As a writer and editor for parenting websites, I’ve always known I’d be super prepared when I got pregnant for the first time. Well, that time is now upon me — I’m expecting my first baby, a girl, this spring. I’m so excited to finally become a parent, but when it came to choosing the products I actually wanted to get for my baby, I was totally overwhelmed. I’m familiar with all the popular brands on the market, so I almost felt like I had too much information! In all honesty, I’ve been researching baby products for YEARS — from gear and nursery furniture to clothing and accessories, I’ve seen it all.
Not only have I been to baby-focused events to check out products, but I also get press releases from all the major brands about new product launches, and I work with some of the best baby product experts in the industry — they know everything about everything, so I picked their brains about their favorite products and inquired about all their must-haves. So after tons of research, here are the products I’m actually getting for my first baby:
*Some of these items were gifted to me by the brands for review purposes.
Nurture& The Glider Plus
When I asked all of my mom friends about the item that got the most use in their nursery, there was one answer I heard over and over again: a glider. Whether you’re feeding your baby, soothing them to sleep, holding them for a contact nap, or just relaxing in their room, a glider is an absolute must. Because my baby’s nursery is small (as I said, we live in Brooklyn), I knew that if we were going to get a full-sized glider, it needed to have a lot of features. Eventually, I found The Glider Plus, which has a large seat, adjustable head support, power recline, smooth glide, swivel functionality, lumbar support, a built-in USB, and stain-resistant fabric. Although this glider has a higher price tag, reviewers say it’s absolutely worth it.
Halo BassiNest Soothing Swivel Sleeper 3.0
There are a lot of fantastic bassinet options out there these days (ranging from the high-end SNOO to simple bedside sleepers), so choosing the one I wanted for my baby was a challenge. I decided to opt for a bassinet with high-end features (like built-in vibration, white noise, and breathable mesh walls) but with a great price point. The Halo BassiNest Soothing Swivel Sleeper 3.0 had everything I wanted — primarily, a safe sleep environment that would allow me to be as close to my baby as possible (without bed-sharing). This bassinet has a 360-degree swivel to bring baby extra close, a lowering wall for easy access, mesh walls for airflow, and a 2-in-1 convertible design that allows you to remove the sleep nest from the base to move it around the house.
ErgoBaby Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer
When you want to put your baby down in a safe place so you can get things done around the house, a bouncer is a great option. I want my baby to be able to lounge comfortably and watch me while I cook or do the dishes. The ErgoBaby bouncer seemed perfect to me because it works as a newborn lounger, an infant bouncer, and a toddler seat. I love that this bouncer will grow with my little one, and I’ll be able to keep it for multiple years to come.
Solly Baby Wrap
$74
from
Solly Baby
Babywearing can be a huge help when you have a little one, and one of the most comfortable ways to wear your baby is with a wrap. When I asked one of my friends what the number one used item on her registry was, she said, “The Solly Baby wrap, no question.” My husband and I opted for the Basil color because it’s gender neutral and beautiful — and all Solly Baby wraps are made with breathable, buttery-soft TENCEL™ Modal fabric, so they’re comfortable to wear and won’t feel too warm.
Pack ’n Play® Travel Dome™ LX Playard
Another product I was told was an absolute must-have was a Pack ‘n Play. This was one of the first items I knew we’d need, because it’s perfect for spending time with family. The one I chose, the Travel Dome™ LX Playard, is incredibly multifunctional because it includes the Portable Travel Dome bassinet (which is foldable and comes with a carry bag), a full-size infant bassinet, a removable quilted diaper changer, and the main playard. Instead of keeping this at our small house, my husband and I are setting it up at my parents’ house so they have an all-in-one solution when they babysit.
GRACO Cradle Me™ Lite 3-in-1 Baby Carrier
I’ve been told time and time again that one thing I won’t be able to live without is a baby carrier. Babywearing allows parents to have their hands free while still cuddling their little one. This baby carrier grows with your baby, so it seemed perfect for me, since I don’t have space to store all different kinds of carriers. There are three ways to use this carrier: facing-in newborn, facing-in baby, and facing-out baby.
