This type of post has been in the works for quite a while, but for some reason I never got around to. There are a ton of baby products on the market. It can be so challenging to figure out what works well for you. I had my daughter in 2018 and my son in 2021. I definitely made sure to save anything we used, but now with recalls that happened and different products out, here are the baby items that I’d still recommend.

Graco Pack ‘n Play

I will admit now that I would have absolutely loved to get a halo bassinet to use. However, the first time around I felt embarrassed to ask for something so expensive just for a newborn (rookie mistake) and the second time around it wouldn’t have worked properly with our new bedroom. With that being said I do still love the Pack ‘N Play as a bassinet for your new little one to share your room. They have different options to make them different price points and accessories to customize your needs. Realistically my kids were in our bedroom until they were 6 to 9 months old and that was only possible because of having this item. We also really enjoyed the Graco Travel Dome during that newborn/infant phase during the summer. They now include a combo with that item included which I think is awesome.

Kiinde Milk Bags

These milk bags are probably all I talk about. Although I recently decided to not repurchase just to finish out the Medela bags I have. I wasn’t sure how much longer I’d be breastfeeding for. That decision lasted a totally of 1 day. My son did not take kindly to using another bottle. On top of that I wasn’t really thrilled to be pumping without these. These bags and bottles make it less of a hassle for pumping and cleaning. I have a whole post where I sing the praises of this product. Click here to check that out.

Cloud Island Sleepers

These sleepers are an absolute favorite. Cloud Island is a Target brand. They sell them in a 12-pk for 12.99 which makes it extremely affordable. Both my children were more on the slim side, and these fit them fantastically. The designs are extremely cute and different from what’s out. They zip top to bottom making diaper changes a breeze and they have the built-in mittens. My son recently switched into 12-month clothing and I was gutted to remember that Cloud Island stops these at 6-9 months in their size.

Aden and Anis Muslin Blankets

These muslins are one of my favorites. They are very soft and the designs are beautiful. With my son, we used these a lot more as swaddles within the first 2 months and it’s one of the only ways he liked to sleep. My daughter is still using her set as picnic blankets or light blankets for summer. As long as you’re doing laundry frequently, it’s not an item you need to fully stock up on either. I’d say 3 is a magic number of muslin blankets.

Haakaa Manual Breast Pump

This product gained popularity while I was close to being done with my breastfeeding journey with my oldest. It was one of the first things I bought when I found out I was pregnant again. If you haven’t heard of this product yet, I’d honestly be shocked. There are 2 ways to use this product. The first way, which is how I used it the most, was to catch any let down on the side you’re not nursing on. This helped me build up a stash that would otherwise have been wasted. Personally, my body rarely responds to manual pumping, but if you do this is perfect to stick in your bag for on the go. Having the version without that base, I’d absolutely recommend spending the money on the newer generation that has a base and lid.

Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller

When I was pregnant with my daughter, the single version of the stroller is originally what I wanted to get. Again I felt bad asking for an expensive item. As well as my husband thinking he’d get into running, we decided against it. With my son coming, I knew this was the stroller I wanted to get for lugging both of them around. If your car has the space for this I’d absolutely recommend this. It’s great in stores and perfect for those awkward nap times. The canopy is large and blocks the light well. The basket underneath is spacious. Another great thing are the hefty wheels making it really nice for uneven surfaces. It’s an investment, but well worth the money!

Surely there could be more items listed, however with recalls or items being discontinued, this was just a few things that I would absolutely recommend for that baby stage. What is something you absolutely couldn’t live without?