FTM The Ultimate Baby Faves
BabyBjörn Toy for Bouncer
Usefulness score: 10/10
What it is: A colorful, entertaining bar with interactive shapes and funny eyes, designed to develop a baby's motor skills. It's easy to attach to and compatible with Bouncer Balance Soft and Bouncer Bliss.
Why we love it: It's adorably designed without being obnoxious or over the top, like most baby toys. It was one of the first toys that really captured my baby's attention and engagement. Watching my little one practice spinning the wooden pieces gives me a chance to do dishes, work, or make dinner. It's definitely a must-have in our household.
The downsides: Pricey, but perfect registry addition
Additional Note: The Björn Bouncer itself is also an ALL-TIME FAVORITE at our house. We have the super fancy Mamaroo and some other devices, and this is by far her favorite spot to hang out and watch us move around the kitchen, allow me to take work calls, or finish some work in peace!
Cute & Engaging Bouncer Toy
Lovevery Play Gym
Usefulness score: 9/10
What it is: Developmental play space for babies, featuring Montessori-inspired activities and sustainable materials, adaptable for newborns to toddlers.
Why we love it: Our daughter loves this play gym, perfect from her first weeks. It's great for tummy time and has lots of neat features that grow with her. We even hang her favorite toys on it. It's not an eyesore, easy to store, and simple to clean – just machine wash and air dry.
The downsides: While it has a high initial cost, the long-lasting play value for your baby makes it a worthwhile investment, and it's clearly built to last.
The Best Play Gym (& still cute)
Hatch Rest+ Sound Machine
Usefulness score: 10/10
What it is: A sound machine and nightlight all in one.
Why we love it: It’s portable to carry from bedroom bassinet to nursery for late night changing and feedings.
The downsides: Pricey, but perfect registry addition. Also hate that if you want any additional sounds/songs, they want you to purchase a subscription. It comes with quite a few, but just something that is irritating.
Additional notes: Love this so much we considered buying a second so we could have one in our bedroom and one in the nursery.
Best Nightlight + Sound Machine
Cloud b Calming Nightlight Star Projector
Usefulness score: 9/10
What it is: A nightlight for kids that mixes fun lights, colors, and shapes. Helps little ones wind down and get to sleep, and turns off by itself too.
Why we love it: We got this as a gift, and my expectations were non-existent. I pulled this out of the box and threw some batteries in, and our baby girl was OBSESSED. Since then, it’s a must for getting her to get herself to sleep in her bassinet. We throw this on the dresser, and she's transfixed until those little eyes finally shut.
The downside: It takes up a lot of surface area, so we need to find a spot for it. Also, wish it were rechargeable, rather than take batteries.
The Best Nightlight Hands-Down
Ergobaby Embrace Baby Carrier
Usefulness score: 9/10
What it is: Soft baby carrier for newborns to 25 pounds.
Why we love it: A baby carrier that's a breeze to use, comfy, and free from complicated clips and attachments. It's incredibly compact, making it perfect for on-the-go use. You can easily and comfortably put it on by yourself, which is a lifesaver when navigating through airports or shopping at the grocery store.
The downsides: Probably not best for super long periods of time standing or hiking. No additional head support (some carriers have an extra flap for baby’s head support).
Quick & Easy Comfy Carrier
Additional Faves
Copper Pearl Baby Burp Cloths
Why: Feel like formula or milk doesn’t penetrate through the material, and they are big enough to cover your whole shoulder.
Burp Cloths
Love to Dream Swaddle UP
Why: I think this is a preference of the baby, but ours liked having her arms up rather than to her side. It’s also nice that she can suck on her hands once she started to do so to put herself to sleep.
Swaddles
Konssy Muslin Baby Bibs 10 Pack
Why: These have been awesome. They are super soft and absorbent, but they don’t seem to penetrate to the other side. We used them when our girl was a newborn and messy taking milk, and now to catch all the slobber throughout the day ha!
Muslin Bibs
Babyganics Foaming Pump Hand Sanitizer
Why: Not as abrasive and safer for baby hand sanitizer. This had ZERO scent and doesn’t leave your hands feeling like there is a residue. It DOES dry out your hands, but washing them or any other sanitizer does, too.