I’ve procrastinated long enough…it’s time to get down to business and share my favorites from when Reagan was just a little itty bitty baby.  Several girlfriends of mine are soon to have their firsts and I couldn’t be happier for them!  All of their little families are so different and unique in their own special way…these are going to be some fabulously lucky little ones!

There are so many products out there and sometimes it’s difficult to know where to begin.  Everything ‘baby’ is still fairly fresh in my mind; Reagan’s only 19 months old, so it wasn’t really that long ago that I myself was using all of the ‘must haves’ or ‘wants’ that come along with an infant.  I’m going to be absolutely honest and say that nothing is a MUST HAVE.  Every mommy and every baby is different.  What worked for Reagan and I, may not work at all for you and your little one.  I can only speak from personal experience.

I’m sure that there are so many more things that could be added to this list and definitely things that I have forgotten.  If you have or had a favorite product; please share with my girlfriends and other readers in the comment section below.

What We Used and What We Loved!

Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump – I know, I know….expensive, but in my opinion, totally worth it.  I didn’t have a pump when I got home from the hospital…BIG MISTAKE!  My mom had to run out to the local BuyBuy Baby and purchase this beauty, recommended by my sister, because I was so engorged that I felt like my boobs were going to burst like water balloons.  This pump was awesome!  From start to finish,set up to clean up, this pump was easy to use.  I loved the fact that I could strap this baby on and work on my thesis at the computer, dust and vacuum the house and do various other things, all because my hands were free!  Careful not to bend too far forward, because you’ll spill the milk.

Medela Pump & Save Breast Milk Bags With Easy-Connect Adapter – Medelas Pump & Save bags were a great way to easily store my breast milk.  Some bags can be purchased with an adapter that can connect directly to the Medela Breast Pump. Pumping directly into the bag saved a lot of time and a lot of spillage from bottle to bag. The downside to these bags is that every box comes with two pump adaptors…seriously, who needs more than two adaptors.  I felt as though these bags got a bit pricey, so I saved them for situations where I would not be home to pump and needed their convenience,

Lansinoh®  BPA Free Breastmilk Storage Bags – Lansinoh’s Storage Bags worked just as well as Medela’s, minus the pump directly to bag feature, and they were cheaper too!

Lansinoh® Ultra Soft Nursing Pads –  I didn’t have an enormous issue with leakage…thankfully.  However, there were times that I was glad that I chose to drop in a few nursing pads.  Lansinoh’s Ultra Soft Pads were super comfortable and came individually wrapped, so it was convenient to toss a few in my purse or the diaper bag.

Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin –  I didn’t have much of an issue with cracked nipples, raw nipples or bleeding nipples.  I did however lube up my nipples every night and every morning using Lansinoh Lanolin.  This was a preventative measure for me.  I had heard some horrific nipple stories and was scared to death of even the thought of bloody nipples.

Born Free® Classic Bottles – When it was time for Reagan to take a bottle, she took to these Born Free Bottles right away.  Each piece is easy to clean, was comfortable for her and I to hold and were very durable.  We used both the 5 and 9 ounce bottles.

Philips/ Avent iQ Bottle & Food Warmer – So simple!  I have to admit that I never used this warmer for anything other than milk, but I’m sure that it would work just as wonderfully as a food warmer too! This warmer is fool-proof.  With a shot of water and the selection of a few features, your bottle is ready to be warmed! The warmer isn’t balky, so leaving it on the counter full-time, isn’t a problem.

Oxo Tot Bottle Brush with Nipple Cleaner & Stand – Tot Bottle Brush has super soft bristles that clean very well and are gentle on your bottle pieces.  The bottom of the stand collects water runoff from wet brush and is easily removed for cleaning.

Lawn Countertop Drying Rack – A great addition to your countertop!  I love this drying rack because it’s not bulky and unattractive, like most other drying racks are.  It’s not very large, but neither are the baby things that you will be drying on it.

NUK Orthodontic Pacifier  –   The NUK^® advanced orthodontic nipple  mimics Mom’s nipple shape to support the natural development of jaws and teeth. It also has a soft texture shield ideal for delicate newborn skin. And, the Newborn Pacifier will help soothe and comfort your baby so you can sleep.  I chose this binkie from the NUK line because of the large breathing holes down both sides of the binkie.  Reagan took to these binkies right away, some infants go through several brands of binkies until the right one is found.

Sleep Sheep & Sleep Sheep On-the-Go  – Oh white noise…you were my hero! I LOVED these sheep and still use them to this day.  The sounds of ocean waves, spring showers, and harmonious whale songs create a tranquil environment ideal for helping children of all ages to fall asleep.  The larger Sheep stays in Reagan’s crib, while the smaller Sheep travels with us when we go somewhere Reagan will be taking a nap or spending the night.

Fisher-Price® Precious Planet Whale of a Tub™ Newborn to Toddler Bath Tub – I liked this whale bath, but found it to be very slippery once Reagan moved to the opposite side from where the angled back slip mat was located.  The tub was able to be used at different stages; lying back with support and then sitting unsupported.  The downside to this tub, besides the slippery plastic, was figuring out where to store it while it wasn’t in use.  We have one very small bathroom and minimal storage.   This is why I loved and also used the Summer Infant Large Comfort Baby Bather .

Summer Infant Large Comfort Baby Bather – My sister-in-law loaned us this bather, which came in handy when the whale bath just became too much of a pain to store.  I found this seat easier to use and kept Reagan more secure ( no plastic to slip on).

Miracle Blanket – These super soft blankets were so simple and easy to use.  My mother could swaddle Reagan in any blanket and she stayed tight and cozy.  The husband and I, on the other hand, needed the easy guidance of the Miracle Blanket.

Boppy Feeding & Support Pillow and Slipcover – The boppy was definitely a fabulous pillow that was supportive for me and Reagan during the infant stages of breast-feeding.  These super soft and plush Pottery Barn Slipcovers are AMAZING!

Savannah Fitted Crib Sheet – We purchased three Pottery Barn fitted crib sheets for Reagan’s bed. They wash really well and are still as vibrant as the day they were bought.

Breathable Baby Liner – Instead of a thick cotton bumper, we opted for the breathable version.  I felt at ease with Reagan alone in her crib with this liner.  If she happened to roll into the side rails, this bumper allowed for her to breath through the mesh liner. The pink color of the liner matched the fitted crib sheets perfectly.

Kidsline Mod Pod Pop Jungle Bassinet – Reagan slept fabulously in this adorable bassinet.

Chicco Lullaby LX Playard – We use our Playard often; whether it’s weekends at the cottage or sleep-overs at grumpy and grandmas.  This playard came with all of the bells and whistles…which we totally NEVER use.  We use the actual playard (the sleeping part) and that’s it.  This yard is easy to put up, to take down, it’s not super heavy and folds into a travable size.

Visco Contour Changing Pad – We used two of these changing pads.  We had one in Reagan’s room on her changing table and one downstairs on the dining room table.  This 3-sided changing pad has viscoelastic memory foam in the center for extra comfort for your baby and 4″ high firm non-allergenic polyurethane foam on three sides for extra safety.

Changing Pad Cover by Boppy – These changing pad covers are the same material as the Boppy Pillow cover that we used. Super soft and easy to clean.

Boppy Waterproof Changing Pad Liners – These liners were life savers when Reagan had accidents while I was changing her diaper. They are machine washable, but make sure to line dry!

SKIP*HOP Funky Farmyard Activity Mat – Reagan had a blast on this activity mat!  There is a lot happening with this mat, but it’s not overwhelming.

My Little Sungabunny Bouncer by Fisher Price – This bouncer came in handy when I needed to make dinner, unload the dish washer or do the laundry.   The material is super soft, the seat vibrates and plays soothing music.

My Little Sungabunny Cradle ‘n Swing by Fisher Price– Reagan didn’t spend a lot of time in this swing, but occasionally I would put her in when she needed the continual rocking movement and I needed a break. The material is fabulously soft!

Graco Blossom LX 4-in-1 High Chair Seating System – I am absolutely in LOVE with this High Chair! It transforms seamlessly from a functional high chair to an infant feeding booster, a toddler booster, and finally a youth chair.  There are so many things that this chair can do! Clean-up is super easy too!

LeSportsac Ryan Diaper Bag – This diaper bag is so fun! I loved the functionality of this bag, and with the entire thing being water proof, clean-up was always a breeze!

Braun ThermoScan Electric Ear Thermometer – I found this thermometer to be very quick and easy to use.  Temperature is measured in the ear in just one second  You need to buy plastic refills for the part that is inserted into the ear.

Crane Adorable Cow Ultrasonic Humidifier – This cow got me at adorable…but that’s about all the good that it did.  I found this humidifier to be very difficult to clean and very messy when the lid was taken off and put back on.

First Aid Kit – We have three first aid kits. One upstairs, one downstairs and a small one in Reagan’s diaper bag.

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 Infant Car Seat – This car seat worked really well for us.  I didn’t find it to be too heavy and it was easy enough to get in and out of my Honda Civic.  Reagan was comfortable in this seat, but her cousin henry, whom we borrowed the seat from, absolutely hated it.  My sister believes that he was unhappy because the head visors are somewhat large and blocked his peripheral vision.

Baby Trend Single Snap-N-Go Stroller –  This was a great stroller to keep in the trunk of the car for quick shopping trips.  I was able to easily lift this stroller, weighing only 14lbs., in and out of the trunk.  This is NOT a stroller that you want to walk around the block with.  The shocks are nonexistent and the handling isn’t the greatest.

Maclaren-Quest – I love my Maclaren- Quest stroller.  This umbrella stroller is light weight and handles very well.

Have fun registering! I hope this helps!

If you have or had a favorite product; please share with my girlfriends and other readers in the comment section below.