As a mom of three, I am always looking for products make my life easier, and the way I do it is by finding products that help me stay organized and that make my kids more comfortable and safe. It wasn’t easy, as it’s taken me three kids to learn what works and what doesn’t, so whether you’re a mom now or a mom-to-be, here are some of the things that I’ve personally fallen in love with.
Lily Jade Madeline Bag
Lily Jade Madeline Bag with Baby Bag Insert
This is without question the best diaper bag / kid bag / handbag you will ever find. I currently have an 8 week old, a 3 year old and a 5 year old, so my bag is filled with everything from diapers to snacks to iPads. With the Baby Bag Insert, there are pockets for everything you need in order to stay organized – no more digging through a large bag only to find what you were looking for in a bottom corner. In addition to the function of the Lily Jade Madeline Bag, style wise, you’re getting a truly designer bag as well (as is the case with all Lily Jade diaper bags). It’s made from premium leather with no blemishes, and the stitching is nothing less than perfect. And if you’re tempted to think the quality of materials and stitching won’t matter to you in a diaper bag, they do. No bag will see more use than a diaper bag – you take it with you everywhere day in and day out – so you want one that’s going to last. The fact the Madeline bag doubles as a designer diaper bag / handbag is the icing on the cake.
Once you’ve outgrown the diaper bag use, the Lily Jade bag is also designed to become the perfect handbag. Simply remove the baby bag insert and you have a leather handbag with leather that has gotten even better looking with age and is perfectly sized to carry everything you need. If and when another baby comes along, snap in the insert and its ready for diapers yet again. I can’t recommend the Lily Jade Madeline designer diaper bag highly enough. See more at Lily Jade.
Chewbeads
Chewbeads
Just because I’m a mom doesn’t mean that I’m willing to give up my style. Like the Lily Jade bag, Chewbeads give us moms a functional yet stylish way to accessorize. As every mom know or will soon find out, when you’re holding your little one, no matter what you’ve given them to hold or chew on, the only thing they want is what’s around your neck. So, the geniuses at Chewbeads designed a breakaway necklace made of 100% silicone that’s free of BPA, lead and other harmful chemicals commonly found in plastics, making it perfectly safe for your child to chew on, suck on or just play with. It’s not just the safety and functionality of Chewbeads that have put them on the list, however, as they’re stylish and come in nearly every color, making them the perfect way to add a splash of color to any wardrobe. Chewbeads also offers bracelets, baby items and Juniorbeads (my daughter’s favorite), letting little girls match their moms style. See more at Chewbeads.
Aden + Anais
Aden + Anais Bamboo Swaddles
Aden + Anais Bamboo Swaddles are the softest, lightest and most luxurious blanket or swaddle I’ve ever come across. I received the Aden + Anais Bamboo Swaddles as a gift for my third baby and I only wished that someone had introduced me to them sooner. They’re beautifully designed with natural prints and are as lightweight and delicate as a blanket can be. Sized perfectly to swaddle your baby at night, I also use my bamboo swaddles during the day to keep the sun off my little one as it’s lightweight and breathable to keep her from over heating. Because of the generous size, I also use the swaddles as a cover-up while nursing – they’re perfect for at the airport, on the plane or anywhere else where privacy is required. Since receiving the Bamboo Swaddles, I’ve ordered the bamboo Daydream Blanket as a throw for the couch (my children have already claimed it as their own, however), so I’ll be ordering another one shortly. See more at Aden + Anais.
4Moms MamaRoo
4moms mamaRoo
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve praised the mamaRoo to my fellow moms. Not all phone calls I receive are scheduled, so having the ability to set my baby down and have her be happy is a must. The 4moms mamaRoo cradles your baby as if she’s in your own arms and then gently rocks her in a motion that mimics your own. The mamaRoo reclining seat is adjustable from laying to sitting and has five different motions with adjustable speeds, with my daughter loving the kangaroo and the rock a bye settings. There’s also built in nature sounds and a hookup for your iPhone or other device, letting you set your own soothing soundtrack. It’s like a baby swing, but it’s been re-imagined for the 21st century to be more comfortable, more functional, and even easier to use. See more at 4Moms.
Medela Pump In Style Advance and Calma Bottle
Medela Pump In Style Advanced and Medela Calma Bottles
If you’re breastfeeding, simply put, this is the best breastpump you will ever use. I nursed my first two babies for a full year, and in those two years I tried four different pumps. Of the four pumps I tried I gave up on each of them after a week or two, as they ranged from uncomfortable to just not working at all. Then, on the recommendation of my nurse, I tried the Medela Pump In Style Advanced, and it was simply the most comfortable and effective breast pump I’ve used. Now, while I’m still regularly nursing my little one, I’m able to take time off thanks to my milk reserve. I’ve even had a girls day away already, which has done wonders for my sanity. As for how my baby did the first time on the bottle after having nothing but the breast? It took her about 30 seconds with the Calma bottle and then she ate as if she’d been bottle feed from day one. The true test however was when she nursed following the bottle. Some babies have trouble switching back and forth, but my daughter could do so without any trouble, even after her first time. For breastfeeding mothers, the Medela Pump In Style Advanced and Medela Calma Bottles are a must. See more at Medela.
Boba Wrap and Boba Carrier
Boba Wrap and Boba Carrier 4G
Finding a carrier for your newborn is difficult, but I personally love the Boba Wrap. From the first week my daughter was born, she snuggled into the Boba Wrap and was completely happy. It’s a super soft, comfortable wrap that keeps your little one in a natural, supportive position, and my daughter loved it. And for me, I was able to get so much more done because I never felt guilty that I was leaving her by herself more than I should. I gardened, did dishes, played legos and worked while wearing my little girl in the Boba Wrap. For my older daughter, even though she rarely needs it anymore, I pack the Boba 4G on longer walks and in the car when shopping, so in the event she gets tired, me or my husband has an easy way to carry her. I can easily carry her on my back and push the stroller comfortably while still getting everything done that I need to, all while having two happy kids. See more at Boba.
Nest Bedding
Nest Bedding
While I’ll be discussing Nest Bedding in further detail in an upcoming article, I had to include their mattresses on my list. As an adult, we spend nearly 3,000 hours a year on our mattress and children even more, so it only makes sense that I would buy a non-toxic mattress and bedding for the most important people in my life as well. When shopping at Nest Bedding, I know that the products I’m looking at meet my criteria of being either completely organic or natural and non-toxic, as they’ve already done the legwork of searching out the best safe brands and bringing them conveniently to one place. Add in the support they give to local foster care providers and disadvantaged children, and purchasing from Nest Bedding is an easy choice when you’re outfitting your kid’s new bedroom. See more at Nest Bedding.
MD Moms
MD Moms
Created by board-certified pediatricians and moms, I love all of the products MD Moms offers. I keep my Lily Jade bag packed with sunscreen wipes and all over clean wipes. In the bath, I use the baby silk all over clean on all three of my children (including my daughter who suffers from severe eczema and my newborn). It’s soap-free, sulfate-free and truly tear-free. Also on my newborn I use the gentle scrub that gets rid of cradle cap in one use without the need to scrub. In addition to products that don’t contain any parabens, sulfates, phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum, waxes, wheat or gluten, it’s also made in the USA. See more at MD Moms.
