There are a few things that we’ve started using since having Claire that we absolutely can’t live without. Some we’ve had since the beginning, and some we just started using last week, but they’re all essentials at this point! We thought it would be helpful to share.

Skip Hop Alphabet Zoo Activity Gym: Claire has been loving this activity gym lately. When she was first born, we would lay her down and she would fall asleep on it. Now that she’s interacting more with stuff, she’ll swat at the animals and grab onto them. It’s so fun to watch her play with the animals! We also put her down on this when we practice tummy time.

BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft & Wooden Toy: We bought this last week after I read the EatLiveRun blog and saw that she loved using it for her son. I’m so glad we did!! It’s super pricey but we used gift cards to purchase it and it’s so worth it. It’s really lightweight so I can pick it up with one hand while holding Claire and move it to wherever I need it in the house. Cooking breakfast used to be impossible but the other morning I was able to cook oatmeal while Claire happily sat in this bouncer and spun around the wooden toys. She LOVES the wooden toys!

Baby Nursing Mobile App: I’m very forgetful so this app has been a lifesaver! Without it, I wouldn’t remember which breast I last fed Claire on or for how long. It’s helpful to have this app at doctor’s appointments so when the doctor asks how long she normally feeds or how many diapers she typically has, I can just open this app and tell him. I also use it to track how much I’ve pumped.

Tommee Tippee Pacifiers: Someone gave these to use as a baby shower gift (to whoever that was, thank you!!) and Claire loves them. We have a few other brands and we’ve tried the Wubbanub (a pacifier with stuffed animal attached) but these ones are the only ones she likes.

Baby Einstein Octoplush: This guy is Claire’s best friend. CJ got it from Babys R Us a couple weeks ago and she LOVES it. It sings when you squeeze his head and, when you squeeze a tentacle, it says a different color. It also can be changed to French and Spanish so she can learn a few other languages! My only complaint is that the music can’t be set to repeat, because she loves the songs and I have to keep squeezing him over and over again. Oh well, I’m happy to do it to see her adorable smile.

MobyWrap Modern: I already talked about this in a previous post but this was SO convenient when we were flying to Vermont.

Halo Sleepsack Swaddle: One of the moms in my mom’s group suggested this when I told her that Claire didn’t like being swaddled because she wanted her hands free and I’m so thankful I got it!! She loves sleeping with her arms above her head and she’s been much happier since we started using it.

Medela Double Electric Breastpump: It goes without saying why this is an essential. Everyone told me this was the brand to get and I love it… well as much as I can love a breastpump. Who enjoys having to clean all the supplies every single time?!?!? Not me. 🙂 Oh and for those of you who don’t already know this, check with your insurance on whether or not they pay for breastpumps. Mine was covered 100%. Thanks to my cousin for telling me that before we ordered ours!!!

Gerber Burp Cloths: We can’t leave the house, let alone walk to the other side of the house, without one of these. Obviously, babies spit up, and these are the burp cloths that we use. They are super cheap and come in a pack of 10 so we never run out of them before it’s time to do laundry.

What items can you not live without? It’s always interesting to see what baby stuff people find and fall in love with!