Fabulous Favorites

Since a few people have asked for my recommendations on baby gear, I decided to just do a post about it.  I am not an expert by any means, but I have tried lots of different brands and items trying to find the "perfect" items.  So here are my preferences.  I cannot tell you what your baby will love, but I can tell you what Martin loves!! PS- I am going to link to Target and Babies R Us for the items, because that is where most of my stuff came from. 

Fun/Playtime
1.  An activity gym- These are great early on because they can lay on the floor and bat at the toys hanging.  Most come with a mirror, and babies LOVE mirrors and faces.  We love anything ocean or fish related, so we have the Baby Neptune Ocean Adventure Gym.

2. Exersaucer- They come in all shapes and sizes and colors.  They all do different things.  Some have built in bouncers, some are stationary.  All are fun!  Typically used with babies who have a little head control (maybe 3 or 4 months).

3. Bumbo- This seat is a must have.  One of my top 10 baby items!  You can buy a play tray separate which is great for putting toys on to entertain baby.  Some people feed their babies in the bumbo, we haven't done that.  But, you certainly can.

Diapering-
1. Diapers- I like Pampers Swaddlers.  The Sensitive are great, but a little more pricey.  In general, pampers are a bit more expensive than other brands, but Martin peed out of anything else we used (Target, Huggies, the list goes on).  If you have a boy, be sure to point it down....otherwise they will pee out of the top of the diaper.  Sam's has the best prices on Pampers, so go get a membership today.

2. Wipes- I use Pampers Sensitive.  They have a thick wipe line and one with aloe.  All work just fine, so watch for sales and coupons (although you can't use coupons at Sam's).  And, the great thing about Pampers is their Gifts to Grow program.  All Pampers products come with a 15 digit code you can enter on their website--and then you redeem your points for items.  The best thing I have found are Sam's Gift Cards.  You can also Google Gifts to Grow coupon codes and get extra points from time to time.

3. Diaper Rash Ointment- Boudreaux'x Butt Paste.....sounds silly, but it works.

4. Wipe Warmer- Seems silly, but it makes such a difference in those early days.  Middle of the night diaper changes aren't quite as traumatic when you don't have to wipe with a cold wipe. 

Bathtime-
1. Tub- we have the whale of a tub.  But, there are some with slings in them that seem great too.

2. Washcloths/Hooded Towels- Target's brand of washcloths (Circo) are the softest out there.  Don't try to go cheap for hooded towels....the cheaper they are, the thinner they are....the less absorbent they are.

3. Soap/Lotion/etc- Johnson and Johnson is good unless your baby has sensitive skin (like Martin).  We use Cetaphil Lotion and Cleanser.  It is very mild and works great now that we figured out he has sensitive skin.  Burt's Bees makes a line of organics that is nice too.   

Bedtime-
1. SWADDLE ME- We couldn't live without this!!!  They make fleece and cotton ones, so you can get one more appropriate for the season you are in.  Swaddling makes such a difference for baby.  They will sleep longer and harder if they are swaddled.  It mimics how the womb was, and provides that comfort.  It also keeps their arms by their side instead of rubbing their eyes and waking them up!  We started using a sleep sack last week to attempt to stop swaddling just because he has grown out of it.  Martin is a regular Houdini, and could get out of a blanket so the Swaddle Me was the perfect answer for us.

2. Blanket/Stuffed Animal- Martin has a monkey blanket that he loves.  It is a blanket/stuffed animal all in one.  He loved it early on--and still does.

3. Pacifier- say what you want....I said I wouldn't use one either, but it makes such a difference!!!  We use Playtex--not the silicone ones though, he only likes the latex ones.  And, I tried the orthodontic Nuk, and he gagged everytime we gave it to him. 

Feeding-
1. Boppy Nursing Pillow!!!  This is a must have for nursing mothers.  But, a helpful tool for any moms.  It is good for tummy time when baby is about 2 months and is fighting tummy time.  Great to put around your waist to help give a bottle.  Great to help people who are uncomfortable holding new babies.  Provides lots of support.  They sell a newborn pillow for added head support that I wish I had with Martin.  You might want to check it out. 

2. Bottles- Playtex all the way.  We use Vent Air Advanced and Drop Ins both made by the playtex company.  Medela creates lots of air bubbles and causes gas, Dr. Browns have lots of little pieces (which I didn't mind cleaning) but it didn't help his gas AT ALL!!!  You could hear the air he was swallowing.  And, Avent leaked like crazy.  I tried all the tricks (drying every piece perfectly, making sure the seal was  sealed....hahaha none of it worked).  Playtex 100%!!!  When he was refusing a bottle and only wanted to nurse, we used the Drop Ins Latex nipple and he seemed to take those more easily, but now he likes the Vent Air Advanced just as much. 

3. Medela Breast Pump- Pump in style advanced is what I use (double electric).  Get an extra set of shields/membranes so you don't have to wash every single time.  This is the best on the market.  Very fast....easy to use.  Comes with some bottles for storage.  I use the Medela pump and store bags for freezing milk.  I have a freezer full right now.  You can pump directly into the bag, seal, and freeze. 

4. Gerber soft spoons and bowls with suction cup bottoms are great for when you start solids.

5. High Chair- We have a Carter's wooden one, but they make a small one that you can sit in a kitchen chair that would be great if you lived in a small house or apartment. 


Other MUST HAVES-

1. Baby Swing- LIFESAVER!!  Martin still loves his swing, and so do I.  They even now come with plugs instead of batteries.  Although mine doesn't drain batteries that fast.  I had the Fisher Price My Little Lamb, and it is so soft and cozy, but I don't think they make it anymore. 

2. Bouncey Seat-We have the Ocean Wonders one, and Martin loves to play with the fish.  Most have a vibrating seat and music.  This is great for baby to relax in when younger, and then great to entertain themselves in when they get a little older. 

3. Pack n Play- Great for early days.  We set ours up in the living room and changed diapers on the diaper changer, and let him nap during the day in the newborn napper.  It has a vibration feature which is great when they are newborns.  You take the newborn napper and changing pad out and have a great upper level play area.  Then when they outgrow that, it lets down, and is like a typical playpen that you would think of.  Great for trips!!  You don't have to have a baby crib or bassinet to take...just use the pack n play. 

4. Baby Bjorn- This carrier is great for Dad.  It is good for Mommy too....but is manly enough that Dad can wear it too. 


Other advice.....sleep when baby sleeps.  Even if it is just a nap.  You will get a good nights sleep before you know it, but before then, you will wonder how you will ever function again.  Be prepared to use lots and lots of diapers.  Footed sleepers are the best thing for newborns.  No, I take that back, gowns are the best thing for newborns--easy diaper changes, and you can't put anything around their waist until the lose their umbilical cord.  But, after about a week and half, footed sleepers are great for sleeping.  Especially since baby socks don't seem to stay on.  The best advice I can give is to Ask for help.  Someone has gone through exactly what you are struggling with.  Find another mommy to vent to.  It will help you so much!!  If there is something you are curious about, ask another mommy, or call your pediatrician.  If you plan to breastfeed do a little research before baby gets here.  Ask in the hospital to see a lactation consultant.  And, be prepared for how hard it is.  It is so worth it, but you have to stick with it.  Take lots and lots of pictures, because before you know it....you won't remember just how little they were.  You will fall in love so fast you cannot even imagine what life was like before them.  They are amazing miracles!

Any other questions or specifics?  Or did I forget something?  Feel free to post in the comments.