Mom-Approved Must-Haves: Top Picks from the Bambi Baby Team

This Mother’s Day, we’re handing the mic to the moms on our Bambi Baby team—the ones juggling diaper changes, school runs, and everything in between. As moms ourselves, we know firsthand what this journey feels like. We’ve been in your shoes (and probably still are), navigating the highs, lows, and all the chaos that comes with raising tiny humans.

Combine that real-life experience with years of industry knowledge, and you've got a powerhouse team that’s passionate about helping families. From first-time moms figuring it all out to seasoned pros who've seen how baby gear has evolved (and are loving the upgrades!), to the stroller fanatics with a garage full of favorites—we’ve got all perspectives covered.

No matter where we are in our motherhood journey, one thing unites us: we care deeply about making parenthood just a little easier for other moms and dads out there.

So, in celebration of Mother’s Day, we’re sharing our favorite products, personal tips, and a whole lot of love—straight from our homes to yours. Let’s get into it!

Whether you're visiting us in-store or shopping with us online, you're in for a treat—because chances are, you’ll be chatting with one of our amazing Bambi Baby moms!

Our Mom Crew

Jessica is an essential part of our customer service team. If you’ve ever called us, you’ve probably had the pleasure of speaking with her! On Saturdays, you’ll find her at our Paramus, NJ location, where she shares her expert knowledge (and contagious enthusiasm) with every guest.

Vishaka is our go-to mom in Paramus—always ready to guide new and experienced parents alike through their buying journey with patience, insight, and a smile.

Out on Long Island? Swing by our Melville store and ask for Megan. She’s a seasoned pro who’s helped countless families find exactly what they need—and probably a few things they didn’t know they needed but now can’t live without!

Heading south? At our Coral Gables, FL storefront, Jennifer is your warm-weather guru. Whether it’s everyday baby gear or vacation must-haves, she’s ready to help local families and international visitors alike stay cool and travel smart.

In Middletown? You’ve likely met Nicole—a fan favorite! Not only does she offer expert advice to every guest who walks through the door, she’s also our Bambi Baby buyer. That’s right—a mom is in charge of choosing the products we carry. Honestly, is there any better way?

Behind the scenes:

When we say “family-owned and operated,” we mean it. Michelle Ortega is at the heart of our office team, helping customers every day over the phone and through email.

Our virtual merchandiser Ariel, keeps our website optimized for easy shopping experiences.

And from our Marketing Team, Carissa keeps the magic flowing behind the scenes. Her attention to detail and unstoppable mom work ethic ensure all our Bambi subscribers stay in the loop with helpful updates and fresh finds in every email.

Finally, our content writers: Emily, Kyleyn and Stephanie, we are all moms! No AI written reviews here, at Bambi Baby, you will always find real advice from not only real humans.... but real moms!

Safety First: Car Seats That Deliver Peace of Mind

From newborn comfort to toddler protection, our moms trust these car seats to keep their kids safe and comfortable.

• “For our last baby we went with the Nuna PIPA RX. My other two kids screamed in the car so much as babies so I was hoping this seat would be more comfortable. I wasn’t disappointed - my third did so well in the car, and looked so cozy. I loved how easy the install was, and got so much use out of the Sky Drape. It was so handy in germy doctor offices, crowded places with nosey people, and for naps on the go! Favorite feature hands down!" ~Kyleyn

• “The Clek Foonf was the obvious choice for my little one! I took a lot of comfort in knowing I was giving my daughter the best protection. Safety aside, the fabric (I opted for Cloud) was life changing for me, it truly is wipe to clean and very low maintenance. Natalie is very tiny and fit comfortably in her Foonf until age 8. She loved that this seat sat her up high and gave her visibility out the windows and the adjustable recline (even when forward facing)." ~Stephanie

• “The Nuna RAVA has been one of our favorite car seats! I had tried several different car seats before landing on the RAVA, and they were all so hard to get a tight install without completely breaking out in a sweat. I can safely install the RAVA in under two minutes without  asking my husband to do it for me! My kids have been very comfortable in the RAVA as the padding is so plush.. My middle child just outgrew his RAVA at almost 6.5 years old and he’s a big guy. No complaints!" ~Kyleyn

Worn With Love: Carriers Our Moms Couldn’t Live Without

A great baby carrier offers a special kind of bonding with your baby—especially when you’re chasing a toddler or trying to multitask. 

Carissa’s most reached for item was her Ergo Baby Carrier. A lightweight mesh baby carrier is a must-have, especially for those warm weather months.

• “As a mom of a summer baby, my Ergobaby Baby Carrier was a lifesaver. The breathable mesh kept both me and my baby cool on walks, errands and even around the house. I love that I didn’t need a newborn insert either. It was easy to adjust and felt secure from the very beginning. It’s comfy, easy to clean and has pockets for small essentials, which is a big win!” ~Carissa

Lounging + Sleeping Made Simple: Newborn Home Base Essential

Jennifer’s can’t-live-without item is the Nuna PAAL. An easy-to-use, “safe space” that covers multiple stages from birth to toddler should be a living room staple in every family home!

• “I love the Nuna PAAL, it’s always great to invest in gear that’ll grow with the child. The PAAL serves as a travel bassinet that you can transition to a playard as the baby grows. It’s so beneficial while doing chores around the house or cooking to be able to easily move the baby around and have them near in case they need you. As a playard if you wanna make it more fun for the toddler add their favorite plushies to entertain them while you’re busy.” ~Jennifer

Stephanie recommends the UPPAbaby Mira, for its portability and ease of use.

• “As a first time parent; you never want to take your eyes off your newborn. My portable baby lounger definitely calmed my nerves! I moved it from room to room with me while attending to daily tasks, always keeping my little one within my sight!" ~Stephanie

Changing Time Game Changer: No-Fuss Cleanup

The Natart Matty Changer comes highly recommended from Nicole. This convenient foam changer is designed to fit right on top of any dresser, has integrated grips to prevent movement and a safety strap. The best part is—it’s wipe-to-clean, no laundry required!

• “The Matty Changer was one of my favorite items. I used it from birth probably up until Olive was 3 years old. I was that mom that always changed my baby on the changing table lol. It was such a lifesaver in the beginning with all of the diaper changes, accidents, etc. It's so easy to clean! It made after bath time a breeze because I never worried about getting the surface wet. It is so underrated!” ~Nicole

High Chair Showdown: Real Moms, Real Picks

When it comes to high chairs, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Our moms are all about versatility, function, and comfort—but each has a personal favorite.

Jessica and Nicole’s Pick

• “I loved my Peg Perego Siesta! To be honest, I never saw myself with more of a traditional highchair. One of the most amazing features is that it can be used from birth with the booster cushion. It became my seat for Olive when I was in the kitchen and she was just two months old. It fully reclines and has a 5 point harness. It also raises and lowers in height. I loved having her up high because of our dog. When she started eating, the removable top tray was a lifesaver. I'd be able to just snap it off and she'd have a clean surface to play on while I cleaned up or got her a snack.” ~Nicole

• “Always loved the traditional style high chairs, the Peg Perego Siesta was an easy one to operate from kitchen to living room, and a great height to use while sitting at the island feeding.” ~Jessica

Emily’s Pick

• “The Stokke Tripp Trapp was an actual lifesaver during feeding therapy with my kiddo! Having a high chair that let him sit comfortably at the table with the rest of the family made mealtimes more inclusive and less stressful. The adjustable seat and footrest gave just the right ergonomic support—no dangling feet, no sliding around—which made a huge difference in helping him focus on eating. And bonus points for satisfying my inner design snob, too.” ~ Emily

Ariel’s Pick

• “I love my Cybex Lemo - we've used it since our daughter was born as a bouncer and now as her high chair. It is so easy to put together. It’s light to move around our house and she loves sitting in it with us while we eat dinner even if she isn't eating as well. I'm excited to use it once she is ready for the training tower” ~Ariel

Forever in Love with Bugaboo: The OG Stroller Favorite

Our OG moms all have one thing in common—their unwavering love for Bugaboo! 

Vishaka, Emily, and Jessica all strolled in ultimate style with their original Bugaboo Cameleons. And though the Cameleon has retired, its core design lives on in the Bugaboo Fox—a stroller that delivers premium features, superior performance, and built-to-last design. If they could go back, these moms might just admit they’d trade up (not that they’ll say it out loud!).

• “Love love my Bugaboo Cameleon stroller. I've had it for about 10 years and I'm currently using it with my third baby. I have no regrets or wished that I had a different one. Perfect size and amazing push for the things in our lifestyle. Walks around the neighborhood, parks, library and restaurants.” ~ Vishaka

• “My baby only napped during walks, which meant my Bugaboo saw serious mileage—multiple walks a day, every day, for months. It handled cracked sidewalks and off(ish) road adventures like a total pro. It’s also seriously intuitive to use, which is a dream when you’re majorly sleep-deprived.” ~ Emily

• “Always have been a Bugaboo Fan! I had the Cameleon with my first daughter and it was so easy to push and super smooth. We loved going for walks and always took her to Central Park. It was so easy to maneuver and she loved taking naps as we strolled along. Today I love recommending the Fox 5” ~ Jessica

Travel Strollers We Love: Lightweight and Ready to Roll

On the go with a little one? These mom-approved travel strollers are compact, easy to use, and compatible with infant car seats.

"The Bugaboo Butterfly is my favorite travel stroller because it’s easy to fold and provides a really large seat, which is important to me having taller kids! It’s plush, easy to clean, and has a great size basket for a travel stroller. It gets the husband stamp of approval too and is his favorite out of all the strollers we’ve had!" ~Kyleyn

“Love my Nuna TRVL stroller - it is my favorite item to travel with but also so easy to use on the go, running errands, or going out for lunch. It's lightweight and easy to open with one hand.” ~ Ariel

Gear Regrets from Our OG Moms

Our veteran moms share the products they wish were around for their older kids—proof that baby gear just keeps getting better.

“The Cybex Callisto 360, I only wish I had a rotating car seat with my girls.” ~Jessica

“Veer, everything Veer, 1 of each please! As an outdoor loving mom, Veer is a brand I wish existed 14 years ago. I happily put my stamp of approval on all Veer products for every adventure loving family!” ~Stephanie

“The Cybex Lemo chair is genius.”  ~Jessica

 

“A light weight infant car seat—would have loved that! I would have much preferred toting around a 6lb UPPAbaby Aria” ~ Stephanie

Final Thoughts from the Moms Who Know Best

 

“Invest in a good recliner /glider to then transition to your family room for years to come … my pick …Oilo Flynn Power Recliner in Sheepskin Cloud.. my choice!” ~Michelle

“Do not forget about extra comfort for moms, I would have never survived without my glider! After having 3 sections I learned to appreciate a comfortable chair by Best Chairs, and learned that POWER is a must!” ~Jessica

“As a mom to a 13 and 14-year-old, I can't recommend more to new parents than a lifetime crib. The peace of mind knowing that your crib will last from newborn through your child's teenage years and even college is priceless. Both of my kids are now in full-size beds that started out as their cribs! I love the solid wood construction brands like Natart or Romina. I always tell new parents about my experience – investing in a quality crib from the start that grows with your child is totally worth it.” ~Megan

“Strollers get all the glory but what I couldn’t live without was my baby carrier! I wore my second everywhere—mainly out of necessity due to also juggling a 2 year old. My baby carrier allowed me to effortlessly bond with my baby, handsfree while entertaining my toddler! And when I say I babywore everywhere—yes, everywhere—the airport, grocery store, for walks, at the beach—you name it I was wearing my baby!” ~Stephanie

Real Moms, Real Life, Real Picks

At Bambi Baby, we’re more than just gear experts—we’re moms who’ve lived it. These favorite items come with the kind of insight only a real parent can offer. Whether you’re building your registry or looking for that one product to make life easier, our team hopes this guide helps you feel empowered and excited. No matter where you are in your parenting journey, know that you’re not alone—and when in doubt, just ask a mom.

Why should you trust Bambi Baby?

At Bambi Baby, our decades-long commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has established us as a trusted authority in the baby products' industry. With over 40 years of experience, we have developed a deep understanding of what parents require when choosing the perfect gear. Our expert team is dedicated to guiding you through this important decision with personalized recommendations, ensuring that the gear you pick perfectly matches your lifestyle and needs.

Still have questions? 

Bambi Baby experts are ready to connect! If you have any more questions regarding our Mom-Approved Picks you can reach us at cs@bambibaby.com or chat with us on our website. We would love to hear from you!

We would also love to see you in store! Feel free to visit any of our store locations in New York, New Jersey, or Miami if you prefer personalized assistance from one of our experts. We're here to ensure you find the perfect gear for your baby with confidence and ease.