Sponsored by Cetaphil Baby.

Having a baby is scary, but what can be even scarier at times is the amount of stuff that comes with her. Over the last few months, I’ve tried to navigate the mommy must-haves scene and everywhere I looked, I read something different. It’s overwhelming and confusing!

I decided, instead, to defer to my mom friends and make my list of must haves based on their recommendations. You can see my full registry list here, but today I wanted to share the six most recommended products by the moms I trust the most.

1. Rock ‘n Play

I always heard moms talking about rock ‘n plays, but had no idea what they were until now… I’m still not entirely sure why it’s so important, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough!

Basically it’s a swing that rocks the baby to sleep during naptime and soothes them when they’re cranky. We ended up buying this one on the recommendations of our friends. It’s not an eyesore and comes at a pretty good price.

2. Nourishing Baby Skin Care

Obviously every mama wants to wash and moisturize her baby’s delicate skin with nourishing products that are both safe and gentle. I’m no different, but had no idea where to start.

Then I learned that Cetaphil, a brand that my family and I have used forever, makes a line of baby products that are all paraben, colorant, and mineral-oil free. Um, yes please!

Many of the washes and moisturizers are made with organic calendula (an extract from marigold flowers), an ingredient that has been used literally for centuries to soothe sensitive and/or irritated skin, making it perfect to help soothe diaper rash and maintaining that soft baby skin that everyone knows and loves.

They sent over the line and I tried it on my own skin and liked what I felt. Trying out baby products made me so excited for bath time with our little one when she arrives!

3. Stroller/Car Seat Combination

At first we had registered for a stroller by UPPA Baby and a car seat by another brand. When I told one friend this, she explained that you often take the baby out of the car and click the car seat directly into the stroller.

I quickly updated my registry to change our car seat and now we’re UPPA Baby all the way! The two specific products that my friends seemed to love were:

Stroller: UPPAbaby Vista. It’s light, easy to break down, and looks quite chic
Car seat: UPPAbaby Mesa. It works with the stroller system and is rated well for safety and comfort.

These products are not cheap but we were lucky that family members bought them for us as baby gifts.

4. Carrier

We walk/hike in the woods multiple times a week, and we’re hoping we don’t have to stop once the baby comes. My friend Bailey sometimes joins us and brings her son, Davis, in a carrier. He falls asleep and she can walk with her hands free (great for me when I need to have Boots on leash).

Although I’ve gotten mixed messages about which direction to go in here, she swears by the Baby Gemini Cool Mesh Carrier. I can attest firsthand that it’s easy to put on and take off, and the baby seems to love it.

I also like that it has cooling fabric for summer days that can get super hot and humid around here.

5. Serious Sleep Solution

Every baby sleeps differently and therefore needs a different sleep solution. One girlfriend of mine has three little boys and each one slept in a different bassinet. One solution didn’t work for all three of them.

That being said, there is one product, new to the market, that has come so highly recommended that I couldn’t not have it. My friend Arielle’s baby slept through the night at six weeks and does so every night still (she’s 15 weeks now).

So what is this magical sleeping trick? The SNOO, made by the doctor that brought us The Happiest Baby on the Block. It’s a chic-looking bassinet that shushes, swaddles, and rocks the baby all at once.

The price tag is no joke, but if there is one thing to splurge on for your own sanity and a well-rested baby, apparently it’s this. I’ll report back once I actually use it to see if it works as well as they say it does!

6. Hospital Grade Breast Pump

All breast pumps are not created equal. That’s one thing I’ve heard time and time again from my doctor, doula, friends, and the lactation consultant who teaches our parenting classes.

The hospital grade pumps help you create more milk in the beginning and keep the flow sustained for longer. They are bigger and have different suction settings than “over the counter” pumps. And they’re just much stronger in general.

There are two main brands, Medela and Spectra, and it’s pretty split down the middle with my friends on which one is the best. We went with the Spectra S1 just because it was more affordable. I’ve heard great things about it, so am excited to see it do its job.

FYI the Spectra S2 is also great but doesn’t have a rechargeable battery. I liked that the S1 would be easier on the go.

Ok so what am I missing? What would you recommend as a must-have to a new mama like me? See my full registry list here.