As a new mom, there’s a lot of information to sift through. From learning everything there is to know about caring for your newborn to determining what gear you need and what you can do without, there’s great potential for information overload.

Don’t get overwhelmed! I’ve spent hours researching products to find what I need and what I don’t. Here are a handful of my top essentials for new moms:

1 Stokke Trailz Classic Stroller
It goes without saying that you’ll need a stroller and car seat to get around with your infant but which one? Strollers are no small investment these days and they range dramatically in price. For me, the stroller and car seat were not things I was willing to compromise on. I was looking for something sturdy, stable, safe and stylish. Stokke meets all of these requirements and I love knowing that my baby is getting around in comfort. The Stokke stroller rolls with immense ease and is surprisingly compact. It’s got several parent- and forward-facing positions and a handy waterproof shopping basket below. But its easy maneuverability is hands-down one of the best features.

2 Amazon Echo Dot
The Amazon Echo Dot has become an absolute essential for me now that I’m a mom. My hands are constantly full so I love that I can still get things done using the voice-activated technology. I can ask ‘Alexa’ to play lullabies and bath time music whenever I need to. I can ask her to turn on the bedroom lights when I’m coming into the bedroom at night with the baby in my arms (just pair your Echo Dot with a WeMo light switch). She can even order a pizza and read stories if you need her to. Talk about a handy little assistant! Now if only she’d clean the house …

3 Dockatot
The DockATot is a safe, snug and secure bed for your little one and is perfect for transitioning your babe from a crib to a bed. It’s not only a good place for baby to sleep but it’s also great for playing, lounging and doing tummy time. But what I love most about this bed is that it’s portable and easy to travel with. Now you don’t need to worry about using the hotel’s facilities (especially if they’re questionable) and your little one will have the comfort (and cleanliness!) of home, wherever he goes.

4 Kindle Oasis
I had a friend once tell me that she hadn’t read a book in seven years … ever since her child was born. I almost cried. Books are a cherished part of my life and I couldn’t imagine giving them up. The Kindle Oasis has made it easy for me to read while I’m breastfeeding or just holding my little guy while he sleeps. It’s so small and compact that you only need one hand to hold it but the best part is that it has dedicated page-turning buttons and you can flip the Kindle either way, depending on which hand you want to turn the pages with, and the text will rotate. This brilliant feature means I can easily read regardless which side of me the baby is sleeping on.

5 Stokke Pipa by Nuna Car Seat
Finding the right car seat is important. First, you’ll want something that meets all legal safety requirements. But you’ll also want something that’s comfortable for baby but is also easy for you to maneuver since you’ll be taking it in and out of the car and attaching it to your stroller. I love the Stokke Pipa by Nuna because it’s lightweight and has a plush interior for baby’s comfort. The padding inside is temperature controlled, keeping baby cool in the heat and warm in the cold and it’s machine-washable (we’ve had to wash it a few times and each time, it comes out looking just like new!) Living in California, I also love that it’s got an SPF 50 sun canopy to keep baby protected from the sun.

6 Pacapod Mirano in Navy
You might think that a diaper bag is a diaper bag is a diaper bag but you’d be wrong! I’d initially thought that I could just use a tote that I had at home but it turns out, people specifically use diaper bags for a reason. After plenty of research, I finally settled on the Pacapod Mirano bag and it’s perfect. This large tote has compartments for everything I could possibly need to bring with me but what sets this bag apart from others are the pods that fit neatly into a back pocket. One pod is for baby’s food and food-related items and the other is for anything diaper related. It’s brilliant to keep these two things separate but still easily accessible. Plus, I love the silhouette of the bag and the natural fabric it’s made of, which is easy to wipe clean.

7 NoseFrida SnotSucker
There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching your baby struggling to breathe. The NoseFrida SnotSucker is a safe and effective way to help you clear your baby’s nasal passages. When baby can’t breathe, simply place one end of the SnotSucker at the edge of his nose and suck on the other. Voila! This will clear baby’s nose and don’t worry – there’s a plug that prevents anything nasty from actually being sucked into your mouth!

8 Ergobaby Carrier
One of the many challenges I’ve faced as a new mom is always having my hands full and not being able to move around and do things with ease. The Ergobaby Carrier makes it easy to strap baby to your body and move around freely – whether you just need to get things done around the house or whether you’re traveling. There are several baby carriers on the market but what I like best about the Ergobaby carriers is that they have been deemed ‘hip healthy’ products by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. They’re ergonomic and safe for baby’s hips, which was one of my biggest concerns with other carriers I’d tried.

9 Teething Egg
When baby starts teething, you’ll be desperate for something to soothe their sore gums. The Teething Egg is just what you’re looking for. The egg shape makes it ideal for soothing both their top and bottom gums and because of its shape, it’s not a choking hazard. Plus, it’s made in the United States from FDA-approved, food-grade materials. I love the assortment of pretty pastel colours and the handy harness means you can attach it to baby’s clothes so it doesn’t constantly drop to the ground and need to be cleaned.

10 Ritzy-Sitzy Shopping Cart and High Chair Cover
I admit: I’m a bit of a germaphobe. And having a baby makes me even more of one. That’s why I love products that help keep my baby protected from all the nasties out there. I’d never seen (or noticed) shopping cart covers before but once I had my son, I saw them everywhere and couldn’t get over how brilliant they are. This multifunctional cover fits over most standard shopping carts and restaurant high chairs so that you can seat baby in a clean and covered seat. Plus, it’s reversible, machine-washable and padded, which makes it comfier for your little one.

11 Bébé au Lait Nursing Cover
You might think that all nursing covers are created equal but some are definitely superior to others, which I learned after trying a few different ones out. The Bébé au Lait covers come out on top for a few reasons. First, is the rigid neckline made from a flexible material that keeps its bowed shape, which provides ventilation and lets you easily see baby while he’s feeding. I also love the two hidden terry cloth pockets that you can use for wiping baby’s mouth or storing things. Made from 100% cotton and available in a variety of pretty patterns, these nursing covers are a must for breastfeeding moms who want a bit of privacy.

12 Apple Watch
You may notice a recurring theme here but ever since I became a mom, I always seem to have my hands full. Between holding baby and all his stuff, I never seem to have a free hand. That’s why I love my Apple Watch. It helps me stay in touch, keep an eye on emails and texts and answer phone calls … all hands-free. Plus, I love the health and fitness apps that track my progress as I try to lose the baby weight.

13 Drybar Dry Shampoo
As a new mom, there are some days when a shower seems like a total luxury. And washing my hair? That’s a real treat! Meeting baby’s constant demands means many of my needs go out the window and things that I used to take for granted (like a long, hot shower) are not always possible. Enter dry shampoo to save the day! When spending an hour washing and blow-drying my hair just isn’t possible, dry shampoo like this one from Dry Bar, can help to make me feel human again!

14 Mahabis Slippers
Comfort is everything for a new mom. That’s why I love these sleek slippers from Mahabis. Boasting Scandinavian simplicity, designed in England and made in Portugal with Italian soles, these slippers are a Euro-chic option for the mom who doesn’t want to sacrifice style, even during those late-night feedings. The removable sole means you can wear these slippers both indoors and out and they’re soft, warm and cozy.

15 Fawn Hill Swaddle Blankets
I use these swaddle blankets all the time, all over the place. Whether to swaddle baby to sleep, keep him warm, lay him down on the ground for tummy time, cover him in his stroller or to just wipe up spit, these blankets come in handy all the time. I particularly love these ones because they’re a lightweight soft, muslin cotton and they’re oversized. And how cute are these patterns? Perfect for a boy or a girl!

16 Skip Hop Sound Machine
After a couple of months of long, sleepless nights with a newborn, you’ll rejoice the first time he sleeps five or six hours straight. The first night I decided to put on a sound machine to lull baby to sleep, he slept for 8.5 hours! This adorable owl-inspired sound machine plays up to 60 minutes of continuous music or nature sounds and has a dimmable night light that displays a soft glow in a leaf pattern. Sweet dreams to you and baby!

17 Little Lotus Sleeping Bag
Putting baby down to sleep can be a nerve-racking experience. As a new mom, I found myself lying awake hour after hour, night after night, listening for sounds that baby was okay. SIDS is a terrifying reality and that’s why it’s essential to find just the right swaddle and sleeping bags to keep baby safe. Did you know that research links SIDS to overheating? The Little Lotus Sleeping Bag is made from NASA-inspired fabric to ensure that baby’s temperature is perfectly regulated for better sleep. On top of that, every purchase you make helps to save the life of a baby in the developing world. Visit littlelotusbaby.com for more details.