Product Spotlight 11/7: #1 Must Have Item

kbrown2385

Share your #1 Must Have Item! If you could only pick one item, for mom or baby, what is your #1 must have item? (Try not to repeat anything someone else has said - instead, love tit their post)

STM: Share what you couldn't live without. Share as much info as possible along with a picture or link if you have it. 

FTM: Feel free to share any products you’ve been questioning and of course, all questions welcome.

FyreFlyeRush

A baby gate. Any type will do, but the best for me was the kind that bolted to the wall with a latch that allowed the gate to swing open and closed. I'm long legged and tall and just stepped over it, but DD isn't and it allowed her easy access to her room and the bathroom. 

kbrown2385

Muslin blankets. We used them for pretty much everything. Burp cloths, swaddles, car seat covers, blankets, something for tummy time, etc. I hated the flannel receiving blankets, these were so much better. 

leprechaunlady

I didnt breastfeed & the tommee tippee perfect prep machine is hands down the best money I ever spent on a baby item. Rather than having to wait for bottles to cool etc with a screaming hungry baby, it made it to the right temp in seconds! Will absolutely be using it again this time round.

cats_in_a_window

A beside-the-bed cosleeper.  I had one with DD (but not with DS) and it made such a difference in the quality of sleep we both got.  I loved being about to comfort her with my arm/hand in the middle of the night without even sitting up and it made nighttime breastfeeding so much easier.  I also think it reduced the number of times we "desperation bedshared" which always made me somewhat uncomfortable.

I had this one with DD (got lost in a move at some point): https://www.amazon.com/Arms-Reach-Concepts-Bedside-Bassinet/dp/B01ITQOV0Q

So we're probably getting this one this time (I like how it appears to be more adjustable): https://www.amazon.com/Beside-Dreamer-Bassinet-Bedside-Sleeper/dp/B07FYN5FS9

chelscreates

Gerber cloth diapers for burp cloths. The other ones that are thin with plastic are pretty, but not helpful at all. This was the BEST thing the last time and I always get it as a gift.

marebear15

Last year I would have answered this question with "Rock n Play" but since that's been recalled, I'm hoping my swing will do the trick to get her to sleep and then I can transfer her into the pack n play for naps. 

c1kc1kpol1cn1k

A lot of good stuff already mentioned so here we go

For me I loved this splurge on a lambskin. We used a bassinet stroller and in the winter months I would line the bassinet with this when we were out and about, even at home (though not for sleeping). I just found it kept baby super cozy and warm

https://www.woolino.com/products/sheepskin-rug-for-baby-natural-shorn-lambskin-2x3-ivory

valerie4786

I think the #1 thing I used the most was a boppy...it propped up baby perfectly for breastfeeding and had a bunch of other uses for us too.  Oh, and a good water bottle because I wanted water ALL the time during breastfeeding. 

EmilyE13

Stretchy jersey nursing cover was my number one go-to that hasn’t already been mentioned. It came in handy everywhere: planes, restaurants, etc. It also can double as a carseat cover, scarf, and baby blanket. Plenty of times I just wore it knotted around my neck when not using and (provided you didn’t notice the stray milk stains at times) it looked decently stylish. 

I have a few Cover Me ponchos. I know there are a million brands but I love how stretchy and soft these are:

https://covermeponchos.com/

persnickity

My number one item is a baby carrier. The k'tan for the first few months, then the free-to-grow Tula. I wore DD around the house to get things done, to the store, hiking, you name it. With a c-section, I couldn't carry DD in the infant carrier until I was cleared at 6 weeks. Wearing her was the only way I could get out.

valerie4786

@persnickity 🙌🙌 baby carriers!  Loved the K'tan and Tula also!

jaceru

@marebear15 same. Still haven't decided what we are going to use this time. We have a hand-me-down mamaroo that DD hated that I will probably try first before buying anything else. We never had a swing or bouncer so I don't even know where to start. 

I had a My Breast Friend nursing pillow that I liked so much better than my boppy for positioning. I seriously used that thing so much for the first couple months. 
https://www.amazon.com/My-Brest-Friend-Original-Midnight/dp/B00PC3JYQQ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=15EFHY3UGL9UA&keywords=my+breast+friend+nursing+pillow&qid=1573569963&s=baby-products&sprefix=my+breas%2Cbaby-products%2C136&sr=1-4

breweber2010

It looks and sounds so gross, but I swear by the Nose Frida!  It simply works!  It will probably be one of my top gifts for new moms.  Plus its easy to clean after using unlike the hospital bulbs.

MollySm

My Ergo.  I used it with all 3 kids, but especially for 2nd & 3rd time parents, it is so useful since you have to drag baby all around. I use the infant inset with the newborns, and now I use the back carry with my almost 3 year old pretty much daily. 

MollySm

Books/thoughts on sleep.  I spent so much time thinking and reading about birth with my first, when in reality that will last a day or two and you will have advisors, while baby sleep will affect you for the next 5 years at least.  The really useful reading during pregnancy was reading about sleep and having some thoughts on it before baby came.  Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Baby was my favorite, but there are a ton of different books and theories and ideas.  Once baby came I was too tired to read up on it.  

MollySm

Sorry I did 3.  I couldn't pick. 

A bouncer chair, similar to this.  It's the easiest way to take a shower because baby can be right in the bathroom while you shower.  And it helps some babies poop.   I for the most part steered as clear as I could from anything with batteries, but this type of thing is totally worthwhile. 

https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Playful-Pinwheels-Bouncer/dp/B00KHR7TPK/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?keywords=Vibrating+baby+chair&qid=1573661677&sr=8-6

kbrown2385

@breweber2010 the nose frida is amazing! I still use it on my 4 year old when he’s got difficult nose issues.

valerie4786

@breweber2010 the Nose Frieda really freaks me out, I don't know if I could do it but I've literally never heard a single bad thing about it! 😬

@MollySm I second the bouncer!  Ours got so much use I bought a 2nd this pregnancy so I wouldn't have to lug one upstairs to shower when it would mainly be used on the first floor.

persnickity

@breweber2010 I love our nose Frieda too! DD never tolerated the bulb syringe, but was always fine with the nose Frieda. Now she tries to hold it up and suck her own nose out. Haha

breweber2010

@valerie4786 I didn't think I'd be able to do it at first either, but there is a foam filter  before the tube that you suck on so I think it would be really difficult for any gunk to get through.