With another baby coming into our family and many pregnant friends, I have found myself thinking about baby products a lot lately. We have owned several items that just did not live up to the hype or really serve our family well. But there are certain baby products that have been game changers for our family and our globetrotting lifestyle. Here is a list of my 10 favorite baby products.
1. Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller
For an active family, a good stroller is a must-have item in my opinion. If you have room in your budget to splurge on one or two items, I would prioritize the stroller.
We LOVE the Bumbleride Indie Twin. This all-terrain stroller is amazing for travel. With near-lie-flat seats, pop up leg rests, and impressive canopy coverage, my kids have taken great naps in this stroller all over the United States and abroad. But probably the biggest highlight for me is the fact that it is the only side-by-side double all-terrain stroller that I am aware of that fits through a standard US door. We have squeezed into places that most comparable strollers would not be able to fit through. In Europe and other places with historic buildings, this is a big deal. For more details on why the Bumbleride Indie Twin is my favorite stroller (and we have owned/tested a LOT of the alternatives), check out my post Bumbleride Indie Twin: Why We LOVE This Double Stroller.
Bassinet Attachment
Bumbleride also sells a bassinet attachment to the Indie Twin. I struggled with the decision to buy the bassinet attachment because it is one more expense and the stroller’s seats already lie flat. But ultimately I decided I wanted to be able to see my babies on walks and to have the flexibility to carry them inside in the bassinet if they fall asleep while we are out. The bassinet turned out to be very worthwhile for my family. With active older siblings, we are out and about a lot. If the baby is asleep when we get home from the park, I can quickly and quietly pop out the bassinet and whisk the sleeping baby away to a quiet room. This allowed many stroller naps to turn into extended naps at home. So while I don’t think the stroller bassinet is necessary, I do find that it is particularly useful when juggling a baby and toddler.
2. Baby Carrier
A baby carrier is so critical for a busy family. When I just had one child, I didn’t quite realize how helpful a baby carrier could be. When my baby wanted to be held, I had the time to sit down and just do that. But with subsequent children, the carriers are so handy. My babies prefer to be snuggled up against mom rather than set down. A baby carrier allows you to go about your daily tasks and play with or assist the older children with baby snuggling against your chest.
Soft wraps like the Moby or Solly are great for around the house or when the baby is small. I do find that soft wraps start to feel less supportive as my babies approach 9-12 months.
The Ergobaby 360 Baby Carrier has been a versatile, mid-price option that works well for both my husband and me. It has a thicker belt that goes around the adult’s hip and gives substantially more support than a soft wrap. There is an infant insert for babies under 12 lbs if you want to just have one carrier that covers all ages up to the later toddler years. My husband carried an almost 3 year old on his back with the Ergobaby 360 for a short hike in the Austrian Alps.
For Petite Women
If you or your partner are petite, the shoulder straps on the Ergobaby 360 may be too broad for you. The Ergobaby Embrace is one that I use when the babies are younger and would likely fit more petit women well. Other carriers that other petite moms I know have liked include Baby Bjorn or Sakura Bloom (Scout).
I recommend finding a way to try some carrier options on. It is not a bad idea to own a few different kinds because they serve different purposes/functions. You may also find that you need a different type of carrier for the different adults in your household. You can find a lot of quality carriers in great condition on Marketplace. I like the light-weight feel of a wrap/soft carrier when around the house, but definitely like the support of the sturdier Ergobaby 360 Baby Carrier once the baby gets bigger and when I’m out and about for the day. Hiking carriers are a whole different category that provide even more support for the toddler years.
3. Lovevery Play Gym
My babies have loved this play gym. I really like Lovevery products because they are made of clean materials and come with information on developmentally appropriate ways to play with your baby. We do not have a lot of toys for infants. This play mat provides a lot of entertainment in the first year.
4. Ollie Swaddle
I like swaddles that velcro because wrapping a traditional swaddle blanket is a bit tedious when you are exhausted or you are trying to swaddle a baby in the dark after a middle of the night diaper change. The Ollie Swaddle is by far my favorite! I definitely recommend having more than one swaddle in case the baby spits up or their diaper leaks in the night.
5. Matador Pocket Blanket
The Matador Pocket Blanket is not really a baby product, but I love having one in my diaper bag. I originally bought this compact blanket because I was worried about our 6 month old getting enough tummy time during a month-long trip around Europe. Whenever we stopped at a park or found a grassy or sandy area, I would lay it out and let her roll around. It provided a clean and water-resistant surface for her to play on. It also served as a dry surface for me to sit on while I nursed her and works great as a picnic blanket as well.
6. Smocks
Smocks are so much more effective than bibs. Traditional bibs are cute, but don’t catch much. Smocks are the way to go if you want the best chance of keeping your baby’s clothes clean. I particularly like this smock because it folds up compactly and is easy to tuck in a diaper bag.
7. Backpack style diaper bag
A well-designed diaper bag can be really useful. I went with the backpack style. There are a lot of inexpensive backpack versions on Amazon that get great reviews. The one we were gifted years ago has held up really well on all our adventures. It is finally starting to show some wear and tear so we will probably replace it soon. One feature that I will prioritize when I buy a new backpack style diaper bag is a luggage sleeve. Numerous times I have found myself trecking through the airport or to our accomodations with a heavy child in a front pack and the bulging diaper bag on my back. Being able to slip the diaper bag onto my luggage would be very handy and give my back a break.
8. Diaper Caddy
I highly recommend putting together one or more diaper caddies (basically just a basket/caddy with all of your diaper changing items) to keep in your main living space and other places you spend a lot of time in. This will save you a trip to the nursery every time you need to change a diaper. We have one in our family/TV room and one in our playroom.
9. Diaper Pail
In general, I think baby products (like many items) are a matter of personal preference. So what works best for me may not work best for you. But this diaper pail is an item that I say don’t think twice about. It is a great price point, you don’t need to buy special bags for it (regular trash bags work just fine), and it contains the odor really well. You will find out exactly how well it locks in the odor when you have a solids-eating baby and you go to change out the bag on trash day.
After years of use, the insides of the pails have become a little yellowed and stinky at times, but we periodically put a little baking soda in them and leave them open on our back patio while we are out of town and they freshen right up.
10. Earth Mama Organic Baby Face Nose & Cheek Balm
I had sensitive skin as a child and, for a number of reasons, it is important to me that my children’s skincare and hygiene products are gentle and clean. The Earth Mama Organic Baby Face Nose & Cheek Balm is my go to moisturizer for all my young children. I like that it comes in a travel size quantity, is super moisturizing, and is EWG Verified. I use this on my babies’ chapped lips, dry skin, after a bath, and even occasionally as a diaper rash cream. It is a relatively expensive product, but a little bit goes a long way! And yes, I do cut open the tube when it is almost out to get to the last bits before throwing it away (I actually do this with all my skincare products that come in a tube). Why waste a good product?
I hope you found something useful here. Until next time!
