Okay… Here's Everything I'm Actually Using (Baby #3 Edition)
By Erin Coles
I was just talking to a mama who is expecting her first baby, and she was asking me all the questions I remember asking the first time around.
“Do I really need a manual pump?”
“Is that snot sucker thing actually worth it? Isn’t that... kind of gross?”
“Do you actually use all of this stuff?”
I smiled, realizing how differently I answer those questions now than I did five years ago.
With my first pregnancy, I researched everything. I read every registry guide I could find, watched countless product reviews, compared brands, and convinced myself there had to be one “right” answer for every decision. When there wasn’t a right answer, I sometimes tried a bunch of different kinds of the same product, just to test out which one I liked best.
Now, heading into baby number three, my philosophy is a whole lot simpler: If I used it constantly with Oliver and Maria, it’s going back on the registry. If it sat in a closet collecting dust, it’s gone.
There are a few new things I’m excited to try this time around, but for the most part, this registry has been built through real life - not internet recommendations.
The other thing that has changed is that I pay a lot more attention to who I’m buying from.
Working at birthFUND has given me a front-row seat to the companies that continue showing up for families long after the campaign ends. I’ve watched brands donate products to birth centers, provide supplies to families who otherwise couldn’t afford them, invest in maternal health initiatives, advocate for better policies, and ask how they can help solve some of the biggest challenges facing parents today. When you see that firsthand, it changes how you shop.
So this isn’t meant to be the definitive baby registry guide. It’s simply what’s on my registry this time around - what we’ve loved, what I’m excited to try, and the brands I genuinely feel good supporting.
Brands I’m especially excited to support
(not sponsored BTW, I just genuinely love these brands!)
Pampers
We’ve actually used Pampers Sensitive Wipes since my first, Oliver, was born, and they’ve been a staple in our house ever since. They’re one of those products I never think twice about buying because they just work.
Their newer Pampers Amore line has also been a great fit for Maria, and I’m excited to use them again with this baby. They are SUPER soft, they feel totally luxurious, and they’re hypoallergenic and tested for 1000+ harmful chemicals. Definitely worth a try!But what really makes me want to support Pampers is everything they’re doing beyond diapers. They’ve made meaningful investments in maternal health - including Black maternal health - and continue supporting families through diaper donation programs and other community initiatives. That’s the kind of company I want in our home!
Tommee Tippee
I’ve genuinely loved getting to know the team at Tommee Tippee over the past couple of years. That’s one of my favorite things about them!
Their products have always been great, and we’ve used their sippy cups for our older kids. What stands out to me the most is their tagline: “You’ve got this, we’ve got you,” which is steeped in the idea that they truly want to support parents in the entire journey: Pregnancy. Birth. Postpartum. Dads. Feeding. Sleep. They understand that supporting a family means supporting everyone in it.
This time around I’m excited to try their Stay-Put Pacifier (because if someone has finally solved the mystery of keeping a pacifier in a newborn’s mouth, I’m all in) along with their new silicone-coated glass bottles. I was always nervous about glass bottles before, but these seem like a really thoughtful design.
Lansinoh
I’ve breastfed and pumped with both of my kids, and Lansinoh has been part of that journey in more ways than one.
Their lanolin nipple cream is a tried and true staple for the breastfeeding journey! I switched to their wearable pump with my second baby after struggling with supply the first time around, and it made a huge difference for me. Their manual pump also completely saved me while I was traveling once after I realized I’d forgotten my electric pump at home. I grabbed one at Target thinking it would simply get me through the weekend - and honestly, I was shocked by how well it worked.
Beyond that, Lansinoh recently donated 50 breast pumps to birthFUND families, and we shipped them out to the Atlanta Birth Center. Watching those pumps go directly to families who need them most is incredibly special.
Willow + Elvie
These have been leaders in the wearable pump space for years, and for good reason. I used the Elvie pump for my first baby, and it was great. I wasn’t a fan of being connected to the wall for 30 minutes with a newborn and way too many things to do, so this was such a great product to have with my first.
What I appreciate just as much is that they’ve partnered with birthFUND across multiple cohorts to donate pumps directly to families in our community. Access to quality feeding support shouldn’t depend on your income, and they’ve helped make that possible for so many parents.
Haakaa
Haakaa has become one of those brands almost every mom knows about. I used their Ladybug milk collector and silicone breast pump with both of my babies. While I found that I didn’t really need it too often personally, I know moms who absolutely swear by it and never leave home without one.
What I especially love, though, is that they’re also investing in maternal health, as well as the midwifery workforce around the world. As someone who spends every day working to expand access to midwifery care, that’s a mission I can wholeheartedly get behind. Plus, their products are eco-friendly, safe, natural, and non-toxic.
Pure Mama
If I had to pick one personal favorite on this list, this might honestly be it.
Pure Mama is a beautiful New Zealand-based wellness company founded by Lara Henderson, and every interaction I’ve had with her and their team has been wonderful. Plus, their products feel like pure luxury.
Their Belly Oil has become part of my daily routine - sometimes twice a day - and this is the first pregnancy where I haven’t developed any new stretch marks - and I’m almost certain it’s because of this belly oil.
Their Magnesium Body Rub is another favorite. We actually used it during hand massages at one of our birthFUND events, and I’ve already informed my husband that he’s officially in charge of nightly foot and hand massages for the rest of this pregnancy, specifically using this magnesium rub.
Beyond the products themselves, they’ve donated products, contributed proceeds, and consistently shown up for birthFUND families. They truly lead with generosity.
Babylist
I’ve built all three of my registries on Babylist.
Not only has the platform made registry building easier, but Babylist also generously donated substantial gift cards to the first two cohorts of families to come through birthFUND. I watched the families breathe a sigh of relief, finding out they could get some of their most-wanted registry items without worry during such a transformative season. They continue to do a lot of philanthropic work - giving back to the community in many ways, including disaster relief.
I also have to give a personal shoutout to Jen on their team who helped me figure out how to fit three car seats across the backseat of my Honda CR-V. If you’ve ever tried solving that puzzle, you know it deserves its own award.
Bobbie
This is probably the brand I’m most excited to use for the first time.
During my first two pregnancies I was vegan, so Bobbie wasn’t the right fit for our family. This pregnancy is different - we’re vegetarian now - and if we need to supplement, Bobbie is absolutely the formula we’ll be using.
I’ve always been a combo-feeding mom. I pumped with both of my babies for a full year, but I’ve also always kept formula in the house. It gave me flexibility when I needed it, helped relieve some of the pressure in those early postpartum weeks, and became especially useful as we started weaning.
I also really admire everything Bobbie is doing through Bobbie for change. They’re advocating for better parental leave, infant feeding access, maternal health, and policies that actually support families. They’ve invested in birthFUND as well, and they’re exactly the kind of company I love supporting because they’re thinking about so much more than formula.
Hatch
We’ve used a Hatch with both of our kids, and I honestly can’t imagine bedtime without one now.
The sound machine is wonderful, but my favorite feature is the color-changing light. Once your toddler understands that “green means it’s time to get up,” you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Hatch has also supported birthFUND families directly with product donations, and we’ve been so grateful for their partnership.
Products we’ve loved (that aren’t birthFUND partners... yet)
Not every amazing baby product comes from a birthFUND partner, and I certainly don’t expect every company to be. These are simply products we’ve used over and over again that have earned a permanent place in our house.
Thule Running Stroller: We’ve taken this thing everywhere: New York City sidewalks, hiking trails, neighborhood runs. It’s a little pricey, but we ended up getting this as a group gift, and are so grateful to have access to this amazing stroller - allowing me to stay active!
Ergobaby Mesh Carrier: Comfortable, breathable, and one of those products that makes everyday life with a newborn so much easier.
Newton Baby Mattress: This gave me so much peace of mind with both of my babies because of its breathable design. We’re also trying their bedside bassinet this time around.
Zoe Stroller: This was our everyday New York City stroller. Lightweight, compact, and surprisingly affordable for how versatile it is. Plus, it can convert to a double, triple, or quadruple stroller. How amazing is that?
Mockingbird: Our stroller is almost five years old now and still looks and works fantastic. We loved it enough that we added their high chair to our registry this time.
Doona: If you’re frequently taking taxis or live in a city, this thing is brilliant. I mean, it’s brilliant for any situation. We love the Doona.
Philips Avent: We’ve had great experiences with both their bottles and pacifiers, using their bottles and pacifiers exclusively for our first 2 babies.
Aden + Anais: I’ve probably bought more muslin swaddles than I care to admit, and I always come back to these.
Frida Baby: Yes, the NoseFrida looks a little questionable the first time you see it. Yes, you will eventually become the person telling everyone else to buy one because it actually works. Their postpartum recovery products are wonderful, too.
Nanit: If I had to recommend one piece of baby technology, this would probably be it. I love the breathing monitor for the peace of mind it provides during those early newborn months, but one of my favorite features is actually being able to save little clips of bedtime stories and sweet moments I’d otherwise forget.
One last thought...
One of the unexpected gifts of doing this work at birthFUND has been getting to see which companies continue showing up long after the campaign ends. I’ve watched brands donate products to families who otherwise couldn’t afford them, invest in maternal health initiatives, advocate for policy change, and genuinely ask how they can do more.
That doesn’t mean every product in our house comes from a birthFUND partner. It doesn’t. There are plenty of incredible brands we use every day that aren’t on this list yet.
But when I have the choice, I do try to support the companies that are supporting families back.
And if you’re building your own registry right now, I hope this saves you at least a little bit of trial and error.
Every family is different, every baby is different, and you’ll find your own favorites. These just happen to be ours!
Happy registry building.
xo,
Erin