Countdown to Christmas: Mama's Favorite Baby Items

With Christmas just days away, here are some of my favorite pregnancy/baby items you may want to add to your Christmas list.  These have helped make our last year sooo much better/easier/more fun... you get the picture! 

Mama's favorite gift :)



For Mama:

1.  Snoogle Total Body Pillow - This pillow was a godsend towards the end of my pregnancy.  Not only did it help my back/belly/sciatic nerve pain, but it helped me sleep comfortably on my sides (I'm normally a stomach sleeper, so pregnant sleeping was always a bit of a challenge!).  After Peanut was born, I even used it under blankets as support for taking newborn pics. 

2.  Moby Wrap - A hand-me-down from my neighbor, this wrap was my absolute favorite during those first few months.  I wore it to do housework, to get groceries, to cheer on the flag football team, to snuggle on the run.  Annalyn and I adored the closeness and comfort of the wrap.

 

 



3.  Old Navy Maternity Tank Tops - These are the best tank tops ever!  I wore one almost every day of my pregnancy and still wear them now.  I even bought a couple in a size smaller once Annalyn was born.  They are super soft, extra long, and come in a variety of colors.

 



4.  Old Navy Maternity Low-Rise Leggings - Another maternity wardrobe staple.  They are my all-time favorite fitting leggings (maternity or not) and seem pretty true to fit.  I loved wearing long sweaters and dresses with these leggings through the fall and winter months.

 





5.  Gilligan & O'Malley Nursing Sleep Bras - Have you noticed that most of my favorites have to do with comfort?  Comfortable clothes were so important to me when I was pregnant and postpartum.  These sleep bras were wonderful for the end of pregnancy and while I was nursing. They are comfortable, yet supportive and super soft.  They've also held up really well, despite being washed and dried over and over.



 



6.  Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack - A surprise Mother's Day gift from Michael & Peanut, this bag tops my list of best baby splurges ever.  Not only is it beautiful and fun to carry, but it's soooo functional.  The roll out changing pad seems gimmicky, sure, but it's actually awesome.  It unrolls to reveal pounches for diapers, wipes, and diaper cream - instant changing station on the go!  The back pack straps are perfect for baby wearing - baby in the front, bag in the back, hands free... All I'm missing is the cape and the supermom transformation is complete!  But in all seriousness, I have been beyond pleased with this bag.

 



 



 

 



For Baby

1.  Tommy Tippee Bibs - They may look funny, but these bibs are awesome for bottle and breastfeeding newborns.  The padding around the neck helps catch milk before it goes to that wonderful black hole affectionately known around our household as the chin wrinkle.  Plus it makes for good conversation at the baby shower.

 

 



2.  Chicco travel system - Choosing this item probably caused us more stress than anything when making our baby registry.  In the end Chicco was the perfect combination of high safety rating and low price.  The car seat is recommended up to 30 lbs., but Annalyn outgrew it in length before then. The stroller is easy to use, folds nicely, and looks great (especially since it's Butler colors!).

 



3.  Wubbanub Pacifiers - If you've never seen a baby with a pacifier that has an adorable animal friend hanging from it, well, you're just plain missing out.  Besides being super cute, the "wubbas" make it so much easier for little hands to find an estranged pacifier (especially at night as baby gets old enough to sleep with them).  Annalyn has become quite attached to her paci friends lately.  Her favorite is definitely her red puppy, but she enjoys them all.  We love to watch adoringly on the monitor while she plays with them when she wakes up from her naps.

 



4.  Winnie the Pooh Bouncy Activity Jumper - Even before she could touch the ground, Annalyn loved this jumper.  At almost 10 months, she still enjoys her "jumpy time."  Baby gets her exercise, Mama gets her hands free... need I say anymore?

 



5.  Graco Duodiner 3-in-1 High Chair - It's easy to clean, easy to use, and fully adjustable.  The top part can come off and strap onto a chair so baby can feel like part of the family at mealtime.  It comes in lots of different patterns and colors, so you can coordinate with your dining room.



6.  Babies R Us Travel Bowls with Lids - These bowls are the perfect size for baby portions, and are deep enough for holding frozen food cubes, either to put in the fridge the night before to thaw out, or for traveling in the cooler.  They hold up well, are dishwasher and microwave safe, and at about $4 for a 4 pack, the price is right.