MUST HAVES for new mommies....
When I went to go register for my baby showers, I was completely lost... What exactly does a baby need? well, everything. But they make 10+ different types of everything. Plus, some things I didn't even know about. So, I am going to share my favorite items I had for my son when he was first born. I also will share the must haves for mommies AFTER baby.
DIAPER CADDY- I LOVED this thing... it made diaper changes so much easier for me. I didn't want to have to run to Zane's nursery every time he needed a diaper change (this can be especially difficult for mommies whose nursery is on a different floor). I kept this diaper caddy in the living room and then also put it on my nightstand at night... I didn't even have to get up to change his diaper- it was all just right there. I kept everything in it... diapers, wipes, sanitizer, lotion, diaper cream, burp clothes, nose sucker (is that what it's called?), pacifiers, etc. The link I added shows a changing pad that comes with it- mine didn't, so I just bought some. This makes things super simple for mom.
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| DIAPER CADDY |
SWADDLE BLANKETS- I used both swaddle blankets and the SwaddlMe's. You can choose whether you just want to swaddle your little one in a blanket or use the ones with Velcro. I like the Velcro better because they are easier. They also make ones that don't hold your baby's legs to tightly... You can really choose which ones you like best. However, I just loved these in general because they keep the baby nice and snug when they are first born. Once Zane got older, I bought him several.
SLEEP SACS- These allow you to keep your baby warm at night without putting a blanket in their crib (You know how they say nothing should be in the crib with your baby). Also they allow your little one to move around more.
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| SWADDLE BLANKET |
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| SLEEP SACK |
WUBBANUB- This is Zane's most prized possession... and actually something we are trying to wean him from. Basically, it is a pacifier (the ones they use in the hospital) with a stuffed animal attached to it. They have all different types of animals to choose from. Giving Zane a pacifier also wasn't something I "wanted" to do. However, when he was in the NICU, he had one basically the whole time. Then my husband started putting his finger in the hole to keep it in his mouth (I told him not to do that). The lady at Zane's daycare actually introduced me to the Wubbanub. It worked out perfectly for us. You can actually strap it into their car seat with them so they don't loose their pacifier while you are driving (Nothing is worse than driving by yourself and your baby is screaming and there is nothing you can do about it). This solved our problem. We would also be able to swaddle him with it and he slept better because of this. When he got older, he could find it in his crib and put it back in his mouth with no help. And now he just loves it.
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| WUBBANUB |
TOMMEE TIPPEE BOTTLES (WITH HANDLES)- These were my favorite bottles (and we tried a lot). The link I added is a set and I like everything about it. I especially love the handles- they come on and off and can be switched from bottle to bottle. These helped Zane learn how to hold his bottle really early. It encouraged him to want to be independent about it. I also love that there aren't many pieces to wash (only 3). The Dr.Brown bottles have like 7 pieces to wash (this gets old). However, I have heard these help more with babies who are gassy and spit up... Zane was both, and we still like the Tomme Tippee's better. I also love the formula storage containers that fit right inside the bottle. Very nice and convenient.
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| TOMME TIPPEE BOTTLES |
BUMBO- These are great to help the little ones learn how to sit on their own. We actually starting using the bumbo pretty early. I also like that they have a tray.. I started teaching Zane how to pick up his food (puffs to start out with) by using the bumbo and the tray. Plus, you can put it on a table to have them at your level. Now, I will say that I "heard" they were going to be recalled because a child feel off a table or something. PLEASE watch your child. They have straps you can use and just don't walk away from them and they should be just fine. It sounds like that parent doesn't pay attention much... just saying.
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| BUMBO |
BOPPY- These are especially great for nursing mommies. They are comfy and help support your baby while breastfeeding. We also would lay Zane in it to feed him his bottle and where he would lay when he learned to hold his bottle on his own. These are just great all around.
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| BOPPY |
PROJECTOR/SOUND MACHINE- I swear this thing helped Zane learn how to sleep in his own room and stay there all night. It is basically a night light that plays music. It shines an image on the ceiling that spins (well ours doesn't spin anymore). It has different images and sounds and a timer. This helps Zane when he wakes in the middle of the night and he will put himself back to sleep.
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| LIGHT PROJECTOR/SOUND MACHINE |
Of course your baby needs about 10000 things more than what I listed. Yes, it really seems to be never-ending as they grow. But these were just some of my favorites.
dont buy these things... WASTE OF $ (in my opinion)
dont buy these things... WASTE OF $ (in my opinion)
HOW TO SAVE SOME $$$
FORMULA-
Even though most moms want to breastfeed (or at least try), a lot of us resort to formula at some point. Formula can be expensive to say the least! I was very picky (and still am) about what my son eats. If you read the ingredients to formula, usually the first thing listed is sugar (in some shape or form)... um, is that what we really should give our little babies?? sugar? After some research that my mom and I did, I found that Similac Advance- Complete Nutrition had the best ingredients listed and was most healthy for baby. These go for about $25 for 1.45 pounds. That adds up.
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| SIMILAC- COMPLETE NURTRITION |
I went to Babies-R-Us and they have their own brand of formula. I quickly compared the ingredients of the Complete Nutrition and found that they have a formula that is a bigger bang for your buck and the same ingredients that Similac uses. The one that is closest to Complete Nutrition is the yellow lid container called Premium. It is $27.99 for 2 lbs.13 oz!!! Um, yes please!!! And since it's a bigger container, it lasted so much longer. We will definitely be buying our formula from Babies-R-Us for #2 if/when we need to use it.
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| BABIES-R-US BRAND- PREMIUM |
CLOTHES-
One of the things that I am guilty of doing is buying WAY too many clothes for my son... I mean, how many clothes does a child really need? Well, I just like to dress my kid so it is what it is. So the best advice I have for those mommies that just have an urge to buy cute clothes is to shop out of season... You can find some really great deals out of season... Yes, you have to judge their size and they wont be able to wear them for awhile but you can save a lot. Zane was right on point with sizing and often times would fit into smaller clothes so that was easy for me.
ALSO, I get a TON of Zane's clothes at the thrift store/goodwill/garage sales. They are just so much cheaper and kids grow out of things so quickly... sometimes it just makes since to find them at a second hand store/garage sale.
CONVEIENCE-
Some things that I have that make things really easy for me...
My 31 bags... So I have about 4 diaper bags (this is NOT necessary...) I use 2 of them, the other 2, I just didn't like. When you go to pick out a diaper bag, you want something relatively big and easy to get in and out of. Babies need so much and they fill up quick, I love this bag--- http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/320/catid/22/swid/988a/zip-top-organizing-utility-tote-in-black-chevron/ (the one in this link has a zipper to close it... mine doesn't have that, but either way is nice). It has tons of pockets, it holds a lot and organizes everything, plus its easy to put things in and get things out of. Plus, 31 has tons of other great bags that I use a lot as well.
Like this- http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/368/catid/13/swid/988a/on-a-stroll-bag-in-black-chevron/ This goes on the back of your stroller. I basically use it as my "on the go" diaper bag. When your going to the mall or taking a short trip and don't necessarily need your entire diaper bag, this is perfect. It even gives you two more drink holders (the two little mesh pockets on each side). Plus, when your out shopping, there's only so much room to put bags and you don't want to carry them. This saves some space.
Baby Trend Stroller/Car Seat... So it can be difficult to choose which brand car seat/stroller combo to get. I really love the Baby Trend brand for several reasons. (We have the one with 3 wheels instead of 4).
The car seat is easy to carry- It has a triangle handle that lets you hold it several different ways, rather than just a straight handle. (you can't see it in this pic..sorry!) My hubby really loves this! (actually, he is the one who told me to write this). And then I added that it conveniently latches to a grocery carts seat so you can put your baby right in front of you while shopping. With Graco, you can't do this. You have to put the entire car seat in the grocery cart... so where do you put your groceries? Just so must easier to have them on top of the seat.
Things I wouldn't suggest others buy... They were a waste of money in my opinion...
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| Sassy Sit & Play Sensory Seat
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I bought this for Zane when he was learning to sit on his own. I thought it would help him sit easier and play. Well, it didn't. First of all, it's basically a boppy. I was already using a boppy but thought this would be nice for him. When Zane started "somewhat sitting", to encourage him, I would sit him up with the boppy and lay toys all around him to play. This seat has a piece of fabric on the bottum (you can see it in the pic) it allows for now room for the child to move around. There was basically nowhere for Zane to put his legs. Even in the picture, you can see the small space it leaves them. So, I cut it out- this didn't help. It basically made the seat very flimsy. So eventually I just took off all the toys for him to play with and resorted back to the boppy. Which worked like a charm. This thing was $40- NOT worth it in my opinion.
New Mommies....
One of the most exciting (yet scary) things a woman can do is become a first time mommy. And let me tell you this- there is nothing you can do to prepare yourself 100%. You can read every book, article, blog there is and there are still going to be things that you are going to question yourself about. I know I did/still do.
First of all, no one REALLY prepares you for after birth. You can go to baby classes and learn how to swaddle your child, give them a bath, etc. but what about mom? Your body goes through so much and it's hard. I remember the hot flashes- being cold yet sweating like crazy (I'm talking through your clothes and sheets- gross) I think this was the worst part for me...
OH WAIT! If you breastfeed- getting mastitis (when the tissue in your breast becomes inflamed) was also terrible... it hurts like a b*tch. I wanted to just cry. BUT, I do love breastfeeding and believe it is best for baby- and I will be doing it with #2. This also brings me to my next point...
YOU MAY CHANGE YOUR MIND!!! (or you may have to change your mind) New moms need to remember this... We all want what is best for our babies- so new moms may say they're going to do certain things and ONLY do these things- but things change! I know I said I would strictly breastfeed and that my son wouldn't have a bottle until at least 6 weeks old. Well that didn't happen. Maybe moms change their mind because it was too difficult or because it just wasn't working for them- and that's OK! Every mom AND baby is different- so we all may not be able to do exactly what we want/planned.
My son didn't eat for the first 2 weeks of his life. He was born with a rare birth defect known as malrotation (talk about change of plans). Malrotation is where the bowels are twisted and no food can pass through the intestines. This caused our son to have surgery on his abdomen at only 4 days old (this is something I still cry about- every time I think/talk about it). This is NOT what a new mom should have to experience within the first few days of giving birth. But it happens and it happened to me- so I had to deal with it. I wasn't able to breastfeed and I pumped for 2 weeks straight (I hated it). The first time Zane ate- he had to take it from a bottle because it had to be measured. He basically got 5 drops of sugar water... Sugar water!! that's not that I wanted my kid to drink! and he's supposed to be drinking from me! WTH??- things change... and I had no control over it. Mommy friends-- you have to be flexible and know that you may not be able to do everything you want.
This is the second time I've wrote about Zane's hospitalization... I wrote him a letter while in the NICU. Honestly, it hurts so much to even think of.
Babies do things at different times--- Also VERY important for new mommies to know. Not all babies do things when we want them to. Zane starting crawling later than most babies- he wasn't on his stomach the first 3 months of his life- I don't blame him. With his surgery, he had a huge open wound and it wasn't good to put him on his belly during this time. One day though, Zane crawled. See- Things happen, just at different times. Same with walking, talking, etc. etc. Don't compare your baby to anyone else's- they are their own little human being and they will do things when they want to.
I feel like I could go on forever... and I will eventually. stay tuned.
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