Our favorite items that make our family life easier, our parenting more effective and our kids happy!
Please note that some of these links are affiliates, which means I will make a small profit should you choose to purchase them. This in no way influences my recommendations though - I only share the things I have genuinely used and loved.
Books for Parents
Of all books, this one changed our parenting style the most. A good read if you are interested in co-sleeping, baby wearing, diaper free, attachment parenting or primitive cultures. I have enjoyed re-reading it several times now and get something different out of it every time.
Richard Louv is a great author and advocate of getting kids connected with nature. For all parents that are concerned with our environment and want our children to be exposed to all that nature has to offer us. Please read this book if you care about children - about grace and beauty.
No! The Art Of Saying No With A Clean Conscience. This is only one of Jesper Juuls' many wonderful books. While I have yet to pick them off our shelf (we have sooo many books, they are my weakness), my husband also recommends "Here I am! Who Are You?" and "Your Competent Child".
Kitchen Helpers
If you have small children or many mouths to feed, this pizza cutter will save you several times a day. We actually need to get a third one since we use it pretty much for each meal. It makes cutting anything (waffles, hash browns, sausage, cake, Sandwiches...) a breeze. I can have all 6 plates cut up to bite size within a minute.
This, in my opinion, is the best mixer on the market for green smoothies, baby food processing and it makes soup! I use mine daily and it cleans itself which was a game changer for me. It is a higher price category, but well worth the investment if you ask me. The container holds up to 2 l, great when serving the whole family.
We haven't been able to afford purchasing this yet, but after doing extensive research, this is the water filter system that we will go with. It can even make your pool water drinkable in case of an emergency and holds up to 2 Gallons, filtering 7 gallons in an hour and serves 4-16 people in a household. No more plastic jugs!
Toys
Open ended toys are a must in our house. This simple, wooden planks have endless possibilities, good for 2-99 years old, a good investment because our children use them daily and we've had them for 7+ years. Supports logical thinking, spatial awareness and dexterity. Increase concentration and patience with this genius toy.
Another stable in our house are play cloths, we have a variety out of silk and cotton. The cotton ones do tend to get more use in our house, but the silk ones are so much fun too! There is something about a cool, soft silk cloth that awakens the imagination of a child and urges them to move and dress up & enter a complete different world.
Every child (girl or boy!) needs a doll. No matter how far back in time, no matter which culture, you will find some form of doll as a toy for children. The waldorf doll pictured here is geared towards 2-4 year olds as it has its cloths sewn onto it and has a very minimalistic facial expression. Older children enjoy a more pliable type of doll.
Homeschool
This is the chalkboard that we have hanging in our school room. We have it hanging horizontally at the moment, but I plan to buy a second one and have them both vertically next to each other to help with teaching multiple grades at the same time. It cleans beautifully, is sturdy and magnetic and a very comfortable size for a homeschool room.
STOCKMAR products are much loved in our house. My children choose the block and stick crayons and the colored pencils from STOCKMAR over any other brands that come into our house. They are high quality and will last for years (as long as you dog doesn't get a hold of them). We also have their modeling beeswax - all available individually in our shop.
We use two homeschool programs, a completely online version through Earthschooling and my personal favorite printed version through Christopherus Curriculum. Both are Waldorf based and the combination of the two help our family on our mixed unschooling journey during our 30-60 minute "school room" times. They help me with direction.
Baby Wearing
Didymos Woven Wrap Baby Carriers are made of organic cotton and were our first baby carriers. It does require some coordination and practice, but it is a very comfortable and cuddly option for newborns and older children. Great for nursing when out and about or multi-tasking. Later we hanged our super long didymo on a ceiling beam in the kids room for lots of climbing, swinging and acrobatics.
Our Ergobaby got the most use in our family, especially on our forest outings. I prefer to carry my children on my back, and this this carrier makes it super easy to quickly piggy back and release. Great for squirmy kids that are not sure they want up or down. No knot tying or edge pulling. Easy to keep on when not in use. Super comfortable with sun protection and head sling for sleeping babies. Includes roomy pouch on the front with zipper for extra diapers or hats or wallets...
We also had this Cool Mesh Easy Snug Infant Insert for our Ergobaby Carrier. It adds extra head and neck support for newborns and fills in the extra space on the edges to assure a good posture and comfort for the tiny babies. Must use with infants 7-12 lbs (3.2-5.5 kg). Ergonomic infant positioning, acknowledged as a hip healthy product . You want your baby to be close enough to kiss when baby wearing in a carrier or wrap, and the extra cushioning on the bottom of this assures the right height.
Getting Around by Bike
This bike trailer has great shocks and lots of safety built in. We use it to get groceries, to pick up the kids from preschool and to explore our surroundings. Two kids can sit comfortably next to each other, or with a few quick adjustments, you can have one child sit alone in the middle. There is a very roomy trunk for bags, abandoned bikes or extra blankets for cooler weather. It can also serve as a stroller which is great in the city or when traveling.
We added this newborn sling to our Chariot bike trailer when our third was born. The oldest was able to ride her own bike, or sit on the bike seat attached directly to our bike, and this buckles into the bike trailer and allows your infant to lay instead of sit, and since it hangs in the air it provides even more shock absorbency. A must have if traveling by bike with a newborn as it is the safest option.
Once your your baby is able to sit on their own is more active then it is time to move on to this baby supporter. It provides extra head protection, also great when they fall asleep, which they usually did with all the fresh air and active excitement on our outings. Combined with the seatbelts inside the bike trailer, the extra cushioning provides a perfect fit - safety first always!
Baby
Baby hammock Yayita is made of soft organic cotton and gives little ones a sense of security. I loved the height of this hammock for our babies, our then 14 month old might come by and gently rock the baby, but she couldn't touch her brother. Adjustable widths gives an open view for an awake baby or closed tighter to give protection and closure from other distractions.
We use sheepskin everywhere in our house. On the floor, on chairs, in the car, in our bed, baby's car seat... everywhere. But not all sheep skins are safe for babies. This one is. It is short, dense Australian lambskins, and tanned using a non-toxic special process that is safe. 100% natural, provides year round comfort, naturally flame resistant. Great if you are going diaper free since care is easy.
Amber necklaces are well known for their teething aid. These are 100% made of real baltic amber and are safety knotted. But did you also know that they are wonder workers for self-esteem? Most people limit these necklaces to the baby years, but I actually have one myself and wear it on days that I need to be strong and will led. What a great thing to give to timid and shy children as well!
Potty Talk
Keep those baby legs warm and their bottoms quickly accessible for diaper free babies. These are organic, uni sex and come in a set of 4 - I recommend getting plenty for the misses you may have. They are a good investment because even teenagers can still wear them on their arms, toddlers on their calves, mama on her ankles 🙂 Get these instead of pants for your newborn.
Diapers or not, these are great for quick, easy, hassle free potting. Weather you are changing a diaper in the middle of the night in the dark, and your baby is still fast asleep, or you are practicing elimination communication and feel you baby giving you a signal and need fast access to their bums, these organic cotton, open gowns keep the legs warm, but allow easy access.
These pants are typical in china, where all children used to go diaper free at all times. They look like normal pants when you child is playing and walking, but the crotch overlaps and is open so you don't have to mess around with taking the pants off to go to the bathroom real quick. Great in colder weather when you don't want their naked bum out exposed to the cold air and breezy winds.
Cloth Diapers
Skip the plastic pants, these are 100% organic merino wool, double knitted and certified by GOTS, made by Disana in Germany. Different colors and sizes are available and we loved these! They are designed to keep baby comfortable, don't pinch or squish and breath!
These are 100% organic cotton knitted cloth diapers also made by Diana. One size fits all. Super soft and comfortable - maximum freedom, even for busy, active kiddos. Comes in a pack of 3, no buttons, velcro or snappies. We loved these so much! And we tested several different companies.
Add these 100% organic cotton muslin diaper liners to your cloth diaper system for extra absorbency and you're good to go. Comes in a pack of 3 from Disana, made in Germany. I always included flushable liners as the top layer to catch any solid waste and keep clean up easy and quick.
An alternative to the above wool pants, these are great a bit more traditional and easier to handle. While the others are thinner, more comfortable and allow more leg movement, these ones you don't have to pull down, which sometimes can cause the whole diaper including any solid waist to smear baby's legs.
We still use these organic cotton waterproof blankets all the time, starting in pregnancy, to protect any seats and beds incase your water breaks, during our home births, for diaper free babies, for sleeping babies in their bed, for older children that still sometimes wet the bed, under our dog's food station and I even use them in my bed when I have my period. Absolute necessity in our house.
100% pure knitted Bourette Silk diaper liners for diaper rashes. Silk has natural healing properties that can help diaper rash. We didn't need them often, but I was glad to have them when we did. Add some organic core wool and you have a great natural help for red bottoms!
Books on Birthing
Did you know that birthing doesn't have to be a painful, stressful, traumatic moment for mother and child? This book was one of my first birthing books I read and it allowed me to enjoy all of my births and empower other mothers to birth naturally, and to trust our ancient wisdom of our bodies.
There is a CD included in this book, with wonderful birthing affirmations and mediations that I listened to every day during my last three pregnancies. Learn to birth without pressing. Gain some great visualizations of what happens in your body during labor, to take away any uncertainty and fear.
Incase natural birthing is a new concept to you, this the original book (written in 1974) that challenged society's beliefs about awareness in the newborn. This is a great first step into connected, attached parenting. Learn how to allow your newborn to gently transition out of the womb and into our world.
Nursing
They aren't quite waterproof, but they will catch any normal leakage, at the beginning I had to double them up. I color coded them with some stitches so I always knew which side to nurse next. Washable, reusable, 100% organic cotton. Perfect!
I love these shirts because I could nurse comfortable where ever I was. While there are several different types of "nursing" shirts, I liked these because they weren't tight fitting and are great for breastfeeding babies in a sling/wrap.
Another book by Ina May Gaskin, I recommend reading this book while still pregnant. It's not only informative, but empowering. Hands down, this is the best breastfeeding book out there.
Sleep
This gate will give more room in a family bed. Perfect for night time nursing while laying. I usually would fall asleep during nursing and having a bed gate kept my active babies safe. Later you can use it on their kid's bed.
Made of organic cotton and wool. I loved this while cosleeping since I like to pull my blanket up to my chin and don't like to share my blanket. Make sure it is at least 10 cm longer than your child.
Evidence based and informative. If "crying it out" goes against your natural instincts as a parent, this book will be very supportive and encouraging.
Clothes
We are huge fans of wool clothing. We believe it is the best for warmth and provides a natural sense of being for babies and children. Disana is our go to for pants, sweaters, coats, hats, gloves and slippers.
We always were long underwear made of wool and silk for next to skin comfort in the winter. In the summer we love wearing them as pajamas. The temperature regulating advantages of wool, and the luxury of silk all in one.
My favorite winter top layer. I loved these especially for babies because the hands and feet have built in flaps to keep little ones warm, no need for extra mittens, and the feet and legs don't slide up and stay warm in a sling/wrap/carrier. 100% organic merino wool.
Outdoors
We call these mud pants. My children have these on as soon as they can lift their heads. No more "don't do that, you will get your clothes dirty". Freedom to explore!
This rounded tip pocket knife is our third birthday present to all of our children. Foldable so you can carry it in your pocket and has a safety latch.
I will never regret hanging one of these (30 ft) long ropes from a tree in our yard (originally on a beam in the kids room before we had trees). Get extra long so you can tie plenty of knots and a big knot as a swing!
A must-read for those who wish to reconnect with nature. Good for city dwellers and back country lovers - a guide for outdoor games and activities. Practical and informational.
Foraging? Have a child that likes making mud pies and or putting everything in their mouth? I have it in my backpack at all times, helps make wise and informed decisions.
This is a huge book about animals. We love looking at all the pictures and discovering many animals in our backyard and from far away countries. Great book to have at home!
Lady Stuff
Since I started using my mensuration cup years ago, it has changed my life. No more disgusting tampons, restless nights, cramps and uncertainty. MeLuna has tons of options size, capacity, hardness and colors.
Another thing I can't live without anymore. After purchasing a big stash of different sizes, I no long have to purchase pads - ever again. Get some really fun designs to make you smile like a little girl during your worst days.
Years ago, I started tracking my basal temperature. Made a body journal. Realized my body worked like a clock. Using that information I was able to get pregnant on the first try four times in a row, and prevent pregnancy without ANY chemicals or hormones.