Baby gear: my top picks (for now)
WARNING: This is SUCH a mommy blog post. Part of me hates myself for it. BUT I HAVE INFORMATION I NEED TO SHARE.
Ok, so now that JR is 4 1/2 months old, I’ve started to finally be able to figure out what pieces of baby “stuff” work the best for us. And since I’m sure some of you out there are or hope to be expecting a wee one in the future, I thought I’d share. I’m not going to say I couldn’t live without these things because, let’s be honest, when it comes down to bare-bones survival with a baby, you need a blanket, maybe some diapers, and a functioning boob. So let’s just call these “nice-to-have” items.
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
I mean, the name is pretty fabulous to begin with, but this stuff has been pretty amazing. JR isn’t paricularly prone to getting diaper rashes, but this goop clears up any redness with ONE application. Sure the $16+ price tag for the jar seems a bit steep, but it’s lasting forever and it just plain works.
Moby Wrap
I was originally going to write AN ENTIRE post devoted to this, but that would be a bit much, I think. We tried the Bjorn. JR hated it, judging from his insane screaming the second we put him in it. We tried the Hot Sling. My frame and his girth were just not compatible with their sizes (and please don’t tell me I was wearing it incorrectly. I watched the demo vidoes 87,321 times, and each attempt was cut short with JR attempting to throw himself onto my hardwood floors in order to save himself from getting his circulation cut off). So, a couple of weeks ago, I caved and bought this wrap, which is essentially a million feet of stretchy cotton that you twist around yourself all Jedi-like, creating a soft, flexible apparatus within which you can perch your child in a variety of configurations. So you’re bonding! While you do the dishes! Everyone wins! I almost cried the first time I put it on because FINALLY I was able to hold my 18 pound child close to me for longer than 5 minutes.
Cloth diapers
Don’t get the wrong idea - we are not doing cloth diapers. Much praise to those of you who do. I just don’t think I could handle it. We use these primarily for burp cloths, but lately they’ve taken on the role of JR’S MOST FAVORITE THING IN THE WORLD. Forget any toys we’ve purchased. All he wants to do is snuggle these, chew on them, or play peek-a-boo. The best part for us is that we never actually had to purchase any thanks to a friend who handed over about 30 of them once her daughter got beyond the “spitting up everything she ate” phase.
Johnson & Johnson nursing pads
The same friend who gave us the burp cloths recommended these. I had originally used the Lanisoh version but I found them to be super scratchy and irritating. I also tried washable ones but they just weren’t cutting it. My let-down reflex is, shall we say, enthusiastic, and there were some potentially embarrassing moments before I found these. They’re a bit thicker so you need to layer, but they are so soft and so not expensive.
Ring-A-Links
Oh, Ring-A-Links, with your cute name, lovely bright colors, and fun textures. This one *might* actually be worthy of getting a “must-have” title, at least with us. These little guys are tucked away somewhere in almost every room of our house just so we can easily have something on hand for the little man to grab at (or chew, lately). You can use them on their own or to hang up other toys on our stroller, car seat, etc. JR just loves to gnaw on them all day. The best part? They can easily be slipped around overall straps or through button holes so the kid doesn’t lose them. The hubs figured this out once during church and it made me want to make out with him right then and there.
Anyone else got some recommendations?
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We use the butt paste at work in the hospital(I work as a pediatric nurse and with the preemies). I agree that it is amazing!
thanks for the great info. I am expecting in about 2 weeks. What my husband and I were discussing, is what all do we NEED to have when the baby comes, home, we went over everything we could think of: clothes, crib/bassinet, diapers, butt paste, butt wipes, formula… in case I can’t breast feed for some reason… bottles
And that’s about where we died off… any must haves you can recommend for some first timers who can’t think straight anymore?
We have about twenty feet of those linky-rings…they’re awesome for the rear-facing car seat when the kid’s big enough to throw his toys out and squall about it. Attach the first ring to the toy, attach the other end of the link-rope to the top of the seat, and you can reach back and haul the toy back up within his reach without wrecking the car.
The best thing I got the weekend before my son unexpectedly arrived (he was 3 weeks early) was a pump. Didn’t think I’d use it as much as I have, but it’s been great (or, as great as they can be…). We had a hard time breast feeding, and he actually lost a bit more weight than the dr. was comfortable with. Even though the lactation nurse was great, the pump helped get my milk flowing a little faster. The Medela is worth the money, at least for me!
I like the evenflo nursing pads… they’re not folded in the middle like some of them. I also really like the My Breast Friend nursing pillow — yes, you read that correctly. http://www.mybrestfriend.com/
I agree with the breast pump! My co-workers were so generous to get me one for my shower, and I am forever thankful! Ava had issues latching and I pump 5 times a day so she is still getting the breast milk.
We also could not live without the pacifier. In the beginning, I tried not to let Ava have it, but she is addicted and rarely sleeps without it! We have 5 (1 in the crib, pac n play, living room, diaper bag, and carrier)
The vibrating teether is a must as well. My mom told me that I had to get one, and I was a little sceptical about it in the beginning. However, it makes Ava and her little gums SO happy!
As for the bra pads, I love love love the Avent ones. They are not folded in half, come in boxes of 100, and seriously feel like pillows.
I should have included the pump as well. I have the Medela Pump InStyle version. It’s expensive but works just as well as the hospital-grade one we rented right after JR was born. I also had a little trouble with breastfeeding at the beginning, and the pump did the trick.
While nothing is going to be as efficient as the baby actually nursing, this InStyle pump has been awesome. Worth every penny. Plus it comes with a cooler and freezer pack included in the bag, so you can keep everything together.
I would love a Pump in Style!! I was about to buy one yesterday but am holding off until my babies are here.
My mom bought me the Moby Wrap after I told her how much you LOVED it. And I have to say it is AWESOME! Ava and I have taken a few evening walks, trips to Target, and just hanging around the house in it. It is a definite must have.
Thanks for the recommendation.