Anyway I remember when I was about 8 months pregnant (the age Olivia is...that blows my mind) that I was doing all sorts of research on things I should be getting and buying and doing. Basically anything that would make my life as a new mother easier.
Now that I'm feeling more confident in my mothering techniques. I can say what's been working. What I've loved, What I wish I would have forgone, what I wish I would have gotten sooner, and what I've learned.
A few people have asked me questions (which I'm flattered), and so since I've knew this would be a popular topic. I decided to write a blog post about. I'll try to update it periodically so that it's current.
So far this is what I have:
1.The bouncer -This was the perfect little seat for babies that help with digestion because they are slightly seated upwards. It also entertains them because they have the sense of motion and it helps them develop leg muscles. This was probably my favorite baby product yet!
2. The pack N play. -We were late to the game at getting one (Next time I don't think Ill use a bassinet. They are not as comfy, they outgrow them so fast and you can't take them anywhere. The ONLY benefit was that mine had wheels.)
I can't say we used it as a play pen much, but we did use it for night sleeping at around 4 ish months when she was too big for her bassinet and I wasn't quite comfortable with putting her in her crib yet. We got a pack n play mattress (THIS IS A MUST, otherwise the padding it comes with just isn't enough) and it worked great. I am glad she is in her own room in her crib now (I feel like now that she can crawl/rollover and even stand that the risk of SIDS goes waaaaaay down). Don't get me wrong, I loved waking up and peering down at my beautifully asleep newborn, but now I don't hear every single sound she makes!
The biggest reason I liked the pack n play though is for the packing aspect. Normally we have date nights in the evening and Olivia goes to bed early. I'd feel terrible making Grandma watch a fussy baby. So the idea behind this is that we can pack up this bad boy, set it up and then when we are out She can still fall fast asleep. Grandma can get things done too! We pick her up after our movie, pack up the portable bed and put her in a crib at home and everyone is happy. It will be especially nice on vacations and other types of travel.
3. The Boppy. This was great for nursing, (even bottle feeding), and even better to help with Tummy time. Most babies don't like tummy time and when you put this under their chest they have more support and it's easier for them. This helps a bit. At least it did with my daughter and my Nephew. Why put them on their stomachs if they are going to be upset? Because specialists agree it helps babies learn to lift their head and other muscles to help them gain more control of their little bodies. The pillow makes it as comfortable as possible.
4. Baby Keys/measuring spoons. I don't know what it is about these things, but they make funky sounds and babies love them. Some of the best baby toys aren't even toys at all! It's saved me many car rides, grocery trips, and were on the verge of a melt down to distract with these guys. I have probably 3 sets. One for home. One in the diaper bag, and one for the car. Call me a little ocd, but they are a dollar (the measuring spoons were at all a dollar) or so and that way I'm always prepared!
5.Convertible Carseat. Ill be honest. I hated the infant carrier. Some people like it. I didn't. Those things are so heavy to pack around and she never really enjoyed being in it. She only used it for 8 months and then outgrew the dang thing. The convertible carseat allows her to sit up higher, see the world, and you don't have to take it out every where you go. WIN WIN. Plus it has room for a sippee cup/toys and a lot more room to wiggle or fall asleep. She's behaved so much better in her convertible carseat. Oh and the one I got is up to 65lbs so it should last us a while.
6.Medela Pump. Its rated the best breast pump out there. Read any review. They will tell you the same and having pumped FULL TIME (Livi never latched) for almost 5 months pumping 5 times a day or more. I can pledge that it's the best! In fact my sister in law got the Ameda pump and now that I'm not doing that anymore. She's borrowing mine because mine is better. Do yourself a favor and make sure to get the Medela pump. Every breast feeding mother needs this. There will come a time that you will need to express milk I promise and with Obama care i think all insurance pays for them.
7.Hylands Homeopathic Teething Tablets. I didn't feel right about giving my daughter ibuprofen all the time. There is a lot of dangers with that and while I'll admit I was slow to the game I got smarter and found different things that worked just as good that I feel are safer.
**I'd like to try the essential oils. I'd like to put the Lavender in her bath, but what I'd be really interested in is the clove oil for teething, but I'm not sure how I feel about the whole diluting process. How do you know how much to dilute it to? Are there instructions? What do you dilute it with?**
8. Glider. This is one item that I take for granted, but if I didn't have one of these it would make Livi's nightly routine harder. Every night we bathe, get suited in her pajamas and then I feed her and rock her to sleep. It's nice having a comfy chair to be in. Especially in the early morning hours when she's ready to eat again. I know when we go on vacation with her this will be missed.
9.Garlic/Olive Oil drops. As a child I got ear infections all the time. In fact I had to get tubes put in. Olivia so far has one that I know of. We didn't go to the doctor to have him tell us, but I just had read all the signs and put a few of these drops in her ears and within a day or so she was all better. I was so relieved I didn't have to go to the doctor, or get antibotics. This nipped it right in the bud.
10.Coconut Oil. Olivias only had one diaper rash in her life and when it happened we used A&D cream and it worked like a charm, we also used baby lotion when she was a brand new baby, but then I read about the healing powers of coconut oil and thought I'd put it to the test. We use them once at night, and we also use a small portion of it on her skin (instead of the moisturizers/lotions) and she hasn't really had a problem since. Plus her skin is so creamy, milky and beautiful since using it. A little goes a long ways and I don't think Ill buy another diaper rash cream or baby lotion again.
11.Rail protectors. Ugh, so when my daughter started teething she started sucking and chewing on everything. In fact.. she started gnawing on her 300$ crib. I really have NO intention of buying another crib for future siblings and children and here she was putting teeth marks in the wood. It made me SO mad. I didn't know what to do, but knowledge is power. I wasn't the only person who had this problem and they actually have come up with inventions like these to save your crib! I got the cloth kind because one they are washable and two if they stand up and fall down.. they have something soft to land on. This will help preserve my crib! Win win!
12. Swaddle blanket and later on the sleep sack. The swaddle blanket (especially with velcro because it holds it tighter) was my absolute faaaaaaavorite invention ever. My daughter hated having it put on, but as soon as she was put in bed and all swaddled up nicely she'd sleep SO much better.
It kept her warm and was little mummy and couldn't move much. When she could move shed accidentally wake herself up and at that young of a age they don't know how to put themselves back to sleep yet. So this was such a good precautionary thing for us.
There did come a day though when she outgrew and even became so strong that she'd open them up. I was devastated because her sleeping interfered big time!
A little over a month later I realized it was because she was still cold. I didn't know what to do. When they are babies you really don't want to put blankets on them as it's a suffocating hazard. Or so thats what they say, but I was desperate so I tried the blanket it once or twice. I was always so worried about it though that I didn't get much sleep doing that.
Then I heard a thing called "The sleep sack." It's amazing! It keeps your baby warm like a blanket it, but it can't go over their head so it wont suffocate them. It's like a nightgown and blanket combined. It just zips up you are ready to go. Which is also night for night diaper changes. Oh and even if you were not worried about the suffocation hazard (I know some moms who use blankets) my daughter is so wiggly that she would probably wake up half the night because her blankets would be on the other side of the crib. This way they are warm all night and they can still wiggle, move, crawl, roll, and even stand in the sleep sack. Perfect invention.
13.Avent Binkies. They are orthodontic approved and are straight so they don't go on the top of the mouth.
14. Parents choice diapers. I think they are cheaper then the kirkland brand at costco (I could be wrong) and the quality is better. At least I think so. Huggies were not that great. Pampers were awesome, but I'm not going to pay that much for a thing you throw away two hours later. Parents choice were great with leak protection (even for my boy nephew).
**Id like to do cloth diapers, but when I'm working... I can't keep up on the laundry as it is. So this will do. **
15. Natures one Organic formula. I did a whole post about it, but basically they are organic-so no pesticides. They use rice sugar instead of high corn fructose, and they have a great reputation about using high quality ingredients and good customer service. The only set back is that you have to order it online and it takes a week to ship. So you have to plan it.
16. Interactive musical toys. Yes they can get annoying to hear over and over again, but it's better then having a bored baby on the move looking for something destructive to do. Or to hear a crying baby. I like that she is entertained and most of them even though she can't speak I feel like she's learning because they do colors, shapes, numbers, sounds and so it's informational.
17. Beachnut pureed food. The gerber kind just doesn't taste as good. Beachnut is better.
18. Depends Adult Diapers for when I was bleeding right after the hospital. Waaay better and more comfortable then any pad.
19. The copper IUD. Non hormonal. I like it because it doesn't have hormones and I don't have to worry about taking a pill everyday. My periods are somewhat heavier, but nothing too terrible.
**In the future I'd consider taking the IUD out and just doing some natural family planning, but after being super sick during pregnancy and struggling with anxiety/depression. I felt I needed a little extra protection and self assurance which is what the IUD has done**
20. Babycenter app. Gives you all the updates for when the baby is in the womb, as well as outside
21.Mydays app. It's a app that you input when your period is and so forth and it helps you detect your most fertile ovulation days.
22.When it doubt, buy Graco. Most all the things I've bought were graco and I've never been disappointed. I got a fisher price space saver high chair and I like it, but there are a few qualities that the Graco one had that I wish I would have gotten.
23.I wish I would have invested in a video baby monitor. Some moms say the exact opposite, but during those few weeks of transitioning to the crib it would have saved me a lot of anxiety. Plus at nap time I could see what she's doing.
24. I didn't like the baby wrap. It didn't feel secure at all.
**I'd probably do a baby carrier that had straps that you can buckle, but I never got around to it**
25.Carters brand runs bigger then Gerber.
27. I am tall so I always buy a size bigger then their age. Especially in pants. So far it's been perfect.
26. Socks work as baby mittens, but I liked the mittens better. The mittens have a elastic that stayed on better.
27. If those first two or so weeks of a newborns life.. if you can swing it. Have spouses take shifts. That way each of you get SOME sleep.
28. Be consistent. Listen to your baby and watch for ques, but I think all babies feel safer knowing they have some type of reliable pattern. That doesn't mean you need to be rigid and follow it exactly, but just a routine. Like bathing before bedtime. That helps your baby know and get ready for bed.
29.Don't buy all toys. Some are a complete waste of money and time. Read the reviews!!! Keep receipts.
30.Don't buy name brand clothing for babies. You'll spend a fortune and they outgrow it so fast.
31. Shoes aren't necessary until baby is walking. Besides they will probably kick them off anyway.
32. Use your mothers intuition and don't always worry about what the doctor says. Moms know best.
33. All babies hit different milestones at different ages.
34. Make time for your spouse. Your relationship will change and you will need that time together. I promise.
and the list will continue to grow, but for right now I think that about sums it up!
I hope this helps new moms and if not, at least Ill have it for baby #2 since it prob wont be super soon and Ill need a good refresher.
1 comment:
You're a seasoned veteran now!!! I'm looking up two of these things! Thank you!
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