So, Mr. T and I went to the store today to register for my baby shower! Reminiscent of our engaged days, we grabbed the scanning gun (so fun!...though slightly tainted by memories of Target's HORRIBLE returns policy) and this time headed back toward the pink and blue section.
And then we stood there and stared at the 8-million different types of shampoo that we could select.
And that's when I realized...I have no idea what I'm doing.
Mr. T and I must have looked like deer in headlights. A man walked by pushing his son in a stroller and laughed. He said "Welcome to your new Saturday morning routine."
Luckily, I life-lined my sister and she walked me through a few items before Mr. T and I had to head home. So, I'm sitting here google-ing items and blogs and realized - I have access to a ton of fantastic moms!!
Sooooo...I'm asking for your advice: what are some of your must-have mom (and dad) tools? We have a stroller and carseat picked, but do you have any recommendations for a pack-n-play, monitor, helpful accessories? With moving constantly in my future, I'm seeking the must haves for mothering bliss.
What gets you through the day? I'd love your advice!
What are the items you can't live without?
What are the items you never use?
11 comments:
I recommend the Angelcare deluxe movement and sound baby monitor with two receivers.LOVE it! we still use it even though Raelee is two, cause her room is upstairs and she goes to sleep so much earlier than us. Also, a bottle drying rack, I really like the munchkin sprout one. Its a cool green color and super cheap, like $9 I think. We still use it all the time for Raelee's sippy cups. Also you need a sling. I have a baby k'tan which is great, except ours shrunk in the dryer, so if you get that one maybe get a size larger. And the So Easy fresh baby food making kit. Super easy directions and we saved sooo much money making our own baby food. And I don't know if you're planning on breast feeding or not, but the HYGEIA breast pump is a newer one on the market that is able to be used by multiple women because the machine stays sterile. So its resalable whenever you're done having babies. I'm sure I'll think of more items later. Good luck and congrats!
So excited for you! Wish we could have seen the two of you standing in the store...too funny! Everyone has their particulars, but you will want a bouncer chair and a swing. Must haves in order to have two minutes to yourself to get a few things done - we have the bright starts bouncer and Luke LOVED it. Also you can't have too many burp clothes, receiving blankets, and onesies. Seriously!
I have the Medela breast pump (used it for 2 kids so far) and never had any problem with it... a bit pricey, but you will want a breastpump of some kind!
A lot of things are also trial and error...some babies will only take a specific type of bottle, or pacifier and you just don't know! Both my kids would take the Advent bottle and NUK pacifiers so I would recommend those, but that is just me. Good luck!
Okay so I never had any of the new gadgets available today BUT we went to Idaho to see our baby and the next morning Grandpa was off to find a wipe warmer. I just couldn't stand listening to him cry as they wiped his bum with COLD wipes. He is one happy camper now that his bum is met with warm wipes. Oh and I heard that the moby wraps are great. And you can make your own. Holler if you want help making one! :-) And I want an invite to your shower!
You'll want a swing for a minutes break and occasional naps (though don't let it be your crutch, or the baby will never sleep without it) and a pack n play for travels or if you need to put them to sleep in another room. Desitin or Butt Paste is a must for sore bottoms. I've kind of forgotten what I like and don't, it's been a while since we've had a baby around! And if your nursing, you'll want a breat pump for sure. I got by with a handheld, but the electric pumps are pretty amazing. Every mom is different and we all have opinions on what we like and don't like. Like with diapers. I love Pampers Swaddlers diapers for newborns, and Huggies diapers after that. I've had horrible luck with cheap diapers...it's worth it to me to pay extra for those that don't leak. Hope those ideas help!
P.S. Don't waste your money on organic baby food, if you're worried about what your kid eats then just make it yourself. I see moms who feed their baby organic food and then feed them junk like Cheetos when they're two...it doesn't make sense to me.
Yay!!! This stuff is fantastic!! Thanks! Keep it coming :)
It'll really depend on what you like and what your baby likes. I could not have survived without a swing for Emma, but Katie hated the swing. Bouncy seats were handy and I liked having a nursing pillow when they were really small. My absolute favorite bibs are the bumpkin bibs. They are machine washable (have to hang dry though) and soft and waterproof. I still use them for my 2 and 5 year olds when we are eating something messy... so most of the time! I went through so many bibs that I couldn't get all the way clean and they'd start to smell mildewy so I'd throw them away. These might cost a little bit more but they'll last a looong time. You can get all different varieties, too--long sleeve, short sleeve, no sleeve, extra long, etc. Ditto on the diaper advice from Nicole--buy name brand. I like Pampers all the time, they're softer than others. And Amazon Mom is definitely the way to go for diapers. You can subscribe and save and have them delivered to your door as often as you want. And you get 3 months of free amazon prime and you're eligible for up to a year if you spend a certain amount on "mom" items each month. My 1 year runs out this month and I have loved it! My husband's cousin works for Amazon and he said that they actually lose money on diapers. The prices are that good! Also, aden + anais blankets are the best for swaddling and for a lightweight blanket in the summertime (or probably all the time in warm FL!). They are muslin and have some stretch to them and are big. They are kind of expensive, but come in packs of 4. I wouldn't want to live without those, either. Plus, they kind of grow with the baby unlike the Swaddle Mes--those are also great but they grow out of them pretty fast. Hope that helps! We are so happy for you and Richard and that lucky baby of yours! :)
Pack n play.. just get anything off craigslist.. honestly. We only used them when we were putting the kids down at someone elses house. Stroller/carseats... dont get one of those huge combo ones, they are hard to push through places and we were more pissed with it then happy with it. We loove those simple stroller frames, that just click in with a car seat, $40 and super easy. We would recommend reading "Babywise" it helps with sleeping.. though it might not be for everyone, it TOTALLY was a mirical with our kids and like 10 other families we know. I would say don't get a baby swing, get a baby bouncer... cheaper & take up less room. Make lots of flannel baby blankets cause they are the best to swaddle... don't bother with the specially made ones, they are expensive and do only well while the kids isn't strong enough to unswaddle themselves. But yea.. every kid is different and so much of it is hit and miss. You need to call me and talk cause I can't call long distance. I have been dying to see how you are doing!
I came back to mention the book Babywise to you, and it looks like someone else did! I love that book and it was my guide to nursing and sleeping. Some people don't like it, but I couldn't have had good babies without it!
Oh Jill you're too funny. I'm sure you will be the best mom with whatever type of stuff you buy. I always went with whatever was pink for Kalil and now whatever is blue for Mason. One thing I really like is when moms have cute Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags that match their strollers, so if you don't have one start looking. Oh, I guess I will recommend one thing, my favorite bottles for both kids were the $1 ones at Walmart, I think they are Parent's Choice brand, save money and buy all you need:) Love you Jill! Wish I could be at your shower! Actually you need to have one here! I will give it, when are you coming to visit?
So--I guess I'm mostly different from everybody else. I love my pack and play, and I use it at least 2 or 3 times a week-even at my own house. We bought a cheapo off of craigslist, and if I were going to buy one again, I would get one with the bassinet part that attaches to the top. On that note, we didn't use the bassinet we bought more then maybe like a total of 3 weeks--for all three kids! If I had a bassinet attachment for my pack and play, I would probably put the babies in there, but I can't sleep with them in my room (who's kidding, you're not sleeping anyway!), so my babies are in their own room, their own crib almost right away.
We LOVE amazon mom--stuff cheaper then, say, Walmart--and 2 day delivery right to your door?! I'm sold! Perfect for those 'I haven't showered in days' days.
I hope nursing is great for you, but if it's not, you've got a friend in me. The stories I could tell you--ug! Just know that babies grow up to healthy even if they aren't nursed, and on that note--buy your formuala at Sams Club or Costco. So. Much. Cheaper. Like, by half.
We didn't have a swing until Luke, and to be honest, I'm going to sell it and go back to just the bouncer. We loved it.
A bumbo--we couldn't have survived Luke without a bumbo. But buy a real bumbo brand--the knockoffs are horrible.
I have colicky babies, so I couldn't have lived without Mylecol--it's expensive as cold, but an honest to goodness miracle.
We don't swaddle and I hated the sling things--but I loved my evenflo baby backpack. It could go frontways or backwards, and was all adjustable and hands free.
Get a nursing cover--the nice ones with the opening that holds itself open. They are so important for those fumbling in public moments.
Oh, and the most important thing--date night. I could not have survived without date night!
Bumbos are good! Lucy loved hers... calvin not so much. And amen about the nursing comment. Nursing... don't worry about it. I remember crying from pain and how I couldn't do it.. I remember how horrible I felt since it just didn't seem to work and people can make you feel pretty bad about it if you don't.
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