My favorite OT (and mom)-approved baby registry items

As a pediatric occupational therapist and mom of two, I’ve seen (and personally tested) more baby gear than I ever thought possible. Some products are truly helpful—designed with baby development, safety, and parental sanity in mind. And others…. not so much =)

When I was in the baby phase with my kids, I relied on a mix of clinical knowledge and real-life experience to help guide what we used AND what we skipped. And now, I get asked all the time by friends, clients, and other moms inside my membership, The Rooted Crew, what baby products I ACTUALLY recommend.

This list includes my all-time favorite baby items that I feel good about from both a developmental and practical perspective. These are the things that I recommend again and again (and the ones I’d register for all over if I were doing it again today!).

(*Some of these links are affiliate links, where I earn a small commission from your purchase at no cost to you - thank you SO much in advance for supporting my small business!)

My OT & Mom-Approved Baby Favorites

1. Baby Buddha Pump

If you are planning on breastfeeding in any capacity, this is hands-down my FAVORITE primary pump (and I’ve tried a bunch!). It is efficient AND compact (which is hard to come by), making it easy to throw on as often as you need to while getting the most bang for your buck. You can wear it around your neck or clip it to your pants, making it much easier to manage pumping alongside everyday life…. especially if you’re chasing around your toddler, like I was!

✅ Why I love it: Less bulky than traditional pumps, but still powerful. Great for multitasking and being able to walk around while pumping.

Click HERE to purchase - use code ROOTED for 10% off!

2. Ceres Chill

Ceres Chill is a breastmilk storage system that’s compact, efficient, and incredibly useful for on-the-go pumping or travel. Their new baby bottle is also a win – it’s thoughtfully designed and pairs perfectly with the entire storage system.

✅ Why I love it: Promotes independence for pumping/feeding parents (I used to bring it with me all day and store milk from multiple pumping sessions combined) and reduces the need for single-use storage bags or coolers.

Click HERE to purchase - use code ROOTED for 15% off!

3. Love to Dream Swaddle Up

Hands-down my FAVORITE swaddle system for babies! This swaddle allows babies to sleep with their arms up (a more natural position for many newborns), while still keeping them snug and secure. The arms-up position allows them to bring their hands to their mouth for self-soothing, and also makes the transition *out* of the swaddle SO much easier when the time comes. They also make a Transition swaddle which I also love!

✅ Why I love it: Supports safe sleep and doesn’t restrict baby’s arms down, which many babies don’t love. Also makes the transition away from the swaddle so much easier.

Click HERE to purchase!

4. BabyBjörn Bouncer

A simple, low-profile seat that allows for baby-led movement (baby’s own motions make the seat gently bounce, which babies love!). A perfect place to put your baby when you need to place them down.

✅ Why I love it: Practical place to put your baby when you need to do other things. Encourages active movement and body awareness without forcing a passive position.

Click HERE to purchase!

5. Solly Wrap (or Another Stretchy Baby Wrap)

Especially helpful in the early days, wraps help you keep your baby close while still having your hands free. Don’t be afraid of the learning curve with how they tie - it’s super easy to learn (watch this video)! In the early days, I would pre-tie the wrap before getting my baby and myself into the car, and then pop them into the wrap once we got to our destination.

✅ Why I love it: Supports bonding and regulation while promoting natural alignment and hip health (when used correctly). Plus, most babies are instantly soothed when inside the wrap!

Click HERE to purchase - use code ROOTEDINROUTINE10 for 10% off!

6. Hatch Rest Sound Machine

This sound machine is a must-have in our house. It grows with your child and helps establish consistent sleep cues. We’ve used it since day one with both boys!

✅ Why I love it: Promotes healthy sleep routines from day one, with use of white noise and ability to control the sound/volume via BlueTooth from your phone

Click HERE to purchase!

7. Dreamland Baby Pajamas

The softest, coziest bamboo pajama brand for your baby! The patterns are so cute (especially the holiday ones!) and last for a long time since they stretch as baby grows.

✅ Why I love them: The material is so soft and cozy, and I love dressing my boys in them to match!

Click HERE to purchase - use code ROOTED for 15% off!

8. Structured Baby Carrier (Infantino, Ergobaby, Tula, etc.)

Once your baby outgrows the stretchy wrap phase, a structured carrier is a lifesaver – especially for walks, errands, and naps-on-the-go.

✅ Why I love it: Promotes closeness, supports healthy hip positioning, and gives caregivers more freedom. Plus, most babies absolutely LOVE it!

Click HERE to purchase!

9. The Upseat

Once your baby is around 5-6 months old, being able to put them down in an upright seated position is a game-changer. But, unlike most baby seats on the market, the Upseat is designed with hip alignment and core engagement in mind.

✅ Why I love it: Supports upright sitting without putting babies in a slouched or overly supported position.

Click HERE to purchase - use code ROOTEDINROUTINE10 for 10% off!

10. SlumberPod

Truly a MUST-HAVE! A portable blackout sleep space that’s amazing for travel, sharing rooms, or even just managing naps-on-the-go for babies and toddlers.

✅ Why I love it: Allows your baby to nap or sleep in a darkened space without having to keep the entire room dark – you can walk around the room with the lights on and they’ll keep snoozing away!

Click HERE to purchase - use code ROOTEDINROUTINE for 15% off!

11. Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

This high chair grows with your child and promotes ideal posture and alignment during meals. Yes, it’s an investment - but it will last for YEARS!

✅ Why I love it: Adjustable footrest and seat height mean your baby (and child) is positioned safely and securely, making it perfect for optimal feeding skill development.

Click HERE to purchase!

What I Don’t Recommend (and Why)

As a pediatric OT, I look closely at how products support, or hinder, your baby’s development AND how practical/useful they are as a parent. Some popular baby items can actually work against what your baby needs most: freedom of movement, opportunities to explore their body, and sensory regulation.

Here are a few commonly recommended items that I suggest skipping (and why):

🚫 Baby Seats Like the Bumbo

These seats place babies in a seated position before they can do it independently, often forcing their hips into poor alignment and limiting movement.

Why I DON’T recommend: They prevent babies from engaging the core and exploring natural movement needed for sitting. The UpSeat (#9 above) is a much better choice!

🚫 “Standers” or Activity Centers That Let Baby Stand/Walk

These allow babies to bear weight in standing before they are developmentally ready, which can interfere with natural motor development. Plus, ones that allow your baby to “walk” and/or move around the room while in a standing position are not safe – many accidents every year occur from babies being placed in these devices and then falling off ledges or down the stairs.

Why I DON’T recommend: Standing prematurely bypasses important skills like crawling and cruising, and can lead to toe-walking patterns or hip alignment concerns. Plus, even more importantly, these are unsafe!

🚫 Jumper Devices (Like the Jolly Jumper)

These products may seem fun, but they promote repetitive bouncing patterns that don’t support core strength or motor coordination.

Why I DON’T recommend: They place strain on joints and may reinforce unnatural movement patterns.

🚫 The Snoo

This one’s a bit more nuanced. While the Snoo can absolutely help some families get more sleep, it often interferes with feeding cues and signals and can promote reliance on rocking/movement to transition through natural sleep cycles. A better option to get more sleep is to alternate overnight shifts with your partner and/or hire overnight help, if possible.

Why I DON’T (personally) recommend: From a developmental lens, motion-based sleep can hinder feeding cues and create dependence. For families who do use it, I recommend weaning (particularly the motion feature) as early as possible.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need every gadget on the market, and truthfully, a lot of them aren’t necessary. But having a few well-chosen items can make life with a baby easier while also supporting their development from the very beginning.

Whether you’re creating your baby registry or looking to simplify what you already have, I hope this list gives you clarity and confidence as both a parent and a decision-maker.

✨ Want more guidance on daily rhythms for your baby or toddler? Grab my FREE ROUTINES GUIDE to help make feeding, sleeping, and everyday life a little more predictable from day one.