Wait! Don't bag up that baby gear just yet. Over the course of the past two and a half years, I've retired–packed up, donated, sold and shared–so much stuff that I used regularly when my son was a baby, but simply can't use any more. Now that he seems a lot more like a kid, and a lot less like a baby, I can only vaguely remember needing things like teething rings, infant seats and stroller bunting. But surprisingly, even though he walks, talks, runs, eats and sleeps much like a big boy, I've found that there are actually some amazing products that we've been using regularly since infancy, and still use today.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 10 Breastfeeding tips & tricks from real moms
Keep reading to find out which valuable items to hold onto (or if you're expecting, some you should definitely register for).
Image via Boba.com
Muslin Swaddle Blankets
I haven't swaddled my son since he was five months old, but we still use these lightweight blankets nearly every day. From birth we used them for their intended purpose, but also as a makeshift playmat or nursing cover. Today, my son loves to sleep "cozy" so when it's warm out he still wants a blanket. This is what we use. He even plays with them and swaddles his stuffed animals to take care of them like babies. Aden & Anais Swaddles 4-Pack, $34.99
Baby Wipes
Never leave home without them. My son is potty trained and I haven't changed a dirty diaper in months, but I still carry baby wipes with us everywhere go. From cleaning boogies to wiping down dirty hands and crusty faces, there's always a need. I like using the sensitive baby wipes, because they are much less harsh than regular wet wipes or sanitizing wipes, the fabric is soft and they get the job done. Pampers Sensitive Wipes 448-Count, $10.97
White Noise App/Machine
We started out with a dedicated white noise machine that we loved, but it only ran for 45 minutes at a time. That was fine early on, but as naps got longer the shut off would interrupt sleep. Instead of buying a plug-in machine (they're pricey) we downloaded a free app for our iPad. These days we only use it at nap time and my son doesn't technically NEED it to induce sleep, but rather I use it so I can work, clean up the house, etc. without worrying about noise, but it's great for night and traveling as well. Heck, we even used it to help my son sleep in the emergency room when my husband was in an accident. Relax Melodies, Free
Baby Carrier
You might think I'm nuts, but I still wear my 2-year-old. You might think it's weird, or perhaps uncomfortable, but it's not more uncomfortable than an exhausted toddler screaming and whining in your ear for who knows how long. During infancy, we sometimes used the carrier for naps, but mostly we used it to keep the baby close to us and happy while we were out and about and getting things done. These days, we use it almost exclusively for naps when we're away from home, whether just for the day or on extended trips. Since my little one has always known it as a safe comfy place to be, come nap time he never has trouble dozing off in it, which means he has never in his life skipped a nap! Many are rated for babies from seven pounds to toddlers up to 45 pounds. Boba 4G, price varies
Reusable Food Pouches
Your days of pureeing baby food may be long past, but the usefulness of reusable pouches has not worn out. It's no secret that buying in bulk is much more affordable, so these days when I buy a big tub of applesauce or yogurt, I fill up a few pouches and use them as grab-and-go snacks. You can even use them for packed lunches once your kiddo is in school. BooginHead Squeeze'Ems 2 Pack, $8.94
Pocket Bib
A friend sent me one of these bibs as a baby shower gift and I still use it to save my own sanity at pretty much every meal. Sure, your toddler probably can eat without a bib, but it's still messy. And let's be honest, how many of us really have the time or patience to clean up preventable messes several times a day? These soft rubber bibs–as opposed to any other kind–keep most of the mess contained and are easy to clean. Baby Bjorn Soft Bib 2-Pack, $13.39
Spill Proof Cup
We started out with a two-handled soft spout cup of the same brand at around six months old, but quickly moved onto the cup pictured here and it has remained our favorite since. It teaches little ones how to hold a regular cup, rarely leaks, is easy to clean and is insulated. Again, my toddler can use a regular cup without much of a problem, but he likes to drink his milk on the go, so the spill-proof cup is the way we go. Tommee Tippee Truly Spill Proof Drink Cup 2-Pack, $12.15
