17 different women, 36 crazy children, 0 babies in utero
Adventures, Advice and Questions from a group of Mormon women who met in Queens, NY and have now scattered all over the place.
 

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

This Time Around

I like to think of myself as a minimalist when it comes to baby gear. I think it has something to do with living in NYC with my first two children in a 700sq ft apartment. There just wasn't room for much "gear". This time around, I have picked up, inherited or have been gifted a few ingenious products (most of which weren't even around when I had my first two) that I never want to live without again.

1. SwaddleMe wrap - Got this little invention as a gift from one of the coolest/funniest women I know. Not only is mine the organic version, it was lovingly hand-embellished with a cowboy. I know you are probably saying - "Can't you just swaddle with a receiving blanket?" Yes I can, but this blanket stays swaddled unlike any other and it isn't bulky or too warm (important for a so cal baby in house without central air). At first glance I thought it was a little gimmicky, but after the first three months, it has proven it's worth.

2. Nursing Cover - I'm not the flashy type, but I am also not the woman who likes to cloister herself in a smelly bathroom or "mom's room" to nurse. Blankets draped over the shoulder have worked in the past when I have wanted to nurse discreetly in public, but now that I am the proud owner of a nursing cover, I will NEVER go back. I feel like the cover has given me the confidence to nurse anywhere and everywhere (I guess nursing my third baby should give me more confidence too).

3. Born Free Bottles - This whole BPA-free bottle thing is new since my last baby. I needed new bottles this time around, so I read this report and chose these ones. I really like the wide necked bottles like Avent and the air vent feature like Dr. Brown's (both of which I have used in the past and are on the list of worst BPA leaching offenders). And I actually really enjoy the amber colored BPA-free plastic.

4. Johnny's Socks by Trumpette - Baby shoes are so first child. These socks are the coolest thing I rescued out of the bags full of neighbor friend's hand-me-downs.

5. Lily Padz - These breast "pads" are pretty amazing. I can wear them underneath a sports tank or swimsuit without any lines showing. Don't know how they would work for someone who leaks a lot, but for me, they've been perfect for mountain biking excursions away from baby.

6. Toyota Sienna 8 passenger minivan - Well, this wasn't gifted or "picked up" recently. And I'm not saying you have to go out and buy a new minivan, but I cannot ignore the huge part my van has played in keeping my sanity now that I am a mother of three. Automatic doors rule and the "front and center" seat (the middle seat in the middle row) is amazing. It independently moves way forward so I can actually reach the baby from the driver's seat without doing contortions and risking the life of everyone in the car.

Still using this time around: Baby Bjorn Carrier
Not being used this time around: Boppy
Another thing I would like to try out this time around: Bumbo Baby Seat

13 Comments:

  • The Bumbo (ok, mine is a Bebe Pod) was my salvation. It kept the babe so happy - to be able to sit up on her own at 4 months. Hooray!
    posted by Blogger Amanda Fetters at 7/01/2008 08:37:00 AM  



  • Nice post! I agree that less is more in the gear dept. With my First, we were in a 1 bed apt and I kept it extremely minimal!

    Now I have more, and we like the Ultimate Baby Wrap as the most comfortable carrier around. We use a Bjorn as well, and it is more convenient.

    I am interested in trying the breat pads you mentioned, since it is summer and at SOME point I'd like to fit in a swimsuit before the season is over!!

    I use a boppy tons with my newborn now, and I made my own nursing cover that I already love too. It's way better than a blanket!

    And I am reveling in the luxury of my splurge on a Silver Cross carriage/stroller! It has been super fun to push her around in!
    posted by Blogger Rachel H at 7/01/2008 10:55:00 AM  



  • The Swaddle Me wrap was a lifesaver for me. My son had a feeding tube in his stomach and that is the only thing we could swaddle him in at night and for naps. Plus he could not bust out the top like swaddling in a blanket.

    Another thing I fell in love with with my son is BabyLegs leggings. Again, a lifesaver because he couldn't wear pants while on the feeding tube. Both my son and 3 year old daughter use them - great for fall and potty training for girls and great for crawling too.

    Love the Bumbo seat. Make sure you check one of these out.
    posted by Blogger Elise at 7/01/2008 01:23:00 PM  



  • I'm pretty facinated by the Bumpo seats - I borrowed one from a friend for my sisters visit next week (she has a 3 month old - we're going to experiment with it)...
    posted by Blogger Sara at 7/01/2008 01:47:00 PM  



  • I have a Bumbo this time around and totally look forward to using it when baby girl is a bit older.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE nursing covers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Rachel H - I'm intrigued by that carrier. It looks like it has good lower back support, which I feel like is always lacking in other carriers/slings I've tried.

    I am the world's worst swaddler. I totally should've had a Swaddle Me when baby girl was born. Now she's not so much into the swaddling, but I wish I'd had one.

    Great Tips!
    posted by Blogger Beth at 7/01/2008 02:45:00 PM  



  • Well, of course I am an expert on baby items, given all the experience I have. (none)

    Thanks for the mention, and I am glad the swaddler thing worked out. It appealed to me because sometimes I think I would like to be swaddled. (Uh-oh, TMI.)
    posted by Blogger Kathi D at 7/01/2008 03:36:00 PM  



  • Thanks for the tips, tft. First time mom in August....do you (or anyone else) have an opinion on these head support inserts that people are using their car seats, bouncy seats, etc.? Necessary? Brand rec.?

    HHR
    posted by Anonymous Anonymous at 7/01/2008 08:55:00 PM  



  • Ooh, and the other place I'm stuck is on the baby bathtub thing. I received one at my shower and it leaks EVERYWHERE (Safety First--don't buy it!). Or do you like the giant sponge idea? Anyone?

    HHR
    posted by Anonymous Anonymous at 7/01/2008 09:03:00 PM  



  • HHR - LOVE LOVE LOVE the giant sponge thingy. I had a bathtub last time. This time I have the sponge thing (from Target for $4.99) and think it is perfect thing for newborns. They don't slip or slide, just lay it in the tub or sink or wherever. And who cares if you have to replace it after a couple months.... it's five bucks. Good luck!
    posted by Blogger Beth at 7/01/2008 10:37:00 PM  



  • The car seat head thing is for when they fall asleep and their heads fall all the way to the side. It looks really uncomfortable!
    This time around I got the kidn that is just two tubes (like pea pods) one on each side. It is adjustable and you can have it come down and forward a little. Great head support. Also, it isn't stuck in there so you can choose to have it out. However, it means you have to place it each time after the baby is in the car seat.
    Works much better than the ones where it is all around.
    posted by Anonymous Anonymous at 7/02/2008 11:03:00 PM  



  • Do you want my Bumbo seat? It's blue and like new and I loved every minute my little guy was in it. I think you need it!
    posted by Blogger Marianne at 7/03/2008 12:34:00 AM  



  • I have the head things that go all the way around - in the shape of a U. I only use one in the carsear and it works fine for me. I'd say go with the bath sponge too. This time around I just dunk him in the bath with the girls with one arm and wipe him down with the other and it works fine too.

    Marianne,

    I will totally take you up on your Bumbo offer!
    posted by Blogger This is Carrie at 7/03/2008 08:23:00 AM  



  • Love this topic!

    1) Bumbo--love it!
    2) Triple Paste for painful rashes, Butt Paste for yeast rashes-can't live without this stuff
    3) the Peg Perego Pliko P3. My oh my, I truly love this stroller
    4) the Kiddopotamus Cradler (neck support)--best support there is, (I wouldn't bother with the U-shaped pillows)
    5) the sleep nursing bra (I wear mine all the time-even out-though it doesn't give as much support, so no running!)
    6) Medela steam bags--such an easy way to sterilize things! And they take up no space and can be reused, like, 20 times. Excellent.
    7) and my FAVE mom purchase? NATURE'S MIRACLE--cleaner meant for animal poop but super handy for all the crap (literally) your kid will throw at you (and spit up, and vomit, and BM stains, etc)
    posted by Blogger the Rew Crew at 7/03/2008 11:21:00 AM  



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