This was our first surprise. We ended up using these swaddles constantly during the first three months of our baby's life.

It turns out that swaddling was the one thing that consistently helped our baby sleep longer stretches at night. We had to learn how to properly swaddle using the muslin blankets since they're a bit larger than the hospital swaddles, but once we got the hang of it, it was surprisingly easy.

One thing I will say, though: make sure you learn how to swaddle correctly. Seeing your baby start to wiggle out of a swaddle in the middle of the night can definitely cause a few panic attacks. 😅

Speaking of those nightly worries that come with having a newborn, one product that gave me a lot of peace of mind was our baby monitor—specifically, one with two cameras.

We placed one camera in our bedroom, where our baby slept in his bassinet, and the other in the nursery for daytime naps in his crib.

I can't express how useful this setup has been. At night, it allowed me to quickly check on my baby and make sure he was okay without constantly getting up. During the day, it gave me the freedom to let him nap in a dark, cozy room while I tackled chores, worked on other things, or simply enjoyed a little downtime.

One feature I especially love is VOX mode, which turns the screen off when no sound is detected and automatically turns it back on as soon as your baby makes a noise. It helps save battery life while still keeping you aware of what's going on.

As an engineer, it was also important to me to choose a monitor with a secure, non-WiFi connection. Knowing it isn't connected to the internet gave me extra peace of mind from a privacy and security standpoint.

Some other features we've really enjoyed are the ability to remotely move the camera, talk to our baby through the monitor using the two-way audio feature, play soothing music, and use the built-in nightlight with different color options.

After my breastfeeding journey ended, I had to figure out how to make formula feeding a bit more manageable. Because while breastfeeding is always available, preparing formula when your baby is already crying like they haven’t eaten in days is a different kind of stress. 😅

I came across pediatrician Dr Mona talking about this formula pitcher, where you can mix formula in bulk ahead of time. Each batch stays good for up to 24 hours, and honestly, it has been a game changer for us. I still use it to this day.

You do have to warm the milk if your baby prefers it that way, but thankfully mine is okay with cooler milk. Most of the time, I just take it out of the fridge and put it in a cup of warm water for a few minutes—usually around 3 minutes or less. Just so it loses that chill temperature.

As your baby gets older, you also start getting a feel for timing it better—taking the milk out a little earlier so it’s ready right when hunger starts kicking in.

Since our living space is limited, I was hesitant to buy a dedicated changing table. Instead, I found this changing pad and placed it on top of my baby's dresser—and honestly, it has worked out really well.

For us, it was a great space-saving solution because it gave us all the functionality of a changing station without needing an extra piece of furniture.

One thing to keep in mind is that the setup works well for me because I'm tall. When my mother-in-law comes over to help with the baby, the height isn't as comfortable for her, so we've had to move the changing pad to a different surface.

As for the pad itself, I really like that it has a washable cover, a non-slip bottom to help keep it in place, and a safety strap that wraps around your baby during diaper changes. It's simple, practical, and has worked great for our space.

I knew I wanted to use some type of lotion for my baby, but I also wanted to make sure it was a relatively clean product. That's when I decided to use the Yuka app 🥕 to help me find good options.

The app analyzes the health impact of food and cosmetic products, and honestly, I use it for almost everything I buy now.

Here are the ratings these products received on Yuka:

• Mustela Baby Lotion: 🟢 Excellent (86/100), with only 2 low-risk ingredients.

• Mustela Baby Oil: 🟢 Excellent (93/100), with only 1 low-risk ingredient.

Beyond the ratings, one of my favorite things about these products is the scent. They just smell like a baby should smell—I'm not sure how else to describe it ☺️.

That said, every baby is different, so I would recommend starting with just one bottle to see how your baby's skin reacts. It has worked wonderfully for my little one, but it's always a good idea to test new products first.

After bath time, we usually apply either the lotion or the oil and give him a nice massage. He ends up relaxed and smelling absolutely amazing.

Speaking of clean products, I absolutely love the Honest brand. 🤩

Before switching to Honest wipes, I tried the Pampers Aqua Pure fragrance-free wipes, but honestly, they had a slightly odd scent and I felt like they left a bit of residue behind.

The Honest wipes, on the other hand, are truly fragrance-free, very soft, and don’t leave that sticky or lingering residue.

They are on the pricier side, but I personally don’t mind spending more on products that go directly on my baby’s skin and on things I feel good about using daily.

And just as a fun detail—their Yuka rating is 🟢 Excellent (100/100)!

The Ergobaby bouncer was another item I didn’t realize would be so useful until we actually started using it.

Before buying it, I was constantly carrying my baby everywhere and didn’t feel comfortable putting him down anywhere except his bassinet or crib.

Once we got the bouncer, it made a huge difference. I was finally able to set him down safely while I made myself breakfast, and he would just watch me move around the kitchen. It also gave me a break from holding him all the time, without feeling like I had to lay him completely flat—something they tend to stop enjoying pretty quickly.

I also try to choose baby items that last longer since we don’t have a lot of space. This bouncer has a newborn insert for the early stage, which you can remove as your baby grows. You can also adjust the incline, which makes it useful through different phases instead of something they outgrow too quickly.

I have to admit, this was one of those baby items I bought without really understanding how useful it would be. In fact, I even underestimated it at first. I remember thinking, “It’s weird they make cloth bibs—they’re going to get so dirty from food.” I completely misunderstood what they were for. 😅

Well… let me let you in on a little secret: it’s for drooling.

At some point, babies start drooling a lot, and I mean a lot. These bibs become incredibly useful for keeping their neck and clothes dry throughout the day.

I’m even considering buying another pack because I only have an 8-pack, and I find myself constantly washing them since they get dirty so quickly.

The material is really soft and absorbent, and I love that they have adjustable snaps so you can keep using them as your baby grows.

If you're pregnant, chances are you've been targeted by a Lovevery ad on Instagram at least a hundred times. 😂

I know I was. At first, I wasn't sure if it was worth the price since it's definitely on the more expensive side when it comes to play gyms and activity mats. But I was really drawn to the design, the materials, the neutral colors, and the fact that it comes with a guide full of age-appropriate activities you can do with your baby.

Well, I finally decided to give it a try, and I have to admit—the hype was justified.

My baby absolutely LOVES this mat. It's one of the few places where he can stay engaged for a surprisingly long time. I find myself watching him concentrate on the hanging toys, studying them with so much curiosity. His favorite part by far is the sensory strands, which he loves reaching for, grabbing, and exploring with his hands.

As a first-time mom, I also appreciate that the mat gives me ideas for how to interact and play with him as he grows. Sometimes it's hard to know what activities are actually appropriate for their age, so having that guidance built in has been really helpful.

One thing I regret is not buying it sooner. The nice thing, though, is that it's designed to grow with your baby through different developmental stages, so it doesn't feel like something they'll outgrow after just a few months.

If you're debating whether it's worth the investment, this is one of the baby products that has genuinely gotten a lot of use in our house.