I wanted to make a roundup of all of my favorite baby and toddler products from 2019. It was a unique year for me since the girls turned one in April. I used a full spectrum of products since they developed so much in this year alone. I have a few friends expecting babies in 2020, so I hope this list can serve as a reference as they work on their registry.
BEST OF BREASTFEEDING & PUMPING PRODUCTS 2019:
Best Breast Pump: The Spectra S1.
- I like that it has a rechargeable battery so you can walk around while pumping…there were more than a few times I ran to the nursery to pop a binky back in one of the babies mouths while pumping.
- You can really customize your pumping modes on this. There are multiple ways to adjust the pump during the pumping session and dial it in for your comfort.
Best Milk Storage Bags: Lansinoh Milk Storage Bags
- If you’re pumping up to 6oz at a time, I really love the Lansinoh bags. They freeze well, and are very easy to pour out of. They are also not a very thick bag so if you’re thawing milk in a warm water bath, its rather quick.
- However, if you’re pumping for twins like I was, sometimes you need to fit more milk in a bag. I could easily fit 10oz in these: Mommy’s Precious Milk Storage Bags.
Best Breastfeeding Pillow for Twins: My Breast Friend Pillow for Twins
- I used this to comfortably nurse the girls in double football hold for 10 months exclusively. I could also continue to nurse one big baby at a time as well.
- I took the lumbar support pillow off of the back since that was a bit uncomfortable, and used this on the couch with a regular pillow behind me. I pulled the girls’ newborn loungers up under each side to help support them and bring the pillow up so that the girls were in my armpits.
Best Hands Free Pumping Bra: Simple Wishes Hands Free Breastpump Bra
- If you’re thinking you don’t need a hands free pumping bra you’re sadly mistaken. No offense, but holding your flanges for 10-20 minutes when you could be scrolling or reading a book is just crazy to me. You will likely spend a lot of time hooked up to your pump, so you might as well make the most of that time! I used to pump and do my makeup for work at the same time.
BEST FEEDING PRODUCTS OF 2019:
Best Bottles for Breastfed babies: Phillips Avent Natural Bottles with Size 0 Nipple
- YES, a size 0 nipple and you use that thing until the baby weans, or unless you have a naturally fast flow. With any bottle that you choose, a slow-flow nipple is absolutely imperative.
- I also only ever used the 4oz bottles of milk since the girls were breastfed. Check out https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/ for more information on the amount of pumped milk your breastfed baby will need.
Best Bottle Cleaning Soap: Seventh Generation Non-Toxic Dish Soap
- I know it’s weird to include dish soap, but having tried a few other brands to clean bottles, and other baby feeding products this is the quickest suds-up and leaves absolutely no residue. It always cuts our washing time down!
Best Transitional Sippy Cup: Mam Trainer Cup
- These have 2 nipples that you can use to transition the baby from a more bottle-like nipple to a sippy spout.
Best Toddler Silverware: Munchkin Spoon & Fork
- These have a guard and the metal utensils just do a better job of actually collecting food off of their plates.
Best Baby Led Feeding Plate: Bamboo Suction Plate
- These plates have rounded edges which make it easy for small hands to scoop up food as they’re learning the pincer grasp and everything involved with feeding themselves. The tall sides also help as they learn to use utensils to collect food from their plate. Easy to clean and super cute!
BEST OF DIAPERING PRODUCTS 2019:
Best Diaper Pail: Diaper Dekor Plus
- I can definitively say that this diaper pail rules over the Diaper Genie and Munchkin brand ones. The most important reason being that I rarely ever have to squish a diaper into the pail.
- The idea behind this pail is that it features a “trap door” piece that seals the smells in. As the girls got bigger, so did their diapers. And we found that when they were little we would sort of throw the diaper into the pail, and when their diapers were bigger we accidentally broke the trap door pieces. Customer service was absolutely amazing and sent us two new trap door parts within a week of me sending in an email. No questions asked.
- I use generic refill bags that are a bit cheaper than the already affordable Dekor brand bags. Found Here: Baby Feel Dekor Plus Refills
- Another great thing about this diaper pail is that you can use regular kitchen trash bags as refills if you’re in between refill purchases.
Best Changing Pad Cover: Cloud Island Wipeable Changing Pad Cover with Plush Sides
- Never buy another cover, seriously. Imagine changing a blow out: wiping baby, disposing of diaper, tossing soiled clothes into the laundry basket, all while you’re keeping the baby securely laying there on the changing table. Imagine being able to just wipe down your changing pad as you go instead of making more of a mess and adding to your ever growing laundry!? Keep clorox wipes handy to sanitize every once in awhile and/or toss it in the wash. These covers are pure genius.
Best Overall Diaper Cream for Daily Use: Desitin Extra Strength
- I use this at every change as a preventative barrier cream and the girls very rarely get rashes.
- If the girls ever get a yeast rash I will mix over the counter Monistat 7 cream, Desitin and Neosporin and apply twice daily until relieved. Please consult a physician for yeast rashes and get the appropriate prescription if necessary. I only use this method if I am catching the appearance of yeast early.
Best Overall Diaper: Target Up & Up Brand
- I’ve tried just about every diaper both generic and brand name and I’ve landed on these every time for their effectiveness and price.
- A close second would be the Amazon Mama Bear brand. But they became too expensive considering they didn’t work any better than the Target brand.
- I use these diapers exclusively for daytime wear. They don’t travel well – my leaky baby will get damp if she’s made to sit for a long car ride or dinner in one of these diapers. But for day-to-day running around, and frequent changes, these diapers make the most sense financially.
Best Overnight Diaper: Pampers Swaddlers (Regular or Overnight work the same)
- I loved these diapers for newborn-5 months. At that point I could use the target diapers and the girls never leaked. I have curvy babies and they would hug the thighs unlike other diapers.
- Overnight, I generally pair these with a Sposie Diaper Booster Pad as a way to try and offer extra protection.
Best Overall Wipes: Huggies Sensitive Wipes
- These wipes are unscented and claim to be filtered 3x with 99% water. They always stay wet and have never, ever irritated or pulled at the babies skin.
- If you’re a Sam’s Club member, please please please buy these in bulk from Sam’s. Best price hands down and you get the refill packs and a wipes dispenser in each box.
- I can use these wipes on hands and faces and they never irritate the girls sensitive skin.
WORST WIPES: Pampers Aqua Pure Wipes
- Not only have I heard so many stories in my Facebook Mom groups about these wipes, but I also had first-hand experience with both girls getting a terrible rash within minutes of using these wipes. I’m not even linking these because I don’t want you to buy them!
RANDOM FAVORITES OF 2019:
Most Used Product from my Registry: Boppy Newborn Lounger
- The girls STILL use these daily to sit on or lay down on the couch. They are 20 months for reference!
- The best part about these is that you totally don’t need a slipcover, because they are machine washer and dryer friendly! Or you can use a receiving blanket over top.
Best Sleep Sack: The Love To Dream Swaddle Up Sleep Sack
- If you have babies that hate to be swaddled and constantly want to sleep with their hands up (like mine did) this sleep sack is the best.
- It helps to prevent the babies from waking up by a newborn startle.
- It keeps baby from scratching herself in her sleep.
- It provides for an easy transition by allowing one arm to be free at a time.
Best Affordable Baby/Toddler Clothing Brand: Cat & Jack at Target
- If you have curvy babies/toddlers this clothing brand really fits true to size. Oddly enough the shoes run small though. I like the simple child-friendy designs. And they are very affordable!
Best High-End Baby/Toddler Clothing Brand: Hanna Anderrson
- What is it about HA that makes every article of clothing from them comparable to the Traveling Pants…These clothes can magically fit your kids FOREVER regardless of size.
- I love the pima cotton and organic cotton pajama line, and they have the best ever socks for babies that NEVER come off.
Favorite Baby/Toddler Toy of 2019: Melissa & Doug Stacker
- In fact, I am a huge fan of just about every toy from this brand. They do a great job at keeping the classics alive.
Most Used Baby Health Product of 2019: Boiron Homeopathic Arnicare Pain Relief gel
- As the babies took their first steps, they inevitably took their first falls. This stuff is magical. It instantly relieves swelling and prevents bruising and soreness. There have been a few goose egg bumps that never turned into a full-fledged bruise thanks to this stuff!
Well that’s my current list of favorites! I’m sure you’ve tried a few of these yourself, but if you find something new and give it a try, let me know! Also, let me know what some of your favorites were for 2019!
-Eva
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Please know that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Domestic Musings 