Dear New Mama,
Welcome to the Sorority of Mamahood! As you are getting settled at home with your new baby, you are probably overwhelmed with emotion and tiredness. Consider this phase, the first two months of your baby’s life, initiation…baby bootcamp, if you will.
I like to fondly call living with a newborn survival mode. And in order to get through the hardest phase ever, I could not have lived without all of the postpartum items and nursing items I mentioned here and here. Along with all of those items, here are the top 10 baby items I relied on during the first two months:
1. Bassinet/The
First Years Carry Me Near Sleep System: This was the very first
place my little babe slept. We picked this one for the functionality and the cuteness. This bassinet stayed right next to
me at night until we moved her into her crib at 5 months.
First Years Carry Me Near Sleep System: This was the very first
place my little babe slept. We picked this one for the functionality and the cuteness. This bassinet stayed right next to
me at night until we moved her into her crib at 5 months.
2. Angel
Care Movement and Sound Monitor: Even though Charlotte slept right next to me in her bassinet, we installed this Angel Care monitor. This detects if your baby is breathing or not, and it
can be hooked up to a bassinet, crib, or Pack ‘N Play. Peace of mind saver for
sure.
Care Movement and Sound Monitor: Even though Charlotte slept right next to me in her bassinet, we installed this Angel Care monitor. This detects if your baby is breathing or not, and it
can be hooked up to a bassinet, crib, or Pack ‘N Play. Peace of mind saver for
sure.
3. Fisher
Price My Little Lamb Platinum Edition Cradle ‘n Swing: This swing
is fantastic! It definitely became a favorite in our house, and I loved that the position of the swing was moveable. This swing is perfect for napping, and it also is the perfect place for your baby to lounge. We would sometimes pull this into our dining room and keep Charlotte in there while we ate dinner. Ahh, memories.
Price My Little Lamb Platinum Edition Cradle ‘n Swing: This swing
is fantastic! It definitely became a favorite in our house, and I loved that the position of the swing was moveable. This swing is perfect for napping, and it also is the perfect place for your baby to lounge. We would sometimes pull this into our dining room and keep Charlotte in there while we ate dinner. Ahh, memories.
4. Cloud b Sound Machine Sleep Sheep: Before I figured out that I
needed a sound machine that would not shut off, Charlotte loved this little Sleep Sheep. A sound machine is a must-have and
game-changer when it comes to soothing your baby. Some sound options are the womb sound, heartbeat, rain, and ocean. You’ll figure out what sound your baby likes most. Charlotte loves listening to the ocean waves, and the sound alone put her to sleep many a times. Once your baby starts sleeping longer than 45 minute increments, you’ll want a sound machine that DOES NOT shut
off with an auto-timer like the Sleep Sheep. You want this puppy to run until you shut it off manually. This one does
the job: myBaby
SoundSpa Portable. We actually use our iPod and have
an ocean sound app; we still use our Bose Sound Doc as her sound machine 18 months later.
needed a sound machine that would not shut off, Charlotte loved this little Sleep Sheep. A sound machine is a must-have and
game-changer when it comes to soothing your baby. Some sound options are the womb sound, heartbeat, rain, and ocean. You’ll figure out what sound your baby likes most. Charlotte loves listening to the ocean waves, and the sound alone put her to sleep many a times. Once your baby starts sleeping longer than 45 minute increments, you’ll want a sound machine that DOES NOT shut
off with an auto-timer like the Sleep Sheep. You want this puppy to run until you shut it off manually. This one does
the job: myBaby
SoundSpa Portable. We actually use our iPod and have
an ocean sound app; we still use our Bose Sound Doc as her sound machine 18 months later.
5. Swaddles/Summer
Infant Cotton Knit SwaddleMe: I love this brand and swaddle. I
highly recommend swaddling, and this specific version makes it super
easy. After many sleepless nights, I read the book, The
Happiest Baby On The Block, in hopes that it would give me answers on
how to get my baby to sleep. (Yes, I’m mentioning this book again because it helped me that much, and I hope and pray it will help you, too.) Swaddling was one of the five suggestions, and it
soon became a necessity and stayed a necessity until Char knew how to roll over
around 4.5 months. Swaddling was seriously a life-saver for us. It took her a
little while to get used to it, but it definitely was one of the contributing
factors to her sleeping so safe and sound at night, not to mention it added an
extra two hours of sleep to her night sleep when she was 7 weeks old, making
sleeping through the night a success.
Infant Cotton Knit SwaddleMe: I love this brand and swaddle. I
highly recommend swaddling, and this specific version makes it super
easy. After many sleepless nights, I read the book, The
Happiest Baby On The Block, in hopes that it would give me answers on
how to get my baby to sleep. (Yes, I’m mentioning this book again because it helped me that much, and I hope and pray it will help you, too.) Swaddling was one of the five suggestions, and it
soon became a necessity and stayed a necessity until Char knew how to roll over
around 4.5 months. Swaddling was seriously a life-saver for us. It took her a
little while to get used to it, but it definitely was one of the contributing
factors to her sleeping so safe and sound at night, not to mention it added an
extra two hours of sleep to her night sleep when she was 7 weeks old, making
sleeping through the night a success.
6. Noodle & Boo Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash: I LOVE the Noodle & Boo brand. This was our go-to at bath
time. It’s a little pricey, but it’s the only thing that didn’t irritate
Char’s skin, and the scent from Noodle & Boo is a little piece of
baby heaven.
time. It’s a little pricey, but it’s the only thing that didn’t irritate
Char’s skin, and the scent from Noodle & Boo is a little piece of
baby heaven.
7. Babies
R Us Flannel Burp Cloths: I loved the thickness of these, and they are
pretty much indestructible. Definitely built to last. They were washed all the
time, and they are still in perfect condition. You will see more spit up than
you ever even knew was possible to see, and it will not faze you. You will
become desensitized for sure. And you’ll be thankful for these burp cloths.
R Us Flannel Burp Cloths: I loved the thickness of these, and they are
pretty much indestructible. Definitely built to last. They were washed all the
time, and they are still in perfect condition. You will see more spit up than
you ever even knew was possible to see, and it will not faze you. You will
become desensitized for sure. And you’ll be thankful for these burp cloths.
8. Fisher
Price Deluxe Bouncer: This little seat is great to have on
hand. When we wanted to give the swing or bassinet a break, Charlotte would nap here, too. The vibration movement soothes babies to sleep. (See Happiest Baby on the Block for more info.) Just
like shoes, you always need options, especially when it comes to the most crucial thing of all: your baby’s sleep.
Price Deluxe Bouncer: This little seat is great to have on
hand. When we wanted to give the swing or bassinet a break, Charlotte would nap here, too. The vibration movement soothes babies to sleep. (See Happiest Baby on the Block for more info.) Just
like shoes, you always need options, especially when it comes to the most crucial thing of all: your baby’s sleep.
9. Pampers
Swaddlers: Pamper’s Swaddlers diapers have a yellow
line that turns blue when your baby has a wet diaper. Genius! They are also super soft, making these my favorite pampers for infants for sure.
Swaddlers: Pamper’s Swaddlers diapers have a yellow
line that turns blue when your baby has a wet diaper. Genius! They are also super soft, making these my favorite pampers for infants for sure.
10. Similac
Advance Newborn Formula Bottles Ready to Feed: We used these particular
ready to feed bottles when we were in the hospital because Charlotte had lost a full
pound after she was first born. Because of her rapid weight loss, I nursed and
then supplemented with these. If you have to supplement or are formula feeding, these perfect sized bottles are super convenient.
Advance Newborn Formula Bottles Ready to Feed: We used these particular
ready to feed bottles when we were in the hospital because Charlotte had lost a full
pound after she was first born. Because of her rapid weight loss, I nursed and
then supplemented with these. If you have to supplement or are formula feeding, these perfect sized bottles are super convenient.
Honorable Mention:
Dr. Brown’s 4 oz. Wide Neck bottles: Because we had to supplement, we sometimes had to use a bottle. Once I had built up my milk supply, I also had breast milk to supplement with. Our bottle of choice was Dr. Brown’s. And at the newborn stage, we found that the wide neck bottles worked best.
Dr. Brown’s 4 oz. Wide Neck bottles: Because we had to supplement, we sometimes had to use a bottle. Once I had built up my milk supply, I also had breast milk to supplement with. Our bottle of choice was Dr. Brown’s. And at the newborn stage, we found that the wide neck bottles worked best.
Little Remedies New Parents’ Survival Kit: This kit sold exclusively at Babies R Us or Costco is ideal. Particularly helpful in this kit for the newborn stage was the Gripe Water and Mylicon Drops for gas. Also included in the kit is a nasal aspirator.
Of course these aren’t the only items I used when Charlotte was a newborn, but these were the items I found to be the most crucial. To see more items, be sure to check out my baby registry, part 1 and part 2. Remember, you can do this, mama! You are a rock star. And these little babes are worth it to infinity and beyond. ;)
Veteran mamas, please feel free to leave an encouraging comment to new mamas or to add something to the list. If you’re a new mama and have a question, please don’t hesitate to ask.
This post is part of the New Mama 101 series. Be sure to check here for previous posts in the series and to see what else is in store.
Survival mode is the perfect discription for those first fewo tha with a baby! I remember before Lily was born, I swore up and down we wouldn't need unneccessary items such as a swing. Thankfully, someone gifted us a swing because that is exactly where Lily slept for the first few weeks. The only way she would sleep! Great list!
Thanks, Amanda! :) Yep, that swing was a lifesaver and a sleep saver.
We had a friend loan us a Rock n' Play sleeper and it was nothing short of life saving. Where our youngest would sleep no where besides her daddy's arms, she would sleep there! Magic!
I have that on the baby registry I created for the blog, but I'm adding that to the next edition. ;) Charlotte wasn't a fan until about 3 months. And it was short lived. But I have heard that it works miracles for a ton of mamas! :)
This is a great list! I completely agree about all the sleep essentials. My little one wouldn't sleep without that sleep sheep, and the angel care monitor definitely helped me rest a little easier.
Thanks so much! :) Dr. Karp sure knows what he's talking about. That's where I learned all of the basics about baby sleep. So important!
Hey! Stopping by from the Let's Be Friends blog hop! This is such a great list! I'm due next month and it's good to know that I'm on the right track as far as what to have during the first couple of months! Thanks!
-Ashley
http://www.mylovemarriagebaby.com
Yay, Ashley! How exciting! :) Best of luck to you in this last month of pregnancy. Thanks for stopping by and many blessings to you.
Loved this list! It's definitely like a puzzle at first, figuring out what your baby likes and what helps them sleep better. A sound machine was definitely a MUST for both of our babies, and we still use it every night for both of them, and our oldest is 3. Really helps them to not wake up!
Oh, for sure, Jessica! It took me all of nine weeks to figure out what worked for her. As it turned out, she had horrible reflux. Once she got some medicine for it, she slept through the night. All of these things helped her for sure. She still uses her sound machine, too. It definitely keeps her asleep and drowns out any outside noises. She loves it.
All these items are so cute! Love tiny things, for little ones. ;)
God bless,
XO, Claire
http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.blogspot.com
Thanks, Claire! These baby items certainly were my favorites. :)
I love everything on this list, especially the swing. They are a lifesaver! I ordered a shirt from Noodle and Boo a few months ago and received a sample of their shampoo. I loved it for my kids and I would recommend it to others for sure.
Thank you for linking up with the SHINE Blog Hop this week!
Thanks, Sarah! I'm glad to hear that some of these weren't just my favorites, but others' favorites as well. :)
Your blog is full of entertainment and helpful information that can allure to anyone anytime. Continue posting!
click here: http://www.babychortle.com