With baby products the list is endless, there are so many items that are considered essentials. This is a list of items that I have really gotten my bang for my buck on. These baby items I am STILL using with my toddler.

1. Portable Highchair

This is a show stopper that I never knew how much I would love. I purchased this for a trip I was taking last Thanksgiving. I was flying to my parents house in another state and needed to pack only essentials. I did not want to pay an extra $60 for additional luggage. It dawned on me that while we were all going to be sitting around the dining room table, where was I going to put the baby? She should be able to sit and eat with the rest of us. Traveling with a full size highchair was out of the question and having my parents purchase one for this trip would’ve been absurd. I jumped on Amazon and purchased this $19 chair. I thought when ordering it, if it isn’t great quality then I only wasted $19. It folded down and went right into my suitcase with no problem at all and is extremely lightweight.

To my surprise this handy dandy seat was perfect! It snaps right onto any chair in the house. We used it for my daughter to join us at the dining room table and even kept it on the floor while she snacked and watched her cartoons.

While it is the perfect travel essential, it has also become an every day usable item. I have made a point to have us eat as a family at the dining room table. We have a high top table and her highchair doesn’t sit at the same height. Her travel chair however clips right onto the seat and she is able to sit along side the rest of us.

2. Portable Crib

Seemingly due to me being a stay at home mom, my daughter is accustomed to a certain way of sleeping. She has her set schedule and the same sights, sounds and smells to comfort her every time she goes to sleep. She has never experienced daycare and sleeping in different surroundings. While this is a dream for some, it also has its drawbacks. Traveling with her overnight makes for sleepless nights and grande coffee in the morning.

We tried all options with her previously, the pack a play works however she wakes up continuously. One trip we brought an actual crib with us; railings, mattress and all. She hated it. There was another trip where I even slept on the floor (carpet) with her and created a barrier around her. I slept all of 15 minutes because I was terrified of her rolling or me rolling on or near her.

Prior to leaving for a 5 day trip I was browsing Amazon for options when I came upon Parentlab JourneyBee Portable Crib. It had amazing reviews, under $60 and was eligible for Prime, in my cart it went. When it arrived I was amazed at how compact it was. This is not your average pack and play that you are used to seeing. The wow factor of this for me was how lightweight and easy the set up/breakdown is. It is only 12 lbs, my baby weighs more than that! The design is set up so you “pop up” the crib. It couldn’t have been easier. The liner inside is removal able so it can easily be washed. Now the only catch was going to be how much my daughter liked it.

She didn’t like it, she LOVED it. She slept through the night for every nap and each night we went to bed! She clearly can’t detail for me what exactly about it worked for her, but I will take it! Even after numerous pop ups and breakdowns the durability has held up. This is definitely going to be saved for the next baby once she grows out of the ability to use it

3. Highchair & Cart Cover

We have all seen the lonely grocery cart in the middle of the parking lot with gum stuck to it and soggy receipts laying inside. You wouldn’t want to sit on one of those, so why should your baby. Sure, you’ll head inside and grab a “clean one”, but really how clean is it? According to ABC News: Shopping Carts More Germy Than Public Restrooms.

It is no secret that your child will place their hands in their mouth at some point while you’re browsing the aisles. To keep them from ingesting these germs it is best to cover the area as best you can. These cart covers are a genius idea! Most come with the ability to attach toys, pacifier and even toys to the cover.

It does double duty with the ability to also be used on highchairs as well. If any food or drink gets on it, I toss it into the washer and it’s like new again. My daughter has been using this since she was able to sit up on her own and she won’t outgrow this product for years. Since it folds up into a compact tote and is only 1 lb in weight I keep it in the backseat of my car at all times.

4. SleepSack

So lets use the S word that every mom cringes at the thought of; SIDS. SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This is the most frightening thought and fear of every mom to a child 12 months and younger. Research continues to be done and currently all we know is there are several risk factors combined that may contribute to cause an at-risk infant to die of SIDS.

When putting a baby to sleep the only items in the crib should be the clothes the child is wearing and a fitted sheet. No pillows, no blankets, and no bumpers.

Babies need to stay warm while they are sleeping, but blankets and other loose bedding can increase the risk of suffocation and SIDS. Sleepsacks are the first item available to provide comfort, warmth and without the risk of suffocation.

My daughter first began using this item as a swaddle transition. It allows her to continue to feel secure and yet provide her with the ability to move around her crib. Yes, it looks like a ghostly marshmallow when she does it, but she does walk around her crib and room in her sack. While I have purchased a larger size since she became a toddler, the smaller one is still in good enough condition to pass down or reuse next time.

5. Noise Machine

Did you know that the womb is incredibly noisy? This sound machine creates soothing sounds of rushing air. White noise is said to be the most effective, easiest to implement, inexpensive sleep aid for babies.

In my daughters nursery I kept it under her crib and turned it on for each nap and night time sleep (NEVER place this item in the actual crib) and on the lowest setting.

It is just enough to muffle any noise outside of her room. With it being on 2 lbs it is also easy to travel with. I am a light sleeper and any noise wakes me immediately. I actually have one in my room that I use for myself as well. Her monitor is set on high at night, I don’t miss a moment. My daughter is so accustom to it, she actually turns it on herself when we walk into her room and she knows it is time to go to sleep.