Choosing the “right” gear for your family can be frustrating, and expensive!  Originally posted in June of 2013, I’ve made some updates to this one!

The Ergo Baby Carrier

I’ve had a few folks, expecting children or grandchildren, ask me to share my favorite products.  It’s a fun subject for me.  We’ve certainly  made our share of impulse purchases and we’ve tried a LOT of stuff!

This is, by far and away, my favorite baby item!  I say this because I used it for both of my children, even carrying them both tandem (one in the Ergo and one in another carrier), because it has been just about everywhere, it has been washed and survived, it works for teeny tinies and toddlers, and because it is so stinkin’ comfortable.

It is thoroughly adjustable, has a storage pouch built in that fit my keys and wallet without disrupting baby and the most comfortable backpack-style straps of any carrier I’ve tried.  One of the best parts is that it puts the weight on the wearer’s hips, not on shoulders or back.  I have no issue carrying my three year old, 30 pounder in this carrier still – which cannot be said of any other carriers.

The other amazing feature is the sun hood.  Also highly adjustable, this has been a life-saver for us.  When we are out where it is bright, it is used, but when my son was little, it meant nap time.  I could put on the hood, rock a little, and he was OUT!!!This carrier has many optional accessories too!

I used the infant insert for both of my children.  I ended up preferring another carrier for my daughter when she was tiny – the Baby K’Tan , I’ll tell you about that one too in a moment – but the infant insert was pretty great with my son.  It goes into the carrier and allows the baby to sit with legs bunched up against them instead of spread in the carrier.

I also used the changing pad/bag, and liked it very much, but it was a little challenging to get things in and out of one handed.  It is gorgeous and very well made, though.  And it clipped nicely onto a stroller or onto the carrier itself.

The accessory that I didn’t purchase, but still consider occasionally, is the front pouch.  This would have made carrying a camera or my wallet more comfortable as it would have been at waist level, and in front of me no matter where my child was, and easily transfered into a purse.

Baby K’tan Breeze

This is my second favorite carrier overall, but my first favorite for a newborn or a lighter baby.  I had loved the Moby Wrap when I had my son, but I found that the process of putting it on and keeping it where it needed to be in order to take him in and out of it was a huge challenge.  This carrier does the same thing, but is SO easy to put on.  The added benefit is that the breeze version is half-mesh!  This allows air to flow through more easily.  Since I live in Texas, this is HUGE!!!!  If baby needed to stay cozy, but I didn’t want to get hot, I put the mesh on me… and if the opposite was true, baby got the mesh.  I absolutely LOVED this carrier with my daughter.  Unfortunately, the size recommended for me at the time was tight feeling, so I went one size up… and then I lost a TON of weight.  So… mine no longer fits at all… Time for Craigslist, I guess.  Still, a total win.

One other note… I bought the white, thinking that the light would reflect and it would be cooler.  The sun seemed to be so bright in my baby’s face that it drove both of us a little nutty.  If I was to do it again, I’d go with the black.  This carrier was easier to stuff into a purse or a bag than the ergo, but as the kid gets bigger, the ergo can definitely handle more weight.

Taylor Made Water Sling

When we had our son, we were living in a 5th wheel trailer with a stand-up shower.  Bathing him was a challenge.  Our solution was this water sling.  I could take a shower with him in it and not lose grip of my slippery baby. It also came in handy in the pool.  As a nervous, first-time mom, the pool was a little overwhelming, but this let me have a good hold on him.  When we moved out of the camper, I wasn’t sure it would ever be used again.  BOY was I WRONG!!!

This sling LIVES in my purse no matter where we go.  Because it is mesh, it is lightweight and it is cool.  The air flows through it no matter what the temp and the kids are comfy. Because it is easy to transport, even when I’m counting on the stroller, I have a backup.  The long tail allows me to cover up to nurse my daughter, or to get her to sleep.  It’s completely adjustable, so even my husband can wear it, and does.  When my three year old starts to meltdown and needs to be held, this allows either of us to handle the weight without a back-ache.  It is very comfortable, easy to wash and versatile.

BOB Revolution SE Jogging Stroller

Okay, let me start by saying that this stroller isn’t light.  It isn’t small either.  Especially if you are comparing it to an umbrella stroller (ironically, with no umbrella,) from a chain store.)

HOWEVER, It is amazing!  So amazing, in fact, that I ended up getting a Duallie too!

To be fair, the model I have is a 2009, I believe, and a few things have changed – mostly for the better – but overall, they remain my favorite for strollers.

This stroller has tires that can be pumped with a bike pump and are totally removeable for storage or for loading in a smaller vehicle.  The front tire swivels and can be locked for jogging.  The stroller can handle a child up to 50 lbs.  That might not sound like much, but it is!  It has an incredible suspension system that can be adjusted according to child’s weight or the terrain.  We were able to take this on mountain bike trails with no issues!

This stroller can be pushed and maneuvered easily, one handed, can handle bumps and gravel with no problems and it has a big enough shade for sunny days.  It reclines back nicely and appears to be comfortable for parent and child alike.  A handlebar console can be purchased separately for “Mom’s” drink and keys and whatnot.  The child has two pouches for a sippee or a snack.

WE LOVE IT!!!  So much that we also recommend the Duallie HIGHLY!!!

The double version has two separate shades, which I adore, and a huge understorage area.  The same easily removed and filled tires, lockable rotating front wheel and accessory options are available as well.  It fits through my front door, and most doors out and about.  It certainly isn’t a shopping stroller… but for outings like we do – the zoo, the park, walking… it is ideal.  Despite it’s size, it can still be maneuvered one-handed and easily folded for putting in the car.  It isn’t light… and it isn’t small, but it fits in my mini van just fine.

A few accessories that I reccomend are pictured below as well (click on the photos to go to Amazon):

I loved the J L Childress Side Sling Cargo Net.  I have two on our double Bob- one for clean diapers and wipes and whatnot and the other for dirties.  This way, nothing icky touches the clean.  (It also comes in handy for doggie bags on “whole family” walks)

It attaches easily to “any” stroller with velcro and is fairly easy to get in and out of.  Definitely a plus, versus digging in the under-storage of the stroller.

I also love the J L Childress Cups and Cool Handlebar Console.  I just spent a RIDICULOUS amount of time searching for the link to the double wide version that I have on my Duallie… but I can’t find it anywhere.  Perhaps it was discontinued.  Either way… this handlebar console is awesome!  In the big one, the cooler fits two water bottles and two sippees… each side had room for tissues or snacks or water bottles… and there is an area to put your keys.  I love it!

The Arms Reach Cosleeper

Not everyone agrees with our decision to cosleep, and I get that.  However, I’m a huge believer that keeping a newborn close by makes it easier for mom & baby.  Also… I’m a HUGE breastfeeding advocate, and I think that the easier it is for mom to feed, the more likely she’ll be successful nursing.  One option, in lieu of a full size crib in the bedroom, is this little mini!

It can be strapped to the mother’s bed, so that no gap can present itself between the cosleeper and the big bed, and then a side of the mini comes down for direct access.  The crib can be easily un-strapped (great clips!) and rolled into another room, fitting easily through a doorway.  My clingy-mommy-self dragged ours into the bathroom so that I could see my daughter during my shower (and make sure brother wasn’t disturbing her) or into the living room while we were all together as a family.  It stores easily, it withstands abuse (my son liked to crawl into the storage area underneath) and it is so convenient!  I loved it.

The Boon Drying Rack

This was great for all of the bottle parts when I had to pump and feed my daughter by bottle.  It kept the parts off of the counter, or a dirty towel, and helped everything air dry quickly.  A definite plus if bottles come into play!

Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump

Come on… you knew this one was coming, didn’t you?  I sort of even warned you when I mentioned nursing above and then the drying rack?  Anyway… I won’t get into too many details but I will say that when I had my son, I purchased a great Medela Swing Pump, used.  I also had a Medela Pump in Style, but I found it to be huge to transport and awkward to use.  The Medela Swing was amazing, but could only do one side at a time.  Time is everything!!!

ALSO… we did some research about closed system and open system breast pumps.  Do your own and you might not want to purchase a used pump.  Yuck!!!  This is a closed system pump (although I wouldn’t buy it used either after using one and seeing how they work.)  It can be used for one side or both and is easy to use.  It is quiet and can run on electric or battery.  Definitely a keeper.  There… that wasn’t so bad, right?

Little Tikes 2 in 1 Snug and Secure Swing

This is a little more fun… I have TWO of these hanging right now.  And we love them.  When the temps were cooler, I could put both of the kids in their swings and push them right into their naps.  I clipped blankets to the ropes and tented them so that they were shaded and they loved it.  Now that it is warmer, they like to swing in the evening.  It keeps the bugs off and they get to relax.  These swings are good for 9 months to 48 months!  A huge range!  My son swings with the straps under his arms, my daughter swings with the straps over.  There is also a canopy accessory available.  Really great buy!

Corelle Calin Sky Doll “Baby Calin”

I think that all children should have a doll… not just girls.  In preparation for his baby sister’s arrival, my parents purchased this doll for our son.  He loved it, and still does.

The doll is small enough for a little one to carry and cuddle.  The feet, hands and head are plastic, but the rest is fabric.  We call ours “Baby Calin” and the baby girl version “Baby Cali.”  (Mostly so that I can remember the name to recommend when we get compliments.)

The outfit is removable and easily washed and the babies are SO cute!  I recently made baby doll beds for each of my kids to use for their dolls.  The boy doll has a pacifier and an open mouth.  The girl doll has two teeth.  My kids 1 & 3, carry their babies all over the house and cuddle them to sleep frequently.  For a great starter doll, I can’t speak highly enough of these!

Well, that’s a start, right?  We have books and toys and technology and car seats that I can review and recommend as well as a few outdoor additions that have added to life with kids.  But, alas, nap time is over.  So, another day!  Good luck shopping, my friends!