I am not a first time mom!
Fact: There are a lot of baby goodies out there that I didn't use with Frankie.
This time around, I have used different items that I feel are important. Some of these items can be purchased at Target, Walmart or Babies R US; while others can be found on the internet. (I'll set up the links for you)
I always love reading other mommy's items that work for them because if it helps out another momma, then I'm sure that it could help me too! And if it doesn't , then I could just pass the information along to you.
Lets get started:
1) NOSE Frieda: Okay, at first glance, this looks totally gross. A hose that sucks out baby snot? Ewww! but, never fear! There is a filter inside the aspirator that prevents baby snot from getting into your mouth. This is genius. Granted, that Jacob doesn't like his boogies messed with however, it helps him breathe a lot better when he has a stuff nose. I came down with a cold a few weeks ago and it seemed like Joacb was going to get sick too. He had a few little boogies and this totally helped. This runs around $15.00 which is a little pricy, but it's totally worth it. The package says to use saline solution to loosen up the mucus, but I use it without and it's fine. Disenfect with alcohol after every use and you're good.
2) Aiden and Anais SwaddleBlankets: I blogged about this last time with Frankie. I saved most of his swaddle blankets and I'm glad I did. I love these because they're super lightweight so they don't make baby all sweaty. I use mine as a nursing cover when I'm in public because they're very long so I can nurse in peace and not worry about giving people a free peep show (hey, hey , hey!) Jacob doesn't mind being covered when he's nursing. I also use these in the car when we're driving around town and it's too hot for a blanket or when he's in the stroller and he needs a cover. I love LOVE LOVE these! They have cute designs, or plain white ones. Target has them for $34.00 for a pack of 4. They're pretty much the same price everywhere you look.
3) Halo Swaddle Blankets adjustable: This is probably one of the best things that saved me during those first few weeks. Jacob loved to be swaddled in this. AND if you're like me that strugges with putting together the swaddle, you're going to love this because you just simply put baby inside the blanket, zip him/her up, Velcro the flaps and WAA-LA, you have the perfect swaddle. Jaocb only used this for 1 month because then he out grew it. (he's growing very fast). I wish I used this with Frankie because it would've saved me from many sleepless nights. These are also available on Amazon, Target, Walmart, Babies R US, Buy Buy Baby and Kohls.
4) MAM Pacifier: Umm, this is a controversial one. Why? because I'm breastfeeding. And you've all heard about nipple confusion and decrease in milk supply if a baby uses a paci. Okay, lets backtrack. Frankie never used a pacifier because I was afraid that he was going to get confused. In fact, I didn't really give him a bottle in the beginning because I was afraid that I was going to drecrease my milk supply. Therefore, Mr. Frankie was a boob man 100%! Yeah, that's all fine an dandy, but when it came time for me to have a life, go back to work or simply leave the house, I couldn't! Frankie, wouldn't take the bottle. Now, remember how I mentioned the sleepless nights? Well, Frankie would cry and cry. I think that if I would've used a paci, he would've slept a little more, or at least have that comfort. FASTFORWARD to Jacob, I was hesitant on using the pacifier with him. But I'm glad I did. He isn't confused at all! He knows exactly which "nipple" has milk and which one doesn't. So back to these pacifiers. They're great because they have those tiny little holes that allow baby's skin to vent and the area around his lips doesn't get irritated. I found these at Target as well.
5) Sollybaby Wrap: http://sollybaby.com/ This is another item that I wished I had discovered when Frankie was an infant. I found this item one day while looking through Instagram. I saw this and began to research baby wearing and all it's benefits. I learned that baby wearing is important for building a strong bond with your baby. This is especially useful in the first few weeks when baby is still thinking that he or she is in the womb. Remember, baby has just spent 9 months being with you at all times. He or she knows your voice, heartbeat, laugh, smell and being away from you is not only scary, it's stressful. I'm not going to say that I'm an expert at baby wearing because I'm still getting the hang of it. But let me tell you this wrap has saved me. Especially when I'm with Frankie. It hasn't been easy running around after a 3 year old and then caring for a newborn. The Sollybaby wrap s lightweight, so that it doesn't make baby sweaty like other wraps do (well, in Jacob's case) I have gotten many compliments on my wrap, especially at the market. People do a double take and ask if I'm really holding a baby in there. I also have several people ask if I really spent the money on this wrap and why I didn't just buy the fabric and make it myself! The answer to that is that I'm not a seamstress. I don't really sew that well. And really, that thought didn't really cross my mind. I just really liked the SollyWrap and wanted to experience baby wearing for myself.
6) Eddie Bauer 3 in one comfort carrier: Jacob was in this at 2 weeks of life. This is how we were able to send hours at the mall doing all of our Christmas shopping. Jacob loves being near me. (how can he not? I'm his mommy after all) This is awesome because it grows with baby. This carrier has an infant insert so you can take baby for long walks in it and you don't have to worry about baby being too low in the carrier. We love it and use it all the time. Also, it has adjustable straps so that Daddy can join in on the baby wearing fun. This is like the Baby Bijorn which I did use with Frankie. I wish that I wouldn't have given it away.
7) Honest Healing Balm: https://www.honest.com/bath-and-body/healing-balm I don't how you feel about putting lotion on newborns. I didn't until Jacob was about 5-6 weeks old. As expected, like Frankie. Johnson and Johnson's baby lotion doesn't work for them. Its okay for a few hours but then baby's skin is still dry. Since Frankie has eczema, I was on high alert with Jacob. He isn't showing any signs of it, but I want to be prepared. I began using this lotion with Frankie. It hydrates well and it isn't harsh on his sensitive skin. With the weather being so dry lately, I began using it on Jacob. I use it on my hands too. I reccomened this to anyone with dry, sensitive skin. I've replaced Frankie's eczema cream because this is 100% natural. I also found this at Target but I noticed that Whole Foods carries it too along with the Honest Co. diapers, shampoos and other items.
8) Munchkin Sound Spa: I had to buy this twice. Frankie had one, but the projector stopped working. He hadn't even noticed that his sounspa had a projector until he saw that his brother's "song" had an imagie of a moon, stars and sheep on the wall. He said that he wanted to "borrow" it. I let him use it for a few nights, but then Jaocb was having trouble getting to sleep. I use the white noise function on it during nap time. It helps drown out any background noises and it sooths Jacob to sleep. Frankie now has one in his room, and it helps him fall asleep as well. SInce Jacob came into the picture, Frankie has had trouble sleeping. This helps because it has a nightlight as well and different sounds like rain (that's what Jacob uses), lullibies, ocean and heartbeat. I bough mine on Amazon, but I'm sure Walmart, Target and Babies R US has it. There are other sounds spas, fancier ones I assume, but this one works for us.
9) Receiving Blankets: I LOVE them! I have tons and tons. I use these when I'm nursing Jacob and I need to burp him. Jacob spits up A LOT! I mean, all the time. It's getting better as he gets older, but from week 3 to about 7 it seemed like he was spitting up after each feeding. And it was like a little spit up, it was a full on, outfit change, all over him and ME type of spit up. I was so concerned that I called my lactation consultant to ask her if that was even "normal". She quickly put my mind at ease and said that it was totally normal for baby's to spit up. Maybe he was too full, or I moved him around too much after eating. It's getting better now. So these receiving blankets are pretty big and they clean up big messes. I carry them in the diaper bag and keep many ready and available to clean him up after each feeding.
10) Medella Quick Clean Bags: I also began using these bags with Frankie. If you're short on time, or just disinfecting items these work great. You just fill them up with 4 oz of water, pop them into the microwave for 3 minutes and you're done! It's so easy, and so awesome. No fuss. What I really like is that you can re-use them for up to 20 times. You can also pop in your breast pump items too.
SO there you have it! My complete list of Jacob's must-haves. These are items I use daily. I recommend these items to first, second, third, fourth... ETC moms! Just because you didn't use them the first time around.... doesn't mean you can't use them NOW. What have been some of your favorite items? What are some items you simply can't do without?
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