Congratulations-you are pregnant! As you prepare for the arrival of your little bundle, I know you are constantly bombarded with all. the. things! Having three babies in the past four years, I’m sharing items that I find absolutely essential and the ones I could have done without! With your first, everything seems so overwhelming. Every place you register has a “must have” list of baby essentials with no less than 30 items. Let me tell you one thing I’ve learned-you don’t need it all! I’ve compiled a list of the my favorites that I reach for over and over again. I hope you find it helpful as you compile your own registry of the best baby products!

1. Hatch Sound Machine-with different color lights and white noise options, this is wonderful for middle of the night feeds and lulling baby to sleep. Our toddler still loves it as a sound machine! I love that I can control the volume, light, and type of sound from my phone.
2. Skip Hop Changing Pad-with as many accidents as babies have, I didn’t find the traditional cloth changing table appealing (anything to spare myself more laundry!). I love that you can just wipe this mat down after using it. It’s lightweight and easy to clean. The mobile portion can also be removed, which is helpful for when baby tries to take it off.
3. Moby Wrap-a LIFESAVER, especially if you have multiple children! Baby can nap and it also counts as tummy time! Of all the wraps I’ve tried, this one is hands down my favorite for those first few weeks. Breathable fabric and multiple color options. Baby stays snug (which in turn can help calm them down when they’re fussy) and you have use of both your hands. Having your baby so close to you also promotes the mother-baby bond.
4. Ergobaby Omni 360 carrier– Once my babies get to be about 4-6 months, I find that they are just too heavy for a wrap carrier. This one has been wonderful and it’s allowed me to wear my daughter the longest. She’s currently 14 months old and I still feel very comfortable when wearing her in this carrier. It’s sturdy without feeling heavy and the straps are in all the right places to support baby’s weight. Wondering what the difference between a wrap or structured carrier are? Overwhelmed by the choices? Check out this blog post that my friend Elise (a babywearing consultant) wrote to help you out!
5. Muslin Burp Cloths-the BEST burp clothes! Absorbent and don’t fade easily.
6. Boppy Pillow– whether you decide to nurse or bottle feed, this versatile pillow can be used by both mom and dad to support baby during feedings. This pillow can also be used for tummy time, and to support independent sitting.

I hope my trusted list of best baby products gives you a starting point as you begin your search. As you get closer to your due date and begin thinking of photos, I hope you also find my posts on when to schedule your Little Rock maternity and newborn photos helpful!