Niko's Favorite Summer Picks

food pouch // face, hand, & baby wipes - similar // reusable swim diaper // sunscreen // sunscreen stick // lotion // travel hand sanitizer // swimsuit - similar // hooded towel - similar // baseball cap - similar

Summer favorites not photographed: aden + anais muslin blankets // babyganics mineral-based sunscreen spray // tommee tippee sippy cup // mini pool // waterproof diaper bag

Summer cannot come soon enough! We have been counting down the days until summer in our house since we got our first taste of warm weather in March. Niko had been spoiled with a few nice days here and there and is now itching to get back outside, but this cold and rainy weather does not seem to be coming to an end any time soon. But, this weather has not stopped us from getting ready for when summer finally makes its big debut! 

Check out below to see our favorite summer picks that made the cut! 

• When Niko was born, a neighbor of mine bought us a nylon diaper bag as a gift, which was perfect for our summer beach and pool days. This year we plan on using it again for when we head to the beach or the pool. The nylon fabric was easy to wipe off and did not ruin when it got splashed by water. I strongly recommend buying a second, inexpensive nylon diaper bag for the summer so that you do not ruin your nicer diaper bag. It really came in handy while we were on vacation last year. We ended up having both diaper bags packed and ready to go, so that we always had what we needed no matter where we were headed.

• I cannot stress enough how much we love the babyganics brand in our house! I absolutely love that all of their products are mineral and plant-based and knowing that they are completely safe for Niko. That is why when getting ready for the summer we picked some of our favorite babyganics products to keep handy. 

We especially keep the mineral-based sunscreen, sunscreen spray and pure mineral stick close by. The spray is great for touch-ups throughout the afternoon and the sunscreen stick is great for little faces! The face and hand wipes are always great to have near by to clean up little messes and sticky fingers. We eat lots of ice pops when it is warm out! The travel packs are super nice to just toss in your diaper bag and go. After coming in from the sun, we need to make sure that Niko's skin does not dry out, so the daily moisturizing lotion is a great way to keep his skin nice and baby soft! [During the winter, Niko's skin was getting dry after each bath, and within two days of using this lotion, Niko's dry skin was back to baby soft! I swear by this stuff!] Lastly, the travel size alcohol-free hand sanitizer is perfect to keep around for when you are at the park or the zoo, so that you can keep your little one's hands nice and clean! Because you know those little fingers do not stay out of their little mouths very long! 

[Mama Tip: the best thing we have ever done was sign up for Amazon Subscribe and Save and Amazon Mom. We get all of these items in bulk and delivered right to the house every couple of months. After you add 5 items to your monthly Subscribe and Save plan, you automatically save 15% on each item and through Amazon Mom you save 20% on diapers, plus free shipping. We save almost $20 a month on the economy box of diapers and they are shipped right to the house! We have never had to make a last minute trip to the store for diapers or wipes. How amazing is that?]

• When it comes to buying Niko clothes, I am always looking for a great deal, since they grow out of their clothing so quickly. I picked up this cute little suit on major sale at Baby Gap and paid close to nothing for the baseball cap at the Janie & Jack outlet. They were both major steals! 

• Last summer, Niko was an itty bitty little thing and we honestly did not spend much time in the sun or water, so we bought one pack of swim diapers, which lasted the whole summer and through our winter mama + mini swim classes. This year, I know Niko is going to be outside and playing in the water every day that the sun is shining, so I decided to try out the i play reusable swim diapers to save some money. They were only $10 at target and so I picked up a couple to see how we liked them. I'll let you know how it goes! 

• Hooded towels are my favorite and the little ones just look so stinkin' cute in them! They are perfect for the beach, pool, waterplay, and after baths. We always make sure to keep these around! 

• Plum organics is our favorite brand of food pouches and I could go on forever how great these little pouches are! They are a perfect add on to a meal or a perfect little afternoon snack. They are packed with all kinds of fruits and veggies, so you know that your little ones are getting all kinds of good-for-you nutrients! Niko sucks these little suckers right on down and is back to playing within minutes. I love having these around for a little mid-morning or mid-afternoon pick me up snack. They are so easy and healthy, and so much better than chips or pretzels, or other snacky type foods. 

• I always like to keep an aden + anais muslin blanket around because it is so multi-purposeful. We use it as a play mat, a stroller cover to keep Niko out of the sun if he falls asleep while we are on a walk, a nursing cover, a blanket on chilly nights [it is amazing out these thin blankets trap so much heat in], etc. You can literally use these swaddlers for anything and everything! I never leave the house without one! 

• Babies need to stay hydrated and sometimes it is really hard to get them to drink their water throughout the day while they are running around, but I have found that Niko has really taken to the tommee tippee 9 ounce insulated straw cup. I always seem to be able to keep up with his water intake when using this cup. Personally, I think he likes feeling like a big kid drinking from a straw and I think it is much easier for him to get more water out of this cup over a regular sippy. 

• While we were at the beach last summer, we picked up a mini kiddie pool that is about 3 feet in diameter and it was absolutely perfect for Niko! I think it will be even more perfect for him this summer, now that he is a little bit bigger and really able to play in the pool. What I love most about this pool is that it is super tiny and easy for moms and dads to play with their little ones; they cannot get too far from you. And, if they are to slip or fall in the pool it is so tiny you are able to catch them easily. I am super excited about putting this pool up for Niko this year! 

Last summer was so fun because it was our first summer with Niko, but this year, I am looking forward to summer because Niko is at such a fun age! He is running, playing, and interacting with us and you can tell that he is truly enjoying life. This summer will surely be one to remember! 

Let us know some of your favorite summer picks in the comments below!