Months three and four were the start of all things fun with my sweet girl. After her two-month shots, we began to venture out quite a bit more, and she also was at the stage of becoming a wiggly worm. Entertaining her was easy, simple, and lots of fun. I loved those days. We were still fans of everything on the months one & two favorites list, and I still used every single item I mentioned for nursing, but for months three and four, here is what I’d say were our top 15 favorites.
Hands down, these were our favorite footed PJ’s ever. Soft, warm, and super cuddly, but what makes them the bomb dot com is that they are zip-ups. Because who has time for a million snaps in the middle of the night? “I do,” said no mom ever. Sidenote: When my babe wasn’t in a footed pajama set, she wore one of the hundreds of outfits gifted to her, and I always had her in these Trumpette socks. Tons of options to choose from for boys and girls. Too stinking cute.
2. Bumbo Floor Seat
This wasn’t a long-lived favorite, but it definitely served its purpose, and it was definitely frequently used. At three months, we would put Charlotte in this to practice building her neck and trunk strength. We placed her in here for a few minutes a day to give her a new vantage point instead of lying down all the time. This was also great for photo ops. Once we introduced her to rice cereal at four months, this is where we sat her to feed her. She did quickly grow out of this seat, but it was a great gift and wonderful while it lasted.
3. Tummy Time Mat
We started out with the Tiny Love Tummy Time Mat and loved it, but to keep things interesting, we switched back and forth with the Fisher Price Rainforest Deluxe Gym. She loved the bright colors and grabbing on to the mobile pieces. It’s also the mat she was on when she rolled over for the first time. This was a long-time favorite, even after crawling began. This also looks like another great option from Fisher-Price, with a piano as a kick board for those little feet that are constantly moving.
4. Boppy Pillow
This pillow began seeing some love around the two months mark, but it quickly became a favorite at three months. I did not use this for nursing, but I used it for tummy time. I also used this as a place to keep Char propped up when I had to change or wanted her to recline in something other than her swing, bouncer, or any other contraption that we were loving at the moment.
I was a bit paranoid about nursing and the pacifier, so I held off. At three months, I caved and gave her the beloved paci. I had tried here and there to introduce this to her prior to three months, trying to brave instead of paranoid about latch issues, but she just wasn’t a fan. Finally, she gave in. I attached this to a pacifier clip, and voila. It worked like magic. A definite favorite while it lasted. I broke her of the paci habit when we sleep trained her at five months. More on that later.
Since we started traveling after the two-months shots, we took this Pack ‘N Play with us everywhere. I loved that it had the option of a higher raised bassinet insert. It was also a great location for diaper changes, making for a great changing table when we weren’t in our own home. At home though, I should have just used this instead of a bassinet, but bassinets are cute, so there’s that. We still use this Pack ‘N Play to this day. It has grown with us and is still a favorite.
7. Fisher-Price Newborn Rock n’ Play Sleeper
This is raved upon by so many mamas. I liked it enough that it made our favorites list. With a reflux baby, this was a great spot for naps, and she even slept here some nights. But the updated version of what we had now boasts vibrations. This would have been an even bigger hit had ours done that. We also took this with us on our travels because it was so light and easy to tote around. Perfect for trips to grandma’s house and a friend’s house, too.
8. Monkey Lovey
Most babies attach to a particular toy. For us, it was the Infantino Pull & Play Monkey. This particular type of toy is great for developing fine motor skills and promoting reaching and grabbing. A bit of advice, you may want to buy two of the same lovies once you figure out what is your child’s favorite, because accidents happen. This was also a great teether. Speaking of teethers…
Sophie was a great friend of Char’s. It really was the perfect teething toy, because you can wipe it clean from all the drool and spit up. The end.
We had the Beco Butterfly but it looks like they no longer make them. However, this one received great reviews. I loved baby wearing, and for us it started around three months. As soon as little miss was strong enough to hold up her head, she liked this. Before that, she didn’t want to have anything to do with it. I still use this sometimes at twenty months.
11. Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat & Bugaboo Stroller
During our trips out and about, I felt secure toting my little baby around in the Chicco car seat. I loved the easy portability of it, too. When I took her to the mall, a restaurant, or the grocery store with the hubs, I’d usually just set her carseat in the stroller’s base. The ease of the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 used with the Chicco Adapter is a mom’s dream. I would simply detach the carseat from the car, and set it up in the stroller’s base with the adapter. Snap! The stroller was light and not bulky, like some strollers can be when holding an infant car seat. Pricey, but well worth the investment.
12. Carseat Canopy
And when we’d shop or go to a restaurant, I loved using the Carseat Canopy. I would cover her up if she was napping, and she was as cozy as a bug in a rug. (I miss the days of napping on the go!) This canopy is also great for transports in light drizzle. You can probably find a coupon code online for a free Carseat Canopy. That’s how we ordered ours. ;)
13. Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared Diaper Bag
I absolutely loved this bag, and I know you will, too. It’s big, but for a new mom, it has enough space and pockets for every last thing that you could possibly need. Even Mary Poppins would approve. I’d rather be over-prepared than under-prepared when it comes to the livelihood of a baby. Alas, the Be Prepared Diaper Bag. I couldn’t find the pretty pink design we had, but this collection is beautiful. I would have definitely picked this pattern had it been an option. Be sure to use these stroller clips for your bag if you choose this as your choice.
At Char’s four month check-up, our doctor gave us the okay to begin introducing solids, starting with rice cereal. We took it very slowly, and she loved it. We mixed it with breast milk or formula and fed it to her at night. I’ll elaborate more in depth about introducing solids in a later post.
15. Baby Einstein Activity Jumper
This definitely became a favorite during month four. It’s amazing how quickly babies become strong little beings. To exercise her muscles and give her more entertainment, we set her up in the activity jumper. We had to put a really plush blanket to prop her little feet up since she didn’t quite reach the floor at its lowest setting, but she really loved this thing. She loved looking at the lights, playing with the toys, and banging on anything she could. It definitely will grow with your child, too. It’ll be a favorite for at least a few months. That’s a long time in baby talk.
This definitely became a favorite during month four. It’s amazing how quickly babies become strong little beings. To exercise her muscles and give her more entertainment, we set her up in the activity jumper. We had to put a really plush blanket to prop her little feet up since she didn’t quite reach the floor at its lowest setting, but she really loved this thing. She loved looking at the lights, playing with the toys, and banging on anything she could. It definitely will grow with your child, too. It’ll be a favorite for at least a few months. That’s a long time in baby talk.
So that’s our list! What is on yours? Veteran mamas, did I miss anything?
Be blessed, sisters!
Is it weird that I don’t even HAVE a child and I want to buy this stuff for friends?!?!
Not weird at all! Baby stuff is so much fun. Most of my friends gifted me these things during my baby shower, so let me just tell you, any friend of yours receiving any of these things would be forever grateful! :)
Those are some winners right there! We also loved that Rock N’ Play sleeper — it had just come out when my son was born, so I didn’t really know how we would like it –but it was SO well suited for our family’s needs! We’re right there with you on the bumbo, boppy, paci and Pack N’ Play! Great list :)
~Andrea from MitchaelJourney.com
Thanks, Andrea! Charlotte only liked it for a little while, and then once she did, it seems like the next day she started to roll over and not want to have anything to do with it. I remember watching her sleep in there like it were yesterday. ;)
Ooo… This is a perfect list that I’m going to have to remember for when my little man’s this age. :-)
Thanks, Susannah! It’s such a fun time!
I don’t have kids but, man, do they need a lot of stuff! haha it’s a little scary to think about
Lol. You are right about that! Clearly, some of these things aren’t necessities, but we were so glad to have them. :) Friends and family are awesome at spoiling. ;)
Is it weird that I don't even HAVE a child and I want to buy this stuff for friends?!?!
Not weird at all! Baby stuff is so much fun. Most of my friends gifted me these things during my baby shower, so let me just tell you, any friend of yours receiving any of these things would be forever grateful! :)
Those are some winners right there! We also loved that Rock N' Play sleeper — it had just come out when my son was born, so I didn't really know how we would like it –but it was SO well suited for our family's needs! We're right there with you on the bumbo, boppy, paci and Pack N' Play! Great list :)
~Andrea from MitchaelJourney.com
Ooo… This is a perfect list that I'm going to have to remember for when my little man's this age. :-)
I don't have kids but, man, do they need a lot of stuff! haha it's a little scary to think about
Lol. You are right about that! Clearly, some of these things aren't necessities, but we were so glad to have them. :) Friends and family are awesome at spoiling. ;)
Thanks, Susannah! It's such a fun time!
Thanks, Andrea! Charlotte only liked it for a little while, and then once she did, it seems like the next day she started to roll over and not want to have anything to do with it. I remember watching her sleep in there like it were yesterday. ;)
This post is going to be so helpful to a new mom. Great tips. Thanks for sharing with What You Wish Wednesday!!!!
Thanks, Leslie! I hope it is. :)
This post is going to be so helpful to a new mom. Great tips. Thanks for sharing with What You Wish Wednesday!!!!
Great list! We have the same tummy time mat and the activity jumper … absolute must haves! Another must have item for us around month 4 were sleep sacks. Once the little one started rolling over we had to abandon the swaddle (it was a sad day hahaha).
Thank you! We definitely should have tried the sleep sack. She went through a four month sleep regression coincidentally after we had to stop swaddling her, and it was awful. I wish I would have known about those. ;)
I am a veteran mom of 5 and you got my two favorites: a pacifier and a baby carrier (I wore baby number five in my baby bjorn until he was 18 months old:).
Thanks, Bekki! It’s good to know that they are veteran mom favorites, too. I loved baby wearing, and I still do when she lets me. :)
Great list! We have the same tummy time mat and the activity jumper … absolute must haves! Another must have item for us around month 4 were sleep sacks. Once the little one started rolling over we had to abandon the swaddle (it was a sad day hahaha).
I am a veteran mom of 5 and you got my two favorites: a pacifier and a baby carrier (I wore baby number five in my baby bjorn until he was 18 months old:).
Thanks, Leslie! I hope it is. :)
Thank you! We definitely should have tried the sleep sack. She went through a four month sleep regression coincidentally after we had to stop swaddling her, and it was awful. I wish I would have known about those. ;)
Thanks, Bekki! It's good to know that they are veteran mom favorites, too. I loved baby wearing, and I still do when she lets me. :)