Hellobee

Now that my second baby is only a few months away from turning one, there is one thing I am more convinced of than ever. In most cases buying the least expensive baby gear you can find is the best way to go. Not that you want junky, cheap stuff to use with your baby, but in general the most basic brand will do just fine.

We used a Graco infant seat and stroller instead of the far more expensive options, and it worked just great for helping get wherever we needed to go. I used an umbrella stroller that I picked up at a yard sale for $3 and it has been perfect. Our baby bathtub, swing, highchair, and bouncer were also super basic and affordable. For all of these things, if you want to pay more to get something that has a few more features or looks much cuter, go for it. But if you don’t really want to shell out extra cash on something you won’t be using all that long anyway, sticking with the basics will work just fine.

There were, however, a few things that I did think were worth a higher price tag. Everyone’s needs are different, but these are the brands I will definitely have on hand if we ever have another baby.

1) Wubbanubs: Both of our boys have had Wubbanubs almost from the start so by now we have had quite the menagerie. The tiger, giraffe, lamb, puppy, and hippo have done wonders for our pacifier loving babies. They look super cute, but the real reason I love them is the stuffed animal is so much easier for little babies to grab onto. Which means they drop them less and can pick them back up sooner. Major win.

2) Trumpette socks: Baby socks have got to be one of the most frustrating clothing items ever made. Even more frustrating than nursing bras. It is so hard to find baby socks that will stay on a baby’s feet for longer than five minutes. Or if they do actually stay on, it is because the top is way too tight and  digging into baby’s chubby little legs. When I first saw Trumpette socks, I thought they were super adorable and that must be why everybody loved them. But now I know it is much more than that – it is because they actually stay on!

3) Ergo: Really inexpensive baby carriers don’t usually work great for mom or baby. Some of the cheaper carriers put baby in unnatural positions that aren’t great for their development, and almost all of them are not supportive enough to wear baby for extended periods of time. I chose the Ergo as our baby carrier because the baby is able to sit naturally, the weight is distributed well, and it was one of the more affordable of the ‘good’ carriers available. It was such a great carrier, we were able to use it with my first son until he was almost two years old without any problems.

4) Aden and Anais blankets: These blankets are amazing. I loved them when I had a winter baby and I loved them even more with my summer baby. They are large and lightweight and come in handy way more than I would ever have imagined. We used these as swaddling blankets, nursing covers, carseat covers, play mats, even burp cloths in a pinch. I have a couple of lightweight muslin blankets that are a different brand and they are also great, but other brands tend to be a bit smaller and not quite as soft. The great thing is these blankets have become extremely popular, so I had no problem saving money by buying them secondhand.

5) Solly wrap: When my first was tiny I just used my Ergo carrier with the infant insert. It was kind of a hassle and we both got really hot, but it was winter so it wasn’t such a big deal. My second baby was born in the middle of summer and I knew that wasn’t going to work. I also knew with a toddler to chase, baby wearing was going to be a necessity. I did a lot of research into wraps and decided to go with the Solly because it is stretchy and easy to use, and it is supposed to be much cooler than a Moby wrap. Bonus points for having tons of cute colors to choose from. This wrap was a major lifesaver for Washi baby’s first six months.

So that’s my list of baby gear that I think is worth splurging on.  What are your favorite baby must haves?