6 Pieces of Baby Gear You Can’t Live Without
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By Lyz Lenz
Stores are awash in products, gadgets and gear designed to do everything from make your baby smarter to soothe your baby to sleep. But how much of it is actually necessary and how much of it ends up sitting in the corner? We polled new moms on their favorite baby gear that they actually use.
1. Breastfeeding Pillow
This crazy pillow is a breastfeeding must. It helps support the baby as you feed and as your baby gets older it makes a great prop for tummy time, naptime (for mom) and as a cushion for babies learning to sit up. Stacy P., a new mom to a baby boy, loves her Boppy. “We used the Boppy when he was tiny, and now I put it around him when he plays while sitting up on the floor.” This product was loved by every mom we polled.
Boppy breastfeeding pillow
2. Bouncy seat
For the first six weeks, this seat saved our lives. Morgan K., mom of two, had a similar experience. “We used to use the Bumbo and bouncy seat every day…” However, she noted that now that her son is sitting unassisted, he’s “not as interested…” As an alternative to a bouncy seat, several moms said they used the Fisher-Price Rock n’ Play and loved it.
Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Bouncer Seat
3. High chair
Sure, everyone needs a seat for your baby. But if you’re thinking of investing in that big clunky high chair, think again, moms say. Lexie T., mom of two boys, noted, “I just bought a Fisher-Price Space Saver highchair and am getting rid of the huge clunky one we had. Such a waste of space.”
Fisher-Price Space Saver High Chair
4. The swing
Many new parents see the swing as a waste of money. Surely, it’s the one piece of gear you can do without, right? Not according to new mom, Devin S., “[My son was a] swing boy those first few months and that thing saved my life!”
Graco Silhouette Swing
5. Jumper
Many babies can’t use a jumper until they are between four and five months, so many parents forgo this expense. However, a jumper is a great way to entertain an active baby when mom needs a break. Jeanne M., mom of one, noted, “[My son] isn’t a fan of the exersaucer and much prefers his jumper. I made the new mom mistake of getting both.”
Graco Bumper Jumper
6. Carrier
From slings to wraps and packs, mom’s love their baby carriers. Stephany H., mom of three little girls, used her Moby wrap for all of her children and is holding onto it in case they decide to go for number four. “My baby carrier saved my life, especially when I had toddlers to chase and a baby to hold. It’s a great way to get snuggles on the go.”
Moby Wrap Original
What piece of baby gear did you love? What could you do without? What would you buy secondhand and what would you buy new? Let us know in the comments section below!
About the Author:
Lyz Lenz is a writer, a mom and a midwesterner. Although, not in that order. She lives in Iowa and on the web at LyzLenz.com
Just gotta try this Creamy Avocado Dip recipe via Momables.com - love how you can spread it on a sandwich in lieu of Mayo! 
Comment by Charlotte on Sep 07 2011 05:25:49:
Really? Can’t live without? From the list I have only a high chair. Life with bubs was, and is, fine…
Comment by Lyz on Sep 07 2011 10:25:54:
Hmm, our jumperoo is pretty fabulous. Some days its the reason I get a shower.
Comment by Tia on Sep 07 2011 03:06:42:
Boppy was terrible for breastfeeding and i wouldn’t call it a breast feeding Pillow. My Brest Friend is much better. All I used the Boppy for was propping up my little one while in the living room and frankly could have used a bouncy seat for that.
Comment by Lyz on Sep 07 2011 04:00:37:
Oh man, I love my boppy!
Comment by max on Sep 07 2011 08:14:44:
If you’re going to mention a baby carrier/wrap as a piece of gear you can’t live without – i would venture to say the baby k’tan fits the bill exactly. its like the moby but with no wrapping, and on days when my newborn was screaming and my two year running, putting my k’tan wrap on in under 5 seconds with no tying was the ideal lifesaver. it is definitely a piece of baby gear i could never live without and i make sure all my new mommy friends try it out.
Comment by tammy on Sep 07 2011 08:18:59:
i would definitely buy a swing or high chair used, b/c they are so limited in time and such a waste of money new, and super easy to clean and disinfect. i got mine handed down thankfully! and i would get my carrier and nursing pillow new, as they are fabric and babies body and face is on them all the time – and i vote for my breast friend nursing pillow and baby k’tan baby carrier- the best breastfeeding pillow and baby carrier around. both used enough times with baby # 1 and 2 to warrant them as being items we can’t live without.
Comment by Amanda on Sep 07 2011 08:54:32:
The only thing I used my boppy for was to sit on in the hospital, after I had my son because my stitches hurt so much….in that case it was a lifesaver, but maybe this time around I will use it
Comment by Sarah on Sep 07 2011 11:05:06:
I have a version of everything on this list.
I love it all, I did opt for the bouncy seat not the fancy fisher price thing. All of my stuff was handed down except the high chair. I have a couple of different types of baby carriers, the Moby a ring sling and a couple others. They are life savers.
Comment by Crystal on Sep 08 2011 12:02:25:
I too have everything on this list. So far, the best things for us have been the boppy pillow and exersaucer. I mainly use the boppy pillow, though, for when he’s on the couch with me when I’m pumping (long story…but I have to exclusively pump) and napping. We recently tried out the exersaucer as he’s just getting to the age to use them, and he loves it! I would definitely buy the boppy new but our exersaucer came from a yard sale for just $5 and after a little cleaning, it’s in great shape! I only wish now that I’d waited to hear what other moms had to say before buying some things, like the swing/bouncy seat combo that I bought brand new. He doesn’t really like it all that much and I paid at least $130 for it. Anyway…that’s my little bit!
Comment by Sidney on Sep 08 2011 11:46:15:
I agree! All these are must haves! But I didn’t use the Bobby for breastfeeding, it came in handy for propping and my son liked it better for tummy then the mat. We got a swing that turns 180* and it was so worth the money! My son always wants to know what’s going on so we can put him in the swing and turn it to face the commotion and he’s content
and we got a gender neutral one so we can really get our moneys worth. We got hand downs for the bouncer and highcair and I’m thankful, they were easy to disinfect and you would never know they weren’t new!
Comment by maggie on Sep 08 2011 01:16:51:
a baby carrier is definitely a necessity, but i used a baby k’tan. i found it much easier to use than the moby wrap.
Comment by Lyz on Sep 08 2011 01:19:49:
I keep hearing about this baby k’tan. I got a front carrier from Target for my baby and she HATES it and so do I because it pulls on my shoulders and makes my back hurt. I’m thinking I need the k’tan at least for number two. So…In a million years
Comment by angela on Sep 08 2011 02:03:04:
we could not live without our gripe water, our iphone (crazy, right!
) and our baby k’tan carrier.
Comment by Jayelyn on Sep 08 2011 02:47:20:
I have almost everything on the list. My swing saved me because it was all my daughter would nap in originally. Now I mainly use it so she can watch Baby Einstein videos. I never got a Boppy but the Breast Friend pillow is the best. Great back support and easy to move around with because it clips shut. Unfortunately I have two different wraps and a front carrier. Myself and my daughter never liked any of them but maybe my next one will be different.. I also agree with the comment that Gripe Water is a must have. It’s all natural and helped sooth my daughters tummy on many a nights.
Comment by Julie on Sep 13 2011 03:37:16:
I looove my boppy pillow but have ot had good luk with a baby sling. I feel like she is going to suffocate!
Comment by Wyatt’s Mom on Sep 16 2011 10:56:57:
Really? None of these were really very “Cant live without” for my son- even a year later. Granted he really did enjoy the Jumper but nothing lasted more than a few months. The carrier, the pillow, and the swing he was never a fan of. He much preferred his stroller to sleep in over a bouncy chair or even really a carrier. I would reccomend new parents get an opportunity to try w
Comment by Wyatt’s Mom on Sep 16 2011 10:59:31:
Really? My son absolutely hated half of these things and was really only interested in the other three for a few months, at best. Ususally his stroller can take the place of a carrier, high chair,swing, and bouncy seat. He was perfectly content to ride and sleep in his stroller and still is from time to time at one-year.
Comment by Alysha on Sep 21 2011 10:14:08:
I actually have something to add to the list, a paypen with a bassinet attachment. My baby has GRED and the mat doubles as the carry case and the sections make it easier to prop his head up.