I had my first baby in 2023. I read many blogs and lists, knowing I did not want to purchase every gadget and gizmo on the market. I also received many items for our baby shower from loving family and friends. Below are my favorite items! I will add to this list as I use and discover more favorites. Don’t expect to see clothes and toys on this list, though!

Disclaimer: I either purchased or received these items as a gift from friends/family. None of these items are sponsored; I use them personally. I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through any of the product links in this and any other posting on my site.

Amke Bassinet with Wheels

There are so many options for bassinets. I chose this Amke Bassinet because it folds up in case we need to travel and when it’s out grown. It was on my registry, and my employer was so kind as to buy it for us. I was thrilled! When we got it, I discovered it was much heavier than anticipated. However, there were caster wheels available that easily clicked into the base. Game changer! Wheeling the bassinet between our living room and bedroom in the first couple of months was nice. Then, it went into her room during the transition into her crib.

Features:

• Adjustable to 6 different heights with squeeze handles on each side for easy adjusting
• Mesh side that easily unclicks to drop down for adjacent sleeping and easy breastfeeding through the night
• Removable pad (we flipped it to the easily wipeable side)
• Removable inner lining – my daughter likes to sleep against the wall of the bassinet, so it was nice to be able to remove and wash that!
• It comes with straps to “attach” to the mattress for safety (so it doesn’t roll away from the bed in the middle of the night, and the baby falls on the floor!)
• Amke Caster Wheels!! (Optional and separate cost)
• Heavy Duty/well made

Portable Silicone Soft Touch Night Light

I WISH I had purchased this before our baby arrived, and I recommend it any time a mama asks what they should add to their registry.

This super simple dot-style light was incredibly useful for feedings in the middle of the night and quick baby checks, and it added just enough light any time we needed to see but didn’t want to wake up our sleeping baby. Most nights, we kept it in the bassinet to quickly flip over and check on her!

Features:

• Rechargeable (USB-C port)
• Dimmable
• Small enough for the palm of your hand

Dreamland Baby Sleep Sack

For the first few months, I could NOT put my baby down and have her stay asleep. Her eyes would pop right open, searching for me. I was stuck holding her constantly, becoming more tired, sore, and short-tempered with my husband.

My husband and I agreed to purchase this Dreamland Baby Sleep Sack so that she could sleep longer without being held. This freed me up to brush my teeth, put on deodorant, and maybe have a snack!

We are grateful and blessed to have a baby that sleeps through the night, but I think this sack helps!

I just throw this thing right in the washer with the rest of her clothes! I hang dry mostly but when I’m short on time (bedtime is approaching) it gets put in the dryer. It’s holding up pretty well so far.

TIP: Buy a size up so your baby can grow into it. This is a little on the pricy side, but if you have a baby like mine who wouldn’t go to sleep without being held, it’ll be worth it.

Padded and Folding Play Mat

We have animals and removed the carpet last year. I feel better having hard floors that are easy to clean. The carpet would just hold unknown dirt and bacteria that my baby would be crawling all over. However, that meant floor time with a baby would be uncomfortable without some padding!

I discovered this Padded and Folding Play Mat, and it’s been great! Comfortable enough for her to roll around and play with her toys and also for my husband and I to sit with her.

We love that it folds up so we can keep our pets off it to help keep it clean.

Baby Gate for Top of Stairs

Our house is mostly one level. We use the basement, but all of the bedrooms and main living areas are on the first floor. Thankfully, that meant we only needed one really good Baby Gate! I like this one and installed it myself while my husband was at work.

Features:

• -4 points to screw directly into the wall/trim for security
• -Color reminder for locked or unlocked
• -The bottom has an adjustable stop if you want to extra-lock it in place or keep it from being able to swing in one direction
• -Easy install and for adult use. It is too difficult for babies and children to open.
• -Fits a 29″ to 38″ frame

Other Option: If you’re looking for a room divider that doesn’t take up too much space, you can try this Retractable gate . We have one at the bottom of our stairs that we used to keep our dog in the basement (old English Bully). It could be useful for things a barrier to keep kids from going back a hallway, small pets out of a room, or even to keep kids in their bedroom to play while their big door is open (?). DO NOT use this Retractable gate at the top of a set of stairs- it is a type of plastic fabric that would be far too dangerous for that!

Baby Bath Tub

There are so many bathtubs out there. I wanted one that I could use until I was comfortable having my transition to our big bathtub. And that I could also use somewhere other than in the bathroom if I needed to.

This Baby Bath Tub from Fisher-Price checked all of my boxes, and it has been easy to use. I’d tell you my baby loves it, but I think she enjoys being in the water! We store it in our bathroom closet when it’s not being used.

Features:

• Fits baby’s needs for the first year
• Removable baby sling for >3 months
• Removable baby seat for >6-9 months
• “Max” water fill mark to help prevent drowning
• Slanted on one side to prop baby up for the first 6-ish months until they can sit
• Easy to clean

Ducky Thermometer

To go along with bathtime, we got a Ducky Thermometer. It is super cute for kids to enjoy it, and it helps me ensure our bath water is the right temperature. It has a color-changing display with the temperature (celsius or Fahrenheit). Blue is too cold, Red is too hot, and Green is just right!

Swivel and Rock Recliner for Nursery

I loved the idea of having a nursery chair but disliked all the nursery-specific chairs I found. I wanted both a swivel and a rock movement for the area I wanted to put it in. That seemed challenging to find at the price point I wanted. I also didn’t care for the nursery chairs’ absorbent/stainable fabric options. Babies constantly spit up, and I was worried about ruining a chair quickly. I wanted to find the perfect chair to last through any babies I had!

I am so happy I found this Recliner! My mother-in-law chose to buy it for us, which we’re super grateful for. It was also at a price I was willing to pay if it hadn’t been a gift. It also has some bonus features that I rarely use but are part of the package deal nonetheless. I’m 5′ tall and it works great for my petite height. My husband who is 6’2″ is also comfortable in it.

Features:

• Faux-leather fabric so it’s super easy to clean
• 2 cup holders (One for momma and one for that bottle!)
• Swivels
• Rocks
• Reclines
• Both arms are padded for comfort
• Heat AND massage function! (You can totally chose not to plug the chair in and just use it without those options too.)
• It came in a box, right to my door, and I was able to follow the assembly instructions and put it together 7 months pregnant by myself (my husband would have helped; I had just begun nesting.) I like that I can easily disassemble it to move it in the house (small doorways) if I choose to down the road.
• It’s neutral and can easily go with any living room furniture in the future when we’re done with the nursery

Baby Fingernail File

I did not realize how difficult it would be to trip a baby’s fingernails. Nor did I understand how often it would need to be done! I have to file my daughter’s nails twice a week. She has scratched herself and me enough times that this is needed. I have been super happy with this electronic Baby Fingernail File! It should work for at least the first year and probably beyond.

She tolerates it pretty well, and I let her hold it a bit so she’s not afraid.

Features:

• Case to keep all the pieces together.
• Stop function when pressed too forcefully, so it doesn’t grind baby’s skin off.
• Multiple filing grits to use the appropriate file for the baby’s age.

Baby Sling Carrier

I literally had a man chase me down in the grocery store (he worked behind the deli counter) to ask if I made this little beauty. I live in a small town, and truthfully, I had never seen a Baby Sling before discovering one on some other mom blog during my pregnancy. He hadn’t either and wanted one for his own wife and their baby.

I love how easy it is to use and that it can be used as my baby grows. It’s meant to be worn so you can carry your baby on the front of your body, with the fabric going over either shoulder.

There are plenty of other companies out there with beauty patterns. I originally chose this one partly because of the added pocket! A pocket that I have used to carry my wallet and car keys during grocery shopping.

Favorites Amazon List

I have an Amazon list titled “Tiffany’s Favorite Baby Essentials” that I will add to as I enjoy products for our growing baby.