Holly Connolly’s best buys for baby and mum she couldn’t live without

This portable, single manual hand breast pump with 2-Phase Expression technology works whether you’re aiming to maintain your supply, need help coping with issues affecting your breastfeeding, or simply want more time with your baby and less time pumping.

Holly says: "I love the Medela manual breast pump. Don't waste time and money with expensive electric ones, with the correct flange size the manual is far more effective and faster."

Find out what our mum testers thought of the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump.

This super smart baby bath offers so much more than your usual baby bath tub including a thermometer and scales that calculate baby’s weight – with or without water, measure and monitor water temperature with everything clearly displayed on an LED screen.

Holly says: "The Aqua Scale Bath includes both a thermostat and scales within the baby bath! We loved this in the beginning and made us feel far more at ease when it came to controlling the temp of the water for the baby."

The Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix 360 base allows for quick and easy installation of the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 and Coral 360 and Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 car seats. This base meets the highest safety standards, and allows for rearward-facing travel for children of up to 4 years. This ensures extra head and neck protection for your child and the visual indicators on the base notify you when your car seat is correctly installed.

Holly says: "This ISOFIX compatible car seat from Maxi-Cosi makes getting baby in and out of the car so much easier and far less stressful to simply twist and turn the car seat. Especially after c-section!"

10x faster than a kettle, Perfect Prep Day & Night is designed for use with water straight from the tap. The unique filtration membrane removes bacteria and other contaminants that can be found in water, ensuring it is clean and safe to make a bottle feed, just like boiled water from your kettle.

Holly says: "I'm obsessed with the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep machine. You can make a bottle at perfect temperature within just 3 minutes!"

Read what our parent testers thought of the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Day & Night

The SNOO Smart Sleeper baby cotbed is a responsive baby bassinet - a popular favourite of celebrity parents such as Chloe Sevigny, Ashley Graham, Serena Williams, Kate Hudson and Gigi Hadid, to name a few. It automatically responds to babies cries to soothe them back off to sleep enabling parents and babies to get, on average, an extra 1-3 hours of sleep a night.

Holly says: "The SnooApp controlled crib where I can monitor her sleep patterns comes with lots of tips and tricks. Not to mention plays white noise and rocks the baby back to sleep upon its cry."

Read more about the SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Cot

The Vital Baby NURTURE advanced pro UV steriliser kills 99.99% of bacteria and viruses in your baby's bottle in just seven minutes. Sterilise what, we hear you ask? Just about anything that will fit.

Holly says: "Originally I had the traditional steam steriliser and it was so messy and time consuming. I changed very quickly to the Vital Baby UV Light Steriliser with a built-in dryer. It's a GAME CHANGER!"

Read more parent reviews of the Vital Baby UV pro steriliser here.

These super soft pyjamas have hint of stretch and are perfect for all body shapes and sizes. They have a relaxed fit with smart piping and button-down detailing with a high waisted trouser with an elasticated waistband and adjustable drawstring for that extra added comfort. You also have the option to add complimentary personalisation to the chest pocket. 

Holly says: "These super soft pyjamas by Ha Designs are really gentle on my skin, especially during breastfeeding when I felt super sore!"

This set is designed with new and expectant mothers in mind, containing the nourishing Bath & Shower Gel with Stretch Mark Oil. These products are enriched with Vitamin E and nourishing oils, to leave your skin glowing through pregnancy and beyond.

Holly says: "I love the Cowshed Mother Collection, especially the body wash and oil. It smells delicious!"

We love this sweet Peppa Pig patterned sleep suit that's perfect for little Peppa lovers. The sleepsuit features a concealed double-directional zip from head to toe to make dressing and changes simpler and it's made using a soft and breathable fabric.

Holly says: "Cici is Peppa obsessed! How could we resist this collection?! There's also sleeping bags, towels and cuddly toys in the collection."

The DockATot Deluxe+ provides a place to effectively 'dock' your baby where they can lounge, rest, play, cuddle, do tummy time and get their nappy changed in one comfy spot. And there’s no doubt about it – mums and dads love the DockATot Deluxe+!

Holly says: "The Dockatot Baby Pod was a lifesaver in those early months. It's an ideal place for baby to lounge, play, cuddle, have nappy changes and try some tummy time."

Read more of our real parent tester reviews of the DockATot Deluxe+

The Bug 3-in-1 seat gives little ones a safe place to sit and play, so you can keep your hands free for other things. Packed with removable and adjustable features, it even has a play tray with colourful sensory toys that'll keep their little hands busy. The super-stable base means you can place it safely on the floor whilst they play, and it can be easily used as a booster seat for weaning. Once they're old enough to join you at the table, Bug can be strapped to a dining chair. So, you won't need to upgrade when it's time to embrace those fun-filled family meals with your toddler.

Holly says: "I love this Mamas and Papas booster seat. It's a great replacement for a high chair and super safe! It can be clipped onto another chair for height and we always take with us when eating out!"

The Leclercbaby strollers are super lightweight and easy to use and are folded and unfolded with one hand. So you can multitask, holding your baby in one arm while getting the stroller ready with the other.

Holly says: "The Le Clerc buggy is FANTASTIC! Not only is it super light weight but it also folds up tiny making it great for travelling. We no longer use the iCandy!"

Playing 4 comforting sounds (Heartbeat, Rainfall, Static White Noise or Brahms Lullaby) and with a gentle warm glowing tummy, Ollie the Owl creates a lovely soothing environment for your baby to drift off to sleep in. The built-in CrySensor cleverly listens in and reactivates to help keep them calm should they stir.

Holly says: "This Tommee Tippee Ollie the Owl White noise toy is great for when out and about or travelling, Cici would always rock off to sleep to the sounds of the heartbeat."

Nala's Baby Nighttime Oil is 99% natural and is formulated with their own special blend of apricot, coconut, castor and lavender oils. Nala's Baby nighttime oil leaves your little one's skin feeling moisturised and silky soft for dream time.

Holly says: "Nala's Baby Nighttime Oil smells unreal and it's totally organic! I even use it on myself."

This playpen is fully adjustable depending on your needs. It's lightweight and is easy to move from room to room and it can be easily folded to store away neatly and it's super durable.

Holly says: "Now Cici is getting older she is into everything! This Play Pen was a great way of us knowing she is somewhere safe without hurting herself."

Aldi Mamia Ultra Dry Air System™ newborn nappies are super soft and designed specifically for a newborns' sensitive skin. The Mamia Ultra Dry Air System™ nappies have twice the absorbency that locks away wetness, keeping your new baby dry and fresh.

Holly says: "Aldi Nappies and Wipes are super affordable and great for constant changing!"