Ready to shop? New and expectant parents can start creating their shopping lists for baby–now. I’m revealing my nine nifty essentials that can help keep your snuggly newborns on cloud nine while making parents look like pros. These items worked like a charm for me! Check them out for yourselves.
4moms mamaRoo
This is the best baby invention ever. I live in my mamaRoo some days when Mommy just can’t console me anymore. It’s an off-the-charts baby seat, bouncer, rocker, tree swing, car ride, stroller walk, ocean wave simulator, and more, all with matching music and different speed settings. I personally love hanging out in the tree swing while admiring the masterpieces of fine artists dangling in the mobile above. Starting at $199.99, 4moms.com/mamaroo
Tiny Love Take-Along Mobile
This mobile is a game changer. It keeps going and going since it’s battery-operated, so there’s no stopping and winding it up. Its continuous play can soothe me to sleep and keep me asleep. Plus, the sweet lullaby singing animals can come with me anywhere–it fits on my car seat, stroller, and changer. $24.99, tinylove.com
The First Years Sounds for Silence Premium Sound Machine
This baby sound machine rocks! Mommy gets to choose from a variety of white noises. Early on, I slept to the familiar womb and heartbeat sounds and as I’ve gotten bigger, I’ve experienced rain and other great options. Plus, it runs all night long unlike that sleep sheep which eventually shuts off and leaves me listening to scary city noises! As a bonus, it also plays music and it knows some of my favorite songs. The built-in night light also makes a great learning toy. I love turning it on and off. I put the white noise on when I’m telling Mommy she needs to wind down and get me to dreamland. Price varies, thefirstyears.com
Patemm Pad
This changing pad is the jack-of-all-trades of diaper changers. It’s coated so it’s super easy to wipe down if any accidents occur (and they do). It has storage pouches within for diapers, wipes, and extra clothes so Mommy can store everything in one place. These also give babies like me items to play with during the change. It opens to a full circle instead of a narrow rectangle providing more room to change a wiggly baby and barriers for protection in doing so. And it folds neatly so Mommy can easily carry it and me, if I’m not too squirmy, that is. $65, patemm.com
Trumpette Socks
From where I stand, Trumpette socks are an essential for any stylish baby. They’re super cute and always win me compliments. These adorable socks come in an assortment of colors and mimic shoes, from ballet slippers and Maryjanes for Elle Belles like me, to golf shoes and loafers for my boyfriends. Starting at $8, trumpette.com
That’s Not My… Book Series
There’s nothing that I love more than a good book. I highly recommend the That’s Not…series. They’re so cool because even before I understood the words, I loved looking at the bright colors and big pictures, but, most of all, touching and feeling everything. My personal favorite textures are the bumpy objects. I especially love That’s Not My Puppy, since I’m an animal lover, and That’s Not My Fairy, simply because the fairies have great outfits and hair accessories. I even got Mommy and Daddy the parody which they love and gift to all their friends: OMG That’s Not My Child and OMG That’s Not My Husband. Price varies, amazon.com
VTech Pour & Float Froggy
This is the only bath toy that makes me want to sit in the tub. The little green froggy sings to me, sprays water like a fountain, lights up, and comes with pouring cups that I can use to throw water at Mommy when she’s bravely trying to wash me. But I know I’m already clean enough. Ribbit! $17.99, vtechkids.com
WubbaNub Pacifier
The only pacifiers I would even consider using are WubbaNubs. Personally, I hate pacifiers. If I’m crying, fix the situation, but don’t give me something to suck on that doesn’t have milk in it! These pacifiers actually won me over with their mini stuffed animal friends on the ends. Whether it’s the yellow duck or the blue bear, the different animals calm me down. They’re super soft and fun, too. And when I ultimately throw it on the dirty ground, Mommy can easily wash it in the machine. Price varies, wubbanub.com
Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Gym
Although I dreaded Tummy Time, my mat made it almost tolerable. The matching Tummy Time pillow made the uncomfortable experience much better. I enjoyed being able to stretch up and rattle some toys and shake others. I also loved the mirror it comes with. All babies love checking themselves out. I now know the beautiful baby in the mirror was me all along. $75, skiphop.com
Elle Belle is a beautiful baby girl who lives in the Upper East Side with her magnificent mommy, dapper dad, and her five-year-old four-legged brother (who’s adopted). She enjoys reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, trying new foods, doing yoga, taking walks in Central Park, putting things in her mouth, and cruising around NYC in her stroller while making everyone smile wherever she goes. She can be reached LilElleBelle@gmail.com and found on tugsonmyheartstrings.blogspot.com
