One of the most exciting (and stressful) things about having a baby is getting ready for the baby’s big arrival. I spent hours researching baby products and compiled all of my hits and a few of my misses. From diapering to feeding, I’m spilling all of my favorites!

|Diapering|

baby bum brush: it’s kind of hilarious that this baby bum brush is one of my favorite baby products. It is a GAME CHANGER. Gone are the days of wiping diaper cream on with your bare hands! This brush applies diaper cream quicker and more evenly (which has been amazing with a squirmy baby!). I have the full size brush in mila’s nursery and keep the travel size one in my diaper bag.

ubbi diaper pail: this diaper pail is more of a splurge but so worth it! The Ubbi is made of steel which is fabulous because, unlike plastic, steel is not porous and keeps the smell shielded inside. I have never once walked into mila’s room and smelt a dirty diaper! Another huge plus, this diaper pail doesn’t require any special bags. You can use standard kitchen garbage bags in it or just go with the actual ubbi brand bags. I was also sold by the sleek look and multiple color options (10+ options).

diaper bag dispenser: My friend introduced me to this convenient little thing! It makes it easy to change the baby anywhere and not have to worry about where to dispose the diaper. This dispenser clips right on to your diaper bag, stroller, you name it. The bags have a lavender scent and are infused with baking soda for effective odor elimination.

|Bedtime|

hatch night light: this hatch baby sound machine was one of my first purchases. It can be used from birth all throughout childhood. You can control this night light/sound machine remotely from your phone (or from the actual machine). You can adjust the light color, brightness, sound and volume. I use it all the time, especially during the night, when I’m nursing/ changing mila’s diaper. Since you can change the brightness of the light, you can set it so there’s just enough light to be able to see, but not enough to wake up the baby or prevent you from falling back asleep. When using throughout childhood you can set it on a timer to signal when it’s time to be awake vs asleep (when the light is red=not time to get out of bed when the light is green=you can get out of bed). They also have coverlets for this sound machine. I have these coverlets – they are so cute and match Mila’s room perfectly!

lollipop baby monitor: I can’t praise this baby monitor enough — it’s amazing! This baby monitor’s app is very user friendly. It has so many great features like: advanced infrared night vision, built-in speaker (that allows you to talk directly to your baby or play white noise/lullabies) and a sleek patented design. It comes in three different colors: turquoise, lime green and cotton candy pink. The camera has a wide-angle lens and supports 720p video, which is great quality during the day and night.  There are three types of events that the Lollipop detects: crying, crossing and noise. Each time an event is detected, it automatically records a 30 second clip which is then saved directly in the app. If you have phone notifications turned on, you will receive an alert on your phone when an event is happening. It’s so nice to be able to see, hear and talk to Mila whenever I want. Lollipop offers a 30-day money back guarantee, no questions asked. Each camera also comes with a free 12-month warranty. There are no risk in trying this baby monitor!

owlet: The owlet should be on EVERY expecting parents registry. I’m a parent who likes to worry about everything so, I LOVE it. The owlet is a sock that velcroes around your baby’s foot. The owlet tracks their heat rate and oxygen. It will immediately alert you if your baby’s oxygen or heart rate dips below a certain level. We first started using our owlet when Mila was a couple months old. Mila goes to bed around 8-9ish and wears her owlet every night. It gives me peace of mind and helps me worry less when she goes to bed, without me in the room. I love to check her oxygen and heart rate levels, directly from my phone. It comes with three different sock sizes and can be used up until 18 months. I can’t say enough great things about it! They have a love it or return within 30 days for a full refund policy.

ollie swaddle: I splurged on the Ollie swaddle, less than a week after Mila was home, when I was DESPERATE for sleep and I’m SO glad I did! The Ollie swaddle is amazing! It has moisture-wicking fabric, velcros which allows it to meet the need/size of your baby, has an opening at the bottom for easy diaper changes and can be used with arms in or out. This swaddle is meant to go below the shoulders — I never worried about the fabric creeping up over mila’s mouth. Worth the price tag!

america baby company waterproof mattress pad: let’s be honest, no one wants a blowout to seep into the mattress. I love this mattress pad for a few reasons: 1. It is made of extra soft material which means it’s completely silent (no annoying crinkle sound – hallelujah!) 2. Elastic all around ensures it fits like a glove and stays in place 3. Has not shrunk or pilled even after it has been through numerous washes. As an added bonus, it’s totally affordable 1 count for $17 or 2 counts for $21.

|Bathtime|

angelcare baby bath: For less than $20, you can’t beat this baby bath. It works for babies 0-6 months old. I love that its a soft mesh with large drain holes so that the soap is easily rinsed off the baby. It also features a hook which means you can easily attach a command hook in your shower and hang it up, when not in use. Mila (4.5 months old) has started to roll over  and try to sit up in this baby bath which I’m so sad about. We will be transitioning to the bath seat (shown below) for her baths now.

summer bath seat: I put out a SOS on my instagram because Mila was getting increasingly mobile in her baby bath. Numerous people told me about this bath seat! It has three sturdy arms that pressure mount in the tub. This seat has a high back rest and 360° of support. It’s recommended for ages 5-10 months. I’ll keep you posted on how we like it! We will be transitioning to it soon.

otteroo: My Mom looked at me with wide eyes when I told her about this Ottertoo neck floatie! But, once she researched it she realized all the benefits of it. The Otteroo neck floatie makes it possible for babies to take advantage of water’s buoyancy to move their arms, body and legs more freely when they can still barely lift their head, arms or torso off of the floor. It helps the babies with mobility and learning that wouldn’t be possible without water’s support. I’ve only kept Mila in it a max of 10 minutes a day but, she absolutely loves the sense of freedom! I have way too many videos of her kicking, splashing and spinning around in this thing. It can be used for babies as young as 2 weeks old.

bath kneeler with elbow pads: Who knew that knee and elbow pads for bathing your baby even existed?! I can’t live without these! They suction to the tub and are 1.5 inches of memory foam. They dry quickly and are waterproof. No other information needed. You need these!

frida baby bath brush: I love this antibacterial silicone brush for bath time. It can used from head to toe! I put shampoo directly on it and massage it into Mila’s hair. She loves getting a mini massage!  This baby brush can also be used to treat cradle cap and dry skin. It comes in a pack of two with a storage case.

skip hop whale rinser: This rinser makes bath time easy. It holds a ton of water and has a large handle for easy handling. I love that it has a silicone rim that contours to mila’s forehead – water never gets on her face. Way better than a giant oversized random cup!

bath robe: Tiny robes are by no means a necessity at bath time, but it’s hard to resist the added cuteness! We get Mila in the bath every single night as part of her bath tub routine — she has this little sheep robe that is extra absorbent. It’s perfect for getting in extra snuggles post-bath and pre-jammies.

blooming bath: I wanted to love this but, it was a huge miss. We tried using this in the sink a few times. Our sink was too small, and Mila was squished, with no room to move around. The petals soaked up all the water, and the water kept getting cold. The petals themselves got cold. It’s very cute, just impractical. Plus, it can grow mold easily (gross!). We found a different use for it and now use it as a little cushion for Mila on during tummy time.

|Transportation + Accessories|

nuna pipa lite lx: I spent hours upon hours researching carseats before I came across the Nuna pipa lite lx carseat. This carseat weighs in at just under six pounds (my weak arms LOVE this!).The Nuna has options for fabric in a Merino Wool that helps keep your baby cool if the weather is hot and warm if the weather is cold. The Nuna carseat comes with a steel base leg that eliminates any push back in the case of an accident by 90% and reduces the risk of head injury by 33%. It is super easy to install whether you use latch or true lock installation. Lastly, it comes equipped with a dream drape. The dream drape is a built in UPF 50+ canopy with magnets that keeps your babe safe from rain or shine. Read more about this amazing carseat on Nuna’s website here. This carseat does have to be used with a base, if you are going to be using lots of different cars – go with the Nuna pipa (weighs 9.5 lbs but, can be used without the base).

baby jogger city select lux stroller: Jared and I wanted a stroller that could grow with our family which is why this stroller is perfect. It has 20 different seating configurations. The Nuna carseat is compatible with this stroller with these adapters. When you buy this stroller it comes with one seat, when you family grows you can add a second seat. The two seats can be front facing, backwards facing or facing each other (while still being able to recline!). The seats have a built in peek-a-boo mesh window. It has tons of different accessories available to add on like: a bassinet, shopping tote, bench seat, etc. This stroller works on so many different terrains thanks to the lightweight never-flat rubber tires. It folds simply and compactly with auto lock for easy storage and transport. We love this stroller and can’t wait to continue using throughout the years. It’s an expensive price tag but, will grow with your family.

portable sound machine: Mila goes to bed with white noise each night. For daily naps, when we are out and about, this portable sound machine is a life-saver — it puts her right to sleep. It’s so convenient, it has a flexible clip that can attach to the car seat handle, stroller handle or even the diaper bag. This sound machine has 4 natural sounds and 2 lullabies. You can set it on a timer or leave it constantly on. The biggest perk of all, it takes NORMAL batteries (3 AAA to be exact!).

|Toys + Entertainment|

fisher-price kick and play piano gym: Mila got this piano gym for Christmas (when she was almost 2 months). She has been using this every single day for the last few months. It’s so fun for her to kick her heart out and hit all the toys. It comes with light-up piano keys, a repositionable toy arch, and four musical settings that keep your little one rocking out for years. This piano also grows with your baby —  from lay and play to tummy time to sitting up at the piano, you can change up the music and learning, too. The super soft and thick play mat is machine washable. WARNING: the songs the piano plays will be stuck in your head the rest of your life.

baby einstein phone: This phone has been a hit since Mila was just a few weeks old. Your baby will love the 10 different melodies and flashing lights. Takes NORMAL batteries (2 AA).

wooden play gym: Am I the only one that wish every baby toy was this neutral wood color? It looks so aesthetically pleasing in my home and Mila really likes it. I love that it folds for easy storage. It keeps Mila entertained because she is able to hit and grab onto the hangings.

fisher-price bouncer: To be honest, I had no idea where to put my child when I got ready in the morning. Queue a swift amazon order for this bouncer delivered just 2 days later! Mila loves this little bouncer. She will sit in it happily each morning – the more she kicks, the more it bounces. This bouncer is also very lightweight, which makes it easy to move around your home

tummy time book: Gone are the days of your baby screaming during tummy time. This little 3 in 1 soft book is perfect to put in front of your baby during tummy time. It’s double sided — side 1 has high contrast colored patterns and pictures with a baby-safe mirror | side 2 has animals with different textures and a pineapple teether.

mamaroo: This high tech baby thing was seriously the number one thing Jared wanted for our baby shower. I have read online babies either love it or hate it. Sadly, Mila has never been a huge fan of it. This one was a miss for us.  It has so many amazing features from: moving like you do (5 unique motions), bluetooth enabled, seat reclines and interactive toy balls. Pray our future babies love it!

|Feeding|

my brest friend nursing pillow: First of all, how clever is the name of this nursing pillow? I love it! This nursing pillow is amazing. I used it consistently the first few months of Mila’s life. I love that this nursing pillow wraps around my body securely and helps with better posture during breastfeeding. It has a handy pouch that you can keep your supplies within easy reach (like nipple cream, granola bars, etc). It’s great that you can also remove the cover and wash it. This nursing pillow is the top choice of lactation consultants and birth hospitals! P.s. this nipple cream is my favorite.

muslin burp cloths: Mila has never really been a spitter-upper (is that even a word?!) but, she has been a MAJOR drooler. These muslin burp cloths are so soft and extra absorbent. The price is amazing — pack of 6 for less than $10.

copper pearl burp cloths: My Aunt gifted these premium burp cloths to me. They are so dang cute! They offer tons of different patterns (that also match bibs they sell). I love that they are oversized 21 x 10 inches. These burp cloths are equipped with a middle fleece layer which means it is super absorbent. I highly recommend these!

boon grass drying rack: I pump once a day and this drying rack is a lifesaver. From drying out pump parts to bottles, this drying rack is easy to clean and holds a surprising amount of items. It’s visually appealing and is able to accommodate any unique pieces. There are lots of different accessories available for this drying rack like: this white twig or this flower.