Making the Most of Your Gear: 5 Baby Must-Haves
With a baby on the way, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of contraptions on the market designed to make your life as a new parent easier. Who knew signing up on a baby registry could be such a challenge? There are just too many choices.
If only you knew what was worth the hype, right?
We thought we’d share some of our favorite choices with you, but please share your fabulous finds in the comments below. We’re all in this together! If you’ve found any game-changers out there in the sea of baby products, let us and the other parents know. (Of course, make sure you have plenty of diapers, wipes, ointment, onesies, blankets and burp cloths, too.)
1. A Better Thermometer
You know how the doctor’s office has that super cool thermometer that doesn’t even have to make contact with your forehead to read your temperature? Why can’t we all have one like that? Oh, wait. We can!
If you’ve ever tried to read a squiggly, squirmy baby’s temp with a traditional thermometer or one that you stick in their armpit, you know this no-touch professional thermometer by Bionso is a godsend.
Make sure to always have plenty of batteries on hand, too, just in case. You don’t want it to die in the middle of the night when you need it the most.
2. A Baby Shusher
At first, you might be thinking we’re taking away from precious parent/child bonding time. Shouldn’t you use your own voice to calm your baby? Yes, of course. Absolutely--for the first hour or so.
But everyone needs a little help sometimes, and this noise machine can step in when you’re losing your voice. It also makes a nice transition item once your baby has fallen asleep and you want to keep them that way. Once you have your baby safely stowed in their crib, you can place the Baby Shusher nearby and have it on a timer.
However, we’ve read some reviews where some babies need longer than thirty minutes to get to sleep--in fact, some babies wake up if the shushing ever stops. Here’s an alternative sleep machine by Dreamegg that will keep playing as long as you need it to. Just make sure to recharge the batteries once Junior is awake!
3.Baby Gear for Shopping
Obviously, we love our shopping cart baby hammock and it’s our contribution to game-changing parenting. Your baby is safely belted into their cozy hammock while still leaving room for plenty of groceries underneath their hammock.
But what if you have more than one child? How do you shop?
For smaller children, a Moby Carrier is ideal for your infant and keeps them strapped close to you, while our baby hammock can hold a child up to 50 pounds, perfect for siblings that are a little bigger. You could also use two baby hammocks, and for older children, check out our shopping cart covers.
4. A Swaddle
These cute swaddles by Swaddle Me keep your newborn feeling comfy and safe in a womb-like environment. It also helps them sleep longer because a swaddle prevents the startle reflex that may wake them before they--and you--are ready.
5. Stroller/Car Seat Combo
This stroller combo by Graco covers your car seat needs and includes a stroller you can fold with one hand. The one-hand fold is essential when you’re juggling a baby, a diaper bag and whatever else you’re trying to haul. Not the most luxurious stroller on the market, but it covers your needs and won’t break the bank.
Good luck, new parents! Wishing you all the joy and love that comes with having a new baby in the house.
