(and some cheaper alternatives)Below I'll be walking you through all of my favorites over the years in no particular order, why I liked them, and why I think they're worth the money.
It's pretty obvious that the "new parent" market is oversaturated with bright and shiny gadgets that will 1000% without a doubt make your life easier (unlikely) and come with a price tag that is, more often than not, not so shiny. The reality is, most things that are being marketed and sold to new parents are expensive, unnecessary, and maybe even add to your already stacked to-do list. That being said, they can't all be crap right? Over the years I've worked for many different families and have used many, many different gadgets meant to make our lives easier. Some of things came with a learning curve, and some were so intuitive and obviously helpful that I wish I could kiss the person who invented it. Below I'll be walking you through all of my favorites over the years in no particular order, why I liked them, and why I think they're worth the money. Because I also whole heartedly believe in not wasting your money I will also be including less expensive alternatives when I can. Remember, when in doubt - thrift that shit. The Hatch Rest - $69 Okay listen, could you get literally any other white noise machine for a fraction of the price and be just fine? Definitely. But this isn't a. If you're not familiar, it's a noise machine/nightlight/clock combo. It can emit 11 sounds, and customize the nightlight color. You can control volume, sound, brightness, and color all from the app. All of that is lovely, but truly I only ever want to use the white noise function and the dimmest warm light setting. So what are the things that make it worth it to me?
Portable and Rechargeable White Noise Machine I don't have a specific brand that I prefer, but please for the love of everything please get on of these suckers. Ideally you're looking for one that isn't bulky, has a clip to attach to your stroller or your bassinet etc , and has decent battery life. You will inevitably need white noise to help your baby calm down or fall asleep when not at home, and this little guy will feel like your favorite thing on the planet. Loop earbuds - $19.95 Unfortunately, sometimes despite our best efforts, we simply cannot get the baby to calm down and stop crying. Enter: earbuds. These are a must-have, and in fact I would recommend having a quiet pair for at home and a total silence pair for in the car if your baby is not a car person. As long as you're actively attending to your baby. there's really no reason to torture yourself. Frida Original Nose Suction Tool - $9.99 The Sucker that I'm referring to here is the OG, not electronic, one. It's way cheaper and in my opinion, way more effective. Both are ways to unclog a congested baby's nose, but I like the original design because:
The Solly Wrap - $69 Babywearing is one of my holy grail recommendations for getting chores (or anything really) done with a baby who refuses to take long naps. Babywearing is physiologically healthy for your baby, counts as tummy time (though not as active), and helps them to re-regulate their system if they become super unregulated and upset. I personally own & use a Solly wrap with my postpartum babies because:
Wubbanub/Dr. Brown Lovey Pacifiers - $13.99/$10.00 Obviously you can easily get pretty much any basic pacifier for less than $13, but these guys are not a basic pacifier. They're pacifiers that are attached to small stuffed animals. This is genius and totally worth it because:
If you haven't already heard of them, Love Every is essentially a subscription box that delivers a kit of developmentally appropriate and enriching toys twice a month. This kit feels a little spendy right off the bat, but I will say:
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Hey thereHere you'll find all of my no-nonsense advice from what I've learned over the years as a doula. Which baby gadgets so you *actually* need? What will help make my pregnancy less of a living hell? And roughly 2 million other things you probably haven't even thought about because you don't know what you don't know. ArchivesCategories |