James is 4 months old already (almost 5 by the time this goes up!), and after having had two babies, I thought I’d make a list of some of our favourite items that we’ve used for our little ones between their 0-4 months. There are just so many baby items out there, and I hope that by sharing which items we loved, it will help other parents.
Baby Care
These, by far have been the most used items: cloth nappies and reusable cloth wipes. Not only are they environmentally-friendly, they are also cheaper in the long-run (even more so with multiple children) AND they work better than their disposbale counterparts.
The cloth wipes we use are by Cheeky Wipes. We have the full kit, and it’s super handy even on the go. The cloth nappies we use are by a local brand E.Cool.Logic and the nappy covers are by Popolini. I’ll have a full blog post about the cloth wipes and nappies soon! 😉
Another favourite is Cicalfate+ by Avène. It is a lotion the whole family can use from birth. We haven’t needed to use nappy lotions with our little ones very often, but when we do, it’s this one and it works wonders!
Rest & Sleep
As you know, every baby is different. So there are two items that were must-haves for one and two that were must-haves for the other.
Arthur used the Doomoo Cocoon a lot: it helped him sleep longer stretches without swaddles and he slept in the Joie cosleeper. We still have them but have yet to use them with James.
For James we got the Jacadi moses basket, in which he’s taken many naps (and it’s useful to move from one room to the other to keep an eye on him) and we’ve also used the topponcino from Les Petites Mains Montessori.
Another item that had a lot of success with all of us was a Himalayan salt lamp: they emmit a warm glow we can all easily fall asleep to, or use it for a gentle light during night wakings (much softer than many night lights).
Out & About
Arthur is a Spring baby and James is a Autumn baby. So the way we went out and about varied quite a bit: the year Arthur was born we had an early summer and temperatures were quickly rising. Therefore, we quickly used the Babyzen YOYO pram on walks, which allowed him to enjoy the beautiful weather. Whereas when James was born, temperatures dropped quickly (and I needed my hands free for my toddler!) and so I put off using the pram.
We babywore both a lot with both (that has always been the magical secret to get them to have more naps and have our hands free). For newborns I would recommend a cloth wrap-style carrier. We were given one from Babylonia that served us well.
To make babywearing even more practical in chilly weather, I loved the Seraphine jumper and parka. They have zippable extensions, allowing you to keep baby close and warm.
Baby Clothes
Where clothes are concerned, we tended to always go to three brands. Petit Bateau is timeless. They make classic designs and the quality is top notch. I have a couple of items that were passed down from a decade ago, still in pristine condition.
When Arthur was a baby, I discovered Baby Mori. They make clothes that are soft using bamboo/cotton and their sleepsuits have a clever double zipper.
The third brand we used a lot in the early months is Noukie’s. They make soft velvet sleepsuits that help little ones retain warmth.
Play
The number one item we used that entertained our little ones were the Montessori visual mobiles. We have a complete set from MontiKids (which unfortunately doesn’t exist anymore). There are many options available or you can make your own.
The Mèzamé life mat has been in daily use since we got it. You can buy a wide selection of covers for them that fit nicely in all interiors, including one you can colour (and wash to re-use over and over), a waterproof cover, etc. It’s use extends well beyond babyhood.
“Black & White” by Tana Hoban is the high-contrast book that has gotten the most use in the early months! It opens up accordion-style, which makes it useful to prop up during tummy-time.
Nursing
If you’re a nursing mom, you know that finding a comfortable nursing bra can be a challenge. Well, The Little Milk Bar* have made the comfiest nursing bras to sleep and lounge in: the Allie Bra (note: these are not the bra for you if you’re looking for support). I may have been living in them (again) since James was born! They also make the best reusable nursing pads I’ve tried so far. I have some from other brands that are just sub-par in comparison.
*Edit: The Little Milk Bar reached out and gave me an exclusive discount code for you mamas! Use LITTLEMONTESSORIBEARS at checkout for 10% off your order <3
One item that has been extremely useful, especially in the first few weeks after baby’s birth is the Haakaa silicone breast pump. It helps when your body’s milk supply is still adjusting and it is extremely useful when you have clogged ducts.
Miscellaneous
Many a parent will agree that cloth muslins are a must-have with a baby. Well, Etta Loves makes beautiful muslins with high-contrast designs inspired by nature that also appeal to baby’s developing eye-sight. They also make hanging squares, useful to entertain when in the car.
We have loved getting both our boys a blanket from Isla & Fraser, personalised by The Little Worne Store. Simply put: all babies need a blanket and these make for great keepsakes.
The last item on today’s list is the play mat from Little Dutch. In the early months we have made intensive use of it. It is soft and easy to travel with. However, unlike the above mentioned life mat, this one becomes too slippery from the moment they crawl.
This wraps up our favourite items for 0-4 month old babies. Is there something in particular that stood out to you? Is there an item we haven’t mentioned but you or baby couldn’t do without? Let us know!
Little Montessori Bears is reader-supported. If you buy through one of the links on our site, we may receive a small affiliate commission to help keep this blog running, at no extra cost to you. 🙂
