Most Used Baby Products from Registry

Things I received that I actually used/ use every day still at 9 months!

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Now that I've had my baby and have been a new mom for a few months (9 months already - I truly could weep), I would like to share some of the things that I put in my registry that I LOVED and still use every day and would consider essential.

If you're a first-time mom, buying baby products / creating a registry can seem daunting - what do you really need? What will you actually use? There are a million and 1 posts about 'must haves' and that can be overwhelming but hopefully you can find something of value in this post about things I have used and still use now at 9 months PP!

I am very minimalistic and love to thrift shop, so I really didn't feel like there was very much needed, (contrary to what my mother and aunts told me (older generation), and it turns out I was right. So, take a look below at the few things I did include that have helped a ton.

#1 - A Travel System

There are few things that I didn't extensively research and the car seat/stroller was among one of the things that occupied my brain for months. Most hospitals will require you to have an infant car seat before you are discharged and if you live in a place like Nashville, TN or any place that has a lot of walking parks and trails, you will want a stroller as well.

A travel system typically comes with the infant car seat/base, a stroller and attachments to convert the stroller to accommodate a toddler when the time comes. The good thing about this is that your mobile needs are met for nearly the first two years of your baby's life, and you will save a ton of money. The alternative would be buying a car seat, and buying a separate stroller that may/may not be compatible with an infant seat and may or may not be useful after the infant stage - requiring you to purchase a new stroller when your little one outgrows it.

The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is what we ended up choosing, it has modern color ways and is pretty affordable considering the alternatives. I have gotten so many comments on this stroller and the way it looks, and the grandma (MY grandma, the bargain queen) in me smiles every time knowing I did not spend $1,000+ on it like so many others have. Another plus with this system is that you can buy additional bases separately and with us having two cars, this was a must that saves us from having to transfer it every time we change cars.

We've recently made the switch to the regular stroller seat from the car seat at 9 months. This change allows the baby face forward, offering a broader view and more freedom now that she's becoming mobile. Truthfully, the smoothness of this transition has exceeded my expectations.

Pro-Tip - if you are a runner like me, the infant seat included with this travel system are also compatible with any Graco brand running stroller! This is the one we have - we were very fortunate to find this on FBMP for $100. (Always shop local first!)

#2 - Nursery Camera

This one is a great gift or registry addition for first-time moms - this one keeps your mind at ease when your little one is sleeping. We chose the Nanit (Wall Mounted) because of all of the features that it offers as well as the "breathing band" that keeps track of that for you so you can leave the room peacefully. There's something about a new baby (or new mom) and always trying to make sure she/he is still breathing at all points of the day.

The Nanit tracks sleep, has a live feed for viewing, can monitor in-room sound (crying/other noises if necessary), it also monitors the temperature/climate in the room. All of the things that you worry about when your baby is out of physical sight, the Nanit monitors for you.

Olive co-sleeps with us at night but since she was a few weeks old we have tried to make a point to get her in the crib for naps. This is something I am grateful to have and allows me to get more done around the house without having to peek into her room and chance her waking up.

#3 - Feeding Accessories

Everyone will give you tips for days on things to keep your little ones busy and content, but few speak about the things that mom will need and these are some items that I did not ask for that friends and family who knew got for me!

The Lansinoh breast Heating/cooling pads - I got two sets of these, so I was able to keep one in the freezer at all times and have one designated for warming. LIFE. SAVER. I had a 'bout' or two with mastitis and clogged ducts and used these religiously during and after feedings.

Along with that - Pumps!!! I am a massive over-producer and one of the issues that contributed to mastitis and clogged ducts was not getting empty enough - so early on, I would feed and then pump. I had actually done a good amount of research on breast pumps and decided that hands free was the way to go. The Willow Go 2.0 were the ones I decided to go with - there is a 3.0 now that includes some other handsfree features but the 2.0 worked fine for me and was eligible for an insurance discount (Check your eligibility here)

I use them on the go and now that I am back at work, I use them there too and they are quiet and discreet, so I do not have to get up from my desk to pump if I choose not to.

#4 - Diaper Bag

One of my most favorite and absolutely most used items - my diaper bag! I honestly don't remember adding this to my registry for what it had to offer but solely because the color matched my stroller, and I was in that kind of pregnancy mood at the time. I got lucky though because this diaper bag (from amazon) has a ton of pockets - 6 outside pockets that zip and several inside pockets, it comes with an attachable strap to wear it like a cross-body bag instead of a purse, and it also comes with a changing pad (Which has come in handy for the many blowouts we have had in the car and on the airplane over the last few months).

Moral of the story is, get you a bag that has capacity - when I go out with the baby alone, it is my everything, purse, wallet, catch-all - you name it. It has been a life saver so far.

The exact one I purchased is currently sold out, but the brand offers several other options that function similarly.

#5 - Glass Bottles

Ok, hear me out - I know many moms (like myself) are exclusively breastfeeding these days, and that's awesome (No shame otherwise of course!). One thing I was told by many family members is introduce a bottle very early on, this will save you a lot of headaches when leaving your baby with a sitter or a family member for the first time because it ensures that your baby will not starve themselves in protest of a bottle instead of a real boob.

With that being said, if you have to give your baby a bottle and you are concerned about the thousands of microplastics and chemicals in plastic bottles - know that you have other options! Phillips Avent has glass bottles and they come in 4 oz size and 8 oz size. We opted to get a few in each size just to have on hand. Each bottle comes with a lid and a nipple, but you can purchase nipples of different flows online if the standard ones don't work for your baby.

Disclaimer: Many daycares mandate that you use plastic bottles for fear of them breaking, but we were able to use a silicone sleeve to circumvent that requirement. They are soft, colorful, and are able to go into a bottle warmer! These fit the Phillips Avent bottles perfectly.

#6 - Nursery Glider

To glide or not to glide? I went into our nursery design with a glider in Forest Green in mind and unfortunately was unable to find one that met my needs - luckily, I didn't actually end up putting a glider in the baby's room anyways.

A week before I gave birth I was nervous that I did not have enough spaces in the house to sit with the baby that were upstairs where the bedrooms are - I was unsure of how mobile (or immobile) I would be after the whole process, so I decided to purchase a glider that I had sat in during the Bed Bath and Beyond closure sale - The DaVinci Piper Glider in Cream. We ended up putting it on our bedroom and it has been a life saver on the days where I am feeling unwell or want to spend more time upstairs. Not only is it comfortable but it is also big enough for my husband to sit in it which I was also nervous about (pictured). It moves in all directions, reclines, and rocks - it fits perfectly in our corner and is so comfortable.

#7 - Indoor/Outdoor Baby lounger

Now this thing is really great if you have pets or like to go to sit outside. We pretty much used this thing from the day we brought her home until she started crawling (6 months). It served as a buffer between the baby and the couch fabric most days - which in our case at the time was covered in dog hair at all times no matter how many times it was vacuumed. and in other instances, it was a safe and convenient place to put her down when I needed a hands-free moment.

The high edges made this particularly attractive, and it also has a sunshade if you choose to use it outside. You can even bring it along with you to places because it conveniently can be worn as a backpack.

The Lulyboo brand is the one we have but it is out of stock, but this one is just as good and has similar features!

Disclaimer: Always be near your baby when using this, its intentions are not to be a replacement crib.

This time is overwhelming

During this time your brain is probably swimming with information - and hopefully this list will ease some of your thoughts. Though it is by no means complete, and there are SO MANY things that I have used since birth that are not on it, one thing I am sure of is that I was able to narrow down the things I knew I would need by doing research and keeping my non-negotiables in mind. Safety first always, convenience second.

Happy Birthing and Good Luck new mama!

LB