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For those of you who don't know, I welcomed my sweet baby girl in June of this year. As a first time mom, I had a vision of what motherhood would be like and the products I would need. However, within a few weeks, I realized there were many products that I couldn't survive without, and a few that were more or less a waste of money.

In this post, I want to share with you moms and moms-to-be, some of the products that I can't live without. I believe this will be very beneficial for those of you who are trying to determine which baby products are actually worth your money. Before I begin, I have to mention that what works for one parent may not always work for another. The success of baby products can vary based on your child's preferences, routine, and which areas you wish to spend your money on. With that said, I do know that the listed items are a game changer for many moms!

1) NURSING PILLOW
A few days after nursing my daughter, I noticed my back and shoulder muscles were becoming super sore. Before some feeding sessions, I would have enough time to stack pillows every which way I could to get comfortable. But more often than not, my little one would be too hungry to allow me to sit comfortably. This is when my sister kindly let me borrow her nursing pillow which changed the game!

I seriously love the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow in particular, because it doesn't shift around. It buckles securely against you, giving your baby and your back all the support they need. It's definitely a must have if you're planning on nursing!

2) A CO-SLEEPER
Before my daughter was born, we had planned for her to sleep in a bassinet we purchased for beside our bed. However, after coming home from the hospital, the anxieties of a new mom quickly dawned over me. I felt like the bassinet wasn't allowing me to be as close to her as I needed, and made it difficult for my husband to watch over her, with her bassinet on my side of the bed. After 2-3 days of being home, we purchased the SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper - instantly easing my nightly anxiety!

She was as close to me as I needed, and could easily be picked up by my husband or I during the night. I could reach over and soothe her and keep an eye on her when necessary. I understand that having this co-sleeper in the middle of the bed can make for a squishy sleep experience for many. This is why I would also recommend the bassinet I mentioned above (which we continued to use on the main floor of our home). After my daughter grew out of her co-sleeper a few days back, we moved her back into the bassinet. Now that she is a few months older, having her placed a distance from our bed, is no longer as overwhelming.

3) BREAST PUMP
A breast pump was a great investment for me and my family. It allowed my husband and parents to feed her when I needed a break. Knowing that they had pumped milk in the fridge, gave me so much peace of mind! It also helped me establish my supply by pumping between feeds, and building a collection of frozen milk to use when I choose to stop breastfeeding. I myself purchased the Avent Single Electric Breast Pump, however I would really recommend you opt for the double, to save time! The Avent Natural bottles have also been my daughters favourite, so having the Avent pump along with it, ensured that I didn't have to transfer milk from one bottle to another. I know that these pumps can be a huge expense if you know you won't be using it frequently, a manual breast pump may be the one for you!
4) BOUNCER
Nowadays, there are so many expensive rockers, gliders, and bouncers for babies on the market. My daughter loves her Fisher-Price Deluxe Bouncer. It allows her to sit, so she's not always lying down; she is soothed by the vibrations and music which often put her to sleep; and it's a great way to keep her restrained when I am cleaning or in the kitchen. I never purchased a glider for her, so I'm not sure if they would be a better option for soothing her to sleep. But as of now, I'm glad she doesn't rely on motion to fall asleep. As she has gotten older, I often hang toys from the top, which keep her occupied. Needless to say, before you fall into the trap of spending hundreds on gliders and rockers, know that there are many low-cost options out there that your baby might love just as much.


5) BATH TUB
Giving a tiny baby a bath can seem slightly overwhelming. Despite how hard you try not to think negatively, the fear of dropping him/her in the tub still looms over you. A sitting bath tub seat is a great way to wash your child comfortably. It will make bath time a lot more enjoyable for you and your little one. There are many great tubs on the market for affordable prices. Look out for a tub that drains the water, can lie your child down comfortable, and preferably won't outgrow your child too soon. This one can lie your child down when they are young, and allow them to sit up when they are able to do so.


6) ZIPPERED ONESIES
Night time feeds and diaper changes are rough! In those first few weeks with a newborn, you really would do anything for a decent night's sleep. This means being able to feed and change your baby as fast as humanly possible. Zippered onesies are super convenient! You don't have to worry about figuring out how to snap annoying buttons in the dark. They're also great for babies who hate being cold after bath time, because you can get them on quickly.


7) SLEEP SACKS
Going along with zippered onesies - sleep sacks are the best for when baby learns how to escape the swaddle and kick off his/her blanket! After the first night of cold weather - my daughter woke up with a stuffy runny nose, cough, and sneeze - mostly because I couldn't put her blanket on top of her enough times during the night. That day I went out and bought a winter sleep sack to ensure she wouldn't get a cold again! Sleep sacks are made for various weathers, so you can also buy some for the warmer months. Some of them include a 'swaddle' element that keeps the baby feeling snug and warm. I recommend if your child doesn't care for being tightly swaddled, buy a sleep sack in a larger size so it lasts longer! I purchased the 12-18 month size even though my daughter is only 4 months old. The longer length will ensure she can use it next season as well #momhack.


8) PLAY MAT
Play mats are not only a great resource for helping your child develop motor skills, but also a great way to give mom a break. My daughter can play under her play mat for at least 30 minutes to an hour before getting annoyed. There's definitely a bunch of different ones out there at various price points - so find one that works for you. My daughter was gifted the Bright Starts play mat, which she has loved! It's great because you can also take the toys off, and switch them out for new ones!

9) PLAYYARDS / PLAYPENS
I truly believe playyards are a must-have if you have a two storey house. After my daughter's bassinet was shifted into our bedroom, we put a Cosco Playyard and mattress in the living room on the main floor. It allowed me to put her in a safe and secure place if I was busy in the kitchen. Oftentimes, I would put her play mat inside the playpen, so I didn't have to worry about her getting hurt or lying on the hardwood floor for too long. For daytime naps, I could leave her in the playpen without worrying about having to move her to a safer location for the remainder of her nap. It's so reassuring knowing she won't roll off a couch, hurt herself with furniture around her, or fall down the stairs in the future. Finally, if you travel a lot, a playyard is essential for your child to sleep safely during the night. If this is not something you wish to spend your money on, you can always buy an enclosed baby gate that your child can play within.

10) CARSEAT + STROLLER IN 1
If you want to purchase one item that will make your transition into motherhood 100 times easier, it's a carseat and stroller combo! Nowadays, there are many companies that are creating strollers with this concept in mind - and for a good reason. The Graco Click Connect is a very nice, good quality, and affordable stroller system. The toddler seat can be stored away until needed, and the baby bucket seat can click directly onto the base of the stroller - making it lightweight. When the child grows out of the bucket seat, you can put the toddler seat back on the base, and use it as a normal stroller. Not having to wake your baby up every time you get in and out of the car is very reassuring.