Since having the twins (birth story here), one my most commonly asked questions is what my favorite products are. These are my absolute favorite items that have saved me and made my life so much easier!! These items would be the perfect baby shower gift, or gift to yourself 🙂 I spent a lot of time making this list and going into detail on why I love each item so I hope you find it really helpful!
SwaddleMe swaddles – I am OBSESSED with these. Since we started using these swaddles, the twins have slept SO much better at night. We actually swaddle them in a blanket, and then wrap these around the swaddle to make sure they are secure. Before we used these, the twins would wiggle out of their swaddles and wake themselves up. Newborns like to be tight and secure, and these have been one of our favorite and most used baby items.
BornFree Bottle Warmer – When the twins got home from the NICU, to heat up their bottles, we were filling up large cups with hot water and putting the bottles in the warm water. My hands started to get raw from constantly being wet! This bottle warmer makes our lives SO MUCH EASIER. We make several bottles in the morning and keep them in a mini fridge next to our bed because that’s where the twins and I spend most of the day. When it’s time to eat, I take out their bottles and heat up the milk. I’m all about using tools to simplify my life.
Barefoot Dreams Blankets – My sisters-in-law Rachel and Heather both gave me a set of these blankets before the babies came and they are hands down the best blankets I own. They are SO comfortable and SO SO warm. I would honestly get at least two of these for each baby if I were you that when one is in the washer, you can use the other. The babies instantly feel so soft and cozy with these blankets.
Belly Bandit wrap – This isn’t for the babies…it’s for mama…and I really loved using this after having the twins. For several months after giving birth, mamas still have the hormone relaxin in our systems. This allows our bodies to adjust to allow the growth of the baby and to give birth. This wrap helped my hips and waist pull back in after having the babies and it also felt really good to wear it because it gives support. My lower back hurt after giving birth, and this wrap helped to sooth the pain and give support where I needed it.
TinyLove 3-in-1 Rocker Napper – I am shocked at how much we have loved these little beds for the babies. When we got them, I honestly had no idea how much use we would really give them and we have absolutely loved them. We still use it every for Goldie because we like to have her sleep at an incline since she has struggled with reflux. They are small so it’s nice to take them downstairs to have the babies rest in them while we are making dinner, or bring them into the bathroom while we take showers.
Angelcare Bath Support – I LOVE this!! This is going to be one of my standard baby shower gifts from now on because these little bath supports are amazing. Babies are so small and slippery, and this is the perfect support so that they are comfortable and they stay warm. The back of the little bath is made of rubber that is soft and comfortable, and the warm water comes up through the holes. We bathe our babies with little blankets to help them stay warm (we learned this from the NICU). What I do is lay is a little blanket on the bath support, put the baby on it, and then put another blanket on top of the baby. They are happy as clams and love bath time!
Munchkin Wipe Warmer – This is another item that I am so happy we have. Wipes are freezing and I felt so bad changing their diapers with a freezing cold wipe! I guess I think, “would I want a freezing cold wipe on my bum?” And the answer is “no” ha ha. This makes them much happier while getting their diapers changed, and it also helps so they don’t get woken up too much when we change them before bed. A cold wipe on the bum is surefire way to get a baby to wake up which I don’t want when I’m trying to soothe them before bedtime!
CozyGreens Baby Car Mirror – These mirrors are really easy to put on the back of the seat, and they are really high quality and easy to see. It’s nice when I’m in the car driving with the babies, I can look in the rear view mirror and see them both to check on them to make sure they are okay. This is a must-have!
Car Sun Shades – No one likes sun in their eyes, and these are an inexpensive way to shade my babies’ eyes while I’m driving so they don’t get blinded by the sun.
Summer Infant Dual View Baby Monitor – single view monitor here – I am IN LOVE with the monitor. There are two cameras so I can see both babies at the same time. I can also switch the sound to choose which one I want to hear the sound from. We have an air purifier in their nursery, so I choose the camera sound that is furthest away from the air purifier so that it is more quiet and easier for Tyler and I to sleep at night.
Medications to have on hand:
Desitin Extra Strength – I LOVE this because it helps protect their bums from diaper rash really well. I’ve used a lot of different things, and this is consistently my favorite. It sticks really well so that their skin stays dry.
Infant’s Tylenol – This is nice to have on hand for when they get their shots. Both babies were so sad for a couple days! This helped them to be able to sleep and feel much better. Harris also had to have his circumcision after he left the hospital since he was in the NICU, so we gave this to him that day too. Luckily one of my friends had given this to me at my baby shower so I had it, otherwise I wouldn’t have known that I needed it. I was so glad that I didn’t have to run to the store on an already crazy day.
Mylicon Gas Drops – This has been a LIFE SAVER. It’s safe enough to give to them before every feeding (you can even give it to them up to 12 times per day). Since my babies bottle feed exclusively now, it’s really easy for them to get a lot of gas in their tummies. This has made them MUCH happier babies after feedings because it helps them burp more easily. They like the taste too so they don’t mind eating it. I give it to them right before each feeding.
Meghan G says
My go to shower gift is Triple Paste Butt paste. It is a little pricey but it works so well! Clears up diaper rash super quickly.
Jenica Parcell says
Ooh good to know, thanks!
Anonymous says
My go to shower gift is Milk Snob covers 🙂 I ise it for nursing but I use it more as the car seat cover… It's the only way we are able to go to target or out to dinner… He sleeps in the car seat if it's dark and he doesn't have the distractions!
Jenica Parcell says
I love that idea!
Shandee Belnap says
Hi! I’m pregnant with IVF twins now! Can you tell me what stroller you have?
Jenica Parcell says
I have the OrbitBaby and I LOVE it!! Congrats!!!