When you’re preparing for a baby, it feels like everyone is trying to sell you a hundred different gadgets “essential baby products” that you’ll allegedly “need” to survive newborn and early baby-hood.
The reality?
Half of them end up gathering dust in a corner or sitting in the nursery cupboard untouched.
Now that our daughter is 10 months old, our day-to-day routine has started to settle into a rhythm.
Out of all the gear we’ve bought, borrowed, or been gifted, there are just six things that have earned a permanent spot in our daily lives.
Here is the quick breakdown of the 6 essential baby products we use every single day in our house and why they’re worth their weight in gold.
The Cheeky Wipes Premium Kit
We started out intending to use reusable nappies and reusable wipes but after a few months of extra laundry and fitting struggles, we threw in the towel on the reusable nappies.
However, we kept the wipes and we’ve never looked back.
Keeping our setup organised in the changing table drawer (fresh wipes soaked in water and oil on the left, dirty ones on the right) makes nappy changes quick, simple, and way softer on her skin than disposable wipes.
We even have a separate set of grey wipes in the kitchen specifically for cleaning up sticky hands and faces after meals.
Read the full review: Check out my Cheeky Wipes review to see how our wash routine and changing table setup works.
The Huckleberry App
I don’t know how parents kept track of anything before apps and smartphones.
As a sleep deprived parent, trying to remember when baby last had a feed, how long her morning nap was, or whether she had a dose of Calpol while teething is practically impossible.
The Huckleberry App acts as our shared data centre.
Whether my wife is on a KIT day at work or the grandparents are stepping in to help, either of us can open the app and instantly see where we are in the day and what we’re up against.
It saved us during the unpredictable early newborn months and kept us both on the same page.
Read the full review: Read my breakdown of how we use it in my Huckleberry App review after 10 months of use.
Tutti Bambini Nova Highchair
This was a generous baby gift from my parents before our daughter arrived, and we’ve used it daily for 10 months straight. It’s an 11-in-1 system that converts into all sorts of configurations.
We’ve transitioned seamlessly from using it as a safe newborn rocker/highchair setup into the full 6+ month feeding chair.
The removable top tray makes clearing away mealtime chaos so much easier, and the adjustable recline is ideal for getting her comfortable before and after food.
It’s sturdy, easy to wipe down, and takes everything a messy 10-month-old can throw at it (literally).
Read the full review: Read my complete thoughts in the Tutti Bambini Nova Highchair review.
Zello Portable Pro Max White Noise Machine
This little device just sits quietly on the side of her cot or changing drawers, but it’s easily one of the most used items in the house.
We don’t just use it for background white noise at bedtime—the soft red night light built into it is a lifesaver for night-time check-ins and late-night story sessions without waking her up completely with harsh overhead lights. It’s portable, rechargeable, and holds its charge brilliant.
Read the full review: Read why it’s a nightly constant in my Zello Portable Pro Max White Noise Machine review.
VTech VM924 Video Baby Monitor
A reliable video monitor is non-negotiable for peace of mind once your baby moves into their own room or when you’re downstairs trying to enjoy an hour of evening quiet time.
The VTech VM924 gives us a crystal-clear feed, pan-and-tilt control, and solid range around the house. It’s gotten us through nap transitions, random mid-night wake-ups, and the dreaded sleep regressions without us having to creak the bedroom door open and risk waking her up.
Read the full review: Check out my honest dad thoughts in the VTech VM924 Video Baby Monitor review.
Ergobaby Embrace Baby Carrier
Whether it’s doing a quick walk with the dog, tackling household chores while keeping her close, or soothing a fussy baby, the Ergobaby Embrace has been our go-to carrier since we met with an expert at the sling library.
It hits that sweet spot between the cozy softness of a stretchy wrap and the structured support of a full carrier.
It’s quick to click on without complicated wrapping, meaning it keeps its size, completely machine washable at 30°C, and keeps your hands free when you need them.
Read the full review: Read all about why I think it’s great in my Ergobaby Embrace Baby Carrier review.
What Are Your Daily Essentials?
Every family’s routine is completely different, but these six have made parenting through the first 10 months infinitely manageable for us.
What baby product could you absolutely not live without right now? Let me know in the comments below!