During your first pregnancy, you probably meticulously curated a heavily researched registry filled with things like baby bibs, every different type of pacifier, white noise machines, sit me up seats, sit me down seats, sit me sideways seats and so on. You probably only ended up really using, what, 40% of what you put on there. I, personally, am a little embarrassed by the sheer size of my first registry. It's like we forget we can use Amazon Prime after we give birth. So, here's what we did: we boiled it down. We polled the veteran parents to see what their top items were for repeat babies. This is what we do: we reduce, reuse, revise before we re-register.
Here are the must-haves
Doona:
We're starting off with a bang. The Doona is the 5 tool player of parenthood. It is a stroller meets a carseat and the ease of use is something every parent looks for in a baby product. It's simple, compact, easy to travel with and idiot proof. This is the product that people kick themselves for not getting sooner.
Slumberpod:
Another fan favorite, the slumberpod. This is essential if you have to room share and need to create a sanctuary for your baby. It's even more essential for when you travel and all are sharing a single hotel room so that everyone can actually sleep and enjoy the vacation. We have tested this thing time & time again and kids have slept through TV, having a night cap with friends in the room, fireworks - you name it!
Baby Carrier:
You can go a lot of different directions with this but having your hands free is invaluable when you have another kid you have to keep alive (and likely catch when they jump off something high). You can go bougie and opt for the all-trendy artipoppe or stick with old faithful ergo360 which is 1/3rd the cost.
Larq Water Bottle:
This is the water bottle to end all water bottles. It has a UV light that self-cleans so you get all of the fun without any of the funk. This particular one is slightly lighter than the regular version because it is meant for people on the go (ahem, moms). We are know postpartum leaves you parched so make sure you always have your Larq on lock.
Cybex Beezy Stoller:
The world's most lightweight travel stroller that has adjustable recline capabilities, leg rest and all-wheel suspension. It can be folded and unfolded with one hand. We love a low-maintenance, go with the flow girlie.
Frida Everything:
...that's it, just anything Frida.
Honorable Mention:
Uppababy Add-ons:
If you're an Uppababy owner like me then you're probably thinking - wait, isn't this stroller supposed to be easily turned into a double? Well, I hate to burst your bubble but us second timers have all experienced what I dubbed the "Uppababy Enigma" where you try to turn to make your stroller fit two kids but realize you need upper adaptors, lower adaptors, and a full new rumble seat.
Skiphop Reversible Playmat:
We all have the Skiphop activity center (and if you don't, register for that too) but don't sleep on this play mat. It has so many uses. Throw it under the high chair, take it outside for a picnic, let the baby crawl around or your other kids line up cars/animals/figurines on it. Plus they have a lot of cute colors!
Rockit Stroller Rocker:
Hack alert! If your baby loves to be rocked and hates when stillness sets in, this little device vibrates your stroller for you so you don't have to sit there and to the dreaded push/pull til the cows come home. We're optimizing here, people.
Wagon:
Wagons are the new double strollers and they are great for getting small children from A to B. Problem is: the great ones are a pretty penny. This one, however, is half the price of the uber-bougie ones and has over 3,000 5 star reviews.
BONUS
Snuggle me or Dock-a-tot
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