As a new(ish) mom, I'm constantly on the look out for awesome baby products. Truth be told, I've come across more lemons than gems and sometimes cringe when I think of the money I've wasted on stuff that just didn't cut it around our house, or things that I used once or twice before they started collecting dust in the back of L's closet. I mean, who knew that newborn L would equate a swaddle blanket to being in a straight jacket. Or that the term "no spill sippy cup" actually means valve-so-powerful-even-an-adult-cant-drink-out-of-it. (Yes, I've tried.)
Guess our parents and grandparents were really onto something when they did the whole raising kids things sans the inventory of a Babies R Us!
While at twelve months into the game, I'm a bit late joining in, I've been seeing great posts on better blogs than thee about favorite things at each stage so thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. Cause let's face it - sometimes, the whole star review system on all those baby sites just doesn't cut it. Without further adieu, our current "must haves"...
1.
The Lollacup
After trying out a gajillion different types of cups with L, we finally found this diamond in the rough. Our biggest "wants" in a cup were something easy for her to drink out of and something she could hold independently. This fits the bill on both counts. While its not the cheapest of options, it fits an ample amount of liquid, is easy to clean and assemble (comes w/a straw cleaning brush; replacement straws are available too), is valve free so she doesn't have to tip it back to drink, and features a lid that closes over the straw to keep those germs out on the go. It's not of the "no spill" variety, so be aware if that feature is important, but you have to turn it completely upside down and give it a few good shakes for any liquid to come back through the straw. The only other mentionable is that it doesn't seem to be made out of the sturdiest of materials, but its taken a few good tumbles at our house and held up just fine, so its probably just a me thing.
2.
FIsher Price Space Saver High Chair
Even if you're not looking to save space, you'll love this chair. I was super against a traditional high chair - didn't want it taking up room in my kitchen, and wanted something we could use more long term. This was the perfect solution. Though she's been using it since she was a few months old thanks to the recline feature, its our everyday meal chair now and we'll continue to use it into the booster phase, when we can pop off the tray and scoot her right up to the table. The cover comes out easily for washing, the tray goes right in the dishwasher, and all is well in meal land over here. (And as we found out over the holidays, its SO easy to take along to Nana's house - lightweight and fits on any chair!)
Note/Con: If you're ordering online, the Scatterbug print is a super weird/gross color in person. I found this out the hard way and we've been happily Mocha Butterfly-ing it up ever since.
3.
Gap Jammies
Why don't these come in my size? We're in that weird in between size right now (12 month too short, 18 month too long), but these pajamas always work and right now, they're the only brand in our pj drawer. In a Midwest winter, L exclusively wears footie jammies to bed and these are always perfect. Snug fitting but warm, good quality material, they wash beautifully, and come in cute prints. (And even more awesome when there's a coupon code available! Like now.)
4.
Pedipeds
Love, LOVE these baby shoes. They're the perfect option for my little non-walker...flexible and comfy, good quality material, stay on super well, and come in really cute styles. After buying so.so.many el cheapo pairs and hating them, I ordered up three pairs of these brand one day and called it a day. Haven't needed another type since!
And of course we can't have a post like this without throwing toys in there! Here's two favorites around our casa these days...
5.
Parum Pum Pum Drum
Santa brings the coolest stuff! This drum is from the new B Toys brand at Target, and its awesome. It comes with several easy to hold instruments (cymbals, tamborine, etc) and a set of drum [chew] sticks. It even has a little strap on the drum for when she's older and marching band-ing it around the house! The top pops off so all the instruments can be stored inside (its see through too!), which is perfect, especially for L, who has discovered an alternative use - storage for every other toy in the house. So basically, its several toys plus storage all in one :) And P.S. - the drum top is just a thick plastic material, so not loud enough to annoy the heck out of everyone else in the house. Bonus!
6.
V-Tech Sit to Stand Learning Walker
This thing has been a favorite in our house for many months. The front panel pops up for floor play (perfect for tummy time), is perfect for an independent sitter when its attached (has brakes too for when being used stationary!), and of course provides some lovely encouragement for the almost-walkers like L. Three volume level options means the parentals won't go nuts hearing barnyard tunes on the regular, and its simply just one of those toys that gets used every day in our house. Be prepared for the detachable phone to go missing several times a day, but other than that - its a winner in our book! (And I'm big on stuff she can use for more than a few weeks before losing interest/outgrowing it.)
What are your must have baby products? Do share!
