Breastfeeding
| Item | π€ My Picks | π¬ I Also Tried |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Pillow | Boppy Original β bring to the hospital. Keep one in the nursery, one in the playroom. Boppy Anywhere β for nursing on the go, at appointments, playdates. |
Boppy Uplift β firmer style, nice concept but didn't stick with it. |
| Nursing Bras | MomCozy β actually comfortable and supportive. Don't buy many until you know your post-baby size. First 12 weeks: cheap cotton sports bra style 24/7. |
Skims β not comfortable. Saggy, created uni-boob. Spanx β comfortable but saggy. |
| Nipple Care | Silverette 925 Silver Nursing Cups β I discovered these with Baby #2 when I was desperate. He refused the bottle entirely, which meant nursing around the clock with no breaks. A genuine game changer. Absolute must-have. Bring to the hospital. | Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter β tried this first. Silverettes replaced it. |
| Nursing Cover | We Are Amma Cocoon β the one I actually use in public. Stylish enough that you don't feel like you're hiding under a tablecloth, functional enough that it stays put. | |
| Breast Pads | Reusable β breastfeeding is messy for the first 12 weeks while supply establishes. Disposables work but you'll go through them so fast it's not worth it. Reusable, wash with your laundry, done. | |
| Breast Pump | Spectra S1 Rechargeable β if you pump. Buy extra setups and collection containers. That said β with Baby #2 I pumped and froze an enormous stockpile I never used because he refused the bottle entirely. I had a nagging feeling the pumping was causing oversupply and the oversupply might be contributing to his colic. Mom sense. So with Baby #3 I skipped it altogether β 100% latched nursing. No colic, no wasted hours, no freezer full of unused milk. Worth considering before you default to the full pump setup. |
Willow β Spectra had 5x the output. Messy, loud, not discreet. |
| Pumping Bra | Skip entirely β none worth the effort. | Tried several brands. None worked. |
| Milk Storage | Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags β if pumping. They lie flat to freeze which saves enormous freezer space, and they seal reliably. Buy a lot before you need them. | Spectra storage bags β not good. |
| Bottle Sterilizer | Philips Avent Microwave Sterilizer β three minutes in the microwave and everything is done. Bottles, pacifiers, pump parts β it holds more than you'd expect and takes up almost no counter space. | |
| Bottle Warmer | Philips Avent Bottle Warmer β consistent, fast, and simple to use one-handed at 3am. Gets grimy inside over time β clean with vinegar and it's fine. | |
| Bottle Brush | Simple and inexpensive β replace regularly. Prefer these over fancy sets. | Fancy sets β not worth it. |
| Bottles | Dr. Browns glass bottles β even if you plan to nurse exclusively, sterilize a set before you go to the hospital. You will not regret having them ready. Babies have strong nipple preferences β Babylist sells a sample box which is worth trying before you commit to a style. | Dr. Browns plastic β upgraded to glass for Baby #3. |
| Prenatal Vitamins | Thorne Basic Prenatal β I actually feel a difference vs. grocery store brands. Started with Baby #3 and won't go back. | Grocery store prenatals β fine, but Thorne is noticeably better. |
Sleep & Nursery
| Item | π€ My Picks | π¬ I Also Tried |
|---|---|---|
| Bassinet | Snoo or Halo β we have both and used both. For Halo: Kyte Baby Swaddle early months + Baby Merlin Magic Sleep Suit once rolling. Snoo has their own Snoo Sacks. We skipped the Snoo for Baby #3 due to her hip dysplasia diagnosis β our pediatric orthopedist didn't have data on it either way, so we played it safe. Our hip dysplasia experience and the products that helped |
|
| Crib | Pottery Barn Kendall Crib β quality matters. We loved ours so much we bought a second. | Target crib β tried to save money for Baby #2. Off-gassed chemical fumes for weeks. Returned it. |
| Crib Mattress | Newton Baby Breathable β the breathable design made us more comfortable thinking about SIDS, and it's washable. Worth every penny for the peace of mind alone. | |
| Crib Sheets | Kyte Baby and Little Sleepies β bamboo fabric, same brands as the clothing. Soft enough to matter, fitted tight enough to stay put, and they wash beautifully without pilling. | |
| Crib Mattress Cover | Waterproof β collect several β you will be grateful for backups at 3am. | |
| Swaddle | Kyte Baby Swaddle β if not using Snoo. Ollie Swaddle under your Snoo Sack if you have a Houdini. | Love to Dream convertible β fine for daytime catnaps. |
| Sleep Suit / Transition | Baby Merlin Magic Sleep Suit β once rolling begins. Looks absolutely ridiculous. Completely effective. | SleepingBaby Zipadee-Zip β also tried. |
| Sleep Sack | Kyte Baby Sleep Sack β nothing else as soft. Research TOG ratings for your climate. | |
| Video Monitor | Nanit β picture-in-picture and background sound on your phone 24/7. We have three now. Worth knowing: the iPhone app shows two cameras on split screen. For all three at once, use a Samsung Galaxy Tab on a stand next to your bed. Sleep with an eye mask. | Owlet Foot Monitor β annoyed the baby. |
| Sound Machine | Hatch Rest β customizable, doesn't time out. So good we have three. Use the red/green light feature starting around 18 months β red means stay in bed, green means you can get up. | |
| Changing Pad | Upseat Baby Changing Pad β easy to wipe down. Switch to classic style around 1 year when they're taller. | Traditional cloth changing pad β laundering after every blowout. Upgraded after Baby #1. |
| Diaper Pail | Diaper Genie Platinum β does what a diaper pail is supposed to do. Easy to use one-handed, seals well, and once baby is on solid food it will earn its place in a way the Ubbi never did. | Ubbi β looks beautiful. Stinks up the room once baby is on solid food. |
| Air Purifier | Mila β the filter options are specific and actually useful, including one designed for families with pets or allergies. Looks good in a nursery too, which matters when you spend 40 hours a week staring at the same four walls. | |
| Blackout Curtains | Blackout curtains for nursery and bedroom. Add Cordless Blackout Cellular Shades to nursery for sleep training. | |
| Nursing Chair | Electric recliner β Crate and Barrel β buy early if ordering custom fabric. 40 hours a week in this chair those first months. | |
| Dock-a-Tot | Dock-a-Tot Deluxe β a contained, cozy spot to set baby down for a few minutes while you eat, get dressed, or just take a breath. Not for unsupervised sleep, but for every other moment it's indispensable. | |
| Wipe Warmer | Nice for the newborn stage β not essential, but kind to have. | |
| Kitchen Baby Station | Graco Pack and Play with changing table attachment and newborn basket clipped to top. Baby #3 addition I wish I'd done from the start β keep everything in the kitchen and save yourself the trips to the nursery. |
Bath
| Item | π€ My Picks | π¬ I Also Tried |
|---|---|---|
| Baby Tub | Skip Hop Moby 3-Stage β Softspot insert on counter for newborn stage, graduated to 3-stage as they grew. | Suction cup seat in regular tub β works once baby can sit, more bending for mama. |
| Baby Wash & Shampoo | CeraVe Baby β especially for sensitive skin or eczema. If there's any family history of eczema, asthma, or anaphylaxis, start here from day one. Managing eczema in infants β what we tried and what worked |
Honest Baby β fine for Baby #1. Aveeno Baby β better for Baby #2's sensitive skin. |
| Baby Lotion | CeraVe Baby β same reasoning. Non-negotiable for eczema babies. | Honest Baby lotion β fine for Baby #1. Aveeno Baby lotion β better for Baby #2. |
| Cradle Cap Brush | FridaBaby DermaFrida β at first signs, call pediatrician for Rx oil immediately. Don't wait. | |
| Towels | Hooded towels β the hood keeps their head warm while you wrangle the rest of them dry. Any brand works. Buy a few β bath time is frequent and laundry is not. |
Care
| Item | π€ My Picks | π¬ I Also Tried |
|---|---|---|
| Diapers | Coterie β if there's any family history of eczema, asthma, or anaphylaxis, start here from day one rather than switching mid-stream. Managing infant eczema β what we tried and what worked |
Honest Company β fine for Baby #1. Too sensitive for Baby #2. |
| Wipes | Coterie β thick, durable, and gentle enough for sensitive skin from day one. Once we switched everything else to Coterie for Baby #3, it made sense to do the wipes too. | Water Wipes β tried first, Coterie replaced them. |
| Diaper Cream | Aquaphor Baby β 40% zinc, works reliably. | |
| Pacifiers | Tommee Tippee Ultra-Light StayPut β the StayPut shield actually works, which sounds like a small thing until you've watched a pacifier fall onto a grocery store floor for the fifth time. This is our Baby #3 pick and it's a good one. | Various β Baby #1 only wanted Dr. Browns. Try a sample box before committing to bulk. |
| Nail Care | Baby electric nail file β newborn nails are impossibly sharp and impossibly thin. A file is far less terrifying than clippers when you're working on fingers the size of pencil erasers. The cheap Amazon one is all you need. | |
| Vitamin D | Drops β non-industrial seed oil brand β your pediatrician will recommend Vitamin D if you're breastfeeding. Most drops on the market are made with seed oils as a carrier. This is the one brand I found that isn't. | |
| Nasal Care | Oogiebear for the newborn stage β the dual-ended design gets into tiny nostrils without any suction, which is all you need for normal newborn congestion. When the real colds start (and they will start), the full-size nasal aspirator is a different category of effective entirely. | |
| Formula | Nara Organics β whole milk-based formula worth researching. With Baby #3 and no pumped supply I use it to make oatmeal and smoothies. | Little Spoon β tried first. |
Travel
| Item | π€ My Picks | π¬ I Also Tried |
|---|---|---|
| Infant Car Seat | Nuna Pippa Lite RX β all three babies, same seat. It's lightweight enough to carry without wrecking your back, the canopy is generous, and the install is genuinely intuitive. Everyone we know who has one loves it, which after three babies is a pattern worth trusting. | |
| Full-Size Stroller | Mockingbird Single-to-Double β converts from single to double without buying a whole new stroller, which is either irrelevant to you right now or will become the most important sentence on this page. | |
| Travel Stroller | GB Pockit β name brand only. A knockoff literally did not work. | |
| Car Seat Stroller | Doona β Baby #3 addition. Converts from car seat to stroller in one move. Game-changing solo with a newborn. | |
| Carrier β Newborn | Solly Baby Wrap β best for the early weeks. I kept all three babies in the wrap essentially around the clock for the first 12 weeks. I believe it helped establish my milk supply each time β personal anecdote, not a medical claim. | |
| Carrier β Structured | Artipoppe β Baby #3 splurge and the one I'd tell every mama to get. Beautifully made, ergonomic, and genuinely wearable as an outfit rather than something you tolerate. Zero regrets. | Bumpsuit Armadillo β good for Baby #2. Kyte Baby Sling β used for Baby #1. |
| Travel Nursing Pillow | Boppy Anywhere β smaller and lighter than the Original, designed to go in your bag. Genuinely useful at appointments, in the car, at a playdate. Once you've nursed without any support you'll understand why this matters. | |
| Travel Crib | Nuna Sena Aire β get one even if you don't plan to travel. When Baby #1 was little we used ours in the kitchen every day so we could actually make food while he napped somewhere contained and safe. It folds quickly, sets up easily, and looks nicer than most. | |
| Hotel Blackout | SlumberPod β drapes over the travel crib to create a dark pocket for baby while you keep a light on in the rest of the room. The difference between a usable hotel room and a night where nobody sleeps. | |
| Diaper Bag | Itzy Ritzy β I've had several of their bags across three babies and keep coming back. The pockets are actually where you'd want them, it doesn't look like a diaper bag, and it converts from backpack to shoulder carry without looking ridiculous either way. |
Home
| Item | π€ My Picks | π¬ I Also Tried |
|---|---|---|
| Play Mat | Lovevery β subscription and individual products both worth it. The app suggests Montessori-aligned activities by age β genuinely useful for knowing what to do with a baby at each stage. Target carries some for gift suggestions. | |
| High Chair | Stokke Nomi β Baby #1 was advanced in gross motor skills and determined to get in and out of his chair independently before 18 months. The Stokke Nomi was the safest option I could find that allowed that. Loved it so much we bought a second for Baby #2. Both still use theirs. Probably buying a third for Baby #3. Montessori-compatible, easy to clean, supports better posture. | Lalo β legs loosen too easily, seating position not ideal. |
Clothes
| Item | π€ My Picks | π¬ I Also Tried |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday Clothing | Kyte Baby and Little Sleepies β bamboo clothing, unmatched softness and temperature regulation. With Baby #2's eczema we were exclusively in these two brands until his first birthday. | Misc gifted "cute" outfits β on long enough for a photo, immediately back in a onesie. Don't register for these. |
| Newborn Sizing | Don't overbuy newborn. Baby #1 at 7 lbs 6 oz fit newborn for about two weeks before moving to 0-3 months. Your baby may arrive ready for size 1. Focus your registry on 0-3 month sizing and up β that's where you'll actually get the use. |
For the Knitting Mama
The registry items nobody else will suggest. Set yourself up to actually knit during those long nursing hours β and you'll thank yourself every single feed.
| Item | π€ My Picks | π¬ I Also Tried |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery Cart | Rolling nursery cart β this exact one lives next to my nursing chair. Top tier: snacks, water bottle, chapstick, phone charger. Middle tier: current knitting project, notions pouch, small scissors. Bottom tier: extra yarn, pattern print-outs. Everything you need for a long nursing session in one place that rolls to wherever you land. | |
| Yarn Basket | A beautiful yarn basket next to the nursing chair β holds your active project and the yarn balls you're working from. Keeps everything contained, looks intentional, and means you're never hunting for your project at 3am. The basket stays. The yarn lives there. | |
| Project Bag | A zippered project bag that lives in your diaper bag alongside everything else. Separate from the yarn basket β this is your portable project for appointments, playdates, waiting rooms. One project per bag, bag goes in the bag. Always ready. | |
| Clip-On Reading Light | A warm-toned clip light for the nursing chair. You will be knitting in a dim room at 2am next to a sleeping baby. You need to see your stitches without turning on a lamp. Warm light only β cool/blue light will wake baby and keep you up. | |
| Row Counter | A counter that clips directly to your needle. When you put the project down mid-feed and pick it back up, you'll know exactly where you are. The kind that lives on the needle means you never set it down separately and lose it in the dark. | |
| Needle Organizer | A roll-up or zippered needle case that lives on the nursery cart. Needles rattling loose in a drawer at 2am is a solvable problem. Solve it before baby arrives. | |
| Cozy Throw Blanket | For the nursing chair. Keeps you warm during night feeds, doubles as a light modesty cover, and makes the whole setup feel like the intentional cozy space it should be. This is where you'll spend more time than anywhere else in the house for the first few months β make it comfortable. | |
| Snack Cup with Lid | One-handed snacking while nursing and knitting is an art form. A cup with a lid means you can reach in without looking, without spilling, without putting anything down. Top tier of the nursery cart. Non-negotiable. |
Things to Research Before Baby
These aren't products β they're topics worth understanding before you're sleep deprived and making decisions on the fly.
| Montessori | The Montessori Baby by Simone Davies β read while pregnant, not at 6 months playing catch-up. I thought Montessori was wooden toys and preschool until Baby #1 was 6 months old. |
| Formula & Pumping | Research both before birth even if planning to nurse exclusively. Newer whole milk-based formulas worth looking into: Nara Organics and Little Spoon. |
| Vaccines | CDC childhood schedule Β· Florida school requirements Β· Hospital will offer Vitamin K injection and Erythromycin Eye Ointment at birth β worth knowing what these are before you're asked. |
| Sleep Training | Taking Cara Babies β right for us, not right for everyone. Most breastfed babies won't give a full uninterrupted six hours until around six months. Knowing this in advance saves a lot of panicked midnight Googling. |
| Childcare | Research earlier than you think. Primrose: ~$25K/year with waitlists. Nanny: ~$40K. Au pair: ~$25K. We've done the Au Pair route and loved it. Our Au Pair experience, tips, and the agency we used |
| Baby Food (~6 mo) | Little Spoon β frozen delivery, researched for heavy metal contaminants. Also worth understanding: baby-led weaning vs. purΓ©es, and tableware materials. |
| Eczema, Asthma & Anaphylaxis | If there's any family history, early decisions can make a real difference. We learned a lot managing Baby #2's eczema. What we tried, what worked, and what we'd do differently |
| Hip Dysplasia | Not something most first-time moms think to research, but worth a read if it comes up at your newborn exam. We navigated this with Baby #3. Our hip dysplasia experience and the products that helped |
Photography
Cuddle + Kind Collection
Someone gifted me my first Cuddle + Kind doll and I was immediately obsessed. I've since amassed my own collection and gifted many more. They are exactly what they look like β expertly, beautifully hand-knit heirloom dolls that look like they belong in the cedar chest alongside the blanket you made.
For the knitting mama who wants to give something truly special β or for anyone who wants to give a new baby a knitted heirloom without the time to make one themselves β this is the answer. Flawless craftsmanship. Each purchase also provides meals to children in need. They're the kind of gift that gets named and kept forever.
Why I love them
- βHand-knit by artisans β the quality is genuinely extraordinary
- βEvery purchase provides 10 meals to children in need
- βThe perfect baby shower gift if you don't have time to knit something yourself
- βGet named. Get kept. End up in the cedar chest.
Coming soon
Three topics that deserved their own full posts.