I’ve probably gone through a lot more baby gear than the average parent because I use Hellobee as an excuse to try out as much as I can. It’s all for the site, really. Luckily I’m part of a very active local parenting listserv, so I buy as much as I can used, and then sell everything as soon as we’re done with it.
Since people are always asking me for gear recommendations and I’m always making suggestions on the boards, I thought it’d be helpful to compile a master list of products that I’ve personally owned and recommend, all in one place. I’ll continue to add to this list as I think of products that I’ve omitted, and to add new products I’d like to recommend, so please check back! There will be a permanent link to this guide in our Guides section. I’ve also included guide links next to some of the products, where you can find a review we’ve done of the product on Hellobee.
If you have any questions about any of the products on here, feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll try to answer them!
Bath & Toiletries
- First Years Infant to Toddler Tub with Sling, (Best Bathtubs, The Ultimate Baby Registry: Bathing & Clothing)
- One Step Ahead Secure Transitions Inflatable Tub, (Best Bathtubs)
ADVERTISEMENT - Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Vicks Rectal Thermometer, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Braun Ear Thermometer, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Carlson Baby Vitamin D Drops, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Skip Hop Hare Brush and Comb Set, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Bathing & Clothing)
- California Baby’s Super Sensitive Shampoo and Body Wash, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- California Baby’s Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Earth’s Best Jason Natural Toddler Toothpaste
- Toms of Maine Children’s Natural Fluoride Toothpaste (for 2+)
- Gripe Water or Mylicon, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Boogie Wipes, (Tips For Preventing & Treating Colds)
- Baby Naturals Eczema Cream, (Preventing & Treating Eczema)
- Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Ezcema Lotion, (Preventing & Treating Eczema)
- Natrapel Bug Repellent
- Episencial Sunscreen
Diapering & Potties
- Pampers Sensitive Swaddlers, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Huggies Overnight Diapers
- Pampers Sensitive Wipes, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Aquaphor, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Toiletries)
- Prince Lionheart Premium Wipes Warmer
- Ikea Bolmen Stool
- BabyBjorn Potty Chair, (Best Potties)
- BabyBjorn Toilet Trainer, (Best Potties)
- Potty Hook, (Potty Training Accessories)
- Prince of the Potty, (Potty Training Accessories)
- Diaper Dude Messenger Bag, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Bathing & Clothing)
- Skip Hop Versa Diaper Bag
Layette
- Swaddle Designs Ultimate Receiving Blanket, (Swaddle Blankets)
- Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets, (Swaddle Blankets, Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months, Swaddle Blanket How-To Videos)
- Kiddopotamus/Summer Infant Swaddleme, (Swaddle Blankets, Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months, Swaddle Blanket How-To Videos, The Ultimate Baby Registry: Layette)
- Miracle Blanket, (Swaddle Blanket How-To Videos, The Ultimate Baby Registry: Layette)
- Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag, (Sleep Sacks)
- Halo Sleep Sack, (Sleep Sacks)
- Grobag, (Sleep Sacks)
- Carter’s Long Sleeve Onesies 4 pack
- Gerber Side Snap Onesies/Shirts, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Layette)
- Zutano Fleece Hat & Booties, (Preemie Gear, The Ultimate Baby Registry: Layette)
- Carter’s Long Sleeve Bodysuit Set, (Preemie Gear)
- Baby Legs, (Winter Gear)
- Carter’s Sleep n Plays, (Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- Trumpette Socks, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Layette)
- Skip Hop, Bee, (Best Toddler Backpacks)
Carriers & Strollers, and Stroller Accessories
- Beco Butterfly II, (Soft Structured Carriers)
- Ergo, (Soft Structured Carriers, Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- 7am Enfant Footmuff, (Best Stroller Accessories, Winter Gear)
- JJ Cole Infant Bundleme, (The Ultimate Baby Registry: Layette)
- Mommy Mitten, (Best Stroller Accessories, Winter Gear)
- Sunshine Kids Cup Holder/Organizer, (Best Stroller Accessories)
- Think King Stroller Hook
- Booginhead SippiGrip, (Best Stroller Accessories)
- Protect a Bub Sunshade, (Best Stroller Accessories)
- City Mini + Rain Cover
- City Mini Adjustable Belly Bar, (Best Stroller Accessories)
- Combi Sport Double + Rain Cover
- Graco SnugRider Infant Car Seat Stroller Frame
- Graco Snugride Infant Car Seat
- Combi Coccoro Lightweight Convertible Car Seat
Green Cleaning Supplies
- Magic Jetz Scrubz, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Ecover Dishwashing Tablets, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile Soap, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Method Free and Clear Laundry Detergent, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Seventh Generation’s Free and Clear Laundry Detergent, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Method Sea Minerals Foaming Hand Wash, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Method Clementine Dish Soap, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Haan Steam Mop, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Rubbermaid Reveal Mop Kit
- Biokleen Bac-Out, (Green Cleaning Products)
- Dapple’s Toy Wipes, (Tips For Preventing & Treating Colds)
- Cleanwell’s Hand Sanitizer Spray, (Tips For Preventing & Treating Colds)
Nursery
- Graco Kenley Pack n Play, (Travel Cribs)
- GOCrib & Fitted Sheet, (Travel Cribs)
- Baby Bjorn Travel Crib, (Travel Cribs)
- Breeze Playard
- Oeuf Sparrow Crib
- Jenny Lind Crib
- Naturepedic Mattress
- Naturepedic Organic Changing Pad
- Organic Waterproof Mattress Pad
- Dylan Glider from Land of Nod, (Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- Storkcraft Hoop Glider and Ottoman
- BABYBJORN Babysitter Balance w/ Toybar, (Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- Salter Electronic Baby and Toddler Scale, (Preemie Gear)
- Motorola Digital Video Monitor, (Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- Marpac White Noise Machine
- Cloud B Twilight Constellation Night Light Turtle
- Meade Thermo Hygrometer
Breastfeeding
- Boppy Luxe Breastfeeding Pillow, (Breastfeeding Gear, Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- Dria Nursing Cover
- Avent Comfort Breast Shells, (Breastfeeding Gear)
- Gerber Breast Therapy Warm/Cool Relief Packs, (Breastfeeding Gear)
- Lansinoh Nursing Pads, (Breastfeeding Gear)
- Bravado Nursing Tank, (Breastfeeding Gear)
- Bravado Silk Seamless Bra, (Breastfeeding Gear)
- Medela Sleep Bra, (Breastfeeding Gear)
Pumping
- Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bra, (Pumping Supplies)
- Medela In Style Advanced with Metro Bag, (Pumping Supplies)
- Medela Breastmilk Feeding and Storage Set, (Pumping Supplies)
- Inexpensive Medela Bottles, (Pumping Supplies)
- Gerber First Essential Bottles in 5oz or 9oz, (Pumping Supplies)
- First Years Drying Rack, (Pumping Supplies)
- Boon Grass Drying Rack, (Pumping Supplies)
- Lansinoh Milk Storage Bags, (Pumping Supplies)
- OXO Bottle Brush, (Pumping Supplies)
Feeding
- Gerber Prefold Cloth Diapers (for burp cloths)
- Comotomo Bottles
- Playtex Drop-ins, (Formula Feeding Gear)
- Born Free Bottles, (Formula Feeding Gear)
- Dr. Brown’s Formula Mixing Pitcher, (Formula Feeding Gear)
- Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula, (Formula Feeding Gear)
- Enfamil Slow Flow Disposable Nipples, (Formula Feeding Gear)
- Avent IQ Bottle Warmer, (Formula Feeding Gear)
- Stokke Tripp Trapp, (Stylish High Chairs, Starting Solids)
- Boon Flair Pedestal, (Stylish High Chairs, Starting Solids)
- Fisher Price Deluxe Care Booster Seat or Fisher Price Healthy Care Booster Seat
- Bumkins Waterproof Superbib, (Bibs, Starting Solids)
- Ikea Kladd Prickar Full Body Bibs, (Bibs)
- Skip Hop Owl Lunch Bag, (Toddler Dishes & Utensils)
- Zolibot Straw Cup, (Toddler Dishes & Utensils, Starting Solids)
- Tilty Sippy Cup
- Sesame Street Disposable Placemat
- Snack Trap or Munchie Mug, (Toddler Dishes & Utensils)
- Pororo Training Chopsticks, (Toddler Dishes & Utensils)
- Sugar Booger Vroom Utensil Set, (Toddler Dishes & Utensils)
- Elmo Fork and Spoon, (Charlie’s Favorite Elmo Gear)
- Oxo Tot Snack Disk, (Toddler Dishes & Utensils)
- Foogo Food Jar, (Toddler Dishes & Utensils, Formula Feeding Gear)
- Munchkin Fresh Feeders, (Starting Solids)
- Munchkin Soft Tip Infant Spoons
- Gerber Graduates Spoons and Forks
- Fresh and Freeze 2 oz Baby Food Container, (Starting Solids)
- Libbey 6 1/2 oz Bowls with Plastic Lids
Bento
- Dr. Sears Nibble Tray, (Bento Supplies)
- Vegetable Cutters, (Bento Supplies)
- Decorative Picks, (Bento Supplies)
- Bento Box
- Round Silicon Baking Cups, (Toddler Dishes & Utensils, Bento Supplies)
- Innobaby Stainless Steel Bus Platter
Babyproofing
- Soft Tiles Foam Play Mats
- Skip Hop Moby Bath Spout Cover, (Babyproofing)
- Ginsey Aquatouch Eco Friendly Mat, (Babyproofing)
- Cabinet Locks, (Babyproofing)
- First Years Hands Free Gate, (Babyproofing)
- Kidco Safeway Gate w/the Gate Installation Kit, (Babyproofing)
- Oven Knob Covers, (Babyproofing)
- Anti-Slip Tape for stairs, (Babyproofing)
- Friendly Toys Little Playzone
Parenting Books
- Healthy Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, (Sleep Training Books)
- Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber, (Sleep Training Books)
- Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracey Hogg, (Sleep Training Books)
- The 90-Minute Baby Sleep Program by Polly Moore, (Sleep Training Books)
- The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp, (Sleep Training Books)
- The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD, (Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- Wonder Weeks
- Bed Timing
- How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen, & Listen So Your Kids Will Talk
- 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12
- Nurtureshock
- The Ins and Outs of Poop: A Guide to Treating Childhood Constipation
- Nourishing Traditions
Toys: Newborn – 6 months
- Green Sprouts Infinity Teether Rattle, (Best Teethers)
- Sophie the Giraffe, (Best Teethers)
- Philips Avent Front Teeth Teether, (Best Teethers)
- Kleynimals Stainles Steel Teether
- Learning Curve Massaging Action Teether, (Best Teethers)
- The First Years Learning Curve Teethig Blanket, (Best Infant and Toddler Travel Toys)
- Sassy Flutterby Teether, (Best Teethers)
- Baby Einstein Take-along-Tunes, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys Newborn+, Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- Sassy Ring o Links Rattle, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys Newborn+)
- Sassy Crib and Floor Mirror, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys Newborn+)
- Tiny Love Gymini, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys Newborn+)
- Tiny Love Symphony in Motion Mobile, (Favorite Baby Gear 0-3 Months)
- Fuzzy Bee and Friends Cloth Book, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys Newborn+)
- Lamaze Garden Sock Wrist Rattles, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys Newborn+)
- Lamaze Jacques the Peacock, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys Newborn+)
- Winkel, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Skwish, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Oball
- Fisher Price Brilliant Basics First Block,* (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube,* (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Mini Tinkle Crinkle, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Leapfrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Leapfrog Baby Counting Pal, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Green Sprouts Stacking Cups,* (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Wood Blocks, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Tiny Love Take-along Arch
- Sassy Developmental Wonder Wheel
Toys: 6 Months+
- Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo
- Leap Frog Learn and Groove Musical Table,* (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Fisher Price Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle,* (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Edushape Sensory Balls, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 9 months+)
- Melissa and Doug Wooden Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 9 months+, Best Walkers)
- Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 9 months+, Best Walkers)
- Little Tikes Shopping Cart, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 9 months+, Best Walkers)
- Chicco DJ Baby Walker, (Best Walkers)
- Kidkraft Red Retro Play Kitchen, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 9 months+, Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Fisher Price Little Superstar Classical Stacker, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 9 months+)
- Melissa and Doug Magnetic Kitchen Collection, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 9 months+)
- Melissa and Doug Food Groups, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 9 months+)
- Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Home, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+)
Toys: 12 Months+
- Alex Ready, Set, Go! Red Trike, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+)
- Step 2 Whisper Ride Buggy, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+)
- Step 2 Water Wheel, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+, Backyard Summer Toys)
- Step2 Naturally Playful Sandbox, (Backyard Summer Toys)
- Green Toys Sand Play Set, (Backyard Summer Toys)
- Push Broom, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+
- Vacuum, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+)
- Doll Stroller, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+)
- Playskool Ball Popper, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+)
- Plan Toy Punch and Drop, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+)
- Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Learning Piggy Bank, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+)
- Rockabye Rocker, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 18 months+)
- Melissa & Doug Latches Board
- Thomas the Train, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 18 months+, Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays, Thomas the Tank Gear)
- Thomas Train Table, (Thomas the Tank Gear)
- Rain Boots, (Thomas the Tank Gear, Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Raincoat, (Thomas the Tank Gear)
- Melissa & Doug Magnetic Fishing Game, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 18 months+)
- Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 18 months+, Backyard Summer Toys)
- Little Tikes T-ball Set, (Backyard Summer Toys)
- Mega Bloks, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 18 months+)
- Melissa and Doug Blocks 60 Piece Standard Unit Blocks
- Tegu Magnetic Blocks
- Legos, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 12 months+, Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Lego Duplo Building Plate
- Hot Wheels, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 18 months+)
- Minikick Scooter, (Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Leapfrog Fridge Phonics, (Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Corolle Baby Doll, (Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Milk+Juice set, (Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Harmonica, (Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- My Big Book of Stickers, (Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Green Toys Dump Truck, (Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Balance Bike, (Gift Ideas for 2nd Birthdays)
- Elmo Rolling Backpack, (Charlie’s Favorite Elmo Gear, Best Toddler Backpacks)
- Melissa and Doug Cutting Food Box
- Play Doh Fun Factory
Bath Toys
- Boon Bath Goods, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 3 months+)
- Fisher Price Hide Inside Bath Friends, (Charlie’s Favorite Elmo Gear, Best Bath Toys)
- Fisher Price Tummy Time Pals, (Charlie’s Favorite Elmo Gear)
- Yookidoo Flow N Fill Spout, (Best Bath Toys)
- Sesame Street Fizzy Tub Colors, (Best Bath Toys)
- Kidco Bath Storage
- Rubber Bath Mat
Art Supplies
- Crayola Sidewalk Chalk, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 18 months+, Starter Toddler Art Supplies)
- Crayola Crayons, (Charlie’s Favorite Toys 18 months+)
- Crayola Washable Markers, (Starter Toddler Art Supplies)
- Crayola Washable Paint, (Starter Toddler Art Supplies)
- Crayola Watercolors, (Starter Toddler Art Supplies)
- Crayola Mini Twistables, (Starter Toddler Art Supplies)
- Melissa and Doug Easel Paper Pad, (Starter Toddler Art Supplies)
- Do-A-Dot Rainbow Art Set, (Starter Toddler Art Supplies)
- Melissa and Doug Jumbo Paintbrushes, (Starter Toddler Art Supplies)
- Giddy Up Water Wow Activity Book, (Best Infant and Toddler Travel Toys)
Books: Flashcards
Books: Board Books
- Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- Chugga Chugga Choo Choo, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- Doggies, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- The Monster at the End of this Book, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- Jamberry, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- Tails, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- How Big?, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- Little Puppy Finger Puppet Book (Best Infant and Toddler Travel Toys)
- Indestructibles (Best Infant and Toddler Travel Toys)
- Where is Baby’s Belly Button?, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- Little Puppy, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- Meow, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- I Love You, Stinky Face, (Charlie’s Favorite Board Books)
- Yummy Yucky, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- That’s Not My Monster, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Goodnight, Gorilla, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Dear Zoo, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Peek a Who?, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
Books 2+
- Olivia, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- How Rocket Learned to Read, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- The Big Book of the Berenstain Bears, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Trains, Cranes, and Troublesome Trucks, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Corduroy, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- 10 Little Rubber Ducks, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Read to Tiger, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- I am a Rainbow, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Prince of the Potty, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Llama Llama Red Pajama, (Charlie’s Favorite Books Part II)
- Sharing Time
- Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
- White Rabbit’s Color Book
- Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
- Harold and the Purple Crayon
- I Want My Hat Back
- Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
- Stuck
- The Gruffalo
- Room on the Broom
- Pout Pout Fish
- The Snail and the Whale
- Bark, George
- Katie and the Big Snow
Technology
- Gumdrop Tech Series, (Childproof iPad Cases)
- Mophie External Battery Pack
- White Noise Lite (App)
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (App)
- The Monster at the End of this Book… Starring Grover (App)
- Another Monster at the End of this Book… Starring Elmo and Grover (App)
- Monkey Preschool Lunchbox (App)
Pregnancy
apricot / 301 posts
Awesome post! This could not have come at a better time. I foresee a lot of registries changing today!
If you had to choose between the Breeze and the Baby Bjorn Travel crib, which would you choose? Are they worth the splurge, or should we just get the Graco?
pomelo / 5321 posts
This list is awesome! I bought the marpac sound machine because of your and Mr. Bee’s recommendation. It is a must-have for us.
pear / 1672 posts
THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! I’m about 15 weeks, and I’m at the very early stages of researching baby items. This will be such a great starting point.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
This is wonderful. I’m sure a lot of people will get use out of it.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
How was the Episcentual sunscreen? I remember at some point you were also trying Babyganics…which one wins for you?
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
@lovebird: I can’t speak for the Breeze, but the Bjorn travel crib is amazing if you actually are on the go a lot. If you won’t need something often, a normal PNP is fine, especially if you are going on road trips vs. planes. It’s just heavier and not as quick to set up.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
This is a really great list. A few things I love:
1. Sunscreen – So important to have Titanium Dioxide (Sunscreen) and Zinc Oxide (Sunscreen) instead of other chemicals.
2. I will have to try the natural bug repellant with picaridin.
3. Love the cheap Gerber Essentials bottles, BPA free and made in the USA for less than $1/bottle. My baby loved these cheap ones! Expensive is not always best.
4. I am surprised to see the Ergo on a 0-3 month list. We did use it as an infant but used it much more once she was around 4 months!
5. I also LOVED my splurge on the medela Freestyle. I have a girlfriend that borrowed it and exchanged her PISA because she loved the freestyle so much more!
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
Love this list! But I do have one question. Your toys go from 6-12 months and then to 18 months. My LO 14 months…… any recommendations for one year old toys? Or did I just miss it?
honeydew / 7504 posts
Wow. This is amazing!
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@lovebird: it depends how you’re going to use it. if you’re going to use a playard at home often, maybe move it from room to room, and occasionally for nonair travel (because it’s heavy), the breeze is the easiest by far. there’s absolutely no way you could make a mistake setting it up.
for occasional use like leaving it at grandma’s house, a pack n play is fine. it’s a little bit of a hassle to set up, but my mom can do it and it’s definitely the most affordable.
the bjorn is easy to set up and lightweight so it’s great for travel, but you have to check it in. it’s not small enough to be a carry-on on a plane. the go crib was awesome for us because we kept it in our suitcase when we went to the philippines.
so it really depends how you’re going to use a travel crib — how often, whether you’re traveling, how you’re traveling, etc.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@looch: we had the babyganics spray, but the ratings on it were worse on the cosmetics database so we’ve just stuck to episencial. for some reason all spray sunscreens have a worse rating than cream sunscreens. we came back from the philippines without sunburns, so the episencial worked well!
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@Thehistoryofus: i had an in style because someone was selling a brand new one on my listserv for 50% off, so i couldn’t pass it up! otherwise i would have definitely gone with a freestyle.
olive was also not too much into my sling, so i had her in the ergo pretty early on!
@artbee: i divided the toys just for you.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@Mrs. Bee: awesome, thank you!
pomelo / 5331 posts
Wow, this is amazing! Thank you!
apricot / 301 posts
@mrs. yoyo: thanks for your insight!
@mrs. bee: How often does one use a playard at home? I suppose I was thinking of using it as a crib in our second residence and to bring along when we visit people’s houses if we need to put the baby down for a nap. I don’t foresee too much air travel.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@lovebird: a lot of people use a playard for the first couple of months when the baby sleeps in your room with you, or as a second crib in the living room for instance. then it also becomes a playpen… a safe place to put your baby down if you need to go to the bathroom. some people use it every day, some people end up not using a playard at all. it’s one of those things that you won’t really know until the baby is here.
if it is for your second residence and occasional nonair travel, then the breeze is really awesome. you can just grab it and go in seconds without having to worry about taking it down. if i were using it for that purpose, i would get the breeze so anyone could set up the crib since no instructions are needed. but the breeze is much bigger and heavier than the bjorn — as big as a pack n play when it’s folded.
as far as how much we’ve used our travel cribs, we’ve only used them when we traveled. we never used them at home. but we also have limited space. maybe we would have used a playard more if we had a house.
the breeze is expensive, so if you’re not going to use it that often and only as a travel crib, you could just go with the bjorn which is $80 cheaper. they’re both great so you can’t go wrong. i also love the gocrib.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Totally bookmarking for future reference! Thanks for compiling this.
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
Awesome. Bookmarked. Thanks!
pomegranate / 3383 posts
This is an amazing list! I totally wish we had a parenting listserv in my area.
pomegranate / 3716 posts
Oh my goooosh, SO MUCH STUFF!! I can’t even wrap my head around all this stuff that kids know as they grow! Bee, this list must have taken FOREVER for you to put together!!
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@sweetchic: it was actually compiled from guides i’ve already written, so it wasn’t that bad! the scary part is… this is a mere fraction of all the baby gear we’ve been through. this is just what i recommend!
pomegranate / 3716 posts
@Mrs. Bee: ACK, how do you deal with storage?? I’d love to see a post about how you store all your gear!!
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@sweetchic: we actually don’t have that much stuff. as soon as the kids outgrow something, i sell it on my listserv. i am brutal when it comes to purging the kids’ things.
i didn’t even save charlie’s baby stuff — i just sold it and rebought it used when olive was born!
guest
this is an amazing post! thank you so much! i’ve been looking for a good bug repellent spray for my little one for our trip to Thailand next month.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
is there a reason for the particular vitamin D drops you use? the pedi told us to buy them because I’m EBF-ing my daughter and my husband went and bought the yellow Enfamil box. They smell SO BAD. I pump a little milk and add it to that and she takes it, but I still feel awful. Wondering if the ones you listed are any better?
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@sorrycharlie: polyvisol and trivisol smell and stain, so i like the carlson drops much better. i can buy them at the local health food stores here, and they’re the most popular alternative to the ones from enfamil.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@vivian – we took natrapel wipes to the philippines with us which should be easier to use on kids. i bought them on drugstore.com!
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
@Mrs. Bee: do you think whole foods would carry them? i had no idea it stained but it looks like it should – it looks like iodine! yuck. smells terrible too. i feel so bad giving them to her.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@sorrycharlie: yes i’ve heard that whole foods carries them but not sure if they still do. i used to buy them on amazon, and other online stores used to carry them too, but they’ve been harder to find lately.
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
@Mrs. Bee: Thank you! I hate to be a pain in the tush, but it is really helpful to know what’s good for my LO’s age!
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@artbee: no problemo! the toys in the 12 month section that charlie still plays with are the broom, vacuum, sandbox, doll, water table, play kitchen… the toys that have had the longest life and most use are art supplies, play kitchen, sandbox, blocks, and trains. those never ever get old!
14 months was a little too young for really building with legos/blocks though. now he wants to build every single day!
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
LOVE THIS LIST. Totally reviewing this in the coming weeks for any essentials we’re missing!
coffee bean / 32 posts
ummm… wow. overwhelmed, but in the best way possible!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
Great list! Gonna have to go through it again in a couple months!
guest
I was going through this list and adding your great recommendations to my registry! Thanks for the great advice!