Buying baby gear can be daunting for a first time parent, and purchases add up quickly. Therefore, it is imperative to begin the Baby Registry process knowing that you do not need everything under the sun for your baby. Besides, unless you are Kylie Jenner, you cannot afford all of this stuff, even with generous gift-givers.

It is also important to note that the vast majority of baby items can be found in gently used condition for significantly less at garage sales, consignment sales, on Craigslist, or—your best option—as hand-me-downs. It may seem like everything needs to be brand new right now, but believe me, you will feel differently in time as you see how quickly children grow out of expensive items.

Big Brother Knows When You Are Expecting

This doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun shopping for baby. Just go into the baby registry process with your eyes open. Having a baby is big business. Retailers salivate over pregnant women and expecting couples. Who is about to have her daily routine upended? Whose shopping habits are in major flux, and who might be so exhausted in the next year that she buys everything at one store?

As soon as an expecting mom goes to Walmart or Target and purchases cocoa butter, organic milk, and ginger ale, instead of conventional milk, coffee, and bleach, like she used to buy, corporate statisticians will forever target her, based on their expecting mommy algorithms. From this point onward, she can expect coupons, mail fliers, web advertisements, and all types of conscious and sub-conscious consumer cues to bombard her life, signaling her to “buy, buy, buy” for baby. Giving contact information or using a credit card at a maternity store, like Motherhood or Pea in the Pod, is also a surefire way to sound the baby alarms.

Now that you understand that you don’t need every baby product and that everybody wants your money, let’s discuss the pros and cons of a few popular baby registry options.

Retailer Options: Popular Baby Registry Stores and Online Offerings

Target (TGT)

Pros: This store is very convenient for gift givers and any gift cards or merchandise credit will be easy to use on store offerings beyond baby. Target supports Group Gifting, allowing friends or family members, to pool money for buying expensive items. Target also supports a Universal Registry. Just drag a button onto your bookmarks bar to start adding gifts from other sites onto your Target registry (i.e., a Pottery Barn Kids dresser could be added and managed from your Target registry, but must be purchased on the actual store’s website.)

Cons: The selection of baby items in-store is limited, and some parents complain that customer service is lacking. The return policy requires a gift receipt or a printed Gift Purchase Log, which stamps your gift giver’s item at the time of purchase.

Completion Discount: A physical 15% off baby registry completion coupon that is good for one day only should arrive in the mail approximately eight weeks prior to your due date. Using a Target RED card can take off another 5%. Download the Target app to your phone and add items to your baby registry without waiting in the customer service line.

Buy Buy Baby (BBBY)

Pros: This store, owned by Bed Bath and Beyond, contains a large selection of floor-to-ceiling baby merchandise, including designer strollers and high-end baby products. They also accept non-expired 20% off BBBY store coupons (with many brand restrictions), and they are generally willing to price-match a competitor on identical items. I would rate their customer service as excellent, too.

Cons: The biggest drawback for this option is limited store locations nationwide, forcing some gift givers to buy online. Prices for items are also typically higher because the store offers convenience, a large number of items, and a baby registry service.

Completion Discount: A 15% off all remaining items coupon should be sent in the mail roughly four weeks prior to your due date for in-store use, and a separate coupon code will be emailed to you for use online.

Amazon (AMZN)

Pros: This online-only option is mostly lower in prices, convenient, and tax-free in a few states. Shipping is free on qualified baby items over $25. Amazon also offers a universal registry, allowing items to be added to your registry from outside websites. The return policy includes a free prepaid mailing label to print and return eligible items for a full refund within 90 days of delivery. Returns outside of 90 days will deduct shipping costs. You get a free Welcome Box – a surprise box of items for parents and baby valued up to $35.

Cons: Amazon is the mother of all baby registries, unless you have lots of older relatives, or friends and family who would prefer to shop in a brick and mortar store. Many parents complain about multiple trips to the UPS store and printer issues making the return process frustrating. Amazon also has no way of regulating third party purchases from your gift givers, as third party members may have different return policies.

Completion Discount: A 10% discount, up to 15% for Amazon Prime members, compliments of Amazon Family, is offered on select items from your registry, 60 days before your child’s arrival date.
A link to redeem the discount will be displayed on your registry once you are eligible. Please note if your registry was created less than 14 days ago, you will not yet be eligible. You may join Amazon Prime any time prior to redeeming your discount to be eligible for 15%.

1. The Completion Discount begins 60 days prior to the Baby Arrival Date you entered in your Baby Registry and expires 60 days after the Baby Arrival Date. Amazon reserves the right to modify or cancel the Completion Discount at any time.
2. To receive a 15% discount, you must be an Amazon Prime member at the time you redeem your registry completion discount and the primary registrant.
3. The Completion Discount may be used on up to two orders of up to an aggregate of $2,000 USD (a maximum discount of up to $300 USD with Prime Membership).
4. Only eligible items displayed in the Completion Discount View in your Baby Registry qualify for the Completion Discount.
5. The Completion Discount may only be redeemed through the Amazon account of primary registrant of the Baby Registry.
6. You may not use another Completion Discount for 8 consecutive months following the complete redemption of a Completion Discount.
7. If you return any of the items purchased using the Completion Discount, we will subtract the value of Completion Discount from your return credit.
8. Does not apply to orders placed with 1-Click.
9. Void where prohibited.
10. Shipping and handling charges apply to all products.
11. This promotion may not be combined with other offers.
12. The Completion Discount is for personal use only and not for the purpose of reselling products. Please note your registry must be active for at least 14 days before you are eligible.

Walmart (WMT)

Pros: Walmart is nearly impossible to beat on pricing for a brick and mortar store. Much of the country shops at Walmart for groceries and everyday items, so it may make sense to have your baby registry here. Walmart also offers a free welcome box that includes baby-related product samples.

Cons: Because Walmart sells such huge volumes of products, such as 30% of all diapers sold in the U.S., the executives in Bentonville have enormous power over suppliers. They are notorious for twisting the arms of manufacturers into drastic cost-cutting measures, which means lower prices and lower-quality baby products for you. It is common practice for name-brand companies to make cheaper versions of their products to be sold only in Walmart.

Completion Discount: There is no completion discount at Walmart.

Universal gift registry online

Pros: This option allows you to register for gifts on different web sites, combining products from Amazon, Etsy, IKEA, Land of Nod, Costco, etc. Popular companies that offer a universal baby registry are BabyList and MyRegistry. Web-based companies change rapidly; however, BabyList is currently at the top of the class, receiving excellent reviews for its crisp design and easy-to-navigate user interface. BabyList also offers creative registry items and solutions for things you really need, such as allowing people to pool money for a doula or cloth diaper service, or to offer a homemade meal after birth.

Cons: Dealing with multiple return policies with a universal gift registry can be a pain. For creative or modern gifts, such as a doula, expect at least one snarky relative to consider a cash-like gift coupon as tacky. For this reason, I would not select the “Donate to Baby’s College Fund” option, as it tacitly implies money-grubbing. However, a healthy, homemade meal is a pretty good deal for any tired new parent.

Baby Registry Product Considerations

Now that we’ve covered some options for your registry, let’s get into the meat of the matter— narrowing down these products. Before you zap too many items into your virtual cart, I recommend asking a few pertinent questions (the answers will help you decide on the price range and quality required for each product.)

1. What are the safety considerations for this product?
2. How long will this product be used? Months or years?
3. How often will this product be used? Daily or occasionally?
4. What are my priorities and lifestyle needs?
5. What baby registry items can I do without?

Note: Prices are subject to change. For example, if a car seat or stroller is listed online for significantly less than the MSRP/List price for the manufacturer, it is probably a previous year or discontinued model.

Keep It Simple

Prioritizing Big Budget Items

If you add up the average cost for baby’s first year, using moderately-priced baby registry items and day care, you can expect to exceed $10,000. If you hire a full-time nanny and select top-of-the-line baby gear and eco-friendly products, you can expect to top $20,000/year. Moral of the story: You have to cut costs somewhere. Costly baby gear, which may only last a few months, is a good place to start. To help you prioritize, or cut out, some of the most expensive items in your baby registry, I asked hundreds of parents to rank the following baby gear items, in order of importance (excluding a car seat and crib, which are perhaps the most important items).

Top Expensive Baby Products to Prioritize (as ranked by hundreds of parents)

1 is most important and 10 is least important

1. Stroller
2. Baby carrier (Ergobaby, Baby Bjorn)
3. Portable crib (Pack ‘n Play)
4. Baby swing
5. Bouncer seat
6. Activity mat or play gym
7. Stationary entertainer, ExerSaucer, or Jumperoo
8. Baby sling or wrap
9. Bumbo seat
10. Doorway jumper

The post Baby Registry: Start Here appeared first on UPKiQ.

Car Seat

This is a very important piece of baby gear, so prioritize your budget to buy a new seat, if possible. If you are budget constrained, ask loved ones to pool gifts together. Try to use a newer model car seat, if you are borrowing one from a trusted friend or family member.

Types of Car Seats

1. Infant seat or rear-facing convertible seat. Infants should ride in a rear-facing infant seat (also called an infant carrier), or a rear-facing convertible seat, after birth. The AAP recommends children remain in a rear-facing car safety seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat.
   • Infant seat. A convenient handle on the infant seat lets you transport baby from a base that stays in the car to a stroller or to your home without disturbing naptime.
   • Rear-facing convertible. This is a larger-sized seat that stays in your car and will accommodate a child for a longer period of time than an infant carrier (until he weighs between 40 and 70 pounds). “Convertible” implies that the seat can start off facing backward and later be converted, or turned around, to face forward. If your baby rides in an infant seat after birth, a convertible is the seat that she will transition to when she exceeds the maximum weight or outgrows the height limit of the infant seat.
2. Booster seats. Booster seats are for children who have outgrown a forward-facing harness seat in height or weight, yet are not big enough to use an adult seat belt.
3. Seat belts. Children who have outgrown their booster seats (usually around 4’9″ in height and eight to 12 years old) should ride with a seat belt in the back seat until at least 13 years of age.

Car Seat Installation

When installing a car seat in your vehicle, you can use either the seat belt or LATCH system (LATCH stands for “lower anchors and tethers for children.) Both methods are safe, so choose the one that gives you a confident and secure fit.

Infant Base Installation with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children)

1. Before you begin, read your car seat instruction manual and your vehicle’s owner manual for car seat installation carefully.
2. Watch a car seat installation video online for your car seat model on YouTube.
3. Place the car seat base in the back seat of your vehicle, preferably the middle seat (away from airbags). If the middle is unavailable, select the rear passenger outboard side, right rear seat, since a side impact is more likely to happen on the driver’s side (pulling into traffic rather than a right turn).
4. Locate the lower anchors in your vehicle. These are thick, open hooks, which are typically buried between the seat back and rear seat cushion.
5. Attach the lower straps with hooks on the car seat base to the lower anchors. Make sure the straps aren’t twisted.
6. Press down firmly on the car seat base and tighten the straps. I like to get inside the car and press my knee or foot down firmly inside the base while tightening the straps or center-pull strap.
7. You should not be able to move the car seat base side-to-side or front-to-back more than one inch.
8. Check that your seat is at the correct recline angle. Babies must ride in a semi-reclined position to keep the airway open. Most seats will have a built-in angle indicator, such as a carpenter’s level bubble, to help.
9. Attach the infant carrier to the base. Make sure that baby’s straps are at or below shoulder level.

Infant Base Installation with a Seat Belt

1. Before you begin, read your car seat instruction manual and your vehicle’s owner manual. Pay special attention to how to “lock” the seat belt. 
2. Watch a car seat installation video online for your car seat model.
3. Place the car seat base in the back seat of your vehicle.
4. Thread the seat belt through the belt path making sure that nothing is twisted.
5. Buckle the seat belt.
6. Lock the seat belt (another toddler or child could wrap a loose belt around his or her neck.)
7. Press down firmly on the car seat base and tighten. You can also have someone else pull the seat belt strap tightly while you put your weight on the base. 
8. Make sure your car seat base is installed at the correct recline angle.
9. Attach the infant carrier to the base.

Safety Tips

Car Seats

• Read the instruction manual, as well as the car seat section in your car’s manual. Watch a video for your specific car seat brand, if possible. If you have any doubt about the installation, find a car seat inspection station.
  Many local fire and police stations offer free car seat inspections. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports that three out of every four car seats are not used correctly.⁸⁰
• Avoid these common car seat mistakes.
  • Are the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) anchors buried between the seat back and cushions? Few automakers put the lower anchors out in the open. Take a deep breath and keep digging for those small metal bars that will keep your child’s seat secure.
  • Is the seat too loose in the car, or able to move one inch or more? Put your knee in the seat with all of your weight and pull up on the straps. Use your arm if your infant seat is too small. Then lock the seat belt.
  • Can’t get your infant seat to stay at a 45-degree level? Use a tightly rolled up towel or cut a swimming pool noodle and place it under the seat where baby’s feet rest.
  • Is your baby’s harness too loose? If you can pinch the harness fabric, tighten the straps to a snug fit.
  • Is the center clip out of position? The retainer clip should rest across your child’s breastbone, although it can move out of position when removing baby from the seat.
• Why rear-facing? A 2007 study found that children under age two are 75% less likely to die or be severely injured if they are rear-facing, while another study cites that one-year-olds are five times less likely to be injured in a crash if they are in a rear-facing seat. Children younger than two have relatively large heads and small necks, and the force of a front-facing crash in a front-facing seat can cause spinal cord injuries.⁸¹ 
• Place your car seat in the center of the back seat. Child occupants seated in the center have a 43% less risk of injury than children seated on either outboard side.⁸²  
• Did you know that car seats can expire? This typically occurs 6-10 years after the date of manufacturing.
• Do not use a car seat for all of baby’s naps. The AAP warns that babies sleeping in a seated position can receive significantly less oxygen than babies sleeping in cribs, with some sleeping positions cutting off oxygen to hypoxic levels < 90% (normal blood oxygen levels are 95-100%).⁸³ Babies can also develop plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, by spending too much time on their backs in car seats and swings.
• Expect a “car seat challenge” for preterm infants (born before 37 weeks) to check for cardiopulmonary stability before being discharged from the hospital. Physiological studies indicate that preterm infants experience episodes of apnea (stopping breathing), bradycardia (slow heart rate), and desaturation (low oxygen levels) while seated in their car seat. Parents may want to limit travel during this fragile period.
• For updated safety information and car seat installation videos (for all types of car seats), visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

Infant Car Seat Buying Tips

Buy an Infant Seat

• I recommend buying an infant seat, rather than a convertible seat, due to better fit and convenience. Many rear-facing convertibles also have a five-pound minimum weight limit, and baby’s shoulders must be at or above the lowest harness slot. A convertible seat may be too big if you deliver early or have a small baby. Also, infant car seats are convenient since most brands detach from the base and snap directly into strollers, although some may require a special adapter. With a convertible, the seat stays in the car and you must wake baby to transfer him to a stroller.

Buy a 30-pound model

I recommend a 30-pound infant carrier, especially if baby’s parents or caregivers are petite.

• Why not a 35 pound model? A 35 pound seat may seem like the best value at first. However, big seats are back breakers, and I can’t tell you how many moms I know with back and neck problems. An average baby doubles his birth weight in five months.
• What about ultra-light seats with a 22-pound weight limit? These are outgrown too quickly. An average boy can expect to reach 22 pounds in eight months, while a girl will hit the seat weight maximum in 12 months. A larger baby could outgrow the 29″ seat height or 22 pound weight limit within four to six months.

Buy Your Car Seat Online

Price compare car seats on different web sites, wait for sales, and stack promo codes. You will likely pay more if you buy your car seat at a physical store with a baby registry. For example, a Google shopping search for the Britax Marathon in Black/Gray shows that the same model car seat varies in price from $223.99 at online stores to $299.99 in brick and mortar stores, such as Target and Buy Buy Baby. Warning: Some stores will add a cup holder, an extended warranty, and a couple of letters, such as “XE”, to popular car seats, and then proceed to add up to $100+ to the price tag.

Buy an extra infant base (for two car convenience)

Buy an extra infant base (not another car seat), if baby will ride in two cars frequently.

Register Your Car Seat

Register your car seat to receive important safety updates. It gives the manufacturer the ability to contact you about recalls and safety notices. Just send in the card that came with your car seat or fill out a simple form on the manufacturer’s website. Find your manufacturer’s registration HERE.

Convertible Car Seats: Are the Expensive Seats Worth It? 

The question that most parents ask when buying convertible seats is, “Are the expensive seats worth the money?” The answer is, “it depends.” Less expensive convertible seats pass the same federal crash tests in the U.S. as car seats that cost hundreds of dollars. While some may not have extra side-impact protection or a harness that re-threads (without having to manually pull the strap out of the seat and thread it yourself as your child grows taller), the seat frames are all built to the same crash standards.

The major considerations with less expensive convertible seats are their limited size and weight capacities. Some of them top out at 40 pounds and 40-43 inches, which forces parents to move too early to a booster seat. For example, a 40 to 65 pound child is definitely safer in a convertible seat with a 65-pound maximum and a five-point harness than in a basic booster seat with an adult seat belt.

Bottom line: If I had purchased the workhorse of budget car seats, the Cosco Scenara, for my children, my tall toddlers would have outgrown it before age two and a half.

Summary of Best Infant Car Seat Lists and Resources for 2019

BabyList

• Best Overall: Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat (pronounced kee-ko)
• Best Designed: Nuna PIPA Infant Car Seat
• Best Inexpensive: Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat
• Best Easy-to-Install: UPPAbaby MESA Infant Car Seat
• Best Compact: Britax B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat
• Best All-in-One: Doona New Infant Car Seat/Stroller
• Best Easy-to-Clean: Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 Infant Car Seat

Mommyhood 101

1. Britax B-Safe 35 Ultra Infant Car Seat
2. Chicco Fit2 Infant Car Seat
3. Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat
4. Peg Perego PV 4/35 Infant Car Seat
5. UppaBaby Mesa Infant Car Seat
6. Maxi Cosi Mico Max Plus 30 Infant Car Seat
7. Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat
8. Safety 1st Onboard 35 Air Infant Car Seat

Safety.com

1. Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
2. Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat
3. Britax Convertible Car Seat
4. Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
5. Evenflo Nurture Infant Car Seat
6. Diono Radian 3RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
7. CYBEX Sirona M SensorSafe 2.0 Car Seat
8. Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat
9. Evenflo Big Kid AMP Booster Car Seat
10. Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat

What To Expect

• Best Overall Infant Car Seat : Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat and base
• Best Budget Friendly Infant Car Seat : Graco SnugRide 30 Click Connect Front Adjust car seat
• Best Infant Car Seat for Extra Crash Protection : Nuna PIPA
• Best Infant Car Seat for Families on the Go : Doona infant car seat stroller
• Best Infant Car Seat for Little Nappers : Cybex Cloud Q infant car seat
• Best Infant Car Seat for the Expected Messes : Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 infant car seat
• Most Stylish Infant Car Seat : UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seat
• Best Infant Car Seat for Anxious Parents : Britax B-Safe 35

The Bump

• Best Overall: Chicco KeyFit 30 Magic
• Best Infant Car Seat Stroller Combo: Evenflo Pivot Travel System with SafeMax Infant Car Seat
• Best Infant Seat for Small Cars: Combi Coccoro Convertible Car Seat
• Best Infant Seat for Twins: UppaBaby Mesa Infant Car Seat
• Best Lightweight Infant Seat: Nuna Pipa Lite LX
• Best Safety Infant Car Seat: BRITAX B-SAFE INFANT CAR SEAT
• Best Affordable Infant Car Seat: Evenflo Nurture DLX Infant Car Seat

BabyGearLab.com

• Chicco KeyFit 30: best overall infant seat
• Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35: high-quality infant seat
• Chicco Fit2: easiest infant latch installation
• Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air 360: great bang for the buck in infant seats
• Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB: best overall convertible seat
• Britax Emblem: all-around high scorer
• Britax Allegiance: top budget-friendly convertible seat
• Evenflo Tribute LX: our pick on a tight budget
• Clek Oobr: our favorite booster seat
• Evenflo Spectrum: budget-friendly top scorer

UPKiQ Pick (Infant Seat): Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat

UPKiQ Pick (Convertible Seat): Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Car Seat

The post Baby Registry: Best Infant Car Seat and Car Seat Installation appeared first on UPKiQ.

Diapering Supplies

Disposable Diapers  

Diapers are typically the #1 or #2 biggest expense in your baby budget. The key to choosing the right diaper for your baby is balancing per diaper cost with fit and minimal leaks. Newborns will typically go through 10-12 diapers per day, while older babies use six to eight per day. How many diapers will you need in the first year? An average eight to 10 diapers per day x 365 days per year = 2920 to 3650 diapers a year. If each diaper takes approximately two minutes to change, changing nine diapers per day for one year equals 109.5 hours, or 4.5 days of diaper changing!

Where Do You Get Cheap Diapers?

Amazon Family

You can sign up for Amazon Family and get one free month of Prime Membership and up to 20% on diapers. If you already are a Prime member, sign up is free, and you will receive 15% off diapers automatically with the additional 5% coming with a “Subscribe & Save” option selected, or a recurring order. Don’t forget to browse Amazon Coupons for diapers and wipes.

Target

Get a total of 15% off baby subscriptions when you use your Target RED Card. Otherwise, get free shipping and 5% off any Baby subscription without a RED card. Check Target Coupons for diapers and wipes.

Walmart

The Bullies of Bentonville do a really good job at getting the lowest prices for you from diaper suppliers. The only thing that you have to watch for with Walmart is this… Walmart has such high volumes with certain suppliers that major companies will often produce a cheaper product just for Walmart (to keep everyone in the supply chain happy.)

Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s (beware of smaller sizes and over-buying)

Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and warehouse stores are great for buying diapers when your baby just sized up or entered a new size (with coupons.) However, beware of buying too many diapers, especially in smaller sizes. Babies grow quickly, and your unit cost per diaper savings goes away when you buy huge boxes of diapers that baby has outgrown.

Eco Tip

Eco-Diapers, Not Miracle Diapers

It’s true. Disposable diapers take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. However, before you walk out of Whole Foods with your brown eco-diapers thinking that you are saving the planet, consider this statement from the Seventh Generation web site: “All disposable diapers, including Seventh Generation’s, rely on man-made materials to deliver the high-level performance that parents expect of modern diapers. These materials are mostly petroleum-derived and are not renewable, which adversely impacts the environmental footprint associated with these products.”

Companies on the eco-diaper scene, such as The Honest Company and gDiapers inserts, may have eco-style; however, they also contain Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP), just like Pampers and Huggies. Most SAP used today is petroleum derived. So while I do commend eco-companies for trying to be more environmentally responsible, parents should be aware that eco-diapers charge a hefty premium, yet they do not solve the biggest environmental problem with diapers.

What makes a green diaper green vs. a traditional diaper?

• Chlorine-free
• Perfume-free
• Dye-free
• Latex-free
• (Partially) biodegradable

Just know that making a diaper chlorine- and fragrance-free is a great step toward protecting baby from trace amounts of dioxin and phthalates, but that diaper will still be sitting in a landfill centuries from now. Even if eco-diapers and eco-inserts blend their SAP with wheat/starch, fluffed wood pulp, and other materials, they are still SAP diapers.

For more info on the diaper industry and diaper pricing practices, read our article the Diaper Download.

Brand recommendations:

Best Disposables for Newborns

Pampers Swaddlers ($0.21-0.26 each, depending on size).

These are softer than Huggies, with a long runway of soft material up the back vs. an elastic band and a pocket to “catch” runny messes.

Pros:

• Swaddlers are what many hospitals use (in the green and yellow pack)
• Three sizes fit babies up to 18 pounds
• Extra padding in back (great for inactive “back is best” babies)
• Has a fold-down section for navel area in newborn size
• Sign up on the company web site for digital coupons, or for coupons to be sent to your home

Cons:

• More expensive than store-brand or private label diapers
• Not available in larger sizes
• Some parents do not like the powdery smell of Pampers
• Signing up for coupons comes with the price of sharing your personal information

Huggies Little Snugglers ($0.22-0.34 each).

These can be helpful for bigger eaters, leakers, and poop-up-the-backers. However, test different brands for fit. You may love one brand for your first child and then figure out that another brand is better for the next.

Pros:

• Little Snugglers are designed to “catch” runny messes with a pocket
• Elastic strap in back tries to keep in the “runny mess”
• Huggies are more available in big-name warehouse stores.
• Sign up on the company web site for digital coupons, or for coupons to be sent to your home

Cons:

• More expensive than store-brand diapers
• May not mold as well around the legs as softer Pampers
• The elastic band in back may irritate sensitive skin
• Signing up for coupons comes with the price of sharing your personal information 

Best Disposables for Older Babies

• Conventional brands: Pampers Cruisers ($0.21-0.24 each), Pampers Baby Dry ($0.18-0.21 each),or Huggies Snug and Dry ($0.17-0.21 each). Best brand depends on fit with your baby.
• Budget Choice: Kirkland Signature Supreme ($0.11-0.15 each)diapers from Costco or any private label that fits your baby, such as Parent’s Choice ($0.12-0.20 each)
• Eco-Friendlier: Earth’s Best TenderCare ($0.26-0.45 each), Nature Babycare ($0.37-.057) or Bambo Nature Diapers ($0.38-0.48 each)
• Hybrid Choice (part reusable, part disposable): gDiapers with gPants ($2.40-3.33/gPant + $0.39/insert). gPants are colorful, reusable diaper covers that you use with gDiapers disposable inserts.

Best Overnight or 12-Hour Disposables

• Huggies Overnites ($0.32-0.43 each). Want to decrease your chances of waking in the middle of the night with a leak? Bring on the Overnites, which are well worth their cost.
• Pampers Baby Dry ($0.18-0.26 each). These diapers are really thin, yet 10-12 hours later your baby’s diaper remains packed, but not leaky. The tabs on these diapers are also very flexible, expanding and contracting as baby sleeps.

Best Eco-Friendlier Disposables

Nature Babycare Diapers ($0.37) each.

Pros:

• Good performance for absorption and leakage
• Won the BabyGearLab Editors’ Choice award in 2018
• Diaper has an allergy certification and is totally chlorine free (TCF) and latex free
• These diapers use FSC TCF pulp, bio-based plastics, and GM-free corn to be mostly mostly biodegradable and compostable

Cons:

• Not quite as durable as competitors (due compostable materials?)
• Complaints online about durability
• Some complain about the stickiness of the closure tabs, too

Bambo Nature Diapers ($0.38-0.48) each.

This brand receives praise for excellent construction and performance from an eco-diaper, in addition to stricter adherence to eco-friendly practices.

Pros:

• The company claims they are 80% compostable
• They have less SAP; it is replaced with wheat starch and acrylic polymers
• Least amount of SAP among popular eco-diapers
• No phthalates, heavy metals, chlorine, or AZO-pigments
• Excellent overnight absorbency

Cons:

• They are twice the cost of regular diapers.
  • The back of the diaper is not stretchable.
• These diapers use sodium polyacrylate (SAP) for absorption

Earth’s Best TenderCare Chlorine Free Diapers ($0.26-0.36 each).

This is a Best Value eco-brand, and it is available in most mainstream stores.

Pros:

• They are latex, dye, and perfume free.
• Some parents prefer to support companies trying to be sustainable.
• One of the most affordable eco-brands
• These receive some of the best reviews for not leaking among eco-brands.

Cons:

• There are reports of rashes among multiple review sources.
• These diapers contain corn and wheat, which can be allergens for some babies.
• These diapers use sodium polyacrylate (SAP) for absorption.

Eco-Friendlier Disposables (Needs Improvement)

Seventh Generation Free and Clear Diapers ($0.25-0.38 each).

This well-known, widely available green brand has a track record from parent reviewers and diaper testers that is less than stellar but improving, due to complaints of leaks and low absorption.

Pros:

• The wood pulp used in these diapers is harvested from sustainably managed forests.
• No fragrances, latex, petroleum-based lotions, or chlorine processing
• Excellent brand recognition and availability
• Reasonably priced for an eco-diaper

Cons:

• These diapers are dyed a brownish-tan color to make consumers think they are all natural or biodegradable in appearance. Seventh Generation states on its website, “We use brown pigments to help distinguish Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Diapers from others in the marketplace that are bleached with chlorine-containing substances.” Note: The actual color of diapers is translucent like a milk jug.
• Parent reviews are mixed for absorption and leaks.
• These diapers use sodium polyacrylate (SAP) for absorption

Money Saving Tips

Diaper Pricing Unveiled (always look for per diaper pricing)

Companies hook customers with newborn prices and then ramp up prices steeply. Private label size 3 diapers are roughly $0.20 per diaper, Pampers and Huggies premiums are $0.22-0.25 per diaper, Seventh Generation/Earth’s Best are around $0.30 per diaper, and Honest Company/Nature BabyCare/gDiapers are $0.40+ per diaper. I chose to compare size 3 prices because newborn diapers have much tighter price competition and distribution among brands. For example, pricing for a newborn diaper from The Honest Company is going to be right in the middle of the pack between mainstream and eco-brands. This company is smartly and aggressively offering free trial kits, stylish bundles (with stars, plaids, and little rocker skulls), and lower prices for newborn diapers to hook new parents. However, as baby grows out of newborn sizes (typically in a few weeks), the prices quickly ramp up. By sizes 3 to 6, the Honest Company is leading the most expensive brands, paying $.40-$.88 per diaper, depending on the size and type of diaper. Honest offerings at Target stores aren’t any cheaper: $.47/diaper for size 3, $.51/diaper for size 5, and $.74 for a 4T/5T training pant. I commend Honest Company for being a legitimately eco-friendly business. But those prices add up.

Cloth Diapers

You may also be considering cloth diapers as an eco-friendly, chemical-free alternative to disposables, or landfill diapers. To help you think through this decision, let’s analyze some of the pros and cons of cloth diapers.

Pros:

• Better for the environment
• Healthier for baby: There are no chemicals against baby’s skin, such as dioxin (a by-product of the bleaching process with chlorine), tributyltin (a toxin linked to hormonal problems in humans and animals), and sodium polyacrylate or SAP (this supposedly non-toxic gel found in nearly all diapers was removed from tampons, due to a link to Toxic Shock Syndrome).⁸⁴
• No more pins: cloth diapers now come in cute colors with Velcro straps or snaps.
• Cloth diapers are more affordable and more convenient than ever.
• If you do not enjoy washing diapers, you can have a service do it for you, although it nullifies the cost and energy savings of cloth.
• A diaper sprayer that attaches to your toilet plumbing can make cleaning the mess off cloth diapers doable.

Cons:

• Cloth diapers with stool must be rinsed in the toilet. Disposable users should actually do this too, although few do.
• Parents must be okay with regular laundry duty.
• Parents must be okay with poop on their hands and in the washing machine.
• Many day cares do not allow cloth diapers.
• Travel is more difficult because you must carry soiled diapers with you.
• Runny stool can be messy with cloth, if fit is an issue.

Types of Cloth Diapers

Best for frugal parents/most economical: Prefolds + diaper covers

These diapers must be changed as soon as baby gets wet. You may place a stay dry liner, usually made of fleece, on top of the prefold to keep baby drier between changes.

Best for parents reluctant to try cloth /best for day care /easiest to use: All-in-One Diapers

All-in-one cloth diapers are perhaps your best argument for a day care center to accept cloth diapers–no stuffing required. AIO diapers have absorbent material already sewn into the waterproof cover, and they can essentially be treated like a disposable diaper (with the one difference that the diaper is tossed in a wet bag to wash later rather than disposed of in the trash). The downside to this convenience is cost, although they do come in one-size varieties with adjustable snaps.

Most popular/most convenient: Pocket Diapers

Pocket diapers, or stuffing diapers, are the most popular type of cloth diapers today because no extra cover is required, and they are more affordable than All-in-One diapers. A pocket diaper has an opening (located along the edge that touches baby’s back) that allows an absorbent pre-cut insert or foldable diaper to be placed in a pocket between the diaper’s waterproof outer shell and an inner layer that touches baby’s skin. A pocket diaper may be a one-size diaper or one that comes in different sizes (newborn, S/M/L); it also comes with Velcro or snap closures. For nighttime, you can add super absorbent hemp inserts for extra protection.

Compromise: Using Cloth and Eco-diapers

If you find yourself stuck in the middle of the cloth debate (caring about the environment and health of your baby, but not ready to commit to 100% cloth), there is a compromise solution. Do a mix of both: use cloth diapers at home and eco-friendly alternatives, such as hybrid diapers or eco-diapers, for travel and day care. Note: Hybrid diapers are biodegradable, flushable inserts that fit into an outer diaper cover, such as gDiapers and Kushies. Inserts with stool on them get flushed down the toilet, while wet ones can be flushed or added to a compost pile. However, reviews from parents say the inserts clog the toilet.

Cost: Cloth vs. Disposables

It can be difficult to assess the true cost of cloth vs. disposable diapering since many variable factors go into these calculations, such as cost of supplies, laundry service, electricity, water, etc. For example, if you’re a style-conscious parent buying limited print all-in-one cloths, such as bumGenius’ Albert or Audrey diapers (inspired by Albert Einstein and Audrey Hepburn), you’re not going to save $2,000 cloth diapering, as favorite eco-websites claim. Therefore, in a cost-benefit analysis for one child, the cloth vs. disposable debate may be “a wash” on dollar cost, with the long-term environmental savings going to cloth. Pass a full set of cloth diapers and inserts on to a younger sibling, and the scale tips to cloth. Bottom line: Disposable diapers are easy to clean and they’re convenient. That’s why 90-95% of U.S. parents use them. However, with the option of all-in-one diapers, flushable inserts, and eco-diapers for travel and day care, cloth diapers can work for busy, environmentally conscious parents.

Brand Recommendations:

bumGenius One Size Cloth Diaper ($20-25/diaper)

Pocket, All-in-One, and Hybrid versions

Pros:

• Fits from birth to potty training
• Adjustable enough to be used with siblings in diapers
• Snap-down front to adjust size (most parents prefer the longevity of snaps to Velcro)
• Diapers are bundled with two inserts: a newborn insert and a one-size insert for older babies up to 35 pound

Cons:

• Fasteners wear out over time
• May not work for heavier babies
• You may need separate newborn diapers for babies under seven pounds

Rumparooz G2 One Size Pocket Diaper ($15/diaper)

Pros:

• One diaper for four sizes
• Fits birth to potty training (6-35 lb)
• BabyGearLab Best Overall Cloth Diaper
• Dual inner gussets (inner row of elastic for leaks)

Cons:

• Double gusset can be bulky
• Elasticity can wear out over time
• More expensive up front

Best Hybrid Cloth Diapers

gDiapers 

(reusable gPants cover with option to use prefolds, cotton inserts, or disposable inserts)

Price: $16-22/gPants + $5.50/cotton insert, $0.39/disposable insert)

Pros:

• Style and versatility
• Easy for multiple caregivers to use because they fasten like disposables
• Product is widely available online and in mainstream stores, such as Walmart, Amazon, and Target

Cons:

• Marketed for convenience, but the shell, pouch and inserts should be washed separately
• You can’t put the liner in the dryer so the diaper must be disassembled
• Diapers do not come with inserts (must buy separately)
• Diapers must be purchased for each size (try Flips Hybrid diapers for a Best Value hybrid one size)
• Disposable inserts are expensive

Supplies for Cloth Diapering

• Cloth diapers: A newborn needs 12+ cloth diapers for changes every one to three hours, while a solid cloth collection (for moms who are slower with the laundry) may have 20-25 diapers. Baby shower gifts can be helpful to any budget; however, you may want to wait until baby is here before you invest big bucks on a single cloth brand. Try several different brands and assess which are most convenient for you to wash and fit best on your baby.
• Wipes: Reusable cotton wipes can either be immersed in a wipes solution and placed in a wipes warmer or dispenser, or sprayed with a spray bottle of solution at your changing station. GroVia ($0.91 each) makes popular cloth wipes. OsoCozy Flannel ($0.63 each) baby wipes are also a top pick.
• Wipes solution (to moisten wipes that clean baby’s bottom): some recommendations are Honest Soothing Bottom Wash ($11-13) and Diaper Lotion Potion Concentrate ($15-17).
• Diaper pail with a waterproof liner or large zip bag: You need something to keep your dirty cloth diapers in until you can wash them. Mother-Ease Diaper Pail ($50) is an eco-friendly pail made of recycled plastic that is fairly well-reviewed, despite the price tag. It uses a natural odor control system with carbon filters and airflow. Teamoy Reusable Pail Liner for Cloth Diaper/Dirty Diapers Wet Bag ($17-19) are a washable substitute for trash bags, as they are made from a high quality PUL (polyurethane laminate) fabric with a special anti-microbial effect. Kushies ($12-14) and Planet Wise ($34) are favorite large hanging zip bags.
• Wet bag/travel bag: This waterproof bag stores dirty diapers and soiled clothes until washing. Itzy Ritzy Travel Happens ($13-18), Planet Wise Wet Bags ($19-23), and Alvababy 2pc Cloth Diaper Wet/Dry Bags are a few among many brands of reusable bags.
• Cloth diaper sprayer: This handy sprayer, similar to a dish sprayer on a sink, attaches to toilet plumbing with adjustable spray for cleaning off messes from cloth diapers. Bumkins ($30) and BabyMojos Two Spray Mode Cloth Diaper Sprayer Kit ($30) sprayers receive good reviews.
• Extra inserts: Hemp is the most absorbent material for nighttime and heavy wetting.
• A drying rack or clothesline: Maximize value from your cloth diapers by air-drying them. Let the sun bleach out stains while drying diapers on a line outside. 

Supplies for All Diapering

The following content contains affiliate links. However, if you can, prioritize hand-me-downs, re-purposed or consigned baby items.

Wipes

Try out different brands and note the ingredients on the package. All disposable baby wipes, including natural and biodegradable ones, have some type of synthetic preservative in them to prevent bacteria growth. To save money, buy wipes in bulk and transfer them to empty travel-sized pouches for the diaper bag.

Brand recommendations:

• Best Overall:Costco’s Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes ($20 per 900 count or $0.02 each) are a budget-friendly favorite made from 100% renewable resources. They are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and alcohol free, although they do have trace preservatives that eco-parents question. 
• Best Mainstream Eco-Wipe: Seventh Generation Wipes ($3 per 64 count or $0.04 to $0.05 each) are chlorine and alcohol free, although they are made from a blend of wood pulp and synthetic materials polypropylene and polyethylene (rayon and polyester).
• Best Biodegradable:* Honest Company ($32 per 576 count or $.06 each)and Nature Babycare ($25 per 700 count or $0.04 each) are hypoallergenic, alcohol and chlorine-free, and biodegradable*, using the gentlest cleansers and preservatives among disposable wipes.

Eco Tip

Biodegradable Diaper Wipes

You will almost always see an asterisk* next to biodegradable labeling for diaper wipes. In fact, Seventh Generation contends that no wipe can authentically claim to be biodegradable because biodegradable wipes do not biodegrade if they are disposed of in a landfill, which is why the brand chooses to focus on chlorine-free wipes products. Biodegradable diapers and wipes can break down in roughly 12 months using a compost tumbler or open-air composting method.

Diaper rash cream

With my sensitive-skinned children, I tried many different organic and natural creams. However, it didn’t take long to convert to good, old-fashioned Desitin for major diaper rashes, since rubbing beeswax, castor oil, and olive oil on my baby’s bottom just didn’t do the trick. If your child’s bum isn’t particularly sensitive, try a favorite eco-brand.

Brand recommendations:

• Desitin is tried and true, winning over “organic-only” parents because it actually works. For severe rashes, try Desitin Maximum Strength ($6.50) in the purple tube.
• Organic brands: Burt’s Bees Baby Bee ($8) ointment, Nature’s Baby Organics Organic Diaper Ointment ($9),and Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm ($13) all smell better than Desitin.

Diaper pail and liners

Diaper pails have a printer and ink cartridge type business model, with the refill bags making all the money. Therefore, you must decide which option you dislike more: 1) paying for expensive, airtight refill bags, or 2) pungent poo smells in your nursery? For more sensitive noses, buy a sealed pail with patented refill bags. For less sensitive noses or eco-buffs who prefer not to wrap their landfill diapers in extra plastic, try a small trashcan with a reusable liner. Expect to empty this bag often.

Brand recommendations:

• Playtex Diaper Genie ($40) controls odor but requires expensive refill bags ($7 for 270-count).
• Baby Trend Diaper Champ ($35) uses regular kitchen bags, but may not control odor as well.
• Ubbi Steel Odor Locking ($70-80) No special bags, refills or inserts are required with the Ubbi. STEEL LOCKS IN ODOR: Unlike plastic, steel is not porous and keeps the smell shielded inside.
• Mother-Ease Diaper Pail ($50) is an eco-friendly pail made of recycled plastic. It uses a natural odor system with carbon filters and airflow.

Wipes dispenser (wipes warmer)

Once you purchase diaper wipes at the store, you have multiple options for dispensing: a) use the bag provided with the plastic pop-top as your dispenser; b) take the wipes out of the bag and place them into a warming box with a moist pillow inside (the warming container plugs into the wall with an AC cord); or c) take the wipes out of the bag and place them into a dispenser that does not heat. I initially thought that wipes warmers were ridiculous baby products. However, I became a believer with two winter newborns. If I were a baby, I would want warm wipes on my bottom for $20 too.

Brand recommendation:

• Best Heated Wipes Warmer: Prince Lionheart Wipes Warmer ($18-22)
• Best No-heat Dispenser: Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer ($15-17) is a solid dispenser without the warming mechanism.

Diapering organization station

If you have a changing table, you may want to purchase a caddy that hangs on the rail. However, if you have a pad on a dresser, organize baby’s creams and lotions with non-baby caddies or baskets.

Brand recommendations:

• Prince Lionheart Diaper Depot ($14-16) is great to hang from a changing table.
• IKEA Skubb series canvas drawer organizers ($8), or a non-baby caddy or basket will work on a dresser.

Diaper bag

You are going to be carrying diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, changes of clothes, and many other things in your diaper bag for years. Consider a bag that allows your torso to bear the brunt of the weight (not your neck and shoulders) and leaves your hands free, such as a cross-shoulder style, messenger bag, or backpack. Consider a unisex-style bag for use with mom, dad, and caregivers of both genders. If you desire two diaper bags, make sure that one of them is a small backpack. You will get value out of your diaper bag(s) well beyond most items in your baby registry.

Brand Recommendations:

Functional, durable: Skip-Hop

Stylish, head-turning fabrics: Petunia Pickle Bottom, JuJuBe (JuJeBe B.F.F. very functional)

Urban, sleek design: Kate Spade

Versatile, looks like a large purse: Timi and Leslie, Storksak

Sophisticated: OiOi, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Affordable, yet stylish and practical: JJ Cole Collections, Graco

Colorful, soft: Vera Bradley

Unique, Stylish, and Monogrammed: Thirty-One (via consultant)

Bag for multiples: Skip Hop Duo Double, JuJuBe Be Prepared

Man bag for dad: Diaper Dude, DadGear, Mancro Backpack, Skip Hop Backpack Black Camo

Unisex: Itzy Ritzy Diaper Bag Backpack, Maman Diaper Bag Backpack with Stroller Straps, Parker Baby Diaper Backpack

Summary of Diaper Bag Lists and Recommendations

BabyGearLab Best Diaper Bags

• A Place for Everything: Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F.
• Great Organization in a Light Package: Skip Hop Grand Central
• Utilitarian Pack for Long Outings: DadGear Backpack
• Best Bang for Your Buck: Easy to Use: Skip Hop Mainframe Wide Open
• Best Value Backpack: Bag Nation
• Best Value Tote: Hip Cub Original Tote
• Great for Multiples: Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared
• Short Outing Messenger: Ju-Ju-Be Helix
• High Volume Expandable Tote: Storksak Expandable Tote
• Zip-Down Changing Pad: Petunia Pickle Bottom City Carryall
• Eye-Catching Style: Itzy Ritzy Boss
• Feminine Backpack in Vegan Leather: Freshly Picked
• Budget Vegan Tote: Babymel Grace
• Removable Feeding & Changing Pods: Pacapod Mirano
• Roomy Versatility: TWELVElittle Foldover Tote

Mommyhood.com Best Diaper Bags

1. Best Diaper Bag Overall: The Maman Nappy
2. SkipHop Baby Grand Central Diaper Bag
3. SOHO Grand Central Diaper Bag
4. HapTim Backpack Diaper Bag
5. Honest Company Everything Tote Diaper Bag
6. Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack Diaper Bag
7. Itzy Ritzy Boss Backpack Diaper Bag

The post Baby Registry: Best Diapers and Diapering Supplies appeared first on UPKiQ.

Feeding: Supplies for Breastfeeding

The following content contains affiliate links. However, if you can, prioritize hand-me-downs, re-purposed or consigned baby items.

Nursing or feeding pillow

This C-shaped pillow is designed to support baby while nursing, bottle-feeding, or learning to sit up. It frequently tops parenting lists as a “most used” baby product.

Brand recommendations:

Boppy® Feeding and Infant Support Pillow

Price: $30-40

Pros: Consistently ranked a #1 baby item, this pillow is a top registry item for moms nationwide. The original Boppy® has a versatile design used for nursing, bottle feeding, propping, tummy time and learning to sit.

Cons: These pillows flatten with time, so a hand-me-down Boppy® pillow may be a product that was used so much that you have to hunch over to nurse.

Boppy® Two-Sided Nursing Pillow

Price: $45

Pros: Developed with a lactation consultant, this pillow is specifically for nursing with features such as a removable belt, wide-arm design, and reversible surfaces (one side firm for feeding and one side soft for cuddling).

Cons: Some mothers complain about the two-sided design. Though wider out front, it doesn’t wrap around the body as the original Boppy® pillow does. It also does not have a removable slipcover, so the entire pillow must be machine washed and dried.

My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow

Price: $30-40

Pros: Some parents prefer this product to other pillows, due to its wrap-around design with back support and higher positioning. It also has interchangeable covers.

Cons: The wraparound design can be awkward for some seating arrangements.

Breast pump

This can be a simple hand pump, or an electric, double-pumping model. Both work-outside-the-home and stay-at-home moms need a way to express milk—to provide milk while mom is away and to prevent clogged milk ducts. If you are unsure about how long you might breastfeed, consider renting a hospital pump for the first month.

Why can’t breast pumps be shared?

Also, you may be wondering why hospital pumps are able to be shared, while pumps purchased from a baby store have warnings that say, “Single user only.” The FDA and La Leche League International point out that milk particles do not reach the inner motor on hospital-grade, closed system pumps, which is why they can be reused with multiple users. Most commercially produced breast pumps have an open system, which cannot provide protection from infectious diseases from other users. Viruses, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HIV (AIDS) can be transmitted through breast milk, which is why the FDA and LLLI continue to support a single-use policy for commercial breast pumps.

Brand recommendation:

I recommend the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump ($180-250), due to its history of positive reviews and years of my own personal use. However, if I became pregnant today, I might also consider a Hygeia EnJoye LBI Breast Pump, a closed-system pump designed for multiple users with personal accessory sets.

The Medela Harmony, Manual Breast Pump ($25) is also a very popular, low-cost option for pumping milk with a hand-squeezing mechanism.

Eco Tip

Reusable Breast Pumps

Hygeia’s “No Pumps in Dumps” motto makes sense to me, as the single use, open system design of breast pumps today is wasteful and outdated. Some moms may only pump for a few short weeks or months with a pump and accessories that cost $300-$500, so why not recycle using a closed system? Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, you may qualify for a hospital-grade breast pump. See if you qualify here.

Pumping accessories (small bottles, caps, funnels, bags, small cooler, bra)

Small bottles, caps, funnels, tubing, storage bags, and a small cooler are needed for pumping. If you can commit to pumping for at least a few months, I would recommend a hands free pumping bra, an elastic strap that holds the catching bottles to your body. Otherwise, you have to hold the bottles every time you pump. If you are on a budget, you can cut holes in an old sports bra for the same purpose.

Brand recommendation:

Medela has the market cornered for breast pumps and accessories, and Lansinoh storage bags are a favorite. However, if you purchase another brand pump, such as Hygeia or Philips AVENT, you will use that brand’s matching tubing and catching accessories.  

Lanolin/nipple cream

Lanolin is a yellow, waxy substance secreted from the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals, and it is used to soothe and protect sore, cracked nipples. Lanolin is listed in the Skin Deep database as a low hazard. If you plan to nurse, you need this cream.

Brand recommendations:

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin ($8-10) in the purple tube is a favorite because it is thick and soothing, not runny like Medela cream. For vegans or others desiring lanolin-free brands, choose Motherlove Nipple Cream ($9-10) or Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter ($9-13).

Soothing gel pads

These pads provide instant pain and cooling relief for sore nipples after your first feedings. Most are made with a vegetable glycerin, and they are reusable. Cold cabbage leaves can also serve the same purpose.

Brand recommendations:

Lansinoh Soothies Gel Breast Pads ($11) provide a cool reprieve to sore nipples upon contact. Aah! Bring on the relief.

Nipple shields

These thin, silicone shields may be worn over mom’s sore nipples during the first weeks of feedings, especially if your nipples are so cracked or sore that you cannot feed without them. Some lactation purists will discourage use, saying that baby may get less milk if the shield is used incorrectly. However, these shields (sometimes labeled for inverted nipples) were a lifesaver for me with my firstborn. Be sure to note the different sizes of shields.

Brand recommendation:

Medela Contact Nipple Shields ($11) choose your size, don’t overlook the size on the package

Nursing tanks

You’ll want two to four, depending on how long you nurse. A good nursing tank can make any outfit a nursing outfit.

Brand recommendations:

I recommend Glamourmom, Target nursing tanks, or Gap brand nursing tanks; the Undercover Mama Nursing Mom Tank acts as a long undershirt that attaches to most nursing bras.

Nursing bras, day and night

Do not skimp on this purchase. You will wear and clip and unclip these things every single day, several times per day. You’ll want two to four day bras, depending on how long you nurse. Wait until your milk supply stabilizes around six weeks before you make a big investment in bras, and avoid too-tight bras, which can cause clogged ducts. You will need a soft nighttime nursing bra to hold nursing pads and prevent leaks onto your mattress, as well.

Brand recommendations:

Day bra: I recommend the Bravado Body Silk Seamless ($40-56) bra for comfort and a smooth style, due to removable thin inserts, or the LA Leche League Hana Lace Underwire Nursing Bra ($33-34) bra for underwire support. Hofish 3-pack Full Bust Seamless Nursing Maternity Bras are also inexpensive and popular on Amazon (over 7200 reviews). A smooth silhouette is a big deal while nursing. If a bra’s material is too thin, inserting circular nursing pads with a thin T-shirt can make you look like a Fembot with robo-boobs from an old Austin Powers movie. Not good.

Nighttime bra: The Medela Sleep Bra ($17-20) is inexpensive and comfortable. If you are in between sizes, get a size larger. Don’t bother with eco-marketed nursing bras. Your breast pads will be covering baby’s eating surface in any bra, anyway, and questionably toxic chemicals are required to make bamboo into a wearable fiber.

Eco Tip

Don’t Be Bamboozled by Bamboo Rayon

Nursing pads

These small, round “must-have” absorbent pads go inside of a nursing bra to prevent leaks. Some women like disposable nursing pads; however, I think they itch like crazy with dried milk on them. I recommend washable ones.

Brand recommendations:

For washable pads, try Medela ($8/4-pack) or Philips AVENT pads ($7/6-pack). For disposables, try Lansinoh pads($8-11/60-count).

Nursing cover

A nursing cover is a convenient around-the-neck cover that looks kind of like a loose apron for nursing discretely in public. A rigid yet slightly contoured neckline allows ventilation for baby and a line of sight for mom.

Brand recommendations:

My favorite is the Bebe au lait Nursing Cover ($25-36), which comes in many different colors and styles. The Kids N’ Such Nursing Cover is also popular ($20-25).

Nursing friendly shirts

Button-downs, V-necks, and layers with a nursing tank all work well as nursing shirts. However, you may want one or two special nursing shirts that you can count on for maximum flexibility and coverage, especially as baby gets older and starts tugging at your nursing cover.

Brand recommendations:

For any occasion when you might be nursing frequently in public, such as during a long flight with baby or while traveling, try a Momzelle or Motherhood nursing shirt. H&M also carries nursing clothing.

Feeding: Supplies for bottle-feeding (breast milk and formula)

Safety Alert!

Hand-Me-Down Bottles and Sippy Cups (pre-2012)

If you are using older, used bottles from family or friends, make sure they are BPA-free. The FDA banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and children’s cups in 2012. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic, carbon-based compound used to make plastics and epoxy resins. BPA exhibits hormone-like traits, which have been identified as a hazard to fetuses, infants, and young children in high doses.

Bottles

You’ll want six to eight bottles, depending on frequency of use. Be prepared to try various types of bottles and nipples to see what your baby prefers, and don’t turn down a free bottle as part of any pregnancy grab bag. Overall, you want to select a bottle that is easy to hold and easy to clean, and make sure that your bottles fit in your bottle warmer.

Be aware that nipples come in different sizes representing different volumes of flow: Preemies/Newborns = size 1, age 1mo+ = size 2, age 3mos+ = size 3, age 6mos+ = size 4 fast flow. Assess how hard baby must work to get milk to determine when to upgrade to a higher flow nipple.

Brand recommendations:

 Best Value: Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottle

Price: $6-8

Pros: These affordable, wide-mouth bottles with soft nipples get solid reviews for ease of use and functionality, especially for babies going back and forth from breast to bottle.

Cons: Because they are so wide, they often need an extra tip to get the last bit of milk out. Some parents complain that the nipple collapses too much.

Best for Gas/Colic: Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow

Price: $9-11

Pros: A vent system keeps air from getting into the milk, reducing gas, spit-up messes, and colic. Bottles come in plastic and glass.

Cons: The little tube inside the bottle is used for gas reduction and requires a separate pipe cleaner to clean.

Best for Breastfeeding Babies: Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle

Price: $10-13

Pros: Comotomo bottles were made to mimic the breast, with a soft silicone nipple. You can also squeeze the bottle for a “let-down” effect, and parents love the eye-catching, modern design with a no-leak, venting system.

Cons: The curved bottles tip over easily, and the measurements are hard to read.

Best for Travel and Day Care: Playtex Drop–In Nurser BPA free

Price: $10/3-Pack

Pros: These bottles come with a disposable plastic liner that you fill with formula or milk and then toss, making clean-up a breeze. Drop-ins can be helpful for moms and dads on the go.

Cons: The disposable, drop-in liners create additional waste and can be costly over time.

Best Glass Bottle: Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle with Silicone Sleeve

Price: $13

Pros: Due to concerns over leaching chemicals in plastic baby bottles, this glass bottle comes with a colorful, 100% non-toxic silicone sleeve to protect from breakage. The sleeve and bottle can be boiled or put in the dishwasher together.

Cons: These are slightly heavier and more expensive than your average plastic bottle, and there is no separate venting system.

Best Stainless Steel: Pura Kiki Stainless Infant Bottle

Price: $18/5 oz

Pros: This award-winning 100% plastic-free bottle has a lid that is compatible with several popular wide mouth nipples. The Pura Kiki also grows with your child and converts to a sippy cup.

Cons: This bottle is expensive, and some parents think the formula or breastmilk is difficult to get out of the nipple. The sleeve is also difficult to remove.

Bottle brushes

You will need a big brush for bottles and little brushes for bottle parts.   

Brand recommendations:

• Big brush: Dr. Brown’s ($4-5) and Munchkin ($5) have good brushes with a suction cup on the end, while OXO Good Grips ($6-8) has a long, durable neck that flexes for easy reach inside bottles.
• Little brushes: OXO Tot Straw and Sippy Cup Top Cleaning Set ($6) are several little brushes for cleaning valves and parts held together on a ring like keys.

Bottle-drying rack

Provides a handy place to air-dry pump and bottle parts after hand washing or pulling them out wet from the dishwasher. 

Brand recommendations:

• Inexpensive: Munchkin High Capacity drying rack ($10-14)
• Best aesthetic design: Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack ($15), though the tree and flower attachments must be purchased separately
• Compact/Small kitchen: OXO Tot Space Saving Rack ($24-26)

Burp cloths

You’ll want many of these (thick, simple, and soft) to throw in the wash for spit-up and to protect your newborn’s face from wool sweaters, clothing appliques, and jacket zippers. Don’t waste your money on too many fancy ones. If you are cloth diapering, use prefolds as newborn burp cloths, then transition them to extra layers for diapering as baby gets older. Baby will use more burp cloths in the first few months as her digestive system is developing and less after she learns to sit up.

Brand recommendations:

• Inexpensive: Gerber Terry Burp Cloths ($7/3-Pack) are great for everyday use.
• Best Organic Cotton: Burt’s Bees Baby Burp Cloths ($23-25/5-pack)
• Best cloth diaper/prefolds/burp cloths: OsoCozy Flat Unbleached Gauze Prefolds ($12/6-Pack)
• Best going out burp cloth: aden + anais Organic Burpy Bib ($14/6-Pack) made from 100%

Infant Formula

Choosing the right formula for baby can be overwhelming. Formula makers intentionally produce many different versions of their formulas, such as hypoallergenic, sensitive, for fussiness and gas, for colic, with prebiotics and probiotics, etc. so that you never quite have an accurate price point for your formula. 

Money Saving Tips

Infant Formula

• Do not stock up too early on formula. Formulas have a “use by” date, and you never know which brand your baby may, or may not, tolerate in the first few months.
• Strongly consider generic and store brand formulas. All formulas sold in the U.S. must meet basic nutrient requirements, including store brands from Walmart, CVS, Target, Sam’s Club, Costco, BJ’s, and Walgreens. Differences in formulas lie in the fillers. Store brand formulas, such as Walmart’s Parent’s Choice, can be up to 50% cheaper than leading name brands, such as Enfamil, LIPIL, and Similac, saving parents $600-700 per year.
• Buy formula at warehouse stores and through mass merchandisers. A leading consumer magazine revealed that prices for one ounce of a popular name brand formula varied by almost 25%, with the lowest prices found at Costco and Walmart and the highest prices at retail drugstores like Walgreens and CVS. Target and major supermarkets were in between.
• Collect formula coupons and carry them in your wallet.
• Save money on formula with an online subscribe and save program, such as Amazon Family. 

Now that we know how to save money on formula, let’s take a deeper look at the different types. Formula comes in three forms:

• Ready-made. This form is convenient, although it’s also 20% more expensive than powdered formula.
• Liquid concentrate. This form requires mixing equal parts formula and water. It is more expensive than powdered formula, because it makes less of a mess, and it is less expensive than ready-made because it requires mixing.
• Powdered formula. This is the most economical and environmentally friendly option. Powdered formula has a one-month shelf life after opening and must be mixed exactly as the manufacturer recommends. Moms with older children may warn you about BPA and formula cans; however, in July 2013, the FDA banned the use of BPA-based epoxy resins in the use of formula packaging.

Types of formula

Most infant formulas contain cow’s milk whey and casein as a protein source, a blend of vegetable oils as the fat source, lactose or sugar from milk as a carbohydrate source, a vitamin and mineral mixture, and other filler ingredients, depending on the manufacturer.

• Cow’s milk based. Most formula is made from cow’s milk, although the milk protein is significantly altered for digestion. Most babies do well with this type of formula, which strives to mix the right amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Your baby will not be able to digest regular cow’s milk until he is one year old.
• Lactose-free. This formula may be used if baby cannot digest the sugar naturally found in milk, which is rare.
• Soy-based. If you are a vegan, or your baby cannot digest cow’s milk, you may try soy-based formula. About half of babies with milk allergies also have soy allergies.  
• With added probiotics or prebiotics. A probiotic supplement is a food product that has enough tiny, active organisms to alter baby’s microflora, while prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients that stimulate growth of indigenous probiotic bacteria. Breast milk has lots of prebiotics. You may consider formulas with these additives if your baby was born via C-section, or if baby has a high risk for asthma or eczema based on your family history.⁸⁵
• Extensively hydrolyzed. In this formula, protein is broken down even further for digestion and may be used for babies with multiple allergies or preemies having difficulties absorbing nutrients.
• Other specialty formulas. These formulas are for babies requiring specialized nutrition, due to premature birth, diseases, or digestive disorders. Talk to your doctor before buying expensive “specialized” formulas.

Organic formula

I strongly recommend using organic formula, if you can afford it. The question of whether to feed baby organic formula versus regular formula isn’t about nutrients; it’s about the chemicals and processes used to alter the ingredients. 

Pros: Formula is derived from cow’s milk. The USDA organic label for livestock verifies that producers met animal health and welfare standards, did not use antibiotics or growth hormones, fed the cows 100% organic feed, and provided animals with access to the outdoors. Also, the formula sweeteners and fatty oils are not Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Cons: The extra price tag for organic formula can add up ($5-10 more per 23 oz. can). Use coupons and buy in bulk to offset higher costs. 

Organic Formula Ingredients

Read organic formula labels. Not all brands are the same. Similac Organic, the market-leader in organic formula, sweetens its more expensive organic formula with cane sugar, or sucrose, which is significantly sweeter than lactose sugar (sugar extracted from milk). Babies need added sugars to help digest the protein in cow’s milk. However, pediatricians warn that sucrose can harm tooth enamel faster than other sugars, and might lead to baby refusing less sweet formulas and foods in the future. Sucrose is banned in infant formula in the EU and Canada, except when ordered by a doctor. Similac Organic also contains other synthetic nutrients, such as lycopene and lutein, touted for health benefits in the U.S. Those two substances are banned in EU formulas, too.

Similac is not the only brand looking to lure customers with sweeter, cheaper ingredients. PBM Nutritionals (owned by private label health conglomerate Perrigo), makers of Earth’s Best, 365/Whole Foods, Bright Beginnings, Parent’s Choice, and Vermont Organics brand formulas are also transitioning to less or no lactose sugar, which mimics mother’s milk best. To cut costs, PBM is replacing lactose with cheaper, plant-based sweeteners, such as “organic glucose syrup solids” (another name for “corn syrup solids”) and “maltodextrins” (starch molecules derived from cheaper potatoes, rice, and corn). As an exampl of this transition, in 2007, Earth’s Best formula contained only organic lactose, but by 2011, it contained both organic lactose and organic glucose syrup solids. Today organic lactose still remains in Earth’s Best and Vermont’s Organics formula but has disappeared altogether in Parent’s Choice, Bright Beginnings, and Whole Foods’ 365 organic formula brands.

Bottom line: Ingredients in organic formulas must meet USDA standards for no hormones, no antibiotics, and no GMOs, but that doesn’t mean that organic formula makers aren’t trying to sneak in cheaper ingredients.

Sensitive formula

Talk to your doctor before switching to an expensive sensitive formula. Feeding sensitivities may be helped by something as simple as burping baby more often, switching bottle nipples, or holding baby upright for 30 minutes after feedings. Some parents switch formulas and then tout miraculous changes in their baby. However, keep in mind that colic often improves between four and six months, regardless of formula type. Also, more expensive, sensitive formulas are typically sweeter than basic formulas, and these companies are well aware that babies have more sweet taste buds than adults and are predisposed to having a “sweet tooth.” This may explain why the first two ingredients of Similac Sensitive, labeled the #1 formula for sensitive tummies, are corn syrup and sugar (sucrose). No wonder baby likes his sensitive formula!

Did You Know?

Soy Formula

Did you know that over 90% of soy crops in the U.S. contain genetically modified (GMO) soy? And soy protein isolate is derived from a hexane extracting process? Hexane is a toxic solvent derived from gasoline. Talk to your doctor before using or switching to a soy-based formula. The AAP cites that there are few circumstances in which soy formula should be chosen instead of cow milk–based formula in term infants.

DHA-ARA in Infant Formula Debate: A Sticky Topic

So how do oils extracted from fermented micro algae and lab-produced soil fungus mimic human fatty acids in breast milk? I have no idea. However, several studies support small but positive effects on visual and neural development with added DHA-ARA to infant formulas, and that is enough for health care providers and lawmakers to pay attention.⁸⁶

However, the DHA-ARA debate is not clear-cut. Other studies show no benefit at all, and policy makers and non-profits who advocate for moderate and low-income families are questioning whether companies wanting to add DHA-ARA, prebiotics, probiotics, lutein, and other additives are just trying to drive up costs. The USDA’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program buys over half the infant formula sold in the U.S. with a set budget amount each year. Formula with DHA-ARA costs 15% more. Wouldn’t we rather provide more infant formula to more families?  What are the clinical benefits of these additives? This is the debate.

Organic certification experts are also scratching their heads about infant formula additives since DHA-ARA oils are extracted using a synthetic technique. Dried, lab-made algae is blended with hexane in a continuous extraction process, which is typically an immediate disqualification for the USDA organic label (DHA-ARA is in organic formulas). After this process, synthetic preservatives, such as ascorbyl palmitate and beta-carotene, must be added to keep the algal oils from turning rancid. 

The AAP has stayed conspicuously silent on DHA-ARA in infant formula, and the FDA approved its use because the additives are believed to be safe. Why not add DHA-ARA if it helps? The verdict is still out for determining whether the long term eye and brain benefits are worth the extra cost. If your baby has gastrointestinal upset, avoid DHA-ARA additives.

Formula: What to Buy

Look for infant formulas with the first two ingredients: lactose and nonfat milk, or organic lactose and organic nonfat milk. If there is any doubt about infant formula ingredients, zoom in on the infant formula labels on Amazon, or check ingredient labels in the store.

Brand recommendations (for all formulas):

• Conventional formula: If buying organic formula is not an option, leading consumer organizations and other pediatric groups recommend private label store brand formulas for cost savings, and I think their argument makes sense. If differences only lie in filler ingredients, established name brand formulas, such as Similac and Enfamil, have no incentive to use high quality fillers.
• Organic formula:  I recommend Earth’s Best Organic Formula ($28 per 23.2 oz.) because they use organic lactose as the formula sweetener. Vermont Organics ($28-35 per 23.2 oz.) used lactose years ago when I first wrote my books, however the ingredient label now shows glucose solids and maltodextrin.
  • GMO purists who do not desire synthetic DHA-ARA, can try hexane-free Nature’s One Baby’s Only Dairy Organic ($1.07 per oz.). Labeled as a toddler formula to promote breastfeeding, Baby’s Only advertises superiority to other organic brands, using no organic corn syrup or glucose syrup, no organic palm oils, and no hexane-produced DHA (an organic-compliant process extracts DHA-ARA from eggs). There were lingering questions about arsenic levels in Baby’s Only, but the company has been using a process since 2012 to remove all heavy metals, including arsenic.
  • Parents completely skeptical of U.S. organic brands may opt to import brands from Europe, such as Germany’s Holle Organic Infant Formula ($30 per 400 g), although expect to pay hefty shipping costs.  

Organic Infant Formula: Ingredient Label Comparison

Breastfeeding and Bottle-feeding: Other convenient items

Dishwasher basket

This basket allows you to put small bottle parts in the dishwasher rather than hand-washing them. Some newer dishwashers already have a small rack on the top level for this purpose.

Brand recommendations:

• OXO Tot ($10) or Munchkin ($6-8) for bottles, bottle parts, pacifiers, pumping parts, etc.

Bottle warmer

A microwave not only causes uneven heating for mixed formula, but it also changes the chemical composition of breast milk.You can use a bowl full of warm water to heat bottles of breast milk or formula; however, a bottle warmer is much more convenient. Many parents would consider this a must-have item.

Brand recommendation:

• Affordable: Dr. Brown’s Bottle Warmer ($35) warms formula and breast milk at home with a narrow, space-saving design. Philips Avent Fast Baby Bottle Warmer ($27) gets good reviews, too.
• Safest heat: Kiinde Kozii ($42) is simple, safe, and easy to program. It receives high marks for a slower, safer, healthier heat than its competitors.
• Best for travel: Tommee Tippee Travel Bottle ($13-19) is essentially a thermos, making fresh formula bottles without having to access warm water.
• Best splurge: Baby Brezza Formula Pro ($65) looks like a sleek cappuccino machine on your kitchen counter as it makes a perfectly warm bottle of formula with one click of a button.

Microwave sterilization bags

These bags are convenient to steam-clean breastfeeding pump accessories and bottle parts, especially during the newborn feeding phase.

Brand recommendations:

• Munchkin ($6/6-pack) bags are less expensive than Medela ($7/6-pack)or Dr. Brown’s ($6/5-pack)bags with similar reviews.

Bottle Sterilizer (microwave or electric)

You can sterilize bottles either in a steaming dome that goes in the microwave, or with an electric sterilizer that sits on your countertop, killing 99.9% of harmful germs. This product could be especially useful for cleaning bottles for multiples. For just one child, you could skip this product altogether, using microwave bags, the dishwasher, and/or boiling water for sterilization.  

• Microwave Dome: Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer ($17-20)
• Countertop Electric: Philips AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Sterilizer ($40) cleans in a six-minute cycle with automatic shut-off.

Formula dispenser

This provides a convenient way to take pre-measured powder samples with you while on the go. Can be used as a snack cup, too.

Brand recommendations:

Munchkin ($7) or Phillip’s AVENT ($5)

Feeding Supplies

Highchair

Baby needs a secure place to eat. Wait for sales since you do not need a highchair right away, and test in the store. Make sure that your high chair is stable and sturdy, fits your space, and is easy to clean. A convertible chair that comes with a separate booster seat and an adjustable base can be convenient to use through several ages and with multiple children. Certification by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) may provide a layer of assurance for your high chair’s safety.

Brand recommendations:

• Best Overall: Graco Blossom 6-in-1 Convertible Chair ($170-190) this chair wins the overall award because it comes with a high chair and separate booster chair for an older and younger sibling as your family grows. The Blossom can be configured in multiple ways: 1) a full infant high chair, 2) a high chair that can be removed from the base and strapped to a regular chair, like a Fisher-Price Space Saver, 3) a seat with a height-adjustable base to push baby up to the family table with the tray removed, and 4) a separate toddler booster seat, for travel or an older sibling. The 6-in-1 also comes with a large tray and plastic cover for the tray, and a seat insert for smaller babies.

•  Best Space Saver: Fisher-Price SpaceSaverHigh Chair ($40-50) Amazon Best Seller, can be strapped to dining chairs, minimizing its space required while still providing a large, wide tray and padded seat. The SpaceSaver is also quite affordable; however, it must be secured to a sturdy chair for safety.

• Best Modern Design: Boon Flair Pedestal High Chair ($220-280) is easy to clean, glides on wheels, and has a pneumatic lift so it can be adjusted to any table height. This chair also fits modern décor, and you can change colors with a $30 removable seat and tray. However, the overall package can be pricey.

• Note: The Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair ($229) fits the modern design bill, too (doesn’t look like baby gear), and beckons to the yuppie crowd (pronounced STOH-keh). However, I don’t get it. Sure it’s a sleek, space-saver, but it’s also hard and uncomfortable (Scandinavian comfort.) Amazon is filled with reviews of shoddy straps and tipping over, too.

Bibs

Waterproof, quick-drying bibs are best with a pocket to catch crumbs and liquid spills. You’ll want two to four, depending on how much you travel.

Brand recommendations:

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Milk Feeding Bibs 

Price: $8/2-pack

Pros: this bib has a thick neck ring to keep milk and spit up out of baby’s neck folds

Cons: circumference may be too small around the neck for bigger babies

Bumkins Waterproof SuperBib 

Price: $12-17/3-pack

Pros: highly rated bibs, great designs, a must-have product, folds easily for travel

Cons: easy for baby to rip off the Velcro around the neck

Baby Bjorn Soft Bib 

Price: $18-21/2-pack

Pros: baby cannot rip this bib off, has a deep pocket to catch spills and crumbs

Cons: plastic can be rigid and uncomfortable around the neck for some babies

YooFoss Baby Bandanas

Price: $15-17/8-pack

Pros: Parents love these affordable, stylish drool bibs made of super soft 100% organic cotton.

Cons: The design can be tough to keep front and center on baby for maximum absorption.

Sippy cups

You’ll want three to five. Buy ones with two handles for beginners. Label them with dishwasher safe labels, such as Mabel’s Labels, for day care (Mabel’s Labels will last through grade school). You will lose more sippy cups than you can imagine, so eco-friendly stainless steel cups may be out of your budget.

Brand recommendations:

• Best overall: Munchkin Miracle 360 Trainer Cup ($11-12/2-pack) BPA free 2 pack toddler training cup with dentist-recommended, spoutless design
• Best Bottle to Cup Transition: NUK Learner Sippy Cup ($8-10) Spill-proof, soft spout is designed to be gentle on gums while teaching baby to drink from a spout.
• Inexpensive: The First Years Take and Toss ($4-5/4-pack)cupsare cheaper cups for travel that you won’t mind losing.

Baby spoons  

You’ll want five or six soft, small gummy spoons for the first feedings.

Brand recommendations:

• Best Overall: Gerber Graduates Spoons BPA-free($6-7/6-pack)
• Best Value: Munchkin 6-Piece Lift Infant ($6/6-pack) spoons can work for first feedings, and they are perhaps better for older babies because they have a deeper contour for holding more food than Gerber spoons.    
• Best for older babies/toddlers: Register now for Gerber Graduates Kiddy Spoons ($4-6/3-pack) graduates utensils with stainless steel tips and easy to grip handles. These are great inexpensive baby registry gifts that you will use years later.  

Teethers

A baby teething toy should be colorful and easy for tiny fingers to hold. Look for teethers made with 100% natural rubber and food paint, which means no lead paints. Ensure that the product is free of phthalates and BPA. 

Brand recommendations:

• Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether ($20-25):This pricey little giraffe, made from 100% natural rubber, does get mocked by parents as a status teether, but the skeptics and the haters can’t argue with her sales numbers. Truthfully, Sophie does have a certain je ne sais quoi about her—her vintage blushed cheeks, her soft supple legs, and her thin spotted neck are the perfect size for tiny fingers to grasp. Created in France in 1961, Sophie is almost a rite of passage for French babies, perhaps adding to her allure (though she costs half the price in France. Silly Americans).
• Baby Banana Infant Training Toothbrush and Teether ($8) Hold the peels! Soft silicone bristles gently massage sore teething gums.
• Manhattan Toy Winkel ($12-14): This toy with soft, mesmerizing loops looks like a classic 3D model of an atom with orbiting electrons. Toy Winkel is BPA-free and great for hooking to your stroller or car seat for chewable entertainment.
• ZoLi Gummy Stick Baby Gum Massagers ($12/2-pack): These small teething sticks look like mini toothbrushes. Note: Here’s a look into your future. Small children + toothbrushes = obsession.
• Dr. Bloom’s Chewable Jewels ($18): Fashionable for mom and safe for baby, chewable jewels were invented by a dentist and provide a more discrete way for baby to chew. Because they are small and less conspicuous than teething toys, chewable jewels have also become popular with autistic and special needs children. Dr. Bloom’s jewels are made of medical grade silicone and are phthalate-free, lead-free, and BPA-, PVC-, and latex-free. 

Pacifiers

You may have to try several different brands and nipple shapes at first, and again, never turn down a free trial pacifier. Use silicone pacifiers, as baby may develop an allergy or sensitivity to latex. Consider giving baby a pacifier at bedtime or naptime, when SIDS risk is greatest. However, after age two, pacifiers can cause protruding front teeth and an improper bite. The AAP recommends waiting until your breast-fed baby is one month old before introducing a pacifier to avoid nipple confusion, although some doulas and lactation consultants disagree. Some babies may not adopt pacifiers at all, especially if they are breastfed.

Brand recommendations:

• Philips AVENT Soothie ($3-7/2-pack): [Image: 197-12_Philips AVENT Soothie] Soothies are made of hospital grade silicone that can be sterilized. They are latex-free and do not have an angled nipple like other pacifiers (similar to the breast). Some lactation consultants say they are the best pacifiers for breastfeeding babies.
• Playtex Binky Pacifier ($6/2-pack): Many parents prefer this more fitted design to the Soothie. The Binky is lightweight and well reviewed for preemies and smaller babies.
• MAM Pacifiers ($10/3-pack):These pacifiers have become very popular because they are inexpensive and come in cool designs. The orthodontic nipple is also made of a soft, taste- and odor-free silicone. Parents like the glow in the dark option for finding lost binkies at night.
• Natursutten BPA Free Natural Rubber Pacifier ($12): This natural, organic pacifier is manufactured in Italy and made straight from the natural rubber of the Hevea brasiliensis tree. The natural rubber is softer than silicone, so it will not leave marks on baby’s face. Natursutten conforms to the highest safety standards in the EU, but be aware that these imported pacifiers are pricey, and they may be rejected.

Feeding: Other convenient items

Splat mat

This waterproof mat goes under your baby’s highchair and protects rugs and flooring from spills and squished peas.

Brand recommendations:

• Simple: Bumkins ($15-17) and Prince Lionheart ($13-15) make simple, inexpensive mats.
• Best design: Sugarbooger ($35) makes floor mats in more sophisticated designs, such as Numbers (farm animals to help teach number recognition) and Cupcake (a little girl wearing a beret with a French poodle and the Eiffel Tower).

Roll-up or fold-up travel placemat

If you travel or eat out often, this is a must-have item.

Brand recommendations:

• Inexpensive: The Summer Infant Kiddopotamus Tinydiner ($14) placemat rolls up with a small-cupped edge for catching crumbs.
• Eco-friendlier: ZoLi Baby Matties Silicone Travel Mats ($18/2-pack) are eco-friendlier mats free of VOC (volatile organic compounds), lead, nitrosamine, and phthalates
• Disposable: Neat Solutions Table Topper Disposable Stick-on Placemats in Reusable Package ($14) are disposable travel mats that come in 60-count bags.

Baby food maker

You can use your blender or other kitchen appliances; however, some parents prefer an all-in-one baby steamer, cooker, and blender.

Brand recommendations:

• Inexpensive: If you just want a food processor, the Baby Bullet by Magic Bullet ($60-70) gets the job done.
• Classic: The Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker ($150) is a French-made blender, steamer, and re-heater all in one. Look for a used one on Craigslist, if possible, since they have been popular for several years but are only needed for a short time.
• Best value: The Cuisinart Baby Food Maker and Bottle Warmer ($90-100) steams and purees food in the same bowl with a built-in bottle warmer. Two products you need in one.

Baby food ice trays

Pour homemade baby food into trays and freeze. Empty the frozen cubes into freezer tight bags or containers.

Brand recommendations:

• Infant/First Feedings: Fresh Baby So Easy Baby Food and Breast Milk Trays ($14-15)
• Eco-friendlier: Made in New Zealand Mumi&Bubi Solids Starter Kit, Baby Food Freezer Storage Trays ($28/2-trays)
• Older baby/larger servings: OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers ($10)

Electric swivel sweeper, or cordless vacuum

You will be sweeping up cheerios, green peas, and food bits for years to come, especially with multiple children.  

Brand recommendations:

• Best inexpensive: Swivel Sweeper G2 Rechargeable Sweeper ($40-45) is an inexpensive option for cleaning up crumbs and food on the floor. Or the Bissell Natural Sweep Carpet and Floor Sweeper with Dual Brush Rotating System and 4 Corner Edge Brushes ($30).
• Best splurge: Dyson DC35 Digital Slim Multi floor cordless vacuum or Dyson DC58 Handheld Vacuum ($160). These products are awesome! They have amazing suction for cordless vacuums, and you squeeze a trigger like a gun to operate them, which encourages my husband to vacuum.

Bathing Supplies

Baby Bathtub

If you buy a tub, look for a small, inexpensive one that fits in your kitchen sink. If you live in a small space, do not spend $45-70 on a collapsible tub. Simply buy a thick pad or fold up a clean towel and wash baby in the sink or tub. You will be holding him with your hands anyway, and infant tubs are used for a very short time.

Brand recommendations:

• The First Years Infant to Toddler Tub with Sling ($16-22) fits in your kitchen sink or bath tub and comes with a sling for newborns.
• Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling ‘n Seat Tub ($30-35) Some parents like the seat that comes with this tub for older babies, while some just remove it altogether.
• PRIMO EuroBath, Pearl White ($25-30) Many parents like the style and size of this bath. The Primo differentiates as the largest baby bath available, providing years of use with baby, measures 36″x21″x10.”

Bath Sponge Cushion

For $8-10 you can bypass an infant tub. Simply use a large bath sponge to support baby in the sink, tub, or on a countertop to prevent slipping. Use towels around the sponge, if desired, and just throw them in the wash.

Brand recommendations:

• Summer Infant Comfy Bath Sponge ($7-8): This sponge comes in gender-neutral yellow or aqua.

Inflatable Safety Tub

This small tub fills in the gap between an infant tub and the big tub. It can also be used for travel, or for playroom fun when it’s dry.

Brand recommendation:

• Munchkin Inflatable Safety Duck Tub ($12-15): Baby can sit up assisted in this cute, little duck tub that quacks when you squeeze the beak. It also serves as a great play toy when dry.
• Mommy’s Helper Inflatable Bath Tub Froggie Collection, White/Green ($11-13) This is an Amazon’s Choice tub for its simplicity and gender neutral color scheme.

Hooded bath towels

You will want two to three of these towels, though expect to receive more as shower and baby gifts. I am also not a big fan of personalizing everything for baby, so that items can be reused for siblings, friends, or as donation items.

Brand recommendations:

• aden + anais ($18-20) makes a great muslin hooded towel.
• Jumping Beans ($21) hooded bath towels come in cute designs and can be used years later.
• Simple Joys by Carter’s 8-Piece Towel and Washcloth Set ($22-25) This is a value-oriented set, with towel and washcloth included.

Washcloths  

You’ll want 10 to 12. Why so many? You will use them for bathing and for washing dirty faces and hands after eating for years to come. Get soft cloths without decorative appliques.

Brand recommendations:

• Gerber Washcloth Set ($5/6-pack)
• Kushies Washcloth Set ($12/6-pack)                       
• Burt’s Bees Baby – Washcloths, Absorbent Knit Terry, Super Soft 100% Organic Cotton ($13-14/6-pack)

Bath toys

Go ahead and register for bath toys. Newborn items will come and go; however, bath toys live on for years. Make sure that you scoop out toys after each bath to dry and minimize mildew. Look for bath toys that are BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free. Note: The “rubber” in most rubber ducks is actually polyvinyl chloride or PVC, a product that has minted money in the chemical industry for decades siding homes, making plastic credit cards, etc. Phthalates are a class of chemicals used to soften or “plasticize” otherwise hard PVC.

Brand recommendations:

• Munchkin Rinse Shampoo Rinser ($5). This bendable rinsing container with a handle is indispensable for washing your child’s hair.
• Skip Hop Moby Bath Spout Cover Universal Fit, Blue ($11-13). This protects little heads from bumps on the tub’s metal spout, especially for baths with multiples or siblings. However, it doesn’t fit some spouts in older homes.
• Boon Water Bugs ($8). These three little bugs and a net encourage hand-eye coordination.They are BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.
• Boon Odd Ducks ($11-13). You can pay $12 for a BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free duck, or $.50 for a phthalate-PVC-containing duck. Since bath time is essentially splash and chew time for babies, I’m going to support cutting the toy budget elsewhere. Go green with your bath toys.
• Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy ($18-24) is a bestseller for toddlers, and the small cars are great for baby to hold. The Green Toys ferry boat, submarine, tugboat, and sea plane are all BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.
• Green Sprouts Stacking Cups ($9) are great for pouring and stacking. BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.

Eco Tip

Rubber Ducks

Phthalates make rubber ducks soft and squeaky, so be mindful when your pediatrician’s office hands you a new, straight-from-the-discount-store duck after each visit. Environmentalists Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie have written a book about this very subject Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things.

A bath toy container or basket

I have tried several types, and I like the scoop and store containers best for drying and storing bath toys.  

Brand recommendations:

• Best design: Boon Frog Pod Bath Toy Scoop ($20) BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.
• Inexpensive: Munchkin Scoop Drain and Store Bath Toy Organizer ($14-20) is half the cost of the Boon scoop, yet it works just as well. Baby shouldn’t chew on it if it’s hung on the hook.

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