Baby Products I’m Excited To Use As A First Time Mom

 As a soon-to-be first time mom, I feel like I've read a million and one product reviews and blog posts while picking out baby essentials! Who would have thought it would be such a grueling task finding items that will be functional for your everyday needs! Here are several of the baby items I've either purchased or received as shower gifts and cannot wait to put to the test! One thing I've learned along the way, every mom has different wants and needs when it comes to choosing baby products and some moms are more vocal about their opinions, especially when it comes to items that didn't work for them or their baby. Don't let this deter you from trying something for yourself!

1. Baby Jogger City Select 2. Skip Hop Diaper Bag 3. Mamaroo 4. Comotomo Bottle 5. Lillebaby Carrier 6. NatureBond Silicone Pump 7. Postpartum Girdle 8. Hatch Baby Rest 9. Chicco Keyfit 30 Zip 10. gDiapers

Baby Jogger City Select Stroller
I chose this stroller for its versatility. There are 16 total configurations that can be done with this stroller, if you purchase all of the accessories. The only two configuration accessories I’ve deemed necessary for my needs are the carseat adapter and second seat adapters. Although I will only have one child come February, it will be nice to have the option to add a second seat along with the carseat if I go out with friends or family who have a child of their own and don’t want to push two strollers. I decided for me personally the pram was not a necessity. Although the $529 price tag may seem steep, I was able to get mine during Black Friday week from Kohl’s on sale for $450, plus $135 back in Kohl’s cash! If you have the option of buying around Black Friday, it’s worth the wait.

Skip Hop Blush Backpack Diaper Bag
One thing I was certain of before ever reading reviews was the style of diaper bag I wanted. I am NOT a purse wearer/carrier and enjoy my hands being free, so a backpack style was a no brainer. Diaper bag style is most definitely a personal preference. I loved this particular diaper bag because it seemed durable, wipeable, and large enough to accommodate all the baby necessities I might need on the go. I also loved the pop of color! The reason I chose a colored bag instead of black or gray was because of how basic we kept the more expensive items (so they can be passed down to possible future children). I would anticipate getting a new diaper bag for a second child regardless of color choice. Time will tell how this bag will hold up and I’ll be sure to give an update.

Mamaroo
This is one of those items people either love or they (or their baby) hate and I’m so excited to give it a try! My friend who briefly used this for her last child was kind enough to let me borrow it (I mean, it’s not a cheap gadget for your baby to decide they hate once you’ve purchased it). We opted to not purchase any other type of swing/bouncer before giving this a try. These types of items are used for such a short period of time that I just couldn’t justify buying/asking for three different versions of the same type of item.

Comotomo Silicone Bottles
While my plan is to breastfeed 90% of the time, I do plan to pump regularly to build up a freezer supply and if God blesses me, donate! I do want to introduce a bottle to my baby so she is comfortable taking one if it becomes necessary. Choosing a bottle that best resembled breastfeeding was my goal. While I have several other types I will be trying out, this one by far intrigued me the most. After reading reviews of other parents having success switching between this bottle and breast, I knew I had to at least by a pack to test for myself!

Lillebaby Airflow Carrier
Choosing a carrier was a little more difficult than I imagined it to be. The most important feature I wanted in a carrier was simplicity. I wanted a carrier that could be used from birth to toddler, also. This particular one does NOT require a newborn insert like the Ergobaby, which was super appealing to me as my husband plans to use it as well. The straps looked fairly simple and I loved that it could be worn in 6 different positions. I chose the airflow version because it will be spring/summer around the time she will be old enough to go on outings, not to mention baby wearing can be brutally hot.

NatureBond Silicone Manual Breast Pump
This pump is so exciting to me! The moment I saw this gadget I knew I had to try it! I’m no breast feeding expert, but I often hear about let down happening on the opposite breast you’re feeding and it just makes sense to catch it and not be wasteful. Not to mention if this can save me from a shirt change mid-day, I’m game to try it! Also, I love that it will obviously not make noise like an electric pump, so it can be used during nighttime feedings without arousing the baby.

Postpartum Girdle
I’ve personally never known anyone to use a postpartum girdle, but I’ve read all about women who swear by them after giving birth. My hope is that between diet, exercise, breastfeeding and girdle wearing, I will be able to get back to my pre-baby weight in no time!

Hatch Baby Rest
​This was just one of those multi-functional gadgets I just knew I had to have! This serves as a nightlight, noise machine, intercom, and ok-to-wake light for when the baby hits toodlerhood. I loved the idea that this could be controlled via Bluetooth, meaning I don’t have to disrupt the baby if I forget to turn it on before leaving the room. And I’m hoping it’s just as useful once she becomes a toddler.

Chicco Keyfit 30 Zip
​This carseat has all the bells and whistles I feel like you need in a carseat along with wonderful ratings! It comes with a newborn insert and great strap padding, as well as a cold weather cover that can be removed once warm weather hits. I love how sleek the material is as well! I kept with a gender neutral style just in case more children are in the near future.

gDiapers
​Cloth diapers by far were the item I researched the most. There are so many different brands and styles! I ultimately chose to purchase 4 size small gDiapers just to trial. I did find these on clearance online at Target for about $7 each, which is a significant savings and the reviews seemed promising. The one thing I was iffy about with this particular brand was the fact that it is not one size fits all, meaning more cost involved, but the leak rate seemed very low, perhaps because it is more fitted.