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Robert and I have had numerous conversations with several couples having their first child on what to register for. I have used quite a few products in the last two years and evaluated their performance. I decided to write some reviews to help you choose the perfect gift (if you get invited to a baby shower) or to help you create your registry.

Things We Could NOT Live Without (in descending order):

10. Dr. Brown’s Bottles: Sure, you might as well get the BPA-free ones, although studies have shown that it really doesn’t matter. BPA is not as harmful as once thought. If your kid insists on physically eating the bottle, then DEFINITELY choose BPA-free;) The price is the same regardless. If you have a baby that has colic, reflux, or constant spit-up, you MUST have these bottles.
Pros:

• Specially formulated to prevent air bubbles from passing through the nipple, cutting down on gas and spit-up.
• Leak-proof.
• All parts are dishwasher-safe, just get a dishwasher basket to put them in.
  No messy bags to deal with!

Cons:

• Lots of parts – this is really only a con if you insist on hand-washing. You first-timers will only hand wash bottle parts for a month. Trust me – you’ll get over it.
• They’re expensive – like $13 a bottle, but they’re totally worth it.

9. Baby Einstein Videos: The founder, Julie Clark, is an absolute genius. I am SO thankful for these 20-30 minutes of heaven. It has allowed me time to get a shower, cook dinner – all those things you can’t be interrupted for!
Pros:

• There’s tons to choose from, so your baby will never get bored. Hint: your local library most likely carries them, so don’t try to buy them all
• The music, puppets, and calming narration can quickly entrance a 2 week old as well as a 2 year old. You’ll get your money’s worth.

Cons:

You’ll be itching to hear something other than classical music for a while!

They’re expensive! $20 a DVD! That’s highway robbery!

8. Kiddopotamus’s Swaddle-Me Blanket: Audrey would not have slept a wink those first few weeks without this thing. It wrapped her up in an inpenetrable burrito, so her arms and legs were secure and didn’t flail about. Babies like to feel snug – it reminds them of being in the womb, so it’s easier for them to sleep. Tyler, however, hated it from day one, so only buy one to start and see if your baby likes it.
Pros:

• There are several different fabrics to choose from, depending on the weather.
• They are idiot-proof. Forget trying to figure out which corner to fold down on your receiving blanket – these blankets do the hard work for you.

Cons:

• There is no such thing as a medium. Audrey outgrew the Small at about 6 weeks, and the next size up is Large, which was too big for her. We ended up weaning her off of the Swaddle-Me anyway, since she had finally realized that yes, those flailing arms and legs are hers, and that they’re attached:)

7. Gerber Burp Cloths: Every parent should have at least fifteen of these. We went through these almost as fast as we went through diapers, especially in the beginning. Both of my kids were spitters as newborns. I tried many other brands, but none even came close to the quality that Gerber provided.

Pros:

Durable, soft, and come in a wide choice of colors/patterns.

Cons:

None!

6. Shermag Glider Rocker: I have spent many sleepless nights in this. They are perfect to nurse in, and we still get lots of use out of Audrey’s (even at 2), when we read bedtime stories.

Pros:

Padded armrests make it easy to rest the baby’s head on as you nurse.

The short and fairly narrow seat makes it easily the most comfortable chair a 5′3, 115 lb. girl could ask for.

Cons:

Don’t get a light color. While the cream color I got masks the spit-up fairly nicely, dog hair and dirt doesn’t fare so well. I’m constantly cleaning the cushions. Thankfully, I have a blanket over the ottoman to preserve that fabric, because that would’ve been long gone otherwise.

Because the seat is a bit on the narrow side, it made it virtually impossible to fit a nursing pillow attached to you in it. Thankfully, I got used to nursing without one.

5. Baby Bjorn: I don’t know how on earth I could have managed to get things done without this lifesaving carrier. Both kids slept in it wonderfully, and it worked fabulously well when I needed to be hands-free.

Pros:

Holds up to about 20 lbs., so up until their first birthday!

Awesome when you can’t bring your stroller places (consignment sales, camping trips, etc.)

Cons:

It looks “strappy” and quite confusing until you know what you’re doing – then it’s a breeze.

You must cinch the straps snugly, or you will end up with back and/or shoulder pain.

It’s expensive, at about $80.

4. Medela Pump-In-Style (Original): Not cheap, but worth every penny, especially if you’re planning on pumping full-time. Still running strong after kid #2.

Pros:

It’s quick, and efficient. You can adjust the speed and the vacuum rate to meet your comfort level.

You can put the parts in the dishwasher (it doesn’t advise doing so in the instruction manual, but I figure that would sterilize it better than I could by hand)

It comes in an inconspicuous black bag so you can tote it anywhere, and it looks like a lunchbag. There is plenty of room for the pump parts, as well as any bottles you need.

Cons:

The tubing does get condensation in it (and will eventually mildew) if you don’t leave the pump running for a minute after you finish your pump session. I learned my lesson the hard way and had to buy replacement tubing before Tyler was born.

3. A Swing: It honestly doesn’t matter which one. Your sleep is worth this. We had the Fisher Price Papasan Swing which we liked because it was so easy to fit a newborn in, but I can’t recommend it. It has been notorious for developing electrical problems, which are basically unable to be fixed unless you take the whole thing apart, and then actually know what you’re doing.

Pros:

Get one that swings back-and-forth as well as side-to-side. It’s nice to have options. You never know what your baby will prefer.

Also choose one that gives you the option of either plugging it in or using the batteries. If you use it as much as we did, you will appreciate the money you save by not buying the D batteries. You will use D batteries for EVERYTHING else.

Cons:

Some can be bulky and awkward to move across the room.

I don’t recommend travel swings, as they swing way too violently – practically turning your baby upside down, even on the lowest setting.

2. Huggies Natural Care Diapers: These diapers are the absolute BEST on the market. I got suckered into the Pampers craze, but honestly, I didn’t see what the all the fuss was about. Both kids leaked like runny faucets outta those things. Even the more expensive Huggies Supreme couldn’t contain my children’s bowels.

Pros:

There is an elastic band around the back that prevents those unsightly up-the-back poopsplosions.

Cons:

They aren’t quite as soft as Pampers (especially the newborn and Size 1’s)

The print is awfully boring with muted colors and Mickey and Minnie Mouse, but really, WHO CARES – it collects your child’s waste.

And the BEST Baby Product Award goes to….(drumroll please)

1. The Bebe Sounds Angelcare Monitor: I highly recommend this above all. I am convinced it has abrupted sleep apnea in both of our children, and more times than just once. The Angelcare Monitor is the newest invention against the fight against SIDS. It is a sensor pad that lies beneath the crib (or cradle/bassinet) mattress and not only detects sound, but detects movement as well. This monitor is so sensitive that if your baby does not breathe within 15 seconds, an alarm will chirp. If another five seconds goes by, and still no breath, the alarm fully sounds, and it is a sound that will haunt your dreams.

It went off a few times shortly after Audrey was born. A couple times she just rolled onto her side and the monitor could not detect movement, but one time she truly was not breathing. Had we not have had this monitor, who’s to say she would still be here. It is truly a blessing, and worth every last cent of that $80.00.

Pros:

Besides the obvious (that I’ve previously mentioned), it has two receivers, so we keep one in our bedroom and one downstairs.

You can adjust the volume and sensitivity levels.

Cons:

It’s pricey, at about $80.

You have to remember to turn off the receivers before you turn off the base or you will get very loud, obnoxious static.

You must also remember to turn the base off before you pick up your child, or else the alarm will sound and scare you into oblivion.

The sensitivity level is quite finicky. It takes a little time to get it set just right, in order to prevent false alarms.