Even if you've researched your baby registry for months on end, and brought in experts to consult on it, odds are, you're going to both register for things you don't need, and not register for things you do. Think of it as one of the many surprises of motherhood.
In order to streamline things and make your life a little easier, we asked experienced mamas what their absolute MUST was when their little one was baby (or is, if their little one is still a baby).
Here are 15 items veteran moms couldn't live without.
Sophie the Giraffe Teething Toy, $22.99
Moms have been swearing by ol' Sophie for years now for when their little ones are teething for a reason: It works.
One mom said, "We have taken Sophie EVERYWHERE and she's a godsend. The kids have loved gnawing on her during heavy teething times and also get the biggest kick out of making her squeak and looking at her smiling little face."
Where you can find it: Diapers.com
Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes, $7.99
This unassuming toy was a crucial for one mom who said, "This Baby Einstein music maker was a lifesaver! Honestly, I couldn’t have gotten through a plane trip without it. I even give it to my friends who become new parents now."
Where you can find it: Toys R Us
Dr. Brown's Bottle Warmer, $28.79
Makes an annoying task easier — what mom wouldn't want that? One mom commented, "Dr. Brown's bottle warmer was a game changer for me. I dreaded heating up bottles before I discovered this amazing gadget."
Where you can find it: Target
Saline Nose Drops, $3.60
Might not be something you'd think to have on-hand in the house for a little one, but one mom couldn't be more grateful for them. "Both my babies have had a lot of colds, so saline has been a lifesaver … as much as they fight me on giving it to them!"
Where you can find it: Diapers.com
Balboa Baby Dr. Sears Adjustable Baby Sling, $55.99
"I couldn't have gotten through my son's first year without this sling," one mama said. "One word: Hands free."
Where you can find it: Buy Buy Baby
Munchkin Safety Baby Bath Cradle, $6.49
"I loved this thing!" said one mom. "Instead of one of those baby baths where they're suspended in the air and freezing to death, this foam cradle goes right in the tub and actually soaks up water like a sponge. It meant she was warm on all sides, but still safe. It made bath time SO much more pleasant. Plus it was a lot smaller and easier to store than those big tubs!"
Sold.
Where you can find it: Target
Receiving Blankets, Prices Vary
If you think you only need a pack or two of receiving blankets, you are so, so wrong. Take it from one mom: "You use them for everything, as a towel, as a blanket, as a nursing cover-up. You can never have too many!"
Where to get it: Pictured blankets are from Target, but they're available at most baby retailers.
Playtex Diaper Genie, $40
If you want your baby's nursery, uh, not smelling, the Diaper Genie is a genius invention. "I LOVED my Diaper Genie," said one mom. "I lived in an apartment when my kids were born and it kept us from smelling stinky dirty diapers."
Where you can find it: Amazon
Skip Hop Swipe Wipes Dispenser, $8.00
Because you can never have too many wipes on-hand …
"I never thought I'd use it, but I love my Skip Hop Swipe refillable wipes dispenser. Great in a pinch!"
Where you can find it: Diapers.com
Baby Jogger City Mini Stroller, $165
Strollers are a highly-personal choice, but SO many mamas love their City Minis, including one who said, "I would have been lost without my City Mini stroller. It's a good stroller that maneuvered really, really well."
Where you can find it: Pish Posh Baby
Summer Infant Swaddle Me, $12.49
It's an instant baby burrito! One dad said that the Summer Infant Swaddle Mes were key in getting his daughter to sleep. "As soon as I wrapped her up tight in this thing, she was ready for bed."
Say no more.
Where you can find it: Diapers.com
Baby Bjorn Bouncer Seat, $158.79
"We tried two other bouncers before the Baby Bjorn, but neither worked," commented one mom. "It was perfect for little naps here and there, and when I was trying to cook dinner or take a shower!"
Where you can find it: Amazon
Trumpette Baby Socks, $25
"Trumpette baby socks!" one mom exclaimed. "They're so cute and they're the only ones that stay on. I always give them as baby gifts now.
Where you can find them: Look.com
Dr. Brown's Bottles, 3 for $14.99
One mom confessed to getting rid of ALL of her other bottles after using Dr. Brown's. "Maybe it's in my head," she said. "But I swear my daughter stopped crying so much when we used these to feed her."
Where you can find them: Vitacost
Mustela 2 in 1 Hair and Body Wash, $10
For parents looking for a body wash/shampoo combo that's free of icky chemicals, Mustela could be the answer. One mom said, "I'm obsessed with it. We've been using it for 3 years, and I can't imagine ever not. It leaves my daughter's skin soft and it smells amazing!"
Where you can find it: Diapers.com
