My Must Haves: Pregnancy And Beyond

Right around the time I turn 30 weeks I really start to think about what we still need for the baby. What a learning experience it has been within the last 6 years...learning which products work for us and which don't. This is a list of my baby/mommy must haves, in no particular order... it is 4:45am after all.

1. NEWBORN DIAPERS: Been there, tried this brand and that brand, and we always agree that Pampers Swaddlers, for the first couple of months, are the must have. It seems that our babies bums either are too sensitive for the other brands or the other brands would leak on us. Newborn leaks are NO FUN. Now, for my newest dilemma... will they also be as good on a girl?



2. BREAST PADS: I did try a few others back when Walker was born, so maybe there are some new-more amazing ones out there now, but, I found one that totally works for me, and why mess with that, right? BUT, it has to be the old design, not the new one that has the 'contour' shape...for seem reason I just hated that. The old shape worked perfect and they are so absorbent. Pretty much everything that Lansinoh makes is awesome, which takes me to my next item.



3. BABY WIPES: Now, don't get me wrong, any wipe will do really, it is just that these particular wipes on a newborns bottom are so soft, easy to use, have a little bit of oil in them to get the sticky stuff off, and just seem more gentle than any other brand. Plus, you can use them on your breasts as well. We have been using these on our newborn bottoms...at least for the first month, with the last 2. They are a bit more expensive, but worth it, in my opinion. Although, recently I saw that they now carry a Target version. I will definitely give those a try and see how they compare.



4. GUMMY BEARS: Yeah, OK, so technically they aren't maternity/pregnancy/or postpartum related to most. But, they are to me! I love gummy bears, pregnant or not, but especially pregnant and I would never turn a gift down, but my Timmy knows that when he is blessing me with a pack of these, he must bring me the Haribo's or they just ain't a gummy.



5. NURSING PILLOW: I was told back when I was pregnant with Walker that a must have was a BOPPY nursing pillow for breast feeding moms. Wanting to do everything I could to help ensure success at nursing after 8 years of no babies, I had to try it. I LOVE THAT THING! I still have the same one from 6 years ago and it is still very firm. I did try the 'Breast Friend' pillow with Zack, but was not impressed. Having to velcro it on, then deal with the fact that I couldn't always get comfortable with the pad around my back...it just wasn't as convenient or easy to use as the Boppy pillow is. The only thing I wish they would do for this product is develop a waterproof cover for it. I don't use it much to sit baby in... that is what the next product is for.



6. BABY SITTER: Baby sitter?? Yeah, for lack of a better description. This thing is invaluable. I know they have another seat similar to it on the market, but this thing is indestructible!! It didn't come out until I was pregnant with Christian, but they were about $80 back then in speciality baby stores. Too rich for our blood. But, when Zack was born I set out to find one on Craigslist and found one for $15...look, like I said, these things are so well made, so easy to clean, that buying used is the best way to go...or registering for one. It is perfect for feeding baby, for having baby sit in while you fold laundry, for just helping them learn how to sit up. My cousin is borrowing ours now and can you believe they still can fit their chubby legged 14 month old in it? Plus, they have developed a great easy to clean tray for it, for placing snacks and such on. This is definitely a must have.



7. SLING: Again, Walker was our guinea pig for most baby products. I went for the Dr. Sears Nojo baby sling back in 2003...there weren't any cute and frilly slings back then it seemed, unless you were doing a wrap (too complicated for me). I really was not happy carrying him in the carrier and at 5 months of age I tried this sling. I loved that it had the cushions all the way around, the shoulder padding, and the adjustable strap. This sling has been a lifesaver, especially when I had to become a fulltime baby-wearer with Christian. I wore him everywhere! I even was given a 2nd sling to keep in my car because sometimes I would forget mine at home and Christian hated the stroller. He spent the good part of his first year in there...while I cooked, while I cleaned, while I folded laundry, shopped, walked, nursed and walked. It was a godsend. I did buy a cute sling when I had Zack, but I found it just didn't meet the standards that the Nojo sling did. I do like that 'other' more expensive, pretty fabric sling I own because I can fold it up super little and put in my purse, but I use it more for quick runs and when baby is older. You can't go wrong with the Nojo and it is so user friendly. Just ask Natalie, I turned her on to it, and my cousin Jackie as well, whom uses hers everyday.



8. STROLLER: An infant car seat carrier frame like Baby Trend's Snap N' Go is another absolute must have. If you have a carload of kids like mine, with minimal storage space, this is perfect for you. We tried the cadillac of strollers that barely fit in our trunk and took forever to unfold and weighed more than my 10 year old at the time, but got over that really quick. With Christian I went to a baby rummage sale and found one in excellent condition for $15..again, why wouldn't you go used?!?!? It was probably our favorite find for that baby. Plus, it was easy for my kids to push and I loved that it took no room in our minivan at all. I also loved that a sleeping baby could just go from car to carrier frame without waking them up. Yes, I know most strollers can do the same, but this frame weighed no more than a few pounds. Loved that. Now, I gave my Snap N' Go away to a needy family last year, so I checked Craigslist and found the newer version from Graco for $20. Pristine condition!! I love this version because, first I am a big fan of Graco products (I do favor Graco over most other brands) and with the Graco it actually is just snapping and going, where as our Baby Trend one you had to snap the carrier in, then fasten another snap around the seat. The Graco Snugrider definitely seems much easier to use. I already have it waiting for Bella in Grandma's basement.



9. SWADDLER: I haven't tried the Miracle Blanket on one of my babies yet, but I do know the importance of swaddling a baby, well into infancy. The Miracle Blanket is something I did not hear about until reading about it on MckMama's blog. I already bought 2 off ebay and can't wait to try them out. I did try the ones from First Year with the boys and they worked OK, except that the noisy velcro wasn't always the noise that a sleeping baby could sleep through when you wanted to readjust their swaddling. I know a large blanket or receiving blanket works great, too (Miguel and Karizma lived in theirs), but with the convenience of this product and how well it will help from baby being able to kick and squirm there way out, well it is ingenious! I look forward to seeing our little bean burrito in one soon.



10. A TIMMY: You can't have mine, but I know there are many Godly men out there that have the desire to be loving husbands and doting Daddies if given the chance. Make sure they are willing to give you foot massages nightly, rub your belly when it isn't feeling so good, read to your other babies when they are going to bed, change diapers in exchange for breastfeeding his baby (Tim's idea, not mine, but I LOVE this deal!), stop at the store for pregnancy cravings, make you laugh when you are down, remind you what a great mommy you are, and willing to bring you any little thing that your heart desires because he so appreciates the hard work you have done to bring this sweet little cupcake into his arms. Big plus: He needs to be really nice to look at, too.