8 Baby Products I Used & Loved

Kaydes is expecting her first wee cousin to be born in the very near future, which has me reminiscing about her birth and the early days. Navigating those early months was a journey filled with trials, errors, and little wins. After testing countless brands and products, I found these baby products to be true lifesavers.

Huggies nappies with the Wetness Indicator line

These were the constant go-to for us. Wellington Hospital’s NICU used Huggies when Kaydes was stayed there, so I just kept going with the brand at home too. They’ve always been so good on her skin, super absorbent and she barely had any rashes etc. I absolutely loved the Wetness Indicator line, which changes colour when it’s time for a change. A wonderful newborn hack for new mums!

Owlet Smart Sock v3

I had heard a lot of great things about the Owlet Smart Sock v3 prior to welcoming my newborn daughter home. And I must say, this little device gave me peace of mind like nothing else! By tracking her heart rate and oxygen levels while she slept, I could get some much-needed sleep without as much worry. She never noticed the sock until she was much older, and the app was easy to use and provided real-time insights. It truly felt like having an extra pair of watchful eyes on her at all times.

Philips Avent Air Pacifiers

These were also another bring home from NICU item. These feature extra-large air holes, which help to reduce skin irritation and allow for better airflow around the mouth. I tried a couple of other brands, but Kaydes always liked these ones and never rejected them. They also come in Glow in the Dark which was incredibly handy when she dropped it in her sleep. Even my contactless, poor eyesight self could see a faint glow, and then pop it back in her mouth 😂

Comotomo Baby Bottles

These bottles were wonderful to use. The bottles are made from safe, non-toxic silicone and were easy to clean with their wide neck design. They’re perfect for traveling since they won’t break if dropped and they’re lightweight. They didn’t take up much room as you could squish them into a bag easily too.

Cotton On Baby Bibs

Kaydes was gifted a couple of these, and they have been my favourite bibs for her since then. I love the generous size of them, and how durable they’ve been after constant spills. Other brands of bibs I tried, would all too often stain or be too small to go over Kaydes’ head. While I haven’t always loved the patterns, I can’t knock them for their secure closure and good price tag.

Nuna Leaf and Wind attachment

We really liked this in the early months. It sways side to side with just a gentle push from me, or continuously with the Wind accessory. This combo gave me precious moments of hands-free time to catch up on chores or simply relax while Kaydes often napped in it. It’s beautifully made, and can hold up to 60kgs – yes I did give it a try! 😂

Leander Matty change mat

I loved the Leander Matty change mat for my daughter’s nappy changing. It’s wipeable, which means I can wipe down any mess or spills easily without worrying about a lasting stain – one of the most important features of any baby product! The sophisticated design with its soft colour palette makes it quite aesthetically pleasing too!

Shnuggle Baby Bath

This was an amazing find, and honestly made bath time a lot less stressful for me. It features a built-in support that helps keep even the tiniest newborns in an upright position. I was always worried that Kaydes may slip from my hands when bathing her, so it definitely stopped that worry, and made bath times more fun.

Notable mentions:

• SnuzPod – This crib features a lightweight, removable bassinet that allows you to easily move your sleeping baby from room to room without disturbance. Its breathable mesh sides promote airflow, and I loved being able to see Kaydes through it, providing peace of mind throughout the night.
• Love to Dream Swaddle Up – They allow babies to sleep in their natural position with their arms up. She still sleeps with her arms up to this day.
• Edwards & Co Oscar and Otto prams – Amazing durable and hardy prams. The Oscar I could push through sandy dry rivers in Alice Springs, and the Otto was the pram of choice when travelling with her when she was a bit older as its 7kg. Customer service wasn’t always the best though.
• Sudocrem – it always soothed Kaydes’ skin almost instantly and became a staple in the diaper bag.