Baby Must Haves- Reviewing the Year

These last few weeks I’ve been thinking about my monthly Baby Must Haves and which products I shared that have really lasted the test of time. The idea first popped into my head to check back through the posts when I was nursing Ellie using our Boppy and then again when we cleaned out our garage and are storing some of the baby items for Baby #2 (whenever that happens).

Overall, I think my monthly must-haves were pretty accurate for that month and the items featured. I wanted to do a blog post on items that we have really used a lot, focusing on items that I used for several months and would consider as Baby Holy Grail items for our family. There are only a few items that didn’t stand the test of time and we only used them for a very short period. I’ll go over them in detail and why I feel like they’re just ok in a future post since this one is so long. I'm leaving out toys for now, those change so frequently, there are definitely some stand outs and I may do a future post on those too. Would you be interested?

Backpack Diaper Bag: We’ve used a backpack for Ellie since the beginning. A few people made comments to me about being such a “fashionista” that they were surprised that I would be using a backpack instead of some trendy bag, but I prefer to have my hands free. Plus, the pockets and extra storage is nice to have and it’s easy to switch between Matt and myself without having to either keep two bags stocked or switching items back and forth. Ok, so this wasn't featured in any of my must have posts, but I don't know why! I can't believe I've left it out and had to include it in this post!

Glider: We didn’t get a glider for several months, we were using an old school rocking chair and I think that is one of my biggest regrets. Get yourself a glider! They are so much nicer to sit and rock your child. We still use ours with Ellie, and I really wish we had bought one to start. I just didn’t think it would make that big of a difference for us. Looking back to when we were first home and I had to sleep on the couch sitting up for the first few nights, if we had a glider, my nights would have been 100% better. Get one from the start! This is another item I didn't post about in my must haves, but it is definitely a must have!

Boppy: I swear by my boppy! I used it from day one, it makes nursing so much easier for me. I have used a pillow as well, but prefer the boppy. Definitely take it with you to the hospital! It puts everyone at ease to hold such a little one in their arms. Originally posted in my very first monthly must have.

The First Years Sound Machine: This is another item we use everyday for naps and bedtime. Ellie doesn't need it to go to sleep (which is great!), but it blocks out the noise while we're doing stuff around the house. She knows it's time to sleep when the noise goes on. It's also the only night light in her room, it's a soft blue calming light. It's not very strong so it leaves her room pretty dark. It's also from the first monthly must have!

Thirty One Tote Bag: This was a gift from my baby shower and was also included in our 3 Month Must Haves, and we use it every single day! It’s the bag I use to prepare for daycare, food/extra outfit/toy/etc. We also use in conjunction with our diaper if we’re going somewhere and need extra storage. I also use it for church to carry a few items for Ellie. It’s nice that it’s a tote and has easy access to get into and the extra pockets on the side are convenient to hold my phone, extra pacis, and sippy cup. During the week when I tell Ellie that we’re ready to go, she gets her bag and tries to carry it herself, it’s the cutest thing! I need to get a picture of her doing it.

Taggies Tag 'n Go Cart Cover: This was from our 6 Month post, and we still use it! It's nice to have something covering the carts when we go out, especially when there's some sickness going around. We don't use it every single time, but 2/3 of our trips for sure. It's a great baby shower gift!

Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Bouncer: This was a gift from above! We used this so much and we're hanging on to it for the next baby! Featured in our 4 Month Must Haves, Ellie was very particular about what she was snuggled in and this was one of the few items she liked. It's on sale right now too!

Baby K'Tan Baby Carrier: Also included in the 3 Month post, I love this carrier and will still use it on my hip to carry Ellie. It's in great condition after all the washes and times we've used it. This would also be a great gift for a mommy to be. It's super easy to use and the best carrier we tried.

OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick: This is an absolute must-have! It's been 15 months of uh-ohs and I don't have a SINGLE article of clothing with a stain. This stuff is the bomb. It gets out everything and has never bothered our little girl's skin. Included in our 2 Month Must Haves.

Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Cradle Swing: A swing is a need in baby days. I've also heard great things about the Momaroo, but have never tried it myself. This is the swing that we have and enjoyed, but I think most swings will get the job done. Included in our 2 Month Must Haves.

Muslin Blankets: The word on the street is right, muslin blankets are the best! They're big, soft, and great for use year-round. We have several from different brands, but my favorite are these from Carter's. We still keep one in the diaper bag, it's great to cover her when she's sleeping, to put on the floor when she's playing, etc. My 2 Month Must Haves, was on point since these last three items are from that post!

What are some of your Mommy Holy Grail items? Am I missing something from my list? Did these items work for you? If not, what and why not? I love hearing what items are must haves from other mommies!

Baby Must-Haves: 2 Months

There hasn't been too many new things that we needed this month that we haven't used in the past or items we needed before and aren't using now. I'll definitely be keeping you updated as things change. This last month we went on vacation to the river so we had to get some swim stuff that's on here that we'll be using the rest of the summer. Since we're going into month 3 right now, there's lots of new items for the next post!

I love posts like these on other blogs, it's great seeing what works for other mommies and their babies. I swear there's new products out on a daily basis. I'm also a part of a mother's group on Facebook that's really nice to ask questions and get advice. Motherhood is not for the weak hearted I tell you!

OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick: I absolutely love this stain remover. At the very beginning I was using only Dreft stain remover and it didn't do a thing for us. All the pieces that got soiled stained and Ellie didn't get to wear them again. After ruining one outfit, I started using the OxiClean and not a single piece has been ruined! Even a white pj that experienced our worst blow out yet. It's a Holy Grail product for us and it doesn't bother Ellie's skin whatsoever.

Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Cradle Swing: If you remember, our first week home Ellie would sometimes sleep in her swing which finally gave my arms a break. Well, after those first two weeks, she didn't really care for it much. Now, she absolutely loves it! Sometimes when I need her to nap and she's being fussy, I can put her in the swing and she'll be out cold within 10 minutes. Other times, she just loves the motion and laughs looking at the mirror part of the mobile. It's sometimes the only time I can get anything done around the house, I love this swing!

sootheTimesack: Babies love being swaddled and swaddling Ellie was sometimes our only saving grace when she's been fussy (it's even included in my Baby Must Haves for the first week). After the first couple of weeks though she hated having her arms swaddled so we started leaving them out. Most pediatricians recommend to swaddle your child from the armpit down and leave their arms out at two months, but we were doing that weeks ago. When we swaddled her she loved it and then would fuss and fuss because her arms were inside and once we re-swaddled them so they'd be free, she'd be just fine. After a while we didn't swaddle at all and didn't have the need to. Then, one night she was so tired, but was really fighting going to sleep so we swaddled her again and she was out. However, Ellie is really long and her feet were already at the swaddles edge and it was below her arms! The next day I went on the hunt for a good sleep sack that was sleeveless and easy for her to wear. The inside of these sacks have a swaddle for her chest, it zips from top to bottom so it's easy to change her because you can unzip just the bottom and not have to take it completely off, and the sides are mesh for easy breathing for her little legs. I love that she can wear this around her shoulders and it's not just wrapped around her where she could wriggle free (not that she has, but I imagine she could). I definitely want to get some more of these!

Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper: In the last two weekends, we've taken Ellie into the water with us and these swim diapers are amazing! My SIL turned me onto them and they are so easy. I will never use a disposable swim diaper. Ever. Buy these ladies! I picked up two of them, and when your child soils one of them, just take it off to put the 2nd one on, and simply rinse off the soiled one. You could totally just use one, but having two of them made it so much easier and your little one doesn't have to wait naked for you to rinse out their number 2s.

Circo® Infant Girls' Rashguard: Since we were outside, I wanted to make sure to protect her from the sun as much as possible. Our ped had said not to use sunscreen yet, so I bought this long sleeve rashguard to protect her. It worked perfect!

Koala Baby Girls' Swim Hat: I love these swim hats because they dry so quickly and are the perfect protection for Ellie's face and head from the sun. Plus she looks adorable in it!

*Just as a disclaimer, we talked to our ped about putting Ellie in a pool beforehand to talk with her about what's best to protect her. We also didn't have her in the pool or sun for very long.*

Carter's Muslin Butterfly Receiving Blanket: Swaddling blankets were included in my first must-haves and they still are! We use these all the time, they're so light weight, they are perfect for summer time and the cranked AC. These Carter ones are really big and offers lots of ways to wrap up your little ones.

Pandora's Rockabye Baby Station: My sorority big sis told me about this station and it's awesome! We listen to it all the time. I love the variety of music it gives, Journey, Adele, Kanye, Metallica, it's all my favorite songs in lullabies for Ellie to love.There's no words, just the music and some added birds, frogs, and other nature sounds. Ellie really enjoys it and so do I!