Shopping for a baby can be overwhelming with so many products out there. After my first year of motherhood, I’ve learned a lot about what really works. Here's my list of top baby products that have made my life easier.
But first, a couple of lessons learned: I wish I hadn’t focused so much on buying things just for the first six months—so many items barely got used! And honestly, I should have bought more things second-hand. As a first-time parent, I wanted everything to be perfect, and I assumed second-hand items would be full of stains and wear. A year later, so much of our stuff still feels brand new!
Zip-Up Baby Grows
Why did no one tell me how much of a nightmare poppers on baby grows are? Matching up those tiny buttons while sleep-deprived in the middle of the night—or even worse, when you’re dealing with a wriggling toddler—no thanks! Zip-up baby grows are a game changer!
Joolz Aer – Suitable from Birth
Buying a pram felt like the biggest decision when baby shopping. We originally bought the Joolz Geo 3 travel system and loved it at first—so much basket space! But after a while, I realized how heavy it was, especially with a toddler. At 6 months, we switched to the Joolz Aer, and I love it! Yes, the storage is smaller, but it’s lightweight, nimble, and I can fold it with one hand in the Tesco car park making me feel like a super mum every time! Bonus: it fits in the cabin on flights, so no more worrying about prams getting damaged in the hold.
Dew Spray
I wish I had known about this when my baby was a newborn! Dew spray is a baby-safe sanitizing and cleansing water—no alcohol, non-irritant, and usable from birth. It’s perfect for sanitizing toys, dummies, and highchairs when you’re on the go. No more panic over dropped dummies!
Cold Water Milton STERILISER
We bought MAM bottles, and while lots of parents swear by the microwave sterilizer method, I found it too much hassle—balancing parts and burning my fingers wasn’t for me. We switched to a good old-fashioned cold water sterilizer. It’s simple and cheap: change the water every 24 hours and leave bottles or pump parts to soak for 15 minutes.
Mum Cozy Stair Gate
I honestly love this stair gate! Yes, it’s a little pricier, but it’s fully retractable when not in use. And when my child is at nursery, I love that I don’t have to step over the trip hazard bar you get on most.
The £5 Marketplace Bouncer
I fell into the trap of buying a boujee bouncer, but in reality, all I needed was the £5 one we found on Facebook Marketplace! With one vibration setting, it kept my little one settled long enough for me to run to the bathroom—life saver!
Velcro Swaddles
Swaddling was the magic button that made my baby nap. If you’re not a swaddle pro, Velcro swaddles make life so much easier! We got affordable multipacks from Amazon, and they were super easy to use. I wish I had had these in my hospital bag!
Changing Roll
A friend recommended this, and it’s been a game changer! When you're dealing with a poop explosion on a coffee date, you don’t have time to gather wipes, nappies, spare clothes, etc. A changing roll holds all these essentials, making it an easy grab-and-go lifesaver.
A Photoshoot
Okay, I might be a little biased as a photographer, but hear me out. I didn’t book a newborn shoot because I figured I could do it myself. In reality, my camera roll was full of selfies and less-than-flattering shots! Having a dedicated day for someone else to capture the memories—while helping to settle the baby and advising on what to wear—was exactly what I needed. So yes, I booked a last-minute panic shoot when my baby was a few months old, and I’m so glad I did!