As we are already approaching 11 months with our first child, I thought I would write a post about my “mommy favorites” — things that I found to be essential in helping us survive the first little one.  [I may add more and add photos later!]

I start by acknowledging my situation and preferences are potentially very different from the next mommy.  We are frugal and in a fairly small house, living on one income.  We had a son who was colicky for 3 months, never really enjoyed tummy time until he was ready to start inching around, and is just his own baby — every baby is so different in many ways!

We had plenty of preconceived notions, fears, and exciting wonderful things we looked forward to.  We had some definite and some pseudo opinions; many of those have changed drastically since we had our baby!

I’m going to include here some of my favorite things from our experience.  I hope that it might help someone out there.  I had several great moms send me their short list and I found it helpful.  I haven’t really included toys. That’s a whole other post!

Additional Comments throughout our blog can be found: several posts about childbirth and our decision; several posts about cloth diapering.

Diapering

Disposables: Pampers Swaddlers (if only they didn’t have the baby powder scent that Scott dislikes)
We chose Pampers Swaddlers diapers at the beginning, and they fit our child well.  Our very tall, small waist and bum child needed diapers to fit him and pampers did where some other brands did not.  Now I have him in Huggies or the Target brand; neither has a scent which Scott prefers.  Looking back, I might have done more chlorine-free diapers, but we have actually chosen to cloth diaper most of the time, so I feel this is a bit less important to us. Chlorine free are expensive…so you have to weigh that all out.

Chux Pads/Disposable Underpads: I put these down under baby when changing him for the first few weeks. Kept me from washing his changing pad cover and sheets all the time. Until his bowels settled down, and I got the hang of things, the pads were great.  Also found them helpful in other situations, like airing out baby diaperless when he had diaper rash to catch pee.  Towels can always be used, and there are wool options, too. Wool has a natural wicking action and natural bio make up to keep the urine from smelling.

Fuzzi Bunz diapers – I did enjoy using these while I had them.  See more on cloth diapering in our posts.

Wipes – Since we were doing cloth diapering, it was easy to use cloth wipes. But I’d recommend them anyway. I took a bunch of birdseye diapers and doubled them up and cut them into squares and sewed quickly around to make wipes.  Also made some with flannel leftover from diaper making. You can make your own wipe solution, too.  I just used castille soap diluted with water, or you can use baby shampoo — just a drop goes a long way. put it in a spray bottle and wa-la!

I skipped the wipe warmer.  I don’t think it’s necessary. If you make your own solution, you can use a thermos to keep it warm as an option.

Diaper Bag
I am not an expert on this. I did get a small backpack diaper bag that I registered for at Babies R Us I think. I believe it’s Columbia or one of those.  It works pretty well. Then I needed more room for toys and things.  But for short trips I do like the back pack.  For longer runs, I got a canvas diaper bag from Lands End. I got one on clearance for $10…”last year’s model” kind of thing. But it’s great. Lots of little mesh side pockets, and doesn’t look just like a diaper bag so can be used later, too, I guess.  Land’s End has a great replacement policy, too for the life of their products.

Transporting & Carrying Baby

Moby Wrap & Maya Wrap I used both of these at different times.  I can’t really explain exactly how I’d choose but I rotated them for different purposes.  The Maya I liked when I wanted to grab something quickly and not have to wrap the Moby around.  But the Moby did provide more support on both shoulders. I think both are EXCELLENT.  I continue to use the Maya, and soon could try the Moby in the older kid holds. I just haven’t done it yet.  We also got a front carrier that Scott could use since he thought the Moby & Maya were too girly.

Graco Carseat Carrier We used this sucker a lot to conver the carseat to a stroller without having the bohemoth cadillac strollers that weighed a ton.  We couldn’t fit one of those in our car, and it just didn’t seem to make sense for us.  Many people love them, but we loved our carseat carrier.  With an added pouch on the back that I got from Babies R Us to hold a waterbottle and my keys, it was a simple and great find.  I got mine on Craigslist!

Graco Infant Carseat – I admit to buying one used on Craigslist from a seemingly reputable mom.  Looking back, I don’t know…I wonder sometimes about buying a new one, but it seemed like it was just fine. I will note that there are “expiration dates” for carseats, so if you are researching a used one, check this first. One thing I did not know — you can adjust the tilt in the base. I didn’t know that. It did make Josiah a little happier when he was bigger to be a bit more upright.

Britax Marathon Convertible Carseat (rear/front facing) – We switched fairly early (6 months I think) to a Britax Marathon.  Josiah seems to enjoy this convertible seat so much more as he’s more upright and can see out the window better. Much happier, and the seat is very highly rated for safety, etc. Maybe the best? Worth it since we’ll use this one for a long time.
MacLaren XT Stroller Also a Craigslist find in great shape, about $75 off or so original price. One item that I felt was worth spending extra $$ on.  This stroller worked from very early on as it lays back, and is a lighter weight very sturdy stroller.  How can you NOT buy a trendy looking stroller from a company that makes race cars?!  Rolls really nicely, seems like a good ride for Josiah. I like the “window” in the top of the umbrella part. Very happy with it.

Sleep/Swaddling/Fussiness/Colic

Colic Ease – Is it a placebo? I don’t know. Good ole’ Gripe Water. We used it a lot the first few months, and I never wanted to try not using it. So that’s all I can say. Our Lactation Consultant at the Pediatrician’s office has done a lot of research and says this has the best ingredients safe for baby, and she recommended and sold it.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Parents..I mean Happy Child. I group this book in the category with Colic because around the time we started trying to do the sleep training (when we felt our baby and we were ready), the colic also seemed to subside. Whether it’s related, I don’t know. But it seemed to work. I really like the philosophy in this book and for the most part it has really helped me help our child in this. I like that it helps you develop routines and philosophies for sleep for the duration of the child’s life. I also like the research that supports this rather than the assumptions and opinions that other books seem written from. Again, to each his own.

Happiest Baby on the Block. Another thing that seemed a litlte “gimicky,” but it really was helpful and informative for the first 3-4 months of baby’s life. It really did help bring sanity. We had the book and that was okay, but as many people told us, the video was better. Thank you to my neighbor who got this for us after seeing me pulling my hair out enough times early on.

SwaddleMe Blankets – Okay, we did use these a ton. I tried swaddling a la “Happiest Baby on the Block” but he ALWAYS wriggled out of it.  He got out of these things too, but for the most part, these worked.  For colick and getting our child to sleep, it was a major life saver. There is a “Miracle Blanket” that’s supposed to be good, but expensive.

Muslin Swaddle Blankets from BambinoLand (also Aden & Anais, Luna Lullaby, etc)  Don’t know why these are so expensive. But these are really nice blankets and seem to have long term use. They were good for Florida when swaddling him out and about was not practical in flannel or fleece blankets. Great covers for nursing, too.  (see tip in Nursing/Feeding)

Nursing/Feeding:

Lactation Consultant – Like I would recommend having a doula with you at your birth, I would highly recommend scheduling appointments with a lactation consultant if you can (after you leave the hospital, too, because things change after day 3!) Wish I had made my appointment sooner. If you get a La Leche League woman to help, that’s great, too.  But just have someone help you hands on.

My Breastfriend: Thought the name is hoaky, this was a great purchase. The Boppy nursing pillow never really worked for me.  This one has a clip so it stays put. That’s good when you are trying to juggle a newborn, your body parts, and this pillow thing. This really did help. Thank you cousin-in-law LLL leader!

Nursing Chair – We have a nice glider, but it’s Scott’s and it’s in the living room. I thought it was really hard to use for nursing in the first few weeks. I recommend more of a wide recliner or the couch or something and using lots of pillows to prop you and the baby.  Give yourself room.

Tip on Nursing Covers — Instead of a separate item, get a clip! Look for it on Etsy.com or elsewhere; or make your own — use ribbon and suspender clips and make an around the neck clip. Use it with any blanket, fabric, etc. Works great. Saves from having to have (and remember) another thing in your bag!

Avent Hand Pump – Everyone says get a Lansinoh/Medela pump. I didn’t. I thought this hand pump worked just fine. But that’s just me. I’d recommend seeing if you can try a friend’s before purchasing one because they are expensive, and you may not know whether a hand or electric works best for you.

Nursing Pads – I like the cloth ones overall. The disposables were okay, I think the Lansinoh were top recommended? Can’t remember for sure. To each their own on this, too.

Nursing Bras – just know you won’t be one size for a while. Guess and get some sleeping ones for at first is what I’d recommend. They’re just stretchy.  Then after about a week you can explore what to get next once your body is a little more adjusted.

Nursing Stool – I have heard this is really helpful. I never got one, but maybe it would have been a good idea!

Born Free bottles.  Okay, all the plastic scare stuff convinced me to go with BPA free; I didn’t take the glass plunge, although they are probably a good idea. Josiah seemed to do well with the nipples on these, but every baby seems to be different.  Seems like the valve system helped reduce his gas from his vigorous eating.

Nuby Cups – We used the Nuby sippy cups for a bit and Josiah seemed to at least like them and take to them. He’s since lost interest. He’d rather drink out of a water bottle or regular cup most days.  I don’t know. But these seemed good for an early transition to a sippy as the valve is not as difficult as an older child’s sippy cup.

Custard Cups – Now that we’re into “solids”, I highly recommend just using custard cups – I have about 5 pyrex ones. I’m not giving our baby the bowl yet, so I’m keeping it on the table or in my hand, and these work great to pour food in and warm it up, and serve.  I have a bunch and use them every day.

Making your own food – I highly recommend it from our experience. It has been great so far!

Super Baby Food – the book. Okay everyone recommended it and I finally got it and if you are going to make your own food, I do highly recommend it. And it has great helps and ideas for nutrition for your children and the rest of your family for a lifetime. Great help so far.

Booster Seat – We don’t have room for another piece of furniture, so attaching a booster seat to an existing chair has been great for us. Ours is similar to this one.

Baby’s Room

Sleeping Arrangements: We had our baby in our bedroom with us for the first few weeks.  I never thought I would do co-sleeping. One of those pre-decided things that changed with our baby and our situation.  Honestly, he slept often on my chest (very uncomfortable) or in our arms for a long time because of the colic and just what happened for us.  When we had him in the bed with us, we did use a baby positioner to help keep him in place, and help us from knowing where he was.  Then we moved him to a bassinet leant from a friend.  I had a little cart in the room with us to hold the diapers and other various items, and just changed him in the bassinet. (see section on diapering and chux pads)

Eventually Josiah moved into the crib.  We had one borrowed from a friend.  I did pick a crib set from Target, but in the end, the most important thing is having a sheet and a mattress pad. We picked a crib set that included a crib sheet, a crib skirt, a decorative blanket and a bumper.  The decorative blanket I didn’t really use much.  The bumper we had in there for a few months, but then took it out.  I recommend an extra crib sheet and mattress pad!  And then that’s about it.

I’ve heard about good deals on overstock.com for crib sets.  They are ridiculously expensive.

Changing Table Setup: We had a twin bed in his room for a while, so I just put the contoured changing pad up on that.  Eventually, we got an Ikea changing table on craigslist. We jerry-rigged by adding foam to support the contoured changing pad which is a little longer than the table. The inflatable pad that comes with the Ikea table was too short for our tall boy.  I know many people get changing tables that are dressers, or find other furniture that works.  A deep dresser works. Another woman said she used a potting bench! What a good idea.

Blankets – I thought “you couldn’t have enough”, but it turns out you can get way too many.  People seem to like blankets, so don’t buy many; see what you get as gifts. I though receiving blankets were a waste unless they had give/stretch. The flannel ones, while cute, didn’t seem big enough, but we had a large baby.  The flannel ones didn’t seem to hold up all that well in the wash either, for color. I recommend getting some flannel and Joann’s and making your own with some binding tape. It’s really not that hard for a first time sewer!  {See swaddling blankets in sleep/fussiness section}

Crib Toys – I had a mobile, but we never did put it up.  We had an over the side crib toy that was a little cute jungle theme, and it played music. We’d play this and Josiah would watch it with it’s colors and listen to the music and sometimes it seemed to help distract him and settle him to go to sleep.  We have a seahorse that plays pretty music, that we used from time to time, but with an intense child with colic, he was kind of hard to settle. I don’t know that I’m the best at advice on this topic!  We didn’t use much in the crib.

Playtime

Check Craigslist or Consignment stores for this stuff!

Bumbo chair (with tray). When Josiah could hold his neck up and he was ready this seat was GREAT. It came around with me from room to room to hold him up so he could see, strengthen his ability to sit up and not be lying down which he wasn’t a fan of. Also, I set the bumbo seat in front of a long mirror so he could see, and his reflection became his toy while I showered!  You can get the tray and use it for holding toys, or use it to feed them later.

Bouncy Chair We had one with jungle animals he could swing at, any probably are good. Use this baby anywhere in the house to contain and entertain. This is one way I managed to get a shower. Just set baby in the bouncy seat in your bathroom and take a break for a few minutes. Josiah rarely fell asleep in this but some babies are lulled by the vibration.

Exersaucer – We started our baby pretty early in this.  They are really great. It really helped my sanity and helped Josiah enjoy being able to “stand” before he could stand and move around and play. It was really great to free me up some.  Takes up some decent floor space, but SO WORTH it. And we have a tiny place. Note on age of Exersaucer – My parents picked one up to have one at their house and it was pretty old 10-15 years old actually.  Very simplistic, some pieces missing. No “bells and whistles” really, but Josiah still loved it.  A reminder as always that newer and shinier is not necessarily required or preferred by babies.

Jumper/Bouncer – I thought this would be great since Josiah bounced a lot in his exersaucer and in general, but we never got to try one because we didn’t have room and before we knew it he could crawl and didn’t want to be stuck in anything anymore!  I recommend TRYING one first before buying.
A Cat – Josiah just liked chasing the cat around for hours a day at my parents’ house. Best “toy” to encourage development in crawling!

Teether Rings, etc - There are a lot out there, and Josiah hasn’t really taken to many of them. I did get a wooden one from Haba, and he just started using that recently after weeks of having it around. There are the ones you freeze or refrigerate.  There is the teether/feeding thing that you can put small fruits in, etc. We haven’t had success with that yet, but maybe sometime soon.  Josiah tends to use our fingers, arms, furniture, and other toys. He likes the brushes from the Red Cross tooth care set to chew on, and his comb.

Silver Hand Me Down Teethers – He has a silver cup and rattle that my aunt found in her treasure trove from days past in her family. He really loves them. I guess the silver may be soft and cool for chewing on. Whatever it is, he does love those.

Bathtime

This seems to be a major section at Babies R Us! A few simple things from us. I used the tub we bought like 2 times and then gave up. I used the bathroom sink, then the kitchen sink — both using some hand towels to line the bottom and the sides where I could lean and hold him up. I recommend two people when possible to help, and it will go pretty well.  Pretty early on, I got a sponge you can put down in the bath tub for like $5 at Babies R Us (you can just use some towels) put a little bit of water in the tub and let him bathe in there. Sometimes I’d get in with him and hold him, too. Why have another big piece of plastic that didn’t really help? It seemed really uncomfortable for his boy parts. That’s all I’ll say about that.  I figure he got used to the tub more quickly. He could kick his feet and hear the splashing and get used to the water, and now he still loves bath time.

Clothes

You will probably receive a lot. My next recommendation is consignment sales.  Truly, they wear clothes for such a short amount of time in the first year, and I’ve not used a “lot” of clothes at any interval. Although he’s often in just a t-shirt and diaper at our house when it’s warm.  Or just a diaper.

BabyLegs – I had a couple pairs of these I got on sale or as gifts. You can also make your own (google to find instructions).  They are kind of pricy, but the concept is really nice. I had our son in these and a onesie or just t-shirt to sleep in through most of the spring and summer. Made middle of the night diaper changes a cinch.  I wasn’t the biggest fan of the long sleepers for summer and for our situation with swaddling, etc.  Though this winter he is more often in the full body suit kind of things with feet. They are cute and warm!

Socks and Shoes – Everyone asks where his socks and shoes are if we are out. Often in Florida, he goes barefoot. None really seem to stay on until he was about 6 months and then he was pulling them off. Kind of a hopeless cause unless you REALLY want or need them to wear them.  I’ve heard Robeez are good shoes, but I don’t think any shoes make sense before they are walking.  We do have some fleece booties that help keep him warm, and do stay on with their elastic around the ankle.

Saving Money

I highly recommend Craigslisting, yard sale-ing, visiting consignment shops and checking if there is a consignment sale in your area like “Boutique for a Week” or “Just Between Friends.”  Other organizations host them as well.  You may seek out local La Leche League moms, or church mom’s groups, MOPs group members, etc who might have recommendations on finding these and other good deals.

Also, if you ever are looking for something for the baby, I strongly recommend checking out local crafters, or Etsy.com, or other crafter’s websites. There are a lot of gorgeous handmade items that are much more unique and often higher quality than anything at the store. Just because it’s sold at Babies R Us for top dollar doesn’t make it best.  So just consider supporting some home business entrepreneurs!

Sign up with Similac, Pampers and Enfamil for coupons and discounts.  The formula people send samples, too, which is nice.

Our grocery store has a baby club that offers discounts. There are dozens of mommy blogs for saving money, too.  If you pick a couple they can help you watch deals at CVS, Target, grocery stores, etc.

Remember that high dollar items that you choose to get can be resold later on craigslist, ebay or at consignment shops and you can get some of or a lot of your money back if they are the really popular ones.