Baby Gear You Can't Live Without

The Miracle Blanket! All new moms need sleep and this swaddler is the best. My daughter was sleeping through the night by 6 weeks. This thing is escape proof, which I have to admit I thought seemed a bit cruel at first, but my little one is 6 months and still can't sleep without it. She loves it! Well, I am trying to wean her from the swaddling, but that's another story...

www.miracleblanket.com

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As a Mom of 5 kids, I have found that my list is different for each kid. But the one thing in common is some typa of front carrier!!! I have had 3 different types and have found the sling my step-sis-in-law gave me that she had made herself has been the best. I should say remade , the fabric wore out and she replaced it. I learned how to make them too and have taught others how. I love my sling and my last child has been the one to stay in it the longest. It packs down tight and washes up great. it is also light weight and we don't swelter in this FL heat.

Ohh and baby gates! must have baby gates

Hi A.,

I can't think of any essentials that would be different from having a girl, rather than the clothes. I have a 20 month old son and would use everything I have for a boy (that is the swing, bjorn, etc) if I were ever to have a girl. I did buy some toy trucks and toy tools for my son once he was at least a year old, which is when he actually started to show interest in them. He is, as well as his best friend, really into Thomas the Tank Engine and Elmo, but I suppose a girl could be into them as well. Wish I could offer better advice, but as for the essentials, I wouldn't do anything different.

The Fisher Price Papasan swing was a LIFESAVER in our house, as well as, many other families I know!!! You can't go wrong with this one...

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2919624

They make this tavel bags for bottles or sippy cups. Mine is insulated and has been my biggest life saver for times when he needs something warm or cold to drink. It fits in the big or small diaper bags, and its a must have on my list. ALSO, the exersaucer, my son loved it so much that he was almost a year old before we gave it away. And last but most important for mom, what to expect the first year. It was my life saver to all those 3am baby is still crying questions.

I would definately second the recommendations for a sling. Not only is it great for mom/dad to give their back a break and be semi hands free but it is also great for the baby - and the relationship between them all. I have used the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder, the Beco baby carrier and the Baby Hawk.... all great.

I read several recommendations for Dr. Brown's bottles and just wanted to say that if she plans on breastfeeding at all then I would stay far away from the Dr. Browns bottles. They are fine if the baby is not breastfeeding, but if they are, then it can do serious damage to the baby's learning process of how to properly suck from mom vs. from the bottle. This particular bottle works so entirely different and has been the culprit for breastfeeding problems so often. IF she is planning to breastfeed, I would highly recommend the Playtex NaturaLatch Nurser bottle....cheap and awesome!

You can skip getting a walker. We were given one for our son, and it was more of a hassle than anything, and it sure didn't help him walk any sooner. He usually just sat there in one spot and played with the toys on it, and got frustrated with it when we would go into the next room, and he couldn't follow us. Plus, it didn't roll on carpet - might work better if your whole house is hardwood or tile floors.

I think it's so hard to say because every baby has his/her own personality. One will sit in a swing for hours, another wants out after 5 minutes. So honestly, the best thing I can think of is the largest travel changing pad they make because as I'm sure you've discovered, so many stores don't have changing tables and you end up putting the baby on the nasty floor to change their diaper! Gross! Get a big one with that Microban stuff to keep it germ-free (or relatively so) and make sure it folds up to fit in a diaper bag.

I have a backpack diaper bag that's great because I can wear it and keep my hands free or attach it to the back of the stroller. I also love my Diaper Champ. Those are my practical suggestions.

Swing and Dr. Brown Bottles.

As a mom of two girls, (4 1/2 years & 7 months) I can't help you with my personal experiences except to say that both my girls love(ed) their swings, jumparoos, and bumbo chairs. As a mom, I cannot live without the Dr. Brown bottles, floppy seats, and their Britax carseats.

Pretty much all of the great baby stuff can be used by both boys and girls, provided that you have the appropriate color or pattern for a boy or girl. Not sure if the baby's daddy would be happy to see his son in a pink stroller!

My friends that have boys do tell me all about getting peed on if they aren't careful during the diaper change...so maybe a "must have" for boys only would be a Pee Pee Tee Pee...which is a special cover that you put into place that prevents this from happening...

Hope this helps and congrats to your cousin who is more like a sister and her soon-to-be baby boy that will be more like your nephew.

My little guy had bad acid reflux for his first 10 months, so I found a couple things that would work for keeping him upright most of the day: Baby Bjorn, Rainforest bouncy and the Papasan swing-Fisher Price.

My son is CRAZY about our Moby Wrap - I take him everywhere in it. He just loves being held (always has), and it is SO comfortable for me, and makes his now 4-month-old weight much easier to hold than my arms alone.

You can check out the wraps at MobyWrap.com.

A Swing and Dr. Brown Bottles FOR SURE!!!!!