I’m a Mom of 3—Here Are 7 Newborn Products That I’ve Used Every Time

At the risk of stating the obvious, babies can’t really… do anything. Which means you’ll need somewhere to put them, unless you want to carry them 24/7 (hello, back pain). The floor is an ideal spot: It’s safe (just watch out for rowdy pets or, in my case, excitable toddlers) and perfect for that all-important tummy time. And if baby is spending lots of time on the floor, so will you—so do your knees a favor and invest in a soft mat. We started with budget-friendly tile mats like this one, which definitely do the job, although they do tend to collect crumbs and dirt. For baby number three, I opted for the House of Noa Tumbling Mat, a super-plush surface for all three of my kids that’s easy to clean and folds away for storage. Plus, it actually looks good in my living room.

Sleep is everything. Too bad your newborn didn’t get the memo. While blackout shades won’t magically make your babe sleep through the night, they can help (yes, really!). They’re easy to set up and highly effective. We’ve used these in various kids’ bedrooms over the years and even packed them in our luggage for travel. (Because nothing ruins your first family vacation quite like a 5 a.m. wakeup call.)

Yes, you want the baby's room to be dark. But you also need some help with those middle-of-the-night diaper changes. This soft, soothing glow won’t jolt baby awake but provides just enough illumination for late-night feedings and changes. Bonus: The battery life is surprisingly long-lasting.

You can read all about my experience with bad baby monitors and how much I love the Nanit here. But here’s the bottom line: This is a high-tech monitor that just works. It’s easy to set up, intuitive to use, delivers crystal clear video and audio, and comes with handy features like keeping track of how long baby’s nap was or how many wakeups they had. And for parents of multiples, you can use the split-screen feature to see both kids at the same time. Genius!

This is not the fanciest or even the prettiest bassinet out there, but it is, in my opinion, the very best. We’ve used the same one for three babies, and when they outgrew it, it converted into a pack-and-play that carried us through two toddlers. In the last six years, this thing has seen more use than probably any other baby item we own. It’s lightweight, packs into a backpack (a lifesaver for travel), and is a breeze to set up and take down. The mesh sides are extra reassuring once baby starts rolling and smushing their face into everything. For safety, longevity and ease-of-use, I 10/10 recommend.

See earlier note re: needing a place to put the baby down. The BabyBjörn is the OG baby seat and for good reason. It’s lightweight, portable and easy to clean (the machine-washable cover has been a lifesaver after multiple poopsplosions). Plus, its ergonomic design supports baby’s head, neck and back. At first, they’ll be a little floppy (a well-placed burp cloth helps), then you can rock them with your feet while sitting like a normal person, and eventually, they’ll bounce themselves. Yes, it’s pricey, but it lasts for years and makes a great hand-me-down. For my last baby, I hooked on the toy bar—pricey, yes, but actually does keep the baby entertained!

There are lots of things I never imagined doing pre-baby—wiping poop off my hands, brushing spit-up out of my hair, and yes, sucking snot out of my child’s nose. But here we are. And let me tell you, the NoseFrida is a game-changer for clearing tiny, congested noses. I’ve used the same one for all my kids, just swapping out the filters over the years (because, well… ew).