With Christmas just around the corner, I thought I’d write a list of my 10 favourite baby items that saved me as a new mum.

Sorry, I mean our favourite baby items – Aaron decided to Dad-verify this list!

The other night we were sharing a bottle of wine, when one of my friends text asking for Christmas gift ideas for her new niece. She wanted to get something her sister and the baby would actually use.

Aaron and I looked back on our first year ( and laughed at how easy the parenting game was before Elle started walking). We agreed that when it comes to Christmas or baby shower gifts, or simply preparing for the arrival of your own bundle of joy, you can’t go wrong with the following items.

My 10 Favourite Baby Items

1. Skip Hop Playspot Geo Foam Floor Tiles

In case you didn’t know, I’m kind of into home decor.

For that reason, the thought of red, orange and blue floor tiles smack dab in the middle of my kitchen makes my skin crawl. But I’m not going to deny my daughter a safe and comfortable place to play! That’s why I’m so happy I found these neutral foam floor tiles that complement the white and grey tones in our house.

2. Touchy-feely Board Books

Elle can’t get enough of these colourful and engaging books. Whether it’s petting a rabbit’s soft ears or feeling a unicorn’s fluffy tail, each page has a tactile element, making these books a great way to develop sensory skills.

If you’re heading to your local bookshop or looking online, there are tons of different themes to choose from. My favourites for Elle are by Jellycat and Fiona Watt. Both brands are super durable!

 

3. Make My Day Bibs

These bibs aren’t just adorable – they’re SO practical with a large catch pocket to help keep baby’s clothes food-free. Plus, the stain-resistant, waterproof silicone bib is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean.

I have four bibs in total. They have an adjustable neck, so Elle started wearing them at six months and they’ll fit until she’s around 3. And I can vouch that after a year of daily use, they still look (and smell) brand new.

I’ve also heard good things about the super cute Wonder Bibs, which are a bit cheaper, though I haven’t tried them myself.

 

4. Glamorous Diaper Bags

Buying a diaper bag was probably the greatest struggle for me. I swear, all the diaper bags I came across looked like plastic-y, oversized lunch kits. Hello, women become mums but that doesn’t mean they want to throw their sense of fashion out the window!

Thank goodness for the world of online shopping. I did some research and found that Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Tory Burch all make diaper bags, and there are many cute options that won’t break the bank too!

I ended up going with a black leather Coach diaper bag that’s so cute and will make a great travel bag post-baby. It doesn’t look like it’s available in stores any longer but I did find a few kicking around on Amazon.

 

5. Swaddle blankets

Swaddle blankets are one of my favourite baby items!

In the newborn days, I swaddled Elle while she slept to keep her warm and secure. Swaddlers also worked great as nursing cover ups, cloths and blankets.

Fast forward a year and a half, and I still keep a few on-hand around the house and in my car. They always come in handy when we’re on the go!

6. Sleep Sacks

When Elle learned how to roll, it was time to stop swaddling but I still wanted to keep her warm! Breathable cotton muslin sleeping bags are perfect for our cold Alberta winter nights and our equally cold air-conditioned summers! They zip on overtop of Elle’s pjs, giving comfort and warmth without the worry of loose blankets in the crib.

I started her in her first sleep sack around four months and still use them today at night and during naps.

 

7. Rockabye Baby! Music

We turn on lullabies as part of Elle’s bedtime routine, and then we get to listen to them for 30 minutes through her baby monitor each night and at naps. I owe a large chunk of my sanity to Rockabye Baby.

They turn popular songs – from Beyonce to Justin Timberlake, Queen and Coldplay – into lullabies. You KNOW I can’t get sick of SexyBack. Not ever. And it’s definitely pretty awesome as a lullaby.

 

8. Sophie the Giraffe

I simply couldn’t justify spending $30 on a pint-sized chew toy, but Elle received one as a gift and I’m so glad! I don’t know what kind of magic they put in Sophie the Giraffe, but it IS magic. Elle loved gnawing away on Sophie, especially when she was teething.

 

9. Moccasins

Chubby legs, ankles and feet are the cutest thing ever, but they’re not exactly the best at holding onto shoes. Moccasins are the only style of shoe that Elle never kicked off during stroller rides, thanks to elastic around the opening.

Leather moccasins are definitely an investment but they’re amazing – especially when baby starts to crawl and walk. Elle has a rose gold pair that are flashy AF. I also bought a gender-neutral beige pair. If you’re going to invest, might as well get a colour that can be passed down easily.

 

I also found a moccasin-style shoe at Old Navy that I love for a fraction of the price. I find they’re not as durable as leather mocs when it comes to walking, but they’re still great. Elle’s had the gold shoe in three sizes!

 

10. Crinkle Books

Don’t be alarmed by how crazy this book looks! I swear, it’s been my best friend on many occasions. This soft, fabric book with crinkly pages and bright colours kept Elle extremely entertained while we were out and about, at restaurants and during car rides.

I would tuck it away in my diaper bag and bring it out when I felt she needed some extra stimulation. She loved it!

And that right there is our list of favourite baby items!

I’m always so curious to hear from other mums. What items made your life easier? Anything you swear by?

Thanks for stopping by! And, if you’re still in the mood for baby inspiration, why not check out Elle’s dreamy pink and gray nursery! 

xo Holly Hunka

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