Since I am now at that stage in life where my friends are getting married, having babies and/or adopting, I thought I'd compile a list of items that I am so unbelievably happy to have! There is SO much baby stuff out there, and I wanted it all, but I truly am so thrilled to have these items. Also, if you're needing an idea registering items or buying for a friend, I can't recommend these things enough!
In no particular order of importance:
1. The Boppy (or as Jamie calls it, "Boopy")
This might just be my favorite baby item. I use this for feeding Lucy--both nursing and bottle feeding. It pretty much never leaves my side, and when it gets dirty or puked on, I am quick to get a new cover on it, because I know I'll be using it within the hour. It props her little body against mine and makes feeding quite simple. It's perfect for reading and cuddling, and it's really great for when I need to be hands free for a few moments. Although this picture shows her sleeping against it, I do not let her do that unattended. But it's fabulous! A definite MUST for mamas!
Boppy Website
2. Itsy Ritsy Car Seat Cover
I ended up buying this cute green cover when Lucy was about 3 weeks old. She had thrown up big time in her car seat, and it kind of threw me over the edge. It was her third HUGE puke of the day and this one was the final straw because I hard time cleaning it out of her car seat. I had been eyeing this cover online for about a week, but didn't want to spend the $100. What was I thinking? I ordered it and it arrived in less than a week. Now whenever she has an accident of any sort, I just take the cover off, toss it in the washer and we're good to go! It's also much more comfy for her which causes her to sleep and ride in the car better.
A week later, I bought the canopy to go with it. I go on walks with Lucy everyday, and the sun was ridiculous. Instead of covering Lucy's body head to toe in this warm Louisiana weather, I bought a matching canopy to block the sun while we're out. It even has a little peek-a-boo opening that allows me to easily look at her when it's on her car seat. Love it! Another $30 well spent!
3. Miracle Blanket
From day one, Lucy has been a very active sleeper. We call her Houdini because she magically escapes any and every swaddle I put her in--no matter how tight I thought I had it! Until one night, I pulled the glorious Miracle Blanket out of the swaddle blanket drawer (yes I have one of those), and tried it. That girl can't escape that thing if her life depended on it! She's a happier and much more sound sleeper with this swaddle blanket.
Miracle Blanket website
4. Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs
There is absolutely nothing special about these things except that they're the best burp cloths and will later be great bibs for Lucy. I'm not sure why I like them so much, but they're just fabulous. They're the best shape for draping it over your shoulder when burping and are soft and easy to clean. I just love them.
Aden + Anais website
5. Baby Jogger
I think I was the most excited about this baby item! You have to buy an additional attachment thing for the car seat to go on, but then you're good to go. Once your baby outgrows the car seat, then they'll fit comfortably in the stroller seat. I have the Summit X3 and LOVE it! Downside: it's heavy! Upside: It glides flawlessly. It is smooth and easy to push and guide and I just love it! Plus, it's helping get my butt back in shape!
Everyone will have vastly different opinions on strollers, but I LOVE my jogger!
Baby Jogger website
6. Rocker
Every mama needs a rocker! I've spent countless hours in this thing and love love love it! Mine is from Pottery Barn Kids and it is fabulous. However, I would not recommend getting furniture from them, because they were not easy to deal with. When the website says "available for immediate shipping", they don't really mean it. Immediate means about 6 weeks. Not cool, PBK. So I'd recommend it if you order it early, because it's comfy and grand :)
PBK Rocker website
7. My Little Snugabunny Bouncer
This thing is great! It has a slight bouncing and vibrating movement which Lucy loves. She almost always will sit quite content in it and will often take a good snooze in it as well. It's great for when I need to cook, clean, shower, or just be hands free for a few moments. It's super light, so you can haul it around the house when you need to, and has a good angle to it so your baby isn't sitting straight up but not laying down either. There are a million bouncers out there, but this one came HIGHLY recommended to me!
Buy Buy Baby website
8. Baby Bjorne Carrier
I live and breathe in this thing. And cook. And clean. And walk the dog. And pretty much everything with this carrier. My little girl is a bit of a spitter-upper, so I have to keep her upright for a while after each feeding. Having a carrier makes this easy to do because I'll feed and burp Lucy, and then I put her in the carrier and get stuff done. Love it! Fabulous investment!!
Here is the carrier that I have
9. Nightgowns
I love nightgowns. They're the best. A friend of mine recommended getting nightgowns for Lucy before she was born, and I only had one, but it didn't fit yet. But once she started fitting in her nightgowns, my nighttime routine changed for the good. No more snaps and buttons and frustration in the middle of the night when changing a diaper. With a nightgown, you just flop the bottom up, change that diaper, pull the gown back down and you're good to go. Plus, they're unbelievably cute wearing them!
Nightgowns at Baby Gap--I have these, and they are soft and comfy and snuggable
10. Sleep Sheep/Sleep Giraffe/Sound Machine
Babies like loud noises. Your womb is noisy. Silence can be deafening for your little one. You will more than likely (every baby is different) want some sort of white noise going on while they're sleeping. I love the Sleep Sheep and used that the first few weeks, and the Sleep Giraffe stays in her car seat. Now, I have a sound machine that I have in Lucy's room that stays on all night. Ya'll, my little girl is sleeping 7-10 hours a night! Hallelujah! We love the sound machine!
11. Baby Monitor
Do your research on what you want. Video? No video? Black and white? Color? One camera? Two cameras? There are so many options! We have a black and white video monitor and it's fabulous. Nothing fancy, but it's perfect! Everyone is different on what they want, but I highly recommend getting a video monitor. Lucy is a very noisy baby and makes grunting and snarfling noises all night. I'll wake up, look at the monitor, realize she's just sleep grunting and I go back to bed. Get a monitor! I love mine!
This is the monitor that we have. Simple and perfect.
12. Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag
This is the one I have:
I had several friends recommend Petunia Pickle Bottom for a diaper bag. Of course there are FABULOUS diaper bags out there, but this brand is ADORABLE, functional and just fabulous! I love my bag! It is cushiony, roomy, and has a built in changing bad which I love. My baby isn't going to put her clean and perfect tushy on those nasty changing tables in public bathrooms. Nu uh, not my baby! This bag is great!
13. Wipe Warmer
You need a wipe warmer. Your baby's bottom will thank me. That is all.
Here is the one we have.
Obviously, I am a perfect mommy and have all the answers.
Okay that's a fib. A HUGE fib. These are just a few of my favorite things that I've used in my short almost 9 weeks of being a mama. Every mama is different. Every baby is different. Do your research. Figure out what you might like and just go with it.
If you have any questions, let me know. I'm happy to help if I can.
As a sidenote, Lucy just got her 2 month old shots. She cried. I cried. It was sad. Her face turned about 37 shades of purple. Not a fun morning. Love my baby girl.
Love you guys! Hope you have an excellent Tuesday! Remember to pray for Boston. And hug your loved ones.
I literally LOL'd at the "boopy!" I don't think we would have survived without ours, the dude could not sleep unless we propped him up in it (against all the baby rules, ofc). And OMG sweetpea gowns are the bomb-diggity!! I so miss those!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear shots didn't go so well; hope you didn't have to soldier through it alone!
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