Mom-Approved: Baby Must-Haves and Advice from 6 Inspiring Moms

Real advice and must-haves from six moms who’ve been there.

Jan 08, 2025

As I approach the birth of my third, I’ve been reflecting on becoming a mom and how much talking and connecting with other moms has helped me along the way—especially in those early days. My first time around was really hard, and I think a big part of that was the isolating feeling that often comes with new motherhood, especially when you’re one of the first in your friend group to go through it.

Motherhood isn’t something you’re supposed to figure out all on your own or instinctively know how to navigate. What worked best for me was taking bits and pieces of advice and practices from other moms that resonated with me and applying them in a way that felt right.

This has inspired me to check in with some moms I admire to see what their three favorite baby products are and hear their advice—because they’re what I like to call still very much in it, with babies under one year old. Plus, discovering a few new moms to follow? Always good for the soul. Stay tuned for my favorites in the coming weeks after my third baby is born!

Caitlin Green, NYC Mother of One

My theme is chic but practical. It can always be both!!

Binibamba Shearling Puffmuff and Mittens in Toast. They’re super warm but don’t sacrifice on appearance.

Odin Parker Sheep Mobile above the changing table. James loves it so much. He talks to it while I change him, I play around with it if he’s upset (I always get a laugh) and we always touch them and say good night before bed.

Lastly, beautiful bins to hide the mess! I have a gorgeous woven leather one in my living room from Rejuvenation, Serena and Lily and custom Etsy ones in his room.

As far as imparting wisdom - I try not to set any expectations for myself. It’s hard not to compare, especially with social media, but I’ve found that it relaxes my mind when I remember that everyone knows how to sit, how to eat, how to hold their head up. It’ll happen when it happens. Just live in the moment. Oh and take videos to watch back because they grow so quickly.

Nadia Josse, NYC Mother of Two

Mom Cozy Bottle Sterilizer Washer and Dryer. I didn’t have this with Paloma I had to hand wash bottles and then put them in the sterilizer- same goes with pump parts. It was so time consuming. This is literally a game changer and it’s not loud at all and the capacity is pretty big. It’s a bit of an eyesore but it’s worth it.

Magnetic Me Onesies. So easy and comfy for baby. And saves so much time. That’s always my go to gifts for new mamas.

Chiyo Postpartum Meal Delivery. I ordered 5 days and thank god I did. All meals are specifically designed for postpartum support and they are delicious. 10/10 for quality and taste. They also send you snacks and broths.

Don’t underestimate day time help versus night time. I made sure I had support my second postpartum period with Violette. This means cooking, cleaning and laundry. Night shifts are easier when you can relax and focus on your baby during the day and not use their naps for chores.

Gabriela, NYC Mother of One

Huckleberry App. My memory has gone out the window so this REALLY helped me keep track of wake windows, feeding time, amount etc to help problem solve behavior faster and pair with cues for a good foundation. I still use (albeit not as religiously) as I wait for my brain to come back!

Frida Nose Picker. I keep one upstairs and downstairs I cannot live without it. Babies are always on their back so I feel like the nose build up is more frequent, and this is the easiest tool for cleaning things out! It’s one of those tools I would never ever think of, but it is a necessity.

Skip Hop Activity Center. This is for when they have a bit more neck control, but this keeps him occupied and busy for a solid 20 minutes so I can do a few things around the house. He absolutely loves

Woolino 4 Season Sleep Sack. I try to treat his clothes like I do mine, mostly natural fibers where I can! This is made from merino wool & cotton so is a great temp regulator that fits up to 2 years old. It takes the guess work out of layering (within reason) for bed time no matter where you are.

Fact: The best piece of advice I have ever read is it takes a baby between 5-20minutes to fall asleep (less than 5 they are overtired, more than 20 than are not ready) When it is nearing his nap window, I do his routine, place him in the crib and set my timer and without fail he falls asleep within this period. It gives me so much less anxiety for any sleep time!

Anecdotal: You can be obsessed with your child, be a great mom, still want time for yourself and have a bad day! There is so much toxic positivity on the internet when it comes to motherhood that creates a crazy amount of pressure to be smiling through the tears. Don’t feel guilty or think it’s not okay!

Cate Kulcsar, NYC Mother of Two

A good quality baby carrier. I personally love the Artipoppe. I have tried a few others, but have yet to find one that offers the back support, ease of putting on by myself, and chicness of the Artipoppe. If you plan to have more kids, the cost per wear will be well worth it. Being able to get things done and be hands free is crucial for mental health! A contact nap is good for mom and baby!

The Baby Brezza. Nothing can raise your cortisol level like a screaming baby at 3 AM (or anytime)! The Baby Brezza is like a Nespresso for formula. It prepares the bottle for you perfectly warm. Make sure to perform maintenance as instructed to ensure formula is dispensed properly!

Mom Friends! Bonus points if you can make mom friends with kids your same age! You might be thinking, how do I make mom friends? Classes. music class in the park is not for your four month old, it's for you! Get out there and introduce yourself! Be bold! Chances are that mom is looking for the exact same connection! Social media is another incredible resource. Most of my closest mom friends have come from a DM slide.

*Notable mentions- cozy lounge set that buttons up and down for easy BFing access. Snapless BFing bra, Frida Mom pre-made ice packs and Boy Shorts, BOB Jogging Stroller, crib net, baby jail, Wabi Sanitizer, nanny lol.

A piece of advice that I always like to tell first time moms is the importance of filling your own cup! Delegate anything and everything you can. Try to book a massage or some sort of self care 2-3 weeks after birth that forces you out of the house. Over-communicate with your partner about what you're needing in the moment emotionally AND physically!

Ilana Torbiner, Chicago Mother of One

MAKIÉ Fleece Jumpsuit. This fleece jumpsuit has been one of our most worn items in Willa’s closet. It’s so easy to throw on and keeps her warm and cozy without being restrictive. Willa has worn the same size (3m) since she was 2 months old, and she’s about to be 6 months and still going strong.

BAEO Bare Butter. This is the only product I’ve ever put on Willa’s skin! We use it every night. It melts right in and leaves her smelling like her delicious baby self with a faint touch of chamomile.

LACTATION CONSULTANT. My breastfeeding journey would have looked drastically different without the magical help of our lactation consultant. I will forever be grateful for the incredible work they do. And I think many are covered by insurance!