Over the course of the past month, I've come across products I do and do not love for my sweet girl. I'm sure this list will be ever changing, but these are the products that have saved us at one point or another throughout the past month
For the What I Love Edition:
(in no particular order)
1. Aden & Anais Swaddling Blankets
I cannot say enough good things about these blankets, which is great because I think we own 7 or 8 of them! Ellie LOVES to be swaddled, so we swaddle her with these during the day. I love how comfy and lightweight they are. We also use them as a blanket to keep her warm, to lay on, as a cover when breastfeeding, and as a sun cover in her stroller and/or car seat. Highly recommend these!
2. Rock n' Play Sleeper
We have one right next to our bed and this is what Ellie sleeps in each night. She sleeps really well in here - not as well in her swing or bouncer. We haven't attempted the crib yet, not necessarily because she can't handle it, but let's be honest, this mama isn't ready!
3. Fisher Price Swing
This swing is a-mazing! She wasn't a huge fan at first, but after a week or so, she loves it. She'll nap in here. She's completely content being wide awake and rocking away. It makes my life a lot easier when I have to get a few things done around the house.
4. Summer SwaddleMe Sacks
I'm obsessed with these. We use to swaddle her in the Aden & Anais swaddling blankets at night, but she'd often become unraveled because she moves and wiggles a lot in her sleep. She loves to be wrapped up tight and these sacks will keep her swaddled really well all night.
5. Aveeno Baby Products
We got a whole lot of baby wash and lotion products at my shower. I quickly learned that Aveeno is simply the best. I love the way it smells and it seems to work better at taking care of her baby acne and dry skin. I particularly like the baby wash/shampoo and lotion
6. Blooming Tub
The plastic ones didn't work well with us. We LOVE this tub though. It's super soft and padded. It can fit well and adjust to any size sink, which is where we prefer to bathe her. The only downfall is that she can't lay down in it, so bathing her at the moment is a two-person job. Once she's sitting up though, this tub will be a godsend.
This is definitely one of my favorite baby products. I can't compare it to other baby wearing contraptions because this is the only one I've tried, but I love it!! We do have the Baby Bjorn for JP, which I'll write about at another time. There are quite a few different ways to wear the K'tan. I've only worn it in the newborn position so far because it puts Ellie into a little fetal like position, which she loves. The other ways to wear it appear to grow with her. We use this all the time on walks and when we run errands. It usually puts her to sleep like a charm. :)
8. Drying Rack
We aren't bottle feeding her often. JP will feed her pumped milk in a bottle if I'm out running an errand and she's hungry. However, this has only happened a couple of times. I do, however, use this rack for drying all of my pumping parts. I pump at least once, sometimes twice a day. This is the perfect little rack that allows the parts to dry out rather than setting pieces on a towel only to have water/air trapped inside. Lo
9. Boppy Changing Pad Liners
We have 5 changing pad liners. They are a lifesaver! Ellie enjoys going to the bathroom mid diaper change, particularly when daddy is changing her, so these bad boys have come to the rescue. Rather than having to wash her entire changing pad cover, we'll use these. So helpful!
10. MAM Pacifiers
We waited almost a week to introduce the pacifier to Ellie. Ever since she has fallen in love. They soothe her when she's fussy and they help her fall asleep. I worry a tiny little bit that we may have a tough time weaning her down the road. However, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. To be honest, I'd rather have her suck on her pacifier than her thumb. Thumbs cause a lot more dental damage!
11. Pampers Swadlers Diapers AND Wipes
We got quite a few different brands of diapers and wipes between my baby shower and JP's Baby-Q. We quickly learned that Pampers are the best in both worlds. Store brand diapers and wipes are awful. Even Huggies diapers are horrible. We will gladly pay the little bit of extra money for Pampers!
12. Medela Pump In Style (and Harmony!)
I'm trying to build up my stash of pumped breast milk - both for times when I'm gone and when I go back to work. I've been using both Medela pumps. The PIS is efficient and quickly gets the job done. I've been using the Harmony handheld pump in the middle of the night. Ellie often gets full on one side, then the other is super full. Mama needs some relief! Rather than going downstairs and setting up the whole PIS system, this little handheld one can be done right there in my bed. So convenient!
13. Safety 1st Baby Mittens
This sweet bean has quite the set of claws on her little hands. Even in utero, her hands were always up by her face. It made it very difficult to get good face shots at our 3D ultrasounds. Well, not much has changed. Her hands are still always up by her face and she likes to attack her face. The baby mittens have saved us from many (not all!) tears. We have many brands, but these ones stay on the best.
Ellie's nose gets super stuffy. I've tried and failed at clearing it out with a regular nose bulb thing (what are they called anyway?). We bought a humidifier, which I have yet to decide if it's helping. The NoseFrida has been great though! The idea behind it (I suck the goo out of her nose) is gross, but the little filters keep it from getting anywhere near my mouth. Once you get pass the idea, it becomes your best friend! :)
I tried to narrow this list down, but really, we love and use all of these on almost a daily basis. So, for all the other soon-to-be-moms, hopefully you'll find this post helpful. :)
