Baby stuff: 0-4 months
Here’s a list of my favorite baby items from the last four months, all in one spot.
Some of these items were vital to our sanity (I can’t stress enough the importance of choosing the right stroller). Others simply provided some entertainment or made life a little easier.
OrbitBaby Stroller, Car Seat & Bassinet
We went for all the OrbitBaby items in the G2 line. When Raffi was born there was a great promotion for a free bassinet with the stroller and car seat, and it ended up being perfect for the first few weeks. We actually put R in the bassinet to sleep during the day and at night since it was cozier than the Arm’s Reach co-sleeper that is currently gathering dust.
The OrbitBaby stroller is great for someone who lives in a city. The wheels are super durable, and you can buy panniers that store a large market tote on each side. This is key for trips to Whole Foods, which are a walk away. I also love the bag that goes underneath the stroller. It stores all of our diaper bag needs and has a convenient strap that I can use while carrying Raffi to the bathroom for diaper changes at church and the mall.
This was our biggest ticket item, but we really love it and are so happy with it.
Fisher-Price Papasan Cradle Swing – My Little Lamb
I thought I’d be able to avoid plastic toys and things made in China, but it is simply impossible. When Raffi was crying every time I put him down and I thought I would just die if I didn’t get a break, the swing stepped in and saved the day. Raffi never really slept in the swing, but it would relax him. He felt cozy in it and could hang for at least 10 minutes while I made dinner, or showered, or rested my arms for a minute.
Raffi uses a pacifier mostly for nap time and bedtime (and in a store if he is in a screaming mood), but sometimes he just needs to chew or suck on something. The Wubbanub is a little stuffed animal attached to a pacifier. He loves holding the stuffed animal, and because it is pretty big he can put the pacifier back in his mouth when it falls out. I think this also helped him learn to bring his hands together at an early age.
Fisher Price Rainforest Kick & Play Piano
A friend bought this for us and I almost returned it. I am so happy I didn’t! The music isn’t too annoying, and because it lights up and has sound Raffi can be entertained by it for almost 30 minutes at a time. It is great for tummy time as it helped him learn to pick up his head so he could see the lights. Now, at 4 months, it is a great tool to motivate him to want to sit up. I sit him on my lap and we play the piano together.
This is our favorite carrier of the moment. Raffi will only face out, and he loves going on little adventures around Philadelphia. My only complaint is that it doesn’t pack up very well. I love bringing it with us when we go out, but I need to bring an entire separate bag for it. I have zero back pain with this carrier, and Raffi seems very comfortable too. It is great when I chop vegetables or want to vacuum but my little snuggly boy doesn’t want to be put down.
Baby Bjorn Babysitter Balance + toy bar
Raffi absolutely loves sitting in the Babysitter Balance while I cook dinner, and sometimes while I do some work on my computer. It stores flat which is great for someone who lives in a small space, and it is a safe place to put him when he has lots of energy and I need to cook or eat. As he gets older he can bounce more in it, and we often bounce it for him which results in lots of giggles. This is a must have item for us, and our absolute favorite item second only to the OrbitBaby items.
Summer Infant BabyTouch Digital Video Baby Monitor
Yes, it is really expensive, but you can watch your baby on video! It even has an intercom so you can talk to your sweet pea from the other room without going in (and bringing your momma smell with you). The intercom will be even more useful as he gets older. One negative aspect to this monitor is that the battery dies fast so we have to run it up to the charger halfway through the evening.
SkipHop Treetop Friends Activity Gym
You need some type of activity gym. We like this one because the colors are not obnoxious and it could work for a boy or a girl. Honestly though, any activity gym would be fine.
SkipHop Playspot Interlocking Foam Tiles
We love this mat! We just bought it after we moved, and I love that it doesn’t scream baby. Our playroom is the other half of our living room, so that was really important to us. It is a socks only zone and Raffi can play without needing a blanket or anything.
I turned my nose up at the Boppy for breastfeeding in favor of the My Brest Friend pillow. However, the Boppy has been great for Raffi to play on! Around months 2 & 3 we laid him on it so he was propped up and not just laying on his back. That way he could watch us more easily than laying flat. Now we use it to prop him sitting up (with the Boppy as in the photo or the exact opposite direction with the opening in the back) so he can practice that.
Homedics SoundSpa Lullaby Sound Machine
We didn’t have a white noise machine at first, but it gets us a lot more sleep. We use an inexpensive one set to the ocean and turned up as loud as it can go. Raffi sleeps longer because of it.
Ducky
Ducky is Raffi’s very best friend. I think he was purchased from the Hallmark store, but I can’t be sure as he was a gift from Raffi’s great grandmother. When you press on Ducky’s foot he sings “If you’re hippity hoppity…” and flaps his wings. And if you tickle him he laughs! Whenever Raffi is cranky all you have to do is take out Ducky and he is instantly happy again.
Another one of Raffi’s favorites, this toy is easily portable and travels well. Raffi loves trying to eat it, and he will follow it as I roll it around or shake it for a long time before he gets bored. As he gets older and can sit up I imagine he will love rolling it himself.
I get to shower every day because of the Baby Love cloth book. Raffi likes to look at the different colors, and as usual, he likes to try to eat it.
What I love about the above items is that they can be used right at the beginning and still today (and tomorrow too). Each toy or product has different uses at different stages, so I can put something away when I get sick of it and it’s a brand new toy when we take it back out a few weeks later. Raffi also plays with them differently. For example, at the beginning he would just stare at Ducky. Now he will grab on to him and, of course, try to eat him.
I love and enjoy lists like this, and I hope you do too.
Ducky!
Love all of the items you posted.. Some we don’t have, but I know Olivia would love (the toy items)… We swear by the bassinet type stroller at the beginning too for sleeping.. it was key.. and the video monitor! That kick and play piano looks awesome though! Wish we had one!!! 🙂 Take advantage now with chopping veggies while him in the carrier.. because Olivia is now way tooo grabby/reaching for everything for that.. but It was so nice before.
love this…we’re getting so close and i just wonder if our dude’s going to have the right things! luckily we have the basics and just lots and lots of love – everything else can come as needed 🙂
Great items Sabrina! I am going to have to get that piano for Julianne. I think she would love it!
Ooo…new baby items for our 2nd baby! Thanks for the suggestions. I especially want to get that Wubbanub!
That Wubbanub is adorable…going to have to order that right away! We have the Skip Hop activity gym and love it, so great that is not annoyingly ugly.
@Hallie V., They have tons of different animals too. Raffi really wanted the monkey, but I preferred the duck.
I wish I’d known about that kick piano for the crib! What a great idea!
you’re SO SO SO lucky Raffi likes the seats..Ella hated anything that wasn’t my shoulder!
The sound sleeper is amaZing. Her room gets so cozy when I ‘m putting her to sleep, I get so relaxed and doe off in the middle of the day sometimes. Oops.
Everything in the mouth doesn’t get any better. Next it’s everything in the mouth and everything on the floor. Fun times.
I don’t have a baby (and no plans to have one anytime soon!) but I want to tell you that he is such a beautiful baby! He’s grown so much and just keeps getting more adorable. <3
I never realized that you could use the Boppy backwards like that. Tried it last night and Annabelle loved it! Thanks for the tip.
I just came across your blog and love it! This post is so beneficial, thanks for sharing it! I feel like I’m so unsure about what will work and what won’t when our little guys gets here. It’s so nice to see what things other parents are using and how they feel about them. 🙂 Thanks again for the awesome baby list.
My nephew also has Ducky and LOVES him!
Raffi is so adorable!
Thanks for posting your thoughts on the Orbit stroller! I am expecting my first baby in July and my husband and I are very interested in buying the Orbit, but I see UPPAbaby and Bumbleride strollers everywhere! In comparison, it seems like very few people have the Orbit, so reviews like yours are hard to come by. Thanks!
I can’t get over how long he is. I love how he eats everything, and I love your video monitor.
hi! just wanted to say that i love your blog and your posts on baby center… i read those first whenever i have some free time from my little one to browse the internet. i found the baby love book at my TJMaxx for like $6 i think so i bought it right away! my son seems to like it so far, and i like having the soft and nice book around.
@q, Thank you so much! How old is your son? R still really loves that book and plays with it every morning while I take a shower. Have a great day and thank your for your comment!