My 12 must-have baby items

By Kris

I'm a researcher at heart, and a consumer. So when I had my first baby five years ago, I spent hours online and talking to other moms, looking for the "perfect" blanket or toy -– anything that would make my life easier.

Three babies later, I know "perfect" in this sense is subjective, varying widely among parents and babies alike. Still, I have my personal favorites. Here are the 12 items that brought peace to my "life with baby," time and time again.

1. Soothie Pacifier. My first baby wouldn't take a pacifier. Oh, wait, I was his pacifier. So you can imagine my delight when my second baby preferred this one to his own mother's teat. It soothes Ava, too. Our hospital uses this pacifier for newborns, and I think they're on to something.
2. Light dimmer switch. Any nursery light needs a dimmer switch. Sure, it makes for comfortable eyes. But more important, it solves the "bright-lights-leading-to-wide-awake-baby" dilemma. This one attaches to a regular lamp, and it still works after five years of constant use.
3. "The Baby Book" by William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N. This book gives nuts and bolts information on all things baby: feeding, sleeping, positioning in a sling, evaluating medical problems, toys and games for each stage. Chock full of helpful illustrations and charts, it helped me realize my two-week-old had acid reflux. Without this book, I believe his diagnosis would have taken much longer.
4. "The Happiest Baby on the Block" DVD by Harvey Karp, M.D. I bought this DVD after reading the hardcover edition, and I would again. Why? First, it teaches how to swaddle. The book has detailed illustrations, but I didn't master the technique until I watched it. The DVD also has three tracks of "calming sounds" that worked so well with Ava that our jaws dropped. White noise on the radio has a similar, if less reliable, effect.
5. The Miracle Blanket. Ava loved being swaddled but kept getting loose. I feared a loose blanket would suffocate her. The long list of endorsements sold me on giving this swaddling blanket a try, and it exceeded my hopes. Ava could move her arms a bit but couldn't get free, or I could leave her arms out. I could leave her legs out to keep her cool, put her in a swing or allow more movement. Made of lightweight cotton, it didn't stifle her and it washed well, too.
6. "Sleep Baby Sleep" by Nicolette Larson. I ordered this CD on a whim, and I think it's the best lullaby CD ever. Larson wrote much of it while tending to her ailing newborn in the hospital. She wanted every note to soothe and caress, and she accomplished her goal.
7. Sling carrier. This is a highly individualized item, and there are billions to choose from. But after logging cumulative months with babies hanging off my body, I can say that, for me, the Over-the-Shoulder Baby Holder adjustable sling and the Kangaroo Fleece Pouch give the most comfort, quality, versatility and ease-of-use.
8. Baby Einstein's Baby Mozart. Baby videos have proliferated on the market since this classic first appeared. But this is still the only video my babies would watch from beginning to end, without fail.
9. The Nubby Teether by The First Years. Out of our 30-odd teethers, my boys loved this one best. Unfortunately, I can't find one for Ava, so we rely on our second favorite, the Ansa Easy-to Hold Teether Rattle. I like these two because babies can hold and manipulate them with ease, unlike others that lead to frustration within minutes. While not as soft or gratifying on the gums, a plastic baby ring, or link, works well, too.
10. Big Knotties: Marley the Lion. I hesitated to list this because Lamaze has retired "Mr. Marley," as we call him. But he made my babies smile at photo shoots, every time. And he's got crinkly, chewy dreadlocks. And bells in his toes! I say, bring back Marley the Lion!
11. Whoozit Activity Spiral. The spiral wraps around just about anything, and the attached toys delight little fingers and mouths with their rattles, ribbons and knots. It has saved us on numerous long car trips and shopping excursions gone awry.
12. Dance Baby Dance Classical Stacker by Fisher Price. This elevates the basic stacker with lights that flash to five classical and children's songs. We are on our third one, which says as much about its durability as it does about our need to own a working one. Bottom line: It rivets their attention long enough to change a diaper or make a bathroom run yourself. Plus, unlike most musical toys, it doesn't make me want to scratch my eyes out.

What are your favorite finds for babies?

Kris is a thirtysomething stay-at-home mom who lives north of Boston with her family.

Note: DotMoms does not currently accept advertising. All opinions expressed here are solely the author's.

Comments

[Hotslings]

If I can recommend a Hotsling... I know its something I couldn't have made it without.

[Jackie]

The dimmer is such a great idea! I can't live without the baby bjorn, the best thing ever, the boppy of course, natures touch papasan swing and pampers sensitive wipes!

[Urban Mummy]

The miracle blanket saved us!! Our son started sleeping much longer and sounder when we started using it. Swaddled him until he was 6 months old!!

Great list!

[Alice H]

We got Soothies for my son while we were in the hospital. Couldn't figure out why they kept ending up in strange places, until we saw the dog with one in her mouth - apparently she thought it was her new chew toy. No more Soothies!

I couldn't have lived without z Baby Bjorn, or without a Graco Pack n Play Sport - it's a really lightweight playard. It's thin on the padding on the bottom, but my son didn't seem to mind.

[Robin]

We have a second baby now, and I'm buying soothie pacifiers a.s.a.p. Thanks for a great list!

[Robin]

We have a second baby now and I'm buying soothie pacifiers a.s.a.p. Thanks for a great list!

[Helene]

#3 is right on. I absolutely love Sears' Baby Book and have since gien it to several expecting moms as shower gifts.

[HowardHughs]

Very sweet ! Love it !

[Marla]

I like the dimmer switch idea - only I had ours installed in the bathroom. It's been a blessing for everything from less-harshly lit late night visits, soothing baths (for everyone in the family); gray winter mornings with eye bags and hormonal complexions, and it was great for gradually getting used to my new mommy body.

[laura]

Agree with many of the items on your list, though I am once again sad that so many things I read about for babies aren't available in Canada ...

Here's what I'd add:

Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat - we started with this instead of buying a traditional high chair, and we never missed having one. Kept my kitchen less cluttered.

Baby Bjorn - so much better than a stroller for running errands! We used this for nearly twelve months (and nearly twenty pounds of baby!)

Ergo Carrier - what we upgraded to after the Bjorn. Took a few months to figure out how to load M into it on my own, though, but now we're good!

Sleepsack - kept M toasty warm after she outgrew swaddling

Robeez - the only way that M was able to keep socks on her feet for the first year of her life!

Activity Mat - best toy we could find for a baby too little to sit up or hold things!

[Michelle]

I love the idea of the Miracle Blanket. If I have another baby, I'll have to try that.

I liked that device that fits in a supermarket cart and lets you strap your baby in when they aren't quite old enough to sit up, but they don't fit in the infant carrier. It also protects the bar so they don't teethe on it.