Postpartum Gadgets that I think are actually worth the money

(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?  

• The Hatch is haptic sensitive on top, meaning that you can turn both the nightlight and sound on or off by tapping it lightly. This means that when you're lulling an incredibly picky newborn to sleep and they need to be rocked/bounced in certain way that you can turn on the white noise by tapping it with your foot. Anyone who has ever struggled with a baby who won't let you sit-down, bend over, or breathe without throwing a fit will know that this is a game-changing function. I'm constantly trying to pick things up without my hands, turn on lights with my elbows, and hold baby bottles with my chin all while holding a baby (really parenting is all about wishing that you had four hands). 
• The ability to control the unit remotely from the app, including turning it on. This can save you a trip out of bed after you've finally found the opportunity to lay down and get cozy, only to realize that you forgot to turn on the noise machine and your precious sleeping baby will almost certainly wake up sooner without it. It also means that if you've put your baby down for a nap and forgotten to turn the unit on, that you can do just that without risking the creaky wood floors or bedroom door to the nursery.

Now if you don't feel like spending $70 (ugh) on a glorified white noise machine, here are some options that do just fine. You can occasionally find a Hatch on Facebook Marketplace for $45-$50, but honestly you won't find them often because people really like them. The Yogasleep Dohm ($35) is probably the white machine that was being used at every massage/acupuncture/therapy session that you've ever been to. I liked the one that my therapist used so much that I went and got myself one. They're basically the Honda of white noise machines. Nothing fancy, you control the volume by turning the outer cover that basically covers the speaker to muffle or increase the noise. It's continuous and has one sound. There's no nightlight but now you have a really great excuse to pick out a fun inexpensive nightlight.

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:

• Manual means that you control the angle and suction, which means more effective boogie removal. 
• Easy to clean and doesn't need to be recharged.
• The original is quite a bit cheaper than the electric model and works better.

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:

• They're made from a light, breathable cotton that is very stretchy. This lends itself to a more comfortable and secure wrap. The standard fabric is thinner and lighter than rival brands like the Moby or Boba wrap, which is pretty important to me since it gets toasty with a baby strapped to you. 
• They offer countless colors and patterns to choose from, and trust me feeling like you look nice in a baby carrier makes a big difference. 
• They are laundry safe, and last as long as you'll need them.

It's pretty easy to find Solly Wraps secondhand. Because they're costly but durable, people will often sell them once their kiddo is too old for them to make some of that money back - which just means a better deal for you!

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:

• The stuffed animal (or my favorite, the baby cow) can balance on the baby's chest or next to them if their head is turned and will keep the pacifier from bouncing away once the baby lets go of it. It'll also help the baby keep from losing the pacifier before they're ready. Some kids can really throw their pacifiers around so this is way better than needing to chase and re-situate a pacifier every 5 minutes.
• Most pacifiers for some unknown reason are typically some sort of light transparent color and super bouncy. This makes them incredibly easy to lose to the underside of a changing table or impossible to find on the floor in the middle of the night. You know what isn't hard to spot on the floor in the middle of the night? Yeah, a stuffed baby cow.
• They're also just pretty freaking cute.

Love Every Development Toys - $80 per kit
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:

• The kits are really reasonably stocked, and I personally could spend $80 on baby toys at target without even blinking. This way, you won't have to pick anything out or research what is even best for you baby to be playing with. 
• The toys are a really lovely combination of neutrals and bright colors, and they've done a great job of finding a balance so that they're toys are enriching and eye catching for a baby without being too offensive to stay at everyday in your living room.

You can find Love Every toys and sets being sold on Facebook Martketplace all of the time, so that's definitely a place I would check for if your a little queasy about the price! Additionally Target is set to soon start carrying some individual toys for sale in stores. There's also quite a few tutorials for DIY's on how to make these toys yourself from things around your home!
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