It wasn’t until after I had my baby that I realized I never really knew what to put on my registry. I was very surprised during the first few weeks home with my daughter to discover how many products I would barely use, and how many products I needed to go get. Here is my list of baby products that have saved my sanity, none of which were on my registry! (You can easily view each of these products by clicking the links within the article.)
Halo SleepSack & Carters SleepBag
Before owning these items I often found myself half asleep struggling to button up footy pajamas after changing diapers. These took away that trauma. Not only do they take the place of a warm blanket for your baby, but the bag shape means you can slip your baby’s legs right in and simply zip it up. Although I prefer the Carters SleepBag because it is long-sleeved, the Halo SleepSack is another great option.
Formula Dispensers
When you are waking up every couple of hours, or more, every minute counts! The lack of sleep will affect your mood and patience more than anything. It only took one night before I started using these. Instead of running to the kitchen to make a bottle, simply keep pre-measured baby bottles of water, and pre-measured formula inside the dispensers, next to the bed. Then you are ready to mix a new bottle right away without the struggles of sleepy measuring and mixing! The Munchkin Formula Dispenser is a great option, and can even be used to hold snacks as your baby gets older.
Changing Pad Liners
These liners go on top of diaper changing pad covers to keep them from getting soiled. Initially, I did not have these and found myself washing changing pad covers constantly. I even purchased more changing pad covers before I knew these existed. Thankfully, my sister-in-law gave suggested the liners and my life became much easier! You can buy these in inexpensive packs here, and toss them in the washing machine when you need to!
Baby Anti-Monkey Butt Diaper Rash Cream
Initially, my fiancé purchased this because he thought the name was funny. However, we soon discovered this was the only diaper rash cream that worked for our baby! I received so many containers of Desitin from my baby shower and had been using it, but it was not getting rid of my daughter’s rash. So, I tried the Anti Monkey Butt on a whim, and the rash cleared right up. Thank goodness her daddy has a sense of humor! I believe that this cream worked because, unlike Desitin, it contains calamine and calendula. It can be difficult to find Baby Anti Monkey Butt in some stores, but it can always be found easily on Amazon.
Red, Black, and White Colored Baby Toys
For several months red, black, and white are the only colors that babies can see. So, that pile of colorful toys that you have at home is not very engaging for your baby. Out of all the toys we received from the baby shower, only one was red, black, and white colored. I had tried waving colorful toys in front of my daughter, however she never seemed interested. I realized at our two month check-up that this was because she could not see those colors. Then I tried the red, black, and white colored toy and she was obsessed with it! Now I can give her a toy that she is excited by and learning to entertain herself with, giving me a few spare minutes every now and then! After discovering this I found Baby’s First Sight Gift Box, an awesome pack of toys, books, and accessories all geared towards these colors for young babies.
Exercise Ball
Yes! That’s right, an exercise ball! I had used an exercise ball throughout my pregnancy for fitness, and later on to help induce labor. After my daughter was born, I wasn’t sure how to soothe her or put her to sleep quite yet. My mother-in-law told me a story about how her daughter used to like when she sat on the edge of her bed and bounced, so that got me thinking! I put my daughter in my arms and gently bounced on the exercise ball. She went right to sleep! Now this is my main method of both soothing her and putting her to sleep, not to mention it is a great workout.
Baby Bouncer
The baby bouncer is one of the products that I use the most. Not only does it have toys, vibrates, and can play music, it is also extremely lightweight. Which makes it easy to move from room to room. Whenever I need to shower, put my makeup on, or do my hair, I can bring the bouncer with me and put my daughter in it. It easily fits in the bathroom, and is so light that you can easily carry it up and down the stairs if needed. They are relatively inexpensive as well, Fischer Price has one for under $24 here.
K’Tan Baby Carrier
I use this carrier both around the house and out of the house! It is lightweight, easy to use, and fits easily in a bag or purse. Since it is a wrap-type carrier there are no buckles, straps, or buttons, only fabric. It is so much easier to use than traditional carriers, and is very comfortable-comfortable enough to complete chores around the house while wearing it! Although there are many different brands that make the wrap-type carrier now, the K’Tan Baby Carrier was one of the first and is the brand that I use and trust.
What baby products help save your sanity?