Recommended Baby Products from a Mama of Three

*Updated November 2023*

Being a first time mom is an exciting experience filled with joy, but it can also be a time of high anxiety. Besides worrying about your health and the health of your little bun in the oven, you may also be frantically trying to decide what you need for baby! Or, if you’re like me, it may be baby #2…or 3…or 6 (wow, you’re a champ!)…and maybe you want to upgrade your baby gear to the latest and greatest.

When I was pregnant for the first time in 2015/2016, I was on a tight budget. Being pregnant the second and third time in 2019 and 2021, my budget was a bit more relaxed and I had the ability to upgrade a few things. Here I’m going to show you what you should (in my opinion) focus on for both budget categories: tight budget, and relaxed budget.

PLEASE NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, but my recommendations are 100% my own opinion!

When You’re on a Tight Budget

Being on a tight budget can initially feel constraining, but it really doesn’t need to be! Let me tell you what your best friend is going to be: second-hand buying. You may feel like you aren’t giving your baby the best or feel like it’s a little weird to buy second-hand items, but there is NO NEED to feel that way! Tons and tons and tons of families use this method to save money, and if done right it can be a very safe and suitable option.

Here are items I believe are great to buy second-hand:

Carseats/Bases

Carseats and the associated bases are great to buy second-hand, but you have to be aware of a few things. First, it is absolutely necessary that the carseat has NOT been in ANY accidents, not even “just” a fender-bender. If it has been in an accident, the protective foam inside the carseat could be broken and no longer effective. Second, you have to check the expiration date of the carseat. Yes, carseats have expiration dates! These are necessary, again, due to the protective materials inside the carseat that could possibly degrade over time. The expiration date should be listed on a sticker on the carseat somewhere. If not, you can probably look it up by the carseat’s serial number. Here is an example of an expiration date on a carseat I bought second-hand for my 2nd born (it’s hard to see, but it says it was made in Feb 2015 and expires Feb 2022):

My favorite brands of carseats are UppaBaby and Graco. UppaBaby is definitely pricey, and I was able to buy one second-hand for only $50 (and it came with 2 bases!). I like having a “bucket” carseat for my infant and then upgrading to a regular carseat after they turn 1. Here are the carseats I like for each phase:

Infant: https://amzn.to/3QrqV7e, https://amzn.to/3Mt6uFU

Toddler+: https://amzn.to/40pEGaZ (whatever you decide on, definitely get something that will last “forever”, transforming from a full carseat to the booster seat)

Clothes

My first-born daughter’s wardrobe was a solid 70% second-hand. Clothes are a GREAT thing to buy used because you can very easily sanitize. I like going to Once Upon a Child to look for used kids clothes, and then we also received lots of hand-me-downs from cousins and friends (always pre-check them for stains!). These days, there are plenty of options for buying used clothes on Facebook Marketplace too!

Don’t want to buy used clothes but still want to stick to a tight budget? I love getting very well priced kids clothes from Ross, Marshalls, and The Children’s Place. Carter’s is a good option to, but look out for sales because their stuff can easily add up.

Toys

Toys brand new are soooo overpriced! This is another great thing to buy used because, again, you can easily sanitize! Check out Once Upon a Child and other consignment shops, including Facebook Marketplace.

Furniture/Accessories

Thinking of all of the furniture you need for baby (crib, changing table, dresser, rocking chair, high chair, etc) can add up very quickly. Try to look for gently used items instead. Be sure to sanitize after bringing it home!

Don’t want to buy used? No worries! I would check Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock and compare prices between those sites.

The most important accessory I have gotten for both my girls was a swing. If you can only afford one extra thing to buy your baby, buy a swing! I have this one and love it: https://amzn.to/40voipt

Strollers

This could be a good item to get when you get your carseat, as you will definitely want a stroller that your carseat can clip into. With my 2nd daughter, I bought a used double-stroller and it saved me a ton of money! Graco and Chicco are great brands, although my favorite brand is UppaBaby (which I will go into more detail in the section for a relaxed budget).

Here’s an example of a great option for a stroller where the carseat can clip into it: https://amzn.to/3Mt6uFU

Here are items I do NOT believe should be bought second-hand:

Baby Bottles

Buying baby bottles used can be a bit iffy. When babies develop teeth, they can have a habit of chewing on bottle nipples and making little divots in them. But honestly, plain and simple, it weirds me out to think of my baby sucking on something another baby sucked on (that isn’t related to her). Maybe it’s just me!

There are about a zillion baby bottle brands on the market, but we have always preferred to use Avent bottles combined with the Kiinde bottle warmer/breastmilk saver bags. Here are links for all:

Avent bottles: https://amzn.to/45TvjSd

Kiinde warmer and breastfeeding kit: https://amzn.to/460KzwH

Anything Medical Related

This includes thermometers, nose suction bulbs, finger nail clippers, pacifiers, etc..

On the note of nose suction bulbs, you WILL want this: https://amzn.to/46YwUXZ

(it looks weird and a little gross but it works soooo well!)

Crib Mattresses

You can get the crib used, but pass on the used crib mattress. The reason for this is toxins can seep into the fibers of the mattress possibly causing harm to your infant. This is especially true if the previous user had an illness or they kept the unused mattress in the attic with no climate control (mold). This information was confirmed by our pediatrician.

Boppy Pillow

Just like a crib mattress, a boppy pillow is an item that can hold in toxins and mold from the previous user. To err on the safer side, buy one of these brand new. Such as this one: https://amzn.to/47fF8Lk

When Budget is Less of a Concern, What to Splurge On

Here are a few items I decided to splurge on for my 2nd baby, and have ZERO regrets:

Lille Baby Carrier

Don’t need a lot of explanation for this one…I have a bad back (multiple surgeries) and this is the only baby carrier that doesn’t make me want to take an ice bath after wearing it. Here it is: https://amzn.to/3skVUd4

And here is my handsome husband rocking it at the zoo with a passed out baby 🙂

UppaBaby Stroller

Our UppaBaby stroller is nothing short of a Cadillac for babies. The ride is so smooth, taking baby for walks outside you’ll be worry-free about cracks and bumps in the road. Here is the specific stroller I recommend: https://amzn.to/478MYGu

This listing also comes with the carseat, which I also had but bought second-hand. I LOVED the bassinet attachment when my daughter was little, and switched her to the “rumble seat” once she was able to sit up on her own. Plain and simple, this stroller system is definitely a splurge but worth it for the smooth ride and multiple attachment options.

Baby Brezza

If you are like me and have to supplement your baby with formula, this is SUCH a time saver. It’s basically a Keurig for formula. You input the brand of forumula you are using, select how many ounces you want, and set the water temperature then BOOM, you can make already warm bottles of formula instantly. No more hand mixing and then having to wait for the bottle to get warm in the bottle warmer. Here is the one we had: https://amzn.to/49luwft

Wonderfold Wagon

I was at the zoo one time with the family and saw someone with one of these and thought to myself: I. MUST. HAVE. I researched different brands and found this one to be the most affordable when compared with the features it offers: https://amzn.to/3spBtLV

It comes with 4 seats that will comfortably fit 4 toddlers (up to about age 3, depending on their size). Then the seats can easily be removed to reveal a large, spacious wagon with high sides. You also have the option to have just 2 of the 4 seats installed, which worked great when my 3 yr old wanted to sit in a seat and we also wanted to lay the baby down in front of her. The next time we went to the zoo with this wagon, it was a huge hit. Just like the UppaBaby system, this wagon also provides such a smooth ride.

Do you have experience with baby products you strongly recommend? Leave a comment with the details!