Here are some of our favorite products
Not sponsored - just tried, tested and loved by us!
Full transparency - We do make a small commission off your amazon purchase but it’s pennies…literally.
Find products in any of the following sections
Newborn Necessities
Soothing:
Swings and Rockers - we have a few that we tried and liked
Graco swing - classic and generally a kid favorite!
Mamaroo - This is hit or miss. Some of our kids loved it, others hated it!
Bouncers -
Baby Björn Bouncer - our children lived in this!
Carriers - We used different ones for different ages and stages
Baby Björn Carrier - for first few months (have to be at least 7 lbs). Once babies got a little bigger - this was a bit hard on our backs.
Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier, Free 3D - this was Hadley’s holy grail - great back support and works til theyre quite big!
Ergo Baby Carrier - used this until our kids were toddler - they loved the back riding option when they were older.
Pacifiers -
WubbaNub - easy to find in the middle of the night
Phillips Avent Soothers - what the give in the hospital. Tried and true.
Sound-
Baby Shusher - great for on the go soothing
Feeding:
Breast Pumps and accessories-
Haaka - put on your opposite breast when breastfeeding - collects the natural let down from that breast. Helps build your supply!
Spectra - a fan favorite, rechargeable.
Willow- great for on the go! Wear under your shirt and go about your day. Great for moms who have to go back to work quickly. But… we won’t pretend it’s not noticable.
Wet bags - great for carrying pump parts, wet bathing suits, clothes that get dirty, etc
Steamer Sanitizer bags - helpful for cleaning pump parts at work or traveling
Breast feeding accessories -
My Brest Friend - we basically had this strapped to us 24/7. Most comfortable breast-feeding pillow, especially after a C-section.
Boppy - another good option for breast feeding support
Breast pads- disposable feels wasteful, but also easier.
Burp cloths - nothing fancy, easy to wash.
Breast feeding cover - for breast feeding on-the-go
Bottles-
Dr. Brown- the classic ones but do have lots of pieces to wash
Comotomo - these are only two pieces so washing is great. Would just buy the big ones from the jump so you don’t have to buy the big ones later.
Formula feeding-
Baby Brezza - a bit of a luxury purchase but a life saver for those middle of the night feeds so you don’t have to measure water and powder.
Burp cloths - nothing fancy, easy to wash.
First sippy cup-
Nuk - the nipple feels similar to a bottle, and it has handles that are easy to grip onto.
Munchkin sippy cup - has a weighted straw so they can drink from any angle and it has handles!
Honey Bear Cup - a cult favorite. Low suction needed to drink so a good first cup to teach kids how to use a straw.
Sleeping:
Sleep wear-
The halo sleep sac - this is our gold standard. The have a sleep sac for every age and stage -up through toddlers.
Kyte Baby Sleep sac - newer brand. Made of bamboo material. Very cozy!
Merlin sleepsuit - this is great for babies that hate the arm swaddle but still like to be contained. Typically geared for babies 3-6 months. Once they start rolling - it’s no longer recommended.
Magnetic Me - the BEST footie pajamas! They have MAGNETS. No middle of the night fumbling to button the onesie back up after a diaper change!
Sound Machines-
Homedics - inexpensive and does the job!
Yogasleep - a little pricier but good for people who can’t stand the artificial white noise sound. The sound from this is made from a real (tiny) fan inside.
Hatch - newer sound machine that you can control from your phone. Also good for teaching older babies when to sleep and wake based on the light.
Yogasleep Portable - good for on the go
Bassinets-
Arms Reach - easy to put right up to the bed.
Snoo - Lux alert! Pricey, but parents who use this loved it!
Diaper Care
Changing pad:
Keekaroo changing pad - wipes clean so easily. Lasts forever!
Overnight Diapers:
Goodnites - overnight diapers if you have a baby that leaks from regular diapers
Diaper cream:
Preventative - Just get a big jug and slather it on. Great for the rest of the body too.
Best for standard diaper rash - has the 40% oxide you need, smells better than max strength Desitin.
Strollers and Car Seats:
Stollers and Accessories:
Doona - Best all in 1 car seat stroller! city must have, for the burbs likely not necessary
Baby Zen Yoyo - light weight and easy to fold up when traveling.
UppaBaby Vista - the Cadillac of strollers. Can use from newborn to toddler. Rolls so smooth on bumpy city streets.
City Mini Double - when two kids are in the mix, this is the one we loved. Small enough to fit through a standard door, easy to fold, light weight.
Stroller hand warmers - a must for cold city walks!
Stroller sac - another must for cold city walks. This one grows with your baby and your stroller.
Infant insert - turn any stroller into an infant stroller!
Car Seats-
Teething
Bibs
Copper Pearl bibs - great for the drooling that comes with teething!
Bandana Bibs - same concept, slightly cheaper!
Teethers
Frida Teether - easy to hold with lots of chewy parts
Mombella Teether - another strange looking one that babies love
Bathing:
Bathtub
Skip Hop Whale Tub - good classic bathtub for babies.
Angelcare Bath Support - smaller and no frills but does the job!
Keter Baby Bath Seat - Used this once our babies turned 6 months. Was great for multiple kids in the bath
Summer Bath Seat - Has 3 arms to make sure the seat doesn’t slide around the tub!
Hair Care-
Mustela Foaming Shampoo - this was amazing for cradle cap. Only thing that got rid of it for our kids.
Brush for Cradle Cap - helps you lather, loosen and lift the dry flaky bits
Aveeno - good soap for babies, gentle on skin
Towels -
Burts Bees - super soft and organic cotton but aren’t super absorbent.
hooded baby towel - cute and inexpensive, which is nice since they grow out of the newborn towel quickly.
Hairbrush-
Dr. Browns - great for that fine baby hair
Nail Care
Zoli electric nail file- for those that prefer an electric version
Simba nail scissors- can use from newborn days and into childhood
Toddler Trinkets
Feeding:
Water bottles -
Munchkin Miracle Cup - has a lid, handles and doesn’t leak! Let’s kids practice sipping the side of cup.
B.Box cup - Weighted straw so kids can sip from any angle
Yeti Rambler - leak proof and durable!
First food accessories-
Long sleeve bibs - Never change clothes again after feeding!
Cute simple bib - lots of different styles. Easy to wipe down and clean.
Nutrabullet - if you are inspired to make your own food! Not a necessity, just if this is your thing.
Feeding utensils - Silicone. Easy to clean and won’t break when your toddler inevitably throws them on the floor!
placemats for eating out - great for restaurants
Highchairs- this is personal preference. We all used different ones.
Stokke - this is a very popular chair and can be used from first feed through toddler years. One of our MPF moms LOVED this, the other one hated hers and sold it. Lol
Lalo - sleek, easy to wipe down
Peg Prego - more of an old school traditional high-chair. Grandparents seem to prefer this one.
Inglesina - this is portable and small. Attaches to a table for an instant highchair! Great for small spaces where a clunky highchair isn’t an option.
Hiccapop - travel chair!
Leaning tower - not a highchair but this is great for the kiddo who wants to help mom or dad in the kitchen.
Bathroom:
Potty Training-
Toilet seats for potty training
Toilet seat with ladder - helps those little kids reach the tall toilets!
Overnight diapers - keep kids dry all night long.
Bath time!-
Suction bath toys- keeping it exciting.
Robo Fish toys - activate in the water! So much fun!
Bath color tabs - 1 container lasts for a long time, just keep out of reach since they look like old school flintstone vitamins
Letter and numbers - make bath time fun and learn something too!
Shampoo rinse cup - no kid likes to rinse out the shampoo - this makes it a little easier.
Keter Baby Bath Seat - Used this once our babies turned 6 months. Was great for multiple kids in the bath
Summer Bath Seat - Has 3 arms to make sure the seat doesn’t slide around the tub!
Pottery Barn Hooded Towels - big and have a hood.
Miscellaneous
Faucet extender - help those kiddos reach the water
Step Stool - higher sturdier stepstool for kids to develop their own independence with teeth brushing and washing their hands. Also doubles as a kitchen stool!
Travel:
Car Seats-
Infant car seat - Maxi Cosi
Infant to Toddler car seat - Graco - bonus it swivels so you don’t have to remove it completely when you are turning kids around!
Strollers- we have a few that we tried and liked
Doona - Best all in 1 car seat stroller!
Baby Zen Yoyo - light weight and easy to fold up when traveling.
UppaBaby Vista - the Cadillac of strollers. Can use from newborn to toddler. Rolls so smooth on bumpy city streets.
City Mini Double - when two kids are in the mix, this is the one we loved. Small enough to fit through a standard door, easy to fold, light weight.
Sleeping - we have a few that we tried and liked
SlumberPod- great if sharing a space like a hotel room, can add a white noise machine nearby.
Pack and play- not the easiest to transport but nice if you want to leave at family’s house
Guava travel crib - bought ours second hand but it is light and easy to travel with!
Motion Sickness - unfortunately some kids get sick every time they get in a car. Here are some things you can do to help with that.
Dramamine- good to keep on hand, warning it can definitely cause dry mouth
Emesis disposable bags - good to keep in the backseat of your car or in your purse when traveling.
Toys and Trinkets:
Blocks-
Magnatiles - if we could only have one toy in our house for our toddlers, this is it!
Games-
SmartMax Sounds and Senses - perfect starting around age 1, this brand makes so many cute sets.
Wooden Play Cube- an oldie but a goodie.
Cars and Trucks -
Wall climbing cars- this one climbs up the wall and actually will go across the ceiling. I remain bewildered even as an adult.
On-the-Go -
Doodle Pad - bring to restaurants, doctors’ appointments, anywhere. Kids love to doodle!
School Age Supplies
Things:
Sunscreen -
AAD - American academy of dermatology. Give you research-backed information about sunscreens and recommendations for the safest and most effective options for babies and kids.
Self-Care-
Detangling Brush - Seriously the best brush for knotty hair (and we’ve trialed a TON for my curly-haired gal)
Fairy Tales Shampoo and Conditioner - bonus, they make one to prevent lice
Lice Comb - speaking of lice. This is a must for combing out your child's hair after you get the inevitable “someone in your child’s class has lice” email.
Girl body changes book - Discusses how their body changes as they grow in simple easy to digest way.
School supplies - Things we liked for sending to school
Stanley ice flow - sturdy and has as a handle and straw.
Owala - everyone has one. So naturally, every kid wants one. Easy to use and cute!
Reusable snack bags - great for mid-day snacks and they are washable.
Storage sacks - great for pens, toys, trinkets, etc.
Freestyle Watch - Just a good old fashion digital watch. Comes in so many colors and patterns. It has no games, no cellular service, no Wi-Fi! Also great for camp.
Books that hook them in!
First readers -
My Weird School series - there are so many books in this series and all with a funny catchy title.
Chapter books
The One and Only series - Katherine Applegate writes the cutest stories about animals. Start with The One and Only Ivan.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid - fun book series that’s a combo of a graphic novel and a chapter book. They even have a bunch of movies based on the books.
Dork Diaries - for older kids, also a graphic novel and chapter book combo.
Toys:
Games
Headbandz - guessing game that always ends in lots of laughs.
Deduckto - This is a FAMILY FAVORITE! Easy card game the whole family will love. Small and great to bring to restaurants to pass the time.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza - another fun easy card game.
Mancala - classic and been around for forever. Good for practicing counting
Mexican Train Dominos - a fun twist on dominos. Another fun game for the whole family.
Uno - fun card game for the whole family.
Hot items
Toniebox - great for bedtime. Kids have fun collecting the different Tonie characters and switching them out to hear different stories.
Needoh nice cube - great for stress relief. Good for on-the-go entertainment
Kinetic Sand - can’t make it to the beach, no worries! Bring the beach to you with this relaxing and fun to play with sand.
Doodle Pad - bring to restaurants, doctors’ appointments, anywhere. Kids love to doodle!
Foil Fun - an amazing, entertaining and low mess gift!
Dope Slime - if you are going to allow slime in the house, this is the one to get!
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty - similar to slime, but less of a mess! Great for stress relief!
ZipString - who knew a moving string could provide hours of entertainment!
Rainbow Looms - if you have a child going to summer camp, they will be making looms allllll summer long. Not recommended if you have babies in the home! Those looms will be everywhere!
Tracing Pad - this provides hours of entertainment. Trace your favorite picture and color it to make it your own.
Air dry clay - mold into anything you can imagine. Dries and your creations are preserved forever!
Teenage Toolkit
and preteens too!
Self-care:
Acne
Benzoyl Peroxide Wash - Sephora stuff is cute but has too many added components and is expensive. Stick with simple max strength benzoyl peroxide wash for initial management.
Adapalene gel - for on-the-spot treatment. Apply a small amount at night
Pimple covers - great to cover and treat those big blemishes
Puberty
Braces and Teeth
Electric toothbrush - my kids are lazy. At least with this I know their 20 second brushing does a little more than a normal toothbrush!
String Floss - my kids love the different flavors.
Floss picks - for quick and on the go. Plus, these are biodegradable!
Waterpik - our kids don’t have braces (yet!) but friends with kids that have them swear by this flosser.
Retainer cleaner - put it in the water for 3 minutes and comes out clear and back to the way they are supposed to look.
Braces wax - braces can hurt!This wax is easy to bring with you. Help prevent irritation between braces and your mouth.
Self Care -
Natural Deodorant - we use this on some of our younger kids with early body odor.
Aluminum free deodorant boys - aluminum free and not an antiperspirant but still works well!
Aluminum free deodorant girls - aluminum free and not an antiperspirant but still works well!
Soap for boys - Doesn’t have that strong AXE smell. Helps curb the teen boy “smell”
Touchland Hand Sanitizer - A cute way to *attempt* to keep the germs from spreading. Plus, it comes in lots of different scents that smell great.
Parenting Helpers:
Books - parenting a teen is hard. Here are some books we found helpful!
The Anxious Generation - the effects of social media and technology on our kids
Untangled - a must read for moms of girls
How to Raise a Healthy Gamer - struggling with video games, check out this book!
This is So Awkward - have a kid going through puberty and don’t know where to begin? This book is helpful for parents to help kids navigate through it.
Apps:
Life 360 - track where your kids are at and if they are in a car -how fast they are going. You can set up alerts for when they leave home or school.
First Aid:
First Aid-
Welly Bandages - so many different colors and styles. And they stay on!
Ice Packs for on go - keep these in your car
Nampons - bloody nose
Rectal thermometer - a must for new babies. Try to take yours home from the hospital. If not, this one is simple and inexpensive.
Reusable ice packs - to help your little one’s boo boos!
Flu/Covid at home test - sometimes it’s easier just to test kids at home
Medicine Cabinet Must Haves
Medicine:
Medicine-
Advil Chew Tabs - we keep these in every bag, car, cabinet!
Zyrtec - liquid, chew tabs or dissolvable tabs
Simethicone - drops or chew tabs - both are great for gas and upset stomach
Miralax - great for kids with constipation.
Dramamine - for those kiddos who get motion sickness every time they ride in a car!
Stomach Bug Prep Kit:
Barf catchers-
Disposable vomit bags - great for your car sick prone kids. Keep a few in the car.
“Barf Bucket” - my kids sleep with one next to their bed whenever they are feeling sick.
Disposable pads - put them down on the bed whenever the stomach bug hits. Help reduce the number of sheets you will have to wash!
Rehydration-
Pedialyte powder packs - great for rehydration.
Pedialyte popsicles - cool and refreshing and feels like a special treat
Summer time stuff
Outdoor Toys
Water:
Reusable water balloons - these are great for families with pets and little kids because you don’t have to run around picking up the little pieces of balloon after a water balloon fight!
Swimming fish - bring the fish to your pool
Surfer Dudes - these guys are so much fun. Throw them into the ocean and watch them “surf” back to you.
Water activity table - for your little ones that aren’t ready for the pool or the beach. This is a great way for them to play with water.
Sand:
Sand Toys - an all-in-one sand toy set. Comes with an easy to transport bag.
Shell bags - kids love collecting STUFF. This lets them carry all their treasures around.
Sports:
Basket Pong - a mix of basketball and beer pong. Kids and adults love this game! Great for the whole family at the beach.
Waterproof lacrosse sticks - great for the pool or beach.
Toss and catch - a classic game of toss and catch with Velcro pads.
ProKadima - no beach day is complete without a little prokadima match.
Camp must-haves
Towels:
Crae Towels - huge, quick dry and come in lots of fun prints. Easy to pack for camp.
Bedding:
Egg Crate - those camp mattresses are lumpy and bumpy. This helps!
Shower:
Shower caddy - this one is big and flexible and waterproof.
Extras
Bedside Storage Organizer: Keep all those odds and ends off the bed in this organized bedside caddy that hangs right off the bed.
Shark Freestyle Watch - waterproof and digital. Perfect accessory for camp.
Eye black - this pack comes with alllllll the colors. For color wars, sports games, theme days or just looking tough. This is a must have.
Disposable Camera - this is a must have/hot item for camp this summer. My daughter insisted everyone was getting one. And then asked me how you get the photos out of there. Way to make a mom feel old! lol
LABELS! - everything gets labeled when it goes to camp. These labels - are great for water bottles and other objects you might bring. These stamps are good for clothes.
Goodr sunglasses - great sunglasses, inexpensive. Stay on when even when you are running or sweating.
Pit Vipers - t hese are pricey but a hot item for baseball and softball players!
Skin and Hair Care:
Sunscreen:
Badger sunscreen- mineral sunscreen but easy to rub in
After Care:
Aloe - sometimes even though you slather on the sunscreen, kids get burned. Put this stuff in the fridge or freezer and it will feel twice as nice on those uncomfortable sun burns.
Hair Care -
Anti-Chlorine Shampoo- for your kids that live in the pool all summer - this will help get the chlorine (and green film) off their hair.
Spray conditioner - the salt water and chlorine is rough on kids hair. Use this before and after swimming to protect their fine hair.
Swim and Sun Gear
What to wear -
Swim Diapers - not fancy, but they work!
Rash guard - swimzip makes a nice long sleeve one for toddlers
Life jacket - if you are riding on a boat this summer, make sure your child has an appropriately sized life jacket. This brand is great and has all the characters your kids love.
Sun hat - adjustable sun hat
Native Shoe - water proof and cute!
Crocs - some people hate these, but kids love them! They are super easy in the summer because they slip on and are waterproof. Plus, kids can personalize them with little jibbitz.
Swimming favorites:
Goggles - we have tried every pair of goggles made, and these are the ones my kids keep coming back to!
Diving toys - teach kids how to dive down into the pool.
Bug Bites
How to prevent:
DEET - Deet up to 30% is safe and effective for kids 2months and older.
Citronella spray - not as effective as DEET but if you want something chemical free
Bugables - citronella wristbands. For kids who hate spray products, you can try this.
How to relieve:
Bug Bite Patches - help soothe the itching. Big and prevent infection from scratching.
Bug Bite Patches - these are clear so better for older kids
Hydrocortisone - medicated itch relief
Calamine lotion - it’s soothing and PINK!
How to stay cool
Stroller Gadgets:
Sports: