My Favorite Things: Baby Edition

Remember this Oprah-inspired post with some of my favorite things?  Well, I thought it'd be fun to do a "baby edition" of the same thing!  Not only that, but I hope it's helpful for other first-time or soon-to-be-mommies!  Registering for Baby Sides was an overwhelming process and I was constantly asking friends for their baby "must haves".  So, here are my "must haves" thus far!


1. Halo SleepSack Swaddler - Most babies love to be swaddled and mine is no different!  These things make it so easy!  The flaps wrap snugly around your baby and velcro into place.  And according to our childbirth class teacher, this is the only brand of swaddler approved for sleeping (though we use the Summer Infant SwaddleMe, as well).  Made in lightweight cotton or microfleece, these are the perfect thing for swaddling babies year-round!

2. Boppy - These pillows make breast feeding, bottle feeding, or just holding your baby so much easier!  One suggestion someone gave me that I'm very thankful for - buy one for each floor of your house.  We have one in our living room and another in the nursery.  It's so nice not to have to carry this thing up and down the stairs all day long!

3. Munchkin Deluxe Bottle Brush - Perfect for cleaning the inside of our bottles!  We use it about a million times per day!  (Okay, really only about eight times per day, but it feels like a million.)  I love that it has a suction cup on the bottom and sticks to the counter.  It also has a smaller brush inside that makes for easy cleaning of the bottle's nipples.

4. Munchkin Time Saver Bottle Warmer - I didn't initially buy one of these things until my sister highly recommended it!  As the name suggests, it is a HUGE time saver if you're bottle feeding!  You can warm bottles the old fashion way by placing them in a large cup of hot water or running them under hot, running water...or you can put the bottle in here, turn the dial, and have warm milk in a matter of three minutes.  So much more efficient!  And when you have a screaming, hungry baby, efficient = good!  They sell fancier, digital warmers, but this one works just fine ($19.99 at Target if I remember right)!  My only wish is that we had another upstairs for those late-night feedings, as well!  Side note: According to the box, this can also be used for warming baby food.  Good to know! 

5. Dr. Brown's Microwave Steam Sterilizer - Again, you can sterilize bottles the old fashion way by placing them in boiling water, but this is way quicker!  All you need is six ounces of water and five minutes in the microwave.  We had the Munchkin brand, but realized it was not BPA-free, so we exchanged it for Dr. Brown's instead.  (The only reason I went with Dr. Brown's is because that's the brand of bottles we're using...I figured they'd probably fit best in a sterilizer of the same brand.)  This sterilizer is made for four bottles, but I crammed five 4-ounce bottles the other day.  P.S. You still have to wash the bottles with soap and hot water (hence the above bottle brush).  I was confused by that at first...

6. Boon's Lawn Drying Rack - I love this thing!  Not only is it super cute on our counter, but so practical!!  It's perfect for bottle parts, breast pump parts, etc. and unlike using a towel, things don't fall over if you bump or move the rack.  I initially had the Grass drying rack (approximate 10x10 inches), but quickly exchanged it for this larger, "lawn" model instead (approximately 13x11).  Furthermore, there are flower and twig attachments you can buy to hang smaller parts from, as well!  Love it!

7. Utter Cover/Mama Cover/Hooter Hider/Nursing Cover - Whatever you call it, it's all the same thing!  These apron-type covers are great for breast feeding and/or pumping in public!  Though I've never breast fed in public, thanks to this thing, I've been able to pump both in the car and in front of my father-in-law!  Better yet - my co-worker's daughter-in-law makes and sells these things locally.  Here's her website, if interested!

8. Homedics SoundSpa Sound Machine - Confession: The hubs and I like this thing far more than Brantley.  In fact, we started using it weeks before he was born!  It includes six different sounds (our faves: ocean and rain), as well as a timer for auto shut-off.  We listen to it every single night.  I will say it does a nice job of blocking out little baby sounds and whimpers, which is nice when you're trying hard to fall asleep.  I think we might have to buy a second once we move Brantley into his own room because I'm not sure we're willing to give it up!

9. J.J. Cole Diaper Caddy - This thing is awesome!  It allows us to set up shop (i.e. a mini changing station) on a main floor so we don't have to go upstairs to the nursery every time we need to change a diaper.  There's a compartment for diapers, another compartment for wipes, and a little drawer for creams, Vasoline, etc.  In addition, there is a changing pad included which has saved our living room carpet from lots of pee!  Love!

10. Baby Mittens - If your kid is anything like ours, he or she will be born with crazy-long fingernails!  I'm still too chicken to clip them so instead I just put baby mittens on!  It keeps him from clawing his eyes out and keeps his hands warm, as well!

11. Fisher Price SnugaBunny Newborn Rock N Play Soother - I did not register for this thing, but received it as a gift from my cousin who had the same one for her now one-year-old.  Turns out, it's one of the best gifts we got!  We keep it in our living room and this is where Brantley hangs out whenever I'm not holding him.  It's compact, lightweight, and very portable, as well!

12. Shout Color Catchers - Not exactly a baby item, but these little wonders make baby laundry so much easier!  They allow you to throw everything (colors, whites, etc.) in the washing machine in one load without bleeding!  Amazing!  Thanks for the recommendation, Julie!

13. Burp Rags - We keep one of these in every room!  Definitely a must-have, especially once you start bottle feeding!  Side note: Cloth diapers work as great burp rags!

14. aden + anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets - I registered for one package of these...and got four--each one from another already-mommy.  That just goes to show how awesome these blankets are!  Perfect for swaddling or just stuffing in the carseat, swing, stoller, etc.  They are good-size (read: huge!) and lightweight.  And they come in some pretty cute designs!

15. Amazon Mom - This was a recommendation by multiple friends and I must say, I'm in love!  Signing up gives you discounts on diapers, wipes, formula, whatever your little heart desires!  In addition, it makes you an Amazon Prime member, which means free, 2-day shipping on almost everything!  I've definitely taken major advantage of that already! :)  Furthermore, if you choose the Subscribe & Save option (recurring shipments every month, two months, six months, whatever), you will save even more!  One benefit of this over Costco is that Amazon sells all brands of diapers.  Costco only sells Huggies.   Seriously, go sign up today!

16. Baby Connect iPhone App - Last but not least...one of the only iPhone apps I've ever paid for!  It cost me $5, but allows me to keep track of all things baby-related!  From feedings to diaper changes to pumping to growth charts to medical history - this app records it all!  It was especially helpful when breast feeding...I could time each side (awesome) and record which side I started with.  (You are supposed to alternate sides each time and though it seems it'd be easy to remember, but you'd be surprised!)  The hubs can also log on from the iPad and view/edit the info, as well!  Like I said, I don't pay for many apps...but this is one I'm glad I did! 


So there you have it!  Some of my month-one faves!  I'm sure the list will change as Brantley does and I'll be sure to pass along other "must haves" down the road!

2 comments:

  1. I'm going to have to check out that drying rack, cute and practical! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Make sure you get th flower or twig attachments, too!

      Delete