I was contacted by HALO Innovations (the maker of sleepsacks) and asked to do a post about my favorite items for babies (with a giveaway). Since I’ve already done a raving product review a couple months ago, Halo Sleepsacks are of course included!
The term “must-haves” is a little tongue-and-cheek. Of course, these things aren’t really totally necessary, but they do make life a little easier. If I was headed to a deserted island and could only take a handful of baby items (besides diapers), these are probably what I would grab!
1. Chicco Travel System. We chose to purchase the Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System
when I was pregnant with Big Brother. I read Consumer Reports, reviews from Amazon and Babies ‘R Us, and surveyed friends prior to making our purchase. The carseat and stroller have now been through 2 kids and on countless trips across the country and have held up incredibly well. We have adopted the policy on major purchases such as this one to do our research and agree to spend a little more money up front for a product that is quality and will last. And the stroller is a tank…it would definitely perform well in the various terrains on deserted island. :)
2. Swing. For the first six months of both boy’s lives, the swing was a lifesaver. It gave us a place to set the baby down when we had to do mandatory things like eat, do dishes, etc. while still providing a little bit of soothing movement. Big Brother had a lot of reflux issues and the swing was the perfect angle for putting him immediately after feedings. Again, this swing has held up super well after multiple uses and will last through more children (if and when we have them).
3. Skip Hop Diaper Bag. We have had the same diaper bag for over 3 years. Are you noticing a trend with my “favorite things”? They have lasted through both kids! My
Skip Hop
diaper bag is amazing. It still looks brand new after I wash it! And there is enough room to keep both boys junk now too.
4. Medela HydroGel Nursing Pads. Nursing did not come naturally or easily for me…especially with Big Brother. I literally would cry and curl my toes every time he would latch on…it was torture for the first week or two. Thankfully, with Little Brother I was a bit more prepared and took some steps to ensure I didn’t get quite so sore. One thing that really helped were these
Medela Tender Care HydroGel Pads.
They are kind of expensive…especially since you can’t use them more than a few times, but provide much needed relief at that very painful period in motherhood!
5. Boppy Pillow. Whether you choose to nurse or bottle-feed, this little pillow will be so very helpful either way! It makes positioning the baby while feeding a hundred times easier! The
Boppy is so comfortable that we would use it while just watching TV…even when the baby was tucked safely in his bed. One word of warning, however, do not EVER put your child to sleep while propped on one of these.
6. Luna Lullaby Soothing Swaddle Blankets. I am a terrible swaddler. Thankfully, Prince Charming can swaddle like a pro. He actually watched the video that came with these swaddling blankets we got as a gift. The
Luna Lullaby Swaddle Blankets 
are wonderful. They are large and made of linen, making them perfect for a tight swaddle.
7. Pacifiers. These might just be my single most favorite baby product ever. Both of my boys have been paci-lovers. In fact, one still is…and we’ll soon be having to take it away. Not only are they helpful for calming soothing babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics now
suggests using pacifiers to prevent SIDS. Our boys were especially partial to the
NUK pacifiers
.
8. Halo Sleepsacks. After about a month or two, the boys could get out of their swaddle, so we switched over to Halo Sleepsacks. They are wonderful! They allow your child to stay warm while sleeping by literally wearing their blanket, therefore minimizing the risks of SIDS. I wrote a complete review of them a couple months ago here. We are still using them for Little Brother every night…and he is now 14 months old. If you are having a baby or need to buy a shower gift, you’ll want to get at least one of these in every size!
And guess what??? Halo has generously offered to giveaway a sleepsack to one lucky reader…your choice of size and color! Just leave a comment with your “Mommy Must-Have” item and your e-mail address (don’t worry…I’ll delete them after the giveaway is over). I only ask that you follow I Can Teach My Child via GoogleFriendConnect (see sidebar), Twitter, or Facebook.
For an extra entry, share (with a link) on Facebook, Twitter or your own blog!
A winner will be randomly selected on Friday, February 11 at 10:00am (CST). Good luck!
*This giveaway is now closed.*
Ohhhh, I'd love to have one for my daughter!
homeeducationjournal {at} hotmail {dot} com Thanks for the chance to win!
A sound machine. [email protected] I follow you on facebook. Nancy
The softest blanket!
mnebesniak14(a)yahoo(dot)com
I would have to say my mommy must have is also a swing. A lifesaver when you have other kids running around, needing help with homework, cooking, eating, cleaning or etc.
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I agree with all of your must-haves, but we used a bouncy seat with that has a vibrator instead of a swing…Nice because it can easily move from room to room!
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My must-have (besides the ones you've already listed) is a Mobi Wrap! That thing is a lifesaver for me! We have 4 kids, and have used it with them all! It is WONDERFUL!!! :o)
I would LOVE to win a sleep sack, too!
Thanks!
Michelle <><
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I have 3 I tell all my friends that are expecting – a Boppy, a video monitor, and a good nursing cover (if breastfeeding.) I would have been lost without those 3 things!
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Our Evenflo Travel System…it can plow its way through deep snow, carry all the must haves and the car seat is one of my daughter's favourite places for a nap. Plus it folds up and expands so easily!
redcandy(a)live(dot)ca
Do we need a separate post for sharing this on our facebook page? If not then I have also shared this on my page.
your list looks great. I'd love to win one of the sleepsacks – smallest size in any color. Thanks!
bruceandshan at sbcglobal dot net
Wrap style carrier or Ergo baby carrier are my must haves!
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I say a boppy and a way to wear your baby (mei tai, moby, etc. ~ one that really snuggles them to you). LOVE those! :)
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my mommy must have is a bebe pod! Love that they sit my baby up off her head and I can take it to any room with me. (I follow on facebook too).
Hmmm, I would say a really good pump and definitely Dr. Brown's bottles–the best by far!
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Totally agree with your list! I used hydrogel too, but bought the inexpensive "wound care" kind you can get at the drugstore and it was a lifesaver!
danandbrooke(at)teamboyer(dot)net
With my son my mommy must have was, and still is, a noise machine.
[email protected]
I would love to win, I'm hosting a baby shower next month for a dear friend. I used these and would love to give her one too. -I'm a follower-
Bmoore_mamabee (at) hotmail (dot)com
I would love this! I have a 5 month old now who worked his way out of swaddles very early.
My current mommy must have is my wrap, since I have a toddler running around, as well!
[email protected]
I follow you on fb
My mommy must have is a Musical Soother (we have the Fisher Price one). We've had one since my son was in the NICU & he still uses it to fall asleep at 3 1/2 yrs old. I would love one of these sleep sacks for my new little girl due in April.
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My mommy must have would have to be a pacifier, esp. for times like church when it's hard to keep your baby quite!
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Hmm, my must have would maybe be my boppy- I use that thing everywhere w/my babies!!
survivingateacherssalary at gmail dot com
A bouncy chair!!!
chrisandmaia at gmail dot com
My breast milk pump. I produce like crazy the first few months and freeze 10-12ozs a day beyond normal feedings. Around 6-7 months things taper off and I can supplement nursing as needed with my milk instead of formula…important to me!
Sleep sacks rock too! And our co-sleeper!
Heather
I do follow, forgot to put that :)
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Enter me!
Rachel J.
My mommy must-have would definitely be a pacifier!
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Ergo Carrier and Nap Nanny!
ckd22aziz(at)gmail(dot)com
My must have was my Ergo carrier and simply wipies – stashed everywhere! [email protected]
My must-have for a newborn is a moby wrap. I could be holding my baby close while still getting things done around the house. Loved it!
I shared on facebook! [email protected]
I like your list of must-haves. I especially like your recommendation for a diaper bag. I haven't found one I am totally in love with yet. So I might be looking into that one!
So many must-haves come to my mind, so it's hard to pick one. Two items that come to mind that you didn't mention is our sound machine and a pack and play.
Thank you for the chance to win a Halo sack (I have a few and love them)!
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and I do follow via GoogleReader and Facebook.
We definitely can not survive the newborn stage without a baby swing! Thanks for the chance to win the Halo sack! I LOVE them!
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My mommy must-have is the Lansinoh Lanolin I needed for breastfeeding, ouch! Our jaundiced baby was terrible at breastfeeding and I wasn't much better until a lot of practice! I am happy to say I just weaned her at 15 months though. I am going to try your gel pacs, thanks for the tip (new follower).
reporterkc at hotmail DOT com
We wouldn't survive with our paci OR the swing. They are both must haves! I follow you on FB.
mrs.fabian at gmail dot com
My Mommy-must-have would be the aden + anais swaddle blankets! My little girl LOVED those! I follow you on twitter as well. :)
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Our video monitor…still using it with baby #3! Following you on FB…
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nursing cover!
feh79 at yahoo dot com
GFC follower
feh79 at yahoo dot com
twitter follow
feh79 at yahoo dot com
It's so hard to pick just one "must-have!" The three I used ALL the time with #1, and have already for the new baby coming in March is, a Boppy, and nursing cover, and a pacifier!!!
Kelley
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My current mommy-must-have is a sleepsack to keep my daughter warm at night through this cold winter, but for the first year for both kids the boppy pillow was my definite #1 must-have.
juliembeck at gmail dot com
Our bouncy seat! Used it non-stop with my first 2 and #3 (currently 3 weeks old) is wearing it out as well. Also some favorite newborn survival needs which I just discovered this time around- dry shampoo and crockpot liners. :)
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mommy must have =boppy pillow!
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My Boppy was a must have with my first, and will be used with this one as well! Also, a travel sized swing made going to grandma's house much easier!
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My must have would definitely be a pacifier! I wasn't sure at first that I wanted to give my youngest son one, but I still distinctly remember the late night I ended up desperately trying to tear, bite, and eventually poke with the ear piece of my glasses, through the packaging of that magical little thing.
jberrec at gmail dot com
I'm not sure if this is a must have, but it was wonderful for our daughter! (We didn't have one with our first child and we still survived)… A Swing!
feltyfun at gmail
I am a GFC follower (Beth) and my mommy must have is a comfy glider/gliding ottoman. My daughter is almost 2 and we use it at least 1ce a day every day!
jacobsonbeth at yahoo dot com
We use our swing all the time with all 3 of my kids. I just found out I'm pregnant with our 4th and I have never had one of these. I would love to win it! zebrachicy at yahoo dot com
I LOVED our vibrating, bouncy chair we were given as a gift. It was used every.single.day until baby girl broke it…she loved to bounce in it.
I so want one of the Halo Sleepsacks.
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I absolutely concur with the Sleepsacks… my daughter is a very tall 22 months old and we STILL use them. (She's gotten very adept at waddling around in hers, but it keeps her nice and warm at night!)
The other fabulous product I found and adore was Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter. Breastfeeding was a challenge for me, too, but this stuff soothed away the hurts and kept me completely crack free for the first 11 months! (The nurse was shocked when I called at that point for advice on my very first crack.) I love that stuff!
kellythelen04 at yahoo.com
follow you through GFC and couldn't live without boppy!
i follow on fb and gfc
[email protected]
i would love to win
My mommy must have would be a bouncy seat!
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My must have is also a Halo sleepsack. We used the swaddle feature for my daughter until she was almost 6 months old, and she still sleeps in one every night and is 10 months old now. It is our sole bedtime routine and we don't leave home without it!
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I would have to say my Boppy pillow, it was great for nursing.
Thanks [email protected]
Def the vibrating bouncer was my must have with my first two- now pregnant with my third and I would love a sleep sack! [email protected]
Definitely my diaper bag! Everything has its place.
kimnalexander at gmail dot com
My must have item is my sling.
orangegirl99 at hotmail dot com
Mommy must have- Ergo carrier
lilwillz at gmail dot com
I love the Aiden and Anais muslin wraps.
nikitaylor684 at yahoo dot com
i follow you on facebook
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What happened to the Baby Sign Language 101 link? It says page not found =(
Oops..it must have gotten deleted in the transfer. Here’s the link: https://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011/08/baby-sign-language-101/
I’m just reading this a year later, but I see that you washed your Skip-Hop diaper bag. How did you wash it? After a year with my little guy, it definitely needs to be cleaned…but it’s still in great shape!
I think I washed it on the gentle cycle on cold and then let it air dry. :)