Favorites (Stuff I couldn't live without):
- Medela Double Electric Breast Pump - I purchased a Lansinoh when I was pregnant trying to save some money and just ended up spending more because I disliked it. Beware! They won't let you return the pump once the box is opened so buy the good one first!
- Ergo Baby (we have the Infantino version from Target) - I went through 4 different wraps, slings and carriers when I finally found Infantino's version of the Ergo Baby. It's super comfortable so I can strap JT in my back and get chores done around the house. (You can carry them in the front too, but he was too old to tolerate it by the time I found it.)
- WubbaNub - JT takes the Soothie pacifiers and these WubbaNubs have cute little animals attached to the pacifier. It makes it easy for Joseph to put into his mouth (even at 5-6 months old) and easy for me to find in the car seat or fin in the crib at night! No need to tether the Bink to baby!
- Carters Swaddle Blankets - I use the lightweight blankets to cover JT up for naps now that it's warm out. They're big and soft and lightweight so he feel like he has something over him but he's not too hot.
- Homedics® SoundSpa™ Lullaby Sound Machine - I went through 2 of these trying to find one soothing. This one is perfect and has a cute projector for the ceiling.
- JJ Cole Infant BundleMe - Since JT was a winter baby I was so glad to have this! It kept him warm and snugly! I could zip him up in it and throw the little flap over his face to protect his whole body. I finally had to take it out the car seat Mid-May, but it served us well for 7 months!
- Fisher-Price Rainforest Baby View Auto Mirror - I finally broke down and bought this when Joseph was about 5 months old. I couldn't tell if he was sleeping or spit-up or anything else since I drive and SUV and the window was too far away to stick a mirror to. This has a bendy bar that you can conform to the back seat!
- Aquaphor - I love this salve. I use it at night to keep Joseph from getting a diaper rash, I used it on his face, cradle cap, dry skin, scratches... pretty much everything. I even use it for my lips when they're chapped.
- Butt Paste - Magic. When baby gets diaper rash put some of this on and cover it in Vaseline. Works like a charm!
- Aveeno Baby - Spend a little more and get this for bath time. It doesn't smell like the Johnsons & Johnsons but it is so much better.
- Carters Hooded Bath Towel - These are thick and wonderful and $10! Don't waste your time on the paper thin ones from Target - they don't absorb the water.
- Costco (Kirkland) diapers and wipes - These are my favorite over any brand anywhere. The diapers are soft and don't leak. The wipes come in disposable packs so I can throw one in my purse, the diaper bag, the car... anywhere!
- Bumbo & Bumbo Tray - I started having Joseph sit in this as soon as he could hold his head up. He felt independent and it made it easy for him to be anywhere I was without me holding him. The Bumbo Tray makes him more secure in the Bumbo and gives him a place for his toys. I even used it as his first high chair!
- Glider - I've spent 100s of hours in rocking Joe. I even doze off in it myself. I definite MUST have in the nursery!
- Sleep N Plays - Have been the staple of JTs wardrobe. During the winter I didn't really even change him out of them. I even put socks on under the footies up to when he was about 3-4 months old.
- Lansinoh Milk bags - I uses these to store breast milk. They're pretty self explanatory, but you MUST put a lot of air in them before you freeze your milk or they will leak when you thaw it out.
- Humidifier - Helps them breathe easier. I have a warm mist, but it's recommended to get a cool mist.
- Plastic Bibs - I love these now that JT is eating solids. They're easy to clean and big. I've ruined too many cute soft bibs thinking they'd come clean. They don't.
- Earth's Best Organic Baby Food - I thought I would make Joseph's baby food... and I did for the first month or two. However, it's tough to expose him to different food when they're not in season. It's also tough to make the food smooth enough. This is easier and I can buy them in Variety 12 packs at Babies R Us for $10 and I still feel like he's getting good food.
- Diaper Genie - Love this. It keep the stink out for days. I don't know how it works, but it's magic.
- Bright Starts Comfort & Harmony Bouncer - JT LOVED this chair. He sat in it until he was literally hanging off the ends. We called it his "poop chair". He would get so comfy in it he'd poop every time we sat him in it.
- Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether - Spend the $20. They love this toy! (You can actually get it on Amazon.com for $17 and change.)
- Baltic Amber Teething Necklace - We bought our from Inspirations By Finn (on Amazon). It works! JT used to drool. A lot. There's no more drool so it must be working!
- Nosefrida - This Snot Sucker works better than any aspirator! I'm amazed every time I use it!
- Any clothing that was separate shirt and top. It rides up and totally pointless. Even now, I don't buy or dress him in separate shirt, bottom outfits. Onesies are your friend!
- Moby Wrap - This thing loosened as I moved around and I couldn't get it one the same way twice. Also, don't even think about sitting down in it or you have to rewrap the whole thing.
- Playtex Drop Ins - The old ones rocked. They now have these new preformed Drop Ins that are very unstable and will actually fall out if you don't get the nipple on carefully.
- Receiving blankets - Never ever used these. Ever. They were too small for my big 9 lb boy and since he was a winter baby we used the big soft blankets anyway.
- Summer Infant SwaddleMe Cotton Knit Adjustable Infant Wrap - These are great in theory. The velcro is supposed to make baby feel tightly wrapped. Joseph not only hated being swaddled, but he could still get out of these. Ruggs dubbed these "Baby Straight Jackets" so I guess that made JT Houdini.
- Shoes - Any shoes are completely pointless. They're cute, but they don't go on easy. They're not comfortable and it's not recommended that they wear them so their feet can develop correctly.
- Video Monitor - I would have loved to have one of these to see him in his crib.
- Jogging Stroller - The last thing on my mind during pregnancy was running. Now, I'm running on a regular basis and I either have to run indoors or leave baby with Dad.
- Itzbeen Baby Care Timer - I laughed when I was pregnant about this. I thought, "If you can't remember when to change and feed your baby you shouldn't have one." Little did I know about the baby time warp my life would become for the first 2-3 months. I literally couldn't keep track of anything the first few weeks.
- After 2-3 months get baby to bed early! 7 pm is a good starting point to start establishing a schedule. You have to adjust to find out what works for you and baby.
- Read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" while you're pregnant. Read lots of baby books while you're pregnant! (Kindles are handy while nursing.)
- Buy extra sheets and Puppy Piddle Pads for the crib. Then you can layer a sheet and a piddle pad on top of each other. It saves you from emergency laundry.
- After 2-3 months give baby a full extra formula bottle before bed (when breastfeeding). It helps you feel like they are well fed and it keeps them full a little longer.
- Follow your baby's lead. Don't push them into conforming to what you think they should be doing (sleeping, eating or otherwise). Be patient and try to just give them what they need.
- Give yourself 6 weeks to figure out breastfeeding. It takes a while, but it's worth it!
- Sleep when you baby sleeps! The world (and laundry) can wait.
- Know that for the first 6 weeks - 3 months your time will be spent constantly holding and caring for baby. They will become your whole world because you are theirs. Embrace it and affirm that it only lasts for a little while. And then get out for an hour without baby occasionally to treat yourself to a Starbucks or pedicure!
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