Here are my past currently loving items that relate to babies. Each month currently loving items will be moved here to make room for my newest faves.
I usually do my online shopping for items that you can purchase in several different places through Amazon, I have found them to be most helpful in finding and returning products when necessary.
I have several strollers, like many other moms I was uncertain what I would actually need, and therefore, I registered for everything. I like my regular stroller, but it’s not that agile. So when we go to a pumpkin patch, apple orchard, on a hike, to a fair etc., I always have to take my jogger. It’s so easy to maneuver. I barely use my umbrella stroller, the jogger is the one that is always in my car. If I could do it over again, I might have only gotten the one jogger, and registered for the next stage car seat instead. P.S.- I have two extra bases for my infant seat, a great idea when you are registering, so I can just move baby from car to car with ease.
I read an article about storing and using plastic for your kids that FREAKED me out. So I switched everything to stainless or glass. The stainless is good because it doesn’t spill, but its parts are difficult to keep clean. The glass cup will spill if knocked over, but I am finding that (A) is actually being more responsible with it now than he would have been if it were spill proof. Additionally, it reinforces correct sipping as it’s really just a cup with a lid on it. I am ordering a few more of these, and am probably skipping straight to them with (E).
Recommended by other mothers on my Facebook page, these things are amazing!!! I have been able to style (E)’s little hair in so many ways! Plus as another bonus, her little bows will stay now as well!
I buy this self-adhesive Velcro and cut a tiny piece from the rough side to put inside each little bow of (E)’s. Her accessories now stay in place which is nice for me, because I really think they are so adorable!
These are lightweight but keep baby warm. I love them because I had very long children, the regular swaddle blankets are never large enough for them for more than a week. These work long term, then make great stroller blankets. I have also found that they wash up nicely, no staining thus far.
Both of my kids love these! They are easy to transport, and wash. When teething they are great because the kids can stuff them in their mouths (hence the easy to wash).
I work so when you do, and you pump, you can get very sore. I use these cups instead of the ones that come with the machine.. The catch is, although they came out and were popular when (A) was born; they don’t make them anymore, so I couldn’t believe you could find them on AMAZON! I ordered mine from overseas and it cost me a pretty penny!
This month (E) started solids, which prompted me to create my baby feeding must haves! Check out Feeding Baby!
My daughter loves this! I had a cute traditional one with (A) but I rarely used it because it was a pain. This one is so much better than what I had for my son, its battery operated so I don’t have to wind it, the music is better and it travels! Oh yeah and it turns itself off after a half hour so you don’t have to go back and shut it down. Boy Version.
I made my own baby food for (A), and I plan to do it again in a month or so for (E). I completely attribute the fact that I can take my 3 year old to a restaurant and he not only orders but eats the broiled fish to this book getting him off on the nutritional right foot. I was preparing food for my son that I had never eaten before. What I love; the author goes month by month and tells you not only what to introduce, but the nutritional value as well as how to prepare it. Many people think you can’t do it if you are a working mom, but you can, I was teaching and coaching while I did this. The book teaches you how to make large batches and freeze them!!! I added tabs to mine for quick reference.
(E) is now old enough to sit in this wonderful contraption. We loved it with (A) and it proves to be just as useful with (E). We didn’t use the tray much with (A) and are still not with (E), but the seat itself is awesome. When we work on little games or projects on the floor (E) is right in the thick of it. She alternates between the seat, and her gym (both back and belly) to help her to strengthen her core and work on these essential baby skills. Sometimes when dinner is over she sits in it on the floor and watches me clean up, it is nice because she can still be involved and not be lying on the floor.
With my first this didn’t seem useful, but I will say that with two kids this is a lifesaver! I wear it to play with (A) in the yard, do laundry, and yes even Coach Soccer! I find it to be comfortable and (E) seems to enjoy it too. I tried a wrap and found it confusing and akward. I was also not able to make it tight enough for me to be comfortable not holding on to (E) at the same time which was counter-productive.
I know, I know it seems ridiculous and obvious, but I don’t use them for my dog. These are perfect because they fit in my diaper bag (which of course is overflowing) very neatly and I can use them wherever I am. I put dirty diapers in them before disposing of them in public. You never know when you will be in a restaurant, or somewhere else that you need to improvise and you don’t want to be stuck with a dirty diaper and no way to dispose of it. I carry these just in case and they have saved me from embarrassment many times. They are also very cost effective. I used to use the plastic bags from the grocery store but they are bulky compared to these and I try to use the cloth bags when I food shop now anyway so I have had a shortage of them.
I am back to work and now pumping to keep up with (E)’s demand. I make more than I need so I freeze some so that I can have it just in case. These hold more milk than their counterparts, and are more flexible so you can freeze them in whatever shape works best for you. They are also more cost effective and come in an envelope not a box. If you are a pumper on the go like me (soccer fields, empty classrooms, the odd car when necessary) they are more travel friendly. Available at any place that sells baby stuff you are always set.
Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Shields
These are thinner and more compact than some of the other brands. This is nice because I am very self conscious of my larger than life nursing chest. I want to draw as little attention to it as possible. They work great, I had a few close calls during the night ( (E) is a great sleeper) and at the store (who knew other peoples crying children could cause an almost embarrasing situation?). The come in a big box and are a bit cheaper than competitors.
I cannot explain how much I live for this store! I know I know its insane, I love Target too, but the dresses in the GAP?! Always amazing! I have pre-purchased (E)’s Easter dress for 2014!!! Seriously though, they are so cute, I also love the shirts and marvel gear for (A). I don’t want to dress my kids in cute little characters all the time, I prefer to dress them more like little people (for the record, I love other people’s kids in characters, but never seem to like it on my kids). I usually try to wait for a sale because they can be pricey, but whenever I NEED something I always seem to be able to find it there. This includes the plain white footed PJ’s I needed for (E)’s Halloween costume this year.
No more messing with lanolin for this girl! While in the hospital after having (E) we had a communication mishap the day I was gearing up to leave while feeding. It resulted in a painful mess that I would rather not discuss in too much detail (that is for your benefit as much as mine). The lactation specialist gave me one of these and I was better in no time. I fell in love. They now go into my welcome to motherhood package that I give to friends when they have a baby. They can be expensive though at your regular stores so give Amazon or another online retailer a try, they often pass the savings from not having to keep a brick and mortar location on to the consumer.
I love this pillow. I use it with my daughter 24/7. Because of it, my arm doesn’t go numb while feeding (E) and I can multitask (blog, read, play with A). I take mine in the car with me whenever I am going somewhere for an extended period of time. While looking up the link for the original one that I have I saw that they are now making a travel one that zips up into a bag, kudos Boppy, I wish I had one. My only complaint is that I am not a super large woman or a small one, and its a little small for me. I cannot imagine it works for a woman who is larger than I am.
I bought this pump when I had my son (A) in 2010. He never successfully latched. I was able to feed him breast milk by exclusively pumping for a year because of this pump. I even had excess supply when we were done. When I had finished, I ordered spare tubes, a new battery, and the spare accessories and tucked it away in my basement for any other children that we might have. I dug it out when Baby #2 was approaching her due date. It works like a charm. Although (E) latched easily my pump is still faithfully working, which is good because in another week I have to go back to school. It is very portable. As a soccer coach I have pumped in the car, or at the field. I cannot say enough nice things about this pump.
