Bobbers
These bath toys are so clever! They float, but if you push them down in the water they bubble. Then, when you lift them out of the water, it rains out of them. Justin also loves using the edges to teeth on, since they are made of a soft BPA-free plastic. They are also fun to shake, because they little animal in the middle is on a spring and jiggles.

10) Medela Advanced Pump In Style Breast Pump: www.medela.com
This extremely well made pump has allowed me to keep breastfeeding. This is not only wonderful for my son's health, but a huge money saver. Plus, the Medela bottles can attach to the pump so you can pump directly into them. So easy! Since I bought this pump, Medela came out with a new one...the Medela Freestyle. It costs a bit more than mine, but looks amazing.

11) Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags: http://www.lansinoh.com/index.php?src=directory&srctype=display&id=23&view=Products_detail
The Medela breastmilk bags are nice because you can pump directly into them. However, these Lansinoh bags are still my favorite! You can lay the bags flat in the freezer so they take up so much less space! And, they have a double zipper to protect your milk.

12) BabyTrend Snap N' Go: http://www.babytrend.com/products.php?CategoryID=0002.0004.0000.0000
This stroller is to be used with an infant car seat. The car seat snaps directly onto the stroller frame, which is super lightweight and takes up sooooo much less space than the regular strollers! It makes running errands with an infant a piece of cake.

13) Graco Jumpster Doorway Jumper: http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber=8740JJB&subCatId=142
I think this has been Justin's absolute favorite toy! He's huge into jumping, and this jumper is easily to take off and put on.

14) Fisher-Price Healthy Care Booster Seat: http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Healthy-Care-Booster-Seat/dp/B0000DEW8N
We take this thing everywhere! Thanksgiving dinners, restaurants, etc. We know it's clean (well, at least we know who's been slobbering on it) and know Justin will have somewhere to sit while he eats.

Just a quick note...many of these items we bought used on Craigslist or Ebay and have still been thrilled with them. For example, the exersaucer costs over $120 brand new, but we were able to buy it for $30! It looked like it had barely been used, even though we found out 2 kids had grown out of it.