I’m always astonished by how much stuff you need for one baby. Between bottles, diaper gear and products, these little people can single-handedly stimulate the economy. I didn’t realize just how many different tubes and jars I use for my son in a given day until I started packing for our first vacation - and that’s when I got smart. For our second trip, I combined his toiletries with mine, eliminating the duplicates, and not only saved space, but found that I loved some of his baby products for me. And traveling isn’t the only instance when these double-duty products come in handy. On more than one occasion I’ve run out of shampoo or my husband has found himself gel-less, and these selections from my son’s stash saved the day.

Body wash

I’ve long been a Burt’s Bees fan, so before my son arrived, I stocked up on their baby products. Nearly one year and about five bottles later, the Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash is a staple in our household - both in my son’s bathroom and in mine. It’s super-gentle on even the most sensitive skin, and the scent is delicious. And I just love using it in the morning so I can get a whiff of the baby anytime on those rare days that we’re apart. ($7, burtsbees.com)

Shampoo and conditioner

It took a while to find our (OK, my) shampoo of choice, but once I tried Healthy Times Pansy Flower Baby Shampoo, I was hooked. The smell is so sweet (just like my boy!) and it washes out easily. This is the one shampoo our family travels with since it’s gentle enough for my highlights, and my husband hasn’t ever said a thing after using it from the unmarked TSA-approved bottle. ($5.99, webvitamins.com)