This post contains some affiliate links, and I received some of these products for free. All opinions are my own.

I haven't been blogging much this month because I'm trying to really soak up this time with Emmett as a newborn and Ben on paternity leave (it's been awesome!). But today I thought I'd pop in with a list of my favorite baby products that we've been using a lot over the past few weeks. These are the things that we loved with Ian, and still love this time around. A lot of baby products sound helpful or look cute, but are ultimately unnecessary. In my opinion, a designated changing table, nursing pillow, baby detergent, standalone white noise machine, and diaper pail all fall into this category. I bought some of those items for Ian, but eventually found that it was easier to just use the floor, a regular pillow, free & clear detergent, an app, and the garbage can. Some people might disagree with me on those, but overall I've learned that you pay a huge markup for baby-specific items, most of which you don't need anyways (plus then they take up room in your house). But the baby products below are all worth it to me. They may not be MUST-haves, but they're certainly nice to have!

1. The best nursing cover. I tried a few different styles of nursing covers...these are my favorite by far. The 360 degree coverage makes it so much less awkward to feed your baby in public. And it doubles as a car seat cover for blocking the sun (and nosy strangers) when you're out and about.

2. Cute & comfy onesies. As precious as little outfits with button-up shirts and knit cardigans can be, I prefer putting my babies in basic onesies. They're easy to put on & take off, comfortable for baby, and they'll wash up easily when he inevitably spits up or has a blowout in them. You can find baby onesies in lots of design-y patterns, or with punny sayings on the front like this one from The Neighborgoods.

3. The Ergobaby carrier. I have a number of different wrap carriers, all of which are cuter and more lightweight than the Ergo. But even though I prefer how the wrap carriers look, I hardly wear them outside of the house because it's such a hassle to get them on! I'm sure I could get better with practice, but the Ergo is just so easy to use. And it's comfortable too.

4. A video baby monitor. We love video baby monitors. They give us so much peace of mind, as well as the freedom to hang out in the backyard or another room where we couldn't hear our kids otherwise. Plus it's just fun to check in on sleeping babies...without the risk of waking them up by sneaking into their rooms! Some baby monitors (like the WiseNet BabyView Eco) also have features like two-way talk, sensing room temperature, and playing lullabies. Definitely worth the expense in my opinion!

5. The DockATot. This one might be controversial, as it's currently not recommended to sleep with your baby in your bed. However, co-sleeping does have a lot of benefits and makes breastfeeding at night waaaay easier. If you're considering it, the Dockatot makes co-sleeping safer and more comfortable. It's breathable, washable and hypoallergenic. It also works as a spot for baby to rest during the day.

6. Sleepsack swaddles. We used these when Ian was a newborn, and I am loving them all over again with Emmett. They're more secure than a swaddle blanket, much easier to use, and the zipper is convenient for nighttime diaper changes (I forgot how much newborns poop!!!). You can swaddle your baby with arms in or out.

7. The Puj tub. Bathing a newborn is nerve-wracking...nothing like holding a fragile baby when he's wet and slippery! The Puj tub helps make the process more manageable. It fits in the bathroom sink and cradles your baby in a secure position. And it's foldable, so it's super easy to store or bring with you for travel.

8. A car seat mirror. This is a super inexpensive purchase that you will get a lot of mileage out of...literally. When you have a newborn, it's reassuring to be able to check on him while you're driving and make sure his head isn't slumped forward. As your baby gets older, he'll be able to see you in the mirror and feel secure. Ian still likes his car seat mirror, and we got the same one for Emmett.

9. Cloth diapers...but not as diapers. I only use disposable diapers for my babies' butts, but cloth diapers are perfect for so many other things. They make soft, gentle washcloths for bathtime, burp cloths for spit up, etc. Super useful and inexpensive.

10. A jogging stroller. I hardly ever run anymore, but I still prefer jogging strollers because they can handle any terrain and are so easy to maneuver. Regular strollers with small wheels seem to only work well on sidewalks or asphalt, and I like being able to push my stroller wherever I please (on the grass at the park, up and down curbs, etc.).

Hope this list is helpful! I'd love to hear from other parents...what are the tried-and-true products that helped you most through the newborn stage?

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