There have been several baby items that are “must-haves” when it comes to kids. Every single one of these items I’ve either used with both my kids, or had multiple so each could have their own. I love them and recommend all the time to family and friends. My brother has twin boys that are six months older than my son (yay!), and soon they are welcoming a baby girl (woo hoo)! This is so fantastic because she will only be about a year-and-a-half younger than my daughter. We’re so thrilled the cousins will all be close in age and able to grow up with each other; such a blessing. So as we’re prepping to welcome baby girl into our family, I reflected back on the items that made raising our babies easier, safer, healthier and more fun. Here’s the list of my favorites:
ABIIE BEYOND JUNIOR Y HIGH CHAIR
My husband will be the first to tell you that this is probably his favorite of all. When we first had a son, we actually bought a different brand high chair and we quickly knew it needed to go. Not only did we literally stub our toe every week (ouch!) because the design had such a wide base, but it also we incredibly hard to clean. So, when we saw the design and everything the Abiie Beyond Junior Y High Chair had to offer, we knew had to have it.
There are so many great aspects to the chair ranging from how easy it is to clean, to the fact that it grows with your child from infant, to toddler, and older. The straps are comfortable, the tray clicks off and is dishwasher safe, it’s very easy to adjust and looks nice. With our son, almost five years old, he’s gone from a baby learning to eat, into a child who still uses his chair at the table for dinner, but then also for play — coloring, building blocks, and games. It’s so universal. And because he can, and is, still using his chair, we had to get another one for our daughter. She is loving her chair and we like that they can match yet have different color cushions to reflect their genders and personalities. You’ll buy one chair and use it for years, literally we’re heading into our fifth year and I don’t know why we wouldn’t keep using it!
TULA CARRIERS
So here’s the truth, I was never a baby wearer until I had my segment child. I’m definitely a stroller person. I love the ease of a stroller and that it’s a place to hold all my stuff. However practically with two kids, a carrier just makes so much more sense in so many situations. From adventures and theme parks, to the beach, cooking meals (yes I totally wear the carrier even when I’m not leaving the house, to trying to get actual work done, both my husband and I love Tula carriers. They have so many styles and patterns to select and I really like how they fit and that we could use them from birth (tucked toward the chest and sleeping most of the time) through now (almost eighteen months and wanting to face outward and take the world in). We also love Tula’s other product from blankets and matching mommy and me shoes, to backpacks, lunchboxes and towels.
4MOMS MAMAROO
We first became familiar with 4moms from my dad. He was shopping, with my mom, for baby items when they found out both their kids were pregnant and three grandbabies were on the way. The first item he zeroed in on was their play yard — it’s amazing, so easy to set up, collapse and store. It can literally be done with one push. Plus it has a bassinet option — he was sold and between all our family we owned like 4 or 5! Well if that product was amazing, what else does 4moms make? Enter the mamaRoo.
We had the mamaRoo with both kids, in fact we had one upstairs and one downstairs. We loved all the motions, the option to have bluetooth and many times used it as safe way to hold baby while we get ready or prepared a meal. Both kids loved being in it too.
DOCKATOT
DockATot was so helpful when it came having a safe and comfortable area for our daughter to be regardless the room in the house. It made it easy to have her close and to know that she wouldn’t roll in danger. I also had a couple covers — one a more elegant marble and another fun pineapple. It was key to have both so one could be on while the other was in the wash. The DockATot Deluxe is for newborn to 8 months and the DockATot Grand goes through 36 months. I also like that the brand has a hospital initiative and plans to be 200 hospitals this year, 2020.
FELTMAN BROTHERS
I absolutely love Feltman Brothers. From their amazing knits to classic smocking, this brand oozes quality and an overall feel that is just so magical. I first found them with my son and loved the sweaters, so then when my baby girl came along, well, I couldn’t resist so many of their styles. Favorites of mine include the Scalloped Pearl Smocked Dress (and yes I needed the matching bonnet!) and the Lavender Smocked Flutter Sleeve Dress which was such a cute fit that I need the romper style in navy, Navy Smocked Flutter Sleeve Romper. The knits are so comfortable and stylish, my daughter lives in her Rose Ruffle Collar Diamond Knit Set and her Flutter Sleeve Knit Longall. Plus we paired so many outfits with their Pointelle Ruffle Knit Cardigan and Hooded Button Down Cable Knit Cardigan. Not to mention their holiday collection… seriously so much of my favorite pieces of her wardrobe are from Feltman Brothers so when I found out my brother was having a baby girl, I sent him the link to Feltman Brothers and said this will soon become one of your favorite places to shop!
ERGOPOUCH
I’ve always been a big fan of the swaddle and wearable blanket theory. Keeping little ones snug so they feel held and also safe so they can’t tangle in blankets makes so much sense. Fortunately, both our children were excellent sleepers and began doing long stretches early and were sleeping through the night at about 12 weeks.
You’d think living in San Diego that it might not matter if our sleep bag has a TOG (warmth) rating, but it’s one of the aspects I love about our ergoPouch Sheeting Sleeping Bag, honestly I feel the weight of the luxurious 400+ thread count sheeting material aides in the deep sleep and comfort keeping my kids snoozing. The same is true of the Sleep Suits Bags except this can zip into legs with feet as well as being a bag! The versatility is awesome with both my kids. Aside from the breathable natural fibers, an aspect that sets ergoPouch apart is the functionality of the collections too. The Layers are awesome organic cotton pajamas to wear for breathability with fold-over mitts and cuffs and their 3-way zipper makes nappy changing and night time bathroom visits so easy. A must have!
PEDIPED
pediped footwear is the best first shoe! Their tagline is “next best thing to bare feet” and it’s true. The Originals which are for newborn through 24 months, are recommended by pediatricians and podiatrists because they allow children to closely mimic barefoot walking. They have soft, flexible soles and are made from the highest quality leather on the market and they also feature a soft foam insert between leather layers. My one-year-old literally grabs my hand, walks me over to the door, picks up her pedipeds and points to her feet like, “let’s get moving mom!” We love the shoes and the sandals and wear them to events, holidays and for play — they have so many styles to choose from too.
WE CAN’T FORGET ABOUT THE SIBLINGS
Bringing a new baby home means all the attention is quickly focused on this beautiful little being and sometimes this leave siblings feeling a little left out. One thing we made sure with our son, when we brought our daughter home, was to try to include him the best we could AND have a couple Big Brother gifts he could open to feel special and share a little of the limelight.
Since we love pediped footwear so much, and their collections grow with you as advance from early walking into confident stride (with sizing up to 6 Youth), I thought it would be great for my brother’s twin boys to get a new pair of shoes. I mean who doesn’t feel special in a new pair of shoes?! My son wears pedipeds almost every day. They have taken him all over Disneyland, met every character at Legoland, been on his feet for his first day of school and match so much of his wardrobe. Plus features I love, the Flex Fit System to customize the fit, memory foam insoles, and most shoes are even machine washable!
OSMO: Real Play, Real Learning
There isn’t a week that goes by that my son doesn’t ask to play Osmo. Whether is coding, drawing, storytelling or racing cars, he can’t wait to be creative. Osmo is designed for kids ages 3 thru 12 with their Little Genius, Genius and Explorer Starter Kits. From pre-reading to problem solving, puzzles to their Super Studio series, my son loves to interact with the device and bring his drawings to life, or counter attack his hot wheels car or code music and jam out. So when thinking of “big brother” gifts, Osmo immediately came to mind. We first introduced cousins to the brand at a launch party this past Fall for the new Disney Frozen 2 Super Studio. The boys all had a great time, and the twins were hooked. The Hot Wheels Mind Racers is the perfect gift as two people can play and compete as you get to launch real hot wheels cars and send them zooming through eight digital worlds. There are six different cars with different personalities and tangible tokens to control the cars as they race too.
ZOLI COLLECTIONS
Now as a family of three my brother have even more to manage once they venture out for the day, or even just meal! We take out ZoLi Pow Squeak Stainless Steel Water Bottles everywhere. They are great for tiny hands and still fit in a standard cup holder. I pack them in my baby bag for everything from a shopping trip to a grocery run, the beach, park and even in lunchbox for school. Great for on the go!
And my kids love to color so colorMATIES were a no brainer. These silicone placemats are perfect to keep little ones content dining out, or even at home, my little ones ask to color too! It’s endless fun because they easily clean after being wiped down with water.
