top 10 baby items

So now that we're almost two months into this whole motherhood thing, I thought I'd make a top 10 list of the items that I use the most often and love along with the top 4 things I don't use or am glad I didn't spend money on. These aren't the "fun" items like cute clothes and diaper bags, more some of the big ticket items. These are in no particular order. Just my top 10.

1. After reading The Happiest Baby on the Block, we've been big swaddlers. Owen gets swaddled for (almost) every nap and bedtime. It instantly calms him and keeps him from jerking himself awake. One of my absolutely favorite gifts was also one of my first gifts I got. Kimberly said she loved them and had to pass on the gift. I will also be passing along these blankets to other pregnant friends. They are Aden and Anais swaddle blankets (a little cheaper if you don't buy from their actual boutique Aden and Anais for Target). For a summer baby, these blankets are so universally perfect. They're lightweight and great for swaddling, using in the stroller, well, anywhere! I also love the Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe. He has a hard time breaking out of this one because of the velcro. I just got the next bigger size because we use it a lot!

 

2. I love my Boppy pilllow! It really helped with those frustrating first few days of breastfeeding. While I don't need to use it every time, it's definitely more comfortable to use it than not.

3. I had several people tell me that if I was staying home I didn't need a pump. Liers. I think that everyone who is breastfeeding NEEDS a good pump. There are times when my boobs just don't get the schedule right and I need to use this thing. And it's been great for starting to build up my stash of "liquid gold." I scoured Craigslist for a long time an scored an awesome, barely used Medela Pump in Style Advanced for a fraction of the cost!

4. I cannot say enough how happy I am with my Chicco travel system! I did a LOT of research on this item and absolutely love it! I know some people don't love travel systems because they're big and bulky. To that I say *stick out my tongue.* I love that I can easily take him from the car to his stroller. And oh that stroller. It easily turns with one hand and is a very smooth ride for the little guy. I'll be sad when Owen isn't a bucket baby any more. Definitely money well spent. Well, other people's money well spent. :)
5. I think most new parents register for this item, so I'll just say that I'm glad we did too! Our Graco Pack 'n Play has really gotten some good use. For Owen's first 7 weeks, he did all his sleeping in this in our room. It was nice to be able to hear his every noise and to be able to pick him up and feed him quickly. It got taken with us on vacation when he was 2 weeks old and has also already been used by friends who came to visit this weekend. A great purchase. I will say that we never really used the changing station and we never used the newborn napper. Oh well.
6. Ok, for this entry, I have to say God bless you cloth diapering momma's. There is a special place for you in heaven for how you are saving the landfills. But it's not me. I did a ton of research about cloth diapering and could never get over the overwhelmed feeling I felt about it, along with my deep hatred for the chore of doing laundry. So I'm fine now with saying that I'm a disposable diapering momma and am totally ok with that. We've loved Pampers, although I can't honestly say that we've tried many other kinds.
7. Speaking of cloth diapers, I do really think that every momma needs them, but for burp cloths! These suckers are super absorbent and I use at least 2 a day. See #3 below for more on burp cloths.

8. I have to admit (and repent) that I made fun of the Summer Video Monitor and the mommies that needed them. I'm eating my words. I use this thing EVERY day now that my little man is in his crib far away from me (ok, a few feet isn't far). I love being able to see if he's crying becuase he just spit out his passy or if he's just fighting sleep and will be out soon.
9. I have many friends who didn't get a swing, so I wasn't sure it was a smart investment. But when Grandma Pool bought and sent it, I was really excited. I really love my Bright Starts Ingenuity Swing. It's a great place to set him when I need to free up my hands for something. It usually doesn't put him to sleep, but he seems to really like it!

10. This was one thing that I debated on while pregnant. WHY? I love that my guy likes his pacifier. It has been a lifesaver when he's crabby!

Things that almost made the cut:
Other things that I love and use a lot are sheet protectors. Much easier than changing the sheets! I also love my reusable breast pads. While they're not the best for going out in public because the circles they create, but they're perfect for the night and much more conforatble! I also love the gas drops. We haven't had to use them often, but they work super fast when we need them. Another small thing is diaper bag clips for the stroller. It makes it super easy to clip my bag onto the back and not take up my storage under the stroller.

*ETA - had to add pictures for Holly of the stroller clips. They clip onto my stroller and then hold the sides of my bag up high enough so it doesn't drag down by the wheels.

 

So, now the other end of the spectrum. I tried to make this a top 10 too, but could only come up with 4. These are a few things that I'm either glad I didn't buy or unfortunately, don't use a ton. I don't mean to offend anyone if you like these products, they just haven't been good for me!

1. A wipes warmer. Not needed. My little guy is just fine with his room temperature wipes, especially since I can't make the wipes warm when we're out and about, which is often!

 

2. I bought a barely used Snap N Go Stroller from Craigslist. I thought it would be a good thing to throw in my trunk since it was smaller than my stroller that came with travel system. I took it with me to Michigan so I wouldn't get my new stroller dirty, but I haven't used it since. I love my real stroller so much more that this one is probably headed back to Craigslist.

3. I thought that cloth diapers were pretty boring for use as burp cloths. So I bought a few "fancy ones" that were blue, cute, and had sports themes on them. Terrible. While cute, they don't soak up anything. So much for cuteness.

4. I bought and got lots of small receiving blankets. While adorable, they've become pretty useless. They're too small for swaddling and even playing on the ground. I do use them for small stroller/car seat blankets, but overall I didn't need the TONS that I now have in his drawer.

What are some of your favorite items or things you wish you wouldn't have spent money on? I know they'll be different from mine as I'm quickly learning. . .every mom is SO different for what works for them!