After reading Ashley's post I decided to add to her list of things that I loved using with my babies. Since I have been through the newborn phases twice, I realize that everyone's experience is different and circumstantial. There are some things that I used all the time with Hailey and then didn't use hardly at all with Easton and Mason... or visa versa. With that being said, I also think it's great to have the opinions from other moms who has been there/done that. And the best part: my advice comes with a take it or leave it option. Some of these are repeats, but I did that on purpose... if two mommies recommended it, then it must be a great thing!
Gotta Have It:
1. Bouncer/Vibrating chair - my boys used these on a daily basis from the day we got home from the hospital (they even slept in them for the first few weeks) until just recently when they figured out how to throw themselves out of the bouncer while still being buckled in.
2. Swing - all of my kids spent many hours in their swing... sleeping or just hanging out. Definitely gave me some time to either get things done or just catch a few hours of extra sleep. (And don't forget to keep extra batteries on hand.)
3. Saucer - I didn't have one with Hailey, but I missed out. Easton and Mason loved these things... also another item that might give you a few extra minutes to get some things done. (With the expense of all the other baby items you will need... this one you can get a few months after.)
4. Humidifier - you never know when you will need it, but it is a must when you have a sick baby!!!
5. Jogger and Umbrella stroller - Many might think I'm crazy, but I think it is very necessary to have both strollers. The jogger is great for outside, but they are big and bulky. An umbrella stroller is awesome for stores cause they can maneuver between almost anything and they are little enough to keep in the car.
Might Be Helpful:
1. Sleep Machine/Sound Machine - I don't know if this contributes to how well my boys have slept through the night since 3 months, but I think it helps. I think it drowns out other noises and also helps establish a "sleep routine".
2. Bottle Warmer - never used it with Hailey but because I pumped with the boys and stored extra milk, I used this multiple times a day for 6 months.
3. Binkie clips - I sometimes forget to use mine, but everytime I'm out and a binky drops on the floor or gets thrown from the carseat and lost in the car... I wish I would have remembered it. If you kid loves their binky... you definitely don't want to be without one. (And they are really easy to make yourself, so it isn't a big expense.)
4. Sleep Sacks (a little modification of the miracle blanket Ashley mentioned) - my boys loved to be swaddled, but only for about a month. After that they liked their arms being out and during the colder months I felt like the needed a little something extra. I started using the Halo sleep sacks, I felt like it kept them warm but didn't have the risk of putting a blanket in there with them. I also thought it helped with the "sleep routine".
5. Incline Sleeper - I only mention this cause if your baby has reflux, it might help. Everytime the boys laid flat on their back they would act like the couldn't catch their breath (this is the reason they slept in the bouncers for the first few weeks) but when we finally moved them to the crib I still needed to keep them a little bit upright... these were life savers.
Didn't Like It/Didn't Use It:
1. Diaper Genie - I don't know what to say except for I hated it. With the boys I bought a diaper champ and I liked it so much more. And with a diaper champ you can use your own garbage bags instead of having to buy the refils which are really spendy.
2. Boppy - This one I have mixed feelings with... I hated using it for help with positioning the baby while trying to nurse (I ended up borrowing something from my sister-in-law that I thought worked much better... I think it is called the brest friend, but I'm not sure.) But I did use the boppy to help prop up the baby on the floor, or help them with sitting, or for a little tummy time.
3. Wipe Warmer - I heard many moms rave about this... I just never used it.
