Runs on Coffee and Cream

Having my first child has been eye-opening. I've learnt so much and made so many mistakes. It becomes a guessing game of what your child needs at times. You want to be 'perfect' but the reality is we're all just winging it and doing the best we can. Sometimes that means spending hours on Google, texting every 'mom' friend you have, or on hold with poison control because your baby licked eczema cream off your finger when you were putting it on her cheeks (or trying to).

With Christmas around the corner, I thought I'd share the top baby items that have saved us over and over again. They would be perfect gift ideas for new parents-to-be or stocking stuffers for infants.

1. Swaddle blankets - even if your child doesn't like to be swaddled these blankets are amazing. They're extra large and made from a breathable cotton. They were perfect for the spring and summer to bring with us on walks. If there was a cool breeze, too much sun, or Emma was upset, having a muslin cotton swaddle on hand helped in all those situations.

She's grown very attached to her swaddles. We've been using them in her car seat since spring and she's become snuggly with them.

2. Oball - this is an expensive and little toy. It's absolutely perfect for little baby hands! It was the first toy Emma could hold and she was obsessed with it and actually she still is. It was the perfect toy to entertain her from a young age.

Look how little she was!! Anyways, look at that grip on the Oball!

3. Bamboo wipes - these have been great to clean Emma's face. I still use basic Huggies or Pampers wipes for diaper changes. However, since birth Emma has had sensitive skin. She's had some dry spots on her cheeks and her nose gets a little dry after wiping her face after feedings. I quickly switched to natural bamboo wipes for face wipe ups (usually when we're on the go or in a rush) to help with Emma's skin. I noticed right away that her skin didn't look so pink or irritated when using the bamboo wipes.

I've used both this brand and Aleva bamboo wipes.

4. Toy with hook(s) - there are about a million baby toys out there with a hook attached to the top of them. If you find the right one and add on extra hooks (they sell link loops separately) they are ideal to keep on the infant car seat handle. We found a frog that had hanging legs with rattles, tags, and teething rings on it and it's saved us so many times! Baby freaking out in the store? Distract her with the rattle. Baby getting annoyed during a walk? Give her the teether.

You can see the chain of loops we have to hook her frog to the car seat handle. It keeps him from getting lost!

5. Pacifier clip - if you will be using a pacifier, definitely get a strap for it! The first couple of months of Emma's life was her throwing the pacifier onto the floor. She had a hard time keeping it in her mouth and it always landed on the floor. We finally picked up pacifier straps when we took her to the doctor's and she dropped the pacifier on the floor. We were officially grossed out and made a point of searching out a strap for it. It's been helpful when we're out and about. Worse case scenario, the pacifier ends up in her armpit but at least it's clean and not lost in some store. Also, there are times when the pacifier isn't what she wants and she ends up content just playing with the colourful strap hooked onto her shirt.

Made by The Peanut Shell

Every baby is different and they won't all want the same things. The items on this list definitely made life easier for us though and, after 8 months, we've bought multiples of the above items too.

What items made life easier for you when you first had your baby?

xo Jen