I'm sure every new mom has a list of things they love, and a host of things they thought they'd use and never touched, and things they thought were dumb but ended up saving them in a time of crisis. Here's my list of things that I use a lot, and would recommend to any new mom
Fisher Price Rock N Play Sleeper
This was an item that I never would have thought to get had a friend not highly recommended it. I thought it would be great to have as an alternative to a bouncer or something. What I didn't expect was that it would be my son's favorite place to sleep, and is currently taking the place of his bassinet by our bed at night. Why I like it: First, I think Carson likes it better than an open bassinet because it cradles their little bodies a little bit, rather than being an open, flat space that's a completely foreign feeling to them given where they just came from. Also, it is set on a little bit of an incline, so I don't worry about him spitting up or having reflux, even if I lay him down in it right after eating. Having a dog, I appreciate that it's higher off of the ground than a bouncer, and having had a c-section, it's a lot easier for me to get him in and out of. Lastly, it does sit on curved rails, so like the name suggests, a little tap and it rocks your semi-asleep baby back to la-la land.
Vaseline
Even if you don't want to use a petroleum product, Babyganics makes a similar, organic product. For boys, you need it anyway for circumcision care (if you choose to do so) and I also slather his butt in it if I think it's getting irritated...it keeps poop from sitting on the skin and makes it easier to clean off. I specifically do this before I put him down for the night when I know he might sit in a dirty diaper for a longer than normal period of time.
Disposable changing pad liners
Yes, I have the pretty little chenille pad cover, but babies pee, poop, and spit up on those things. Plus, I keep a couple in my diaper bag for changes on the go.
Light cotton receiving blankets
I thought I had way too many receiving blankets, and had considered re-gifting a few sets that I had received for some to-be moms I know. I'm glad that I didn't because we go through probably three blankets a day. I really like the ones from Carter's and Aden & Anais because they are great for swaddling, and given the warm Houston weather, I don't worry about him getting too warm.
Gowns (with hand cuffs)
Yes, even for little boys. I like the gowns for nighttime when you want them to be warm (and hands covered to keep from scratching), but they just give you much easier access for diaper changes, especially in the middle of the night when you're trying to disturb them as little as possible. I will say that the nurses at the hospital appreciated them as well when they would have to check vitals and his umbilical cord and circumcision.
In regard to pacifiers and bottles, you may do a ton of research and find THE latest and greatest thing that your baby MUST have...but here's the thing, your baby might not get that message. A friend made the suggestion to me, and she was right...don't invest a ton of money on a big set of bottles or a specific pacifier until you know what they'll take the best. Instead, have a small selection of both at home in the event your baby doesn't care for THE item that you want them to like. I recommend this even if you are 100% committed to breastfeeding exclusively. You just never know what might happen, and it's easier to be prepared than send your husband out on an adventure at 2 a.m.
Milkies Milk Saver...put it on the boob you're not nursing and it collects what you leak giving you additional milk to store and less breast pads to change.
Some type of binder or girdle to keep things from feeling so jiggly. Supposedly they help your waist to go back to where it came from, which will be great if that is indeed what happens, but for now, I just like the additional support.
Stuff I've enjoyed having, but not a "necessity"...
One recommendation I got when discussing what features to look for regarding rockers and gliders, was to get a glider that has an auto-lock feature. What this does, is as you shift your weight to get up, the seat of the glider locks in place, giving you something to push against to get up. I love those big, cushy custom gliders, but after having to try and get out of one with a sleepy baby, I decided to get the locking glider.
Wipes warmer. Again, a total non-necessity, but in the middle of the night, I feel like it's a little less startling to put a warm wipe on their bottom than freezing cold.
Dreft detergent. Most people use some type of sensitive or "free and clear" detergent for their baby's things since their skin is super sensitive in the beginning. I thought I would get one bottle of Dreft for the first washing of everything just because, but probably wouldn't purchase it after I was done with this bottle. That was until I became obsessed with the smell of the detergent combined with my sweet baby's skin. I never say this...but OMG! I will use this stuff until my boy becomes stinky and gross and needs "real" detergent.
Instant hot water tap. We had one of these in our house in Tulsa which I used for hot tea and to really sanitize things, and I remembered thinking then, whatever house we're in when we have kids...we are getting one of these. Yes, you can put water in a Pyrex cup and microwave it, but the spout on the sink makes it so easy to quickly sanitize a dropped pacifier, or soak bottles and pumping equipment. I keep a large plastic bowl by the sink and as I use things, I toss them in the bowl and once or twice a day, I fill it with the scalding hot water and little soap and wash everything. I don't feel like I need to boil all of his bottles and such after every use. Plus, it makes boiling water for pasta that much quicker of a process ; )
That's it for now!
