Must-Haves for the New Mom

With so many of my friends in real life and in the blogosphere approaching the due date of their sweet little ones, I thought now would be a good time to share a few of the products that have made my life a little easier the past few weeks. I'm by no means an expert with only a couple weeks under my belt as a mother, but here is what has helped me so far!

What Time is It?
Topping the list...is this little gadget device that I actually laughed at Shaun (he loves all gadgets) when he showed it to me in the baby store. I thought it was a perfect example of the many baby products that are made just to take advantage of new parents who don't have a clue. Well boy was I wrong! After we got home from the hospital, and I kept asking Shaun "baby what time is it?," and my sleep deprived brain could no longer calculate 1 o'clock plus 3 hours is...???...Shaun decided to go back to the baby store and purchase the gadget. And I'm so glad he did!




The itzbeen is basically a small timer that is perfect for a new mom without a brain. As soon as I start to feed I simply click the feed button, and it lets me know how long "itzbeen" since I started feeding. There are also three other buttons that you can use to time things like sleep or diaper changes. I like to use one of the buttons to time the other side during breastfeeding. In the middle of the night when I hear Henry cry, I press the button that lights up the digital display and in a second I know if it is time to eat or if he is crying for another reason. I get out of bed and press the top button which is a little flashlight (they thought of everything!) to see my way out of the bedroom. It also has a little switch at the bottom so you know which side you last fed on for breastfeeding.

Watch Out for Flying Arms!
The Luna Lullaby Swaddle Blankets- These incredibly soft and breathable muslin cotton swaddle blankets are the perfect swaddling blankets. We use Dr. Harvey Karp's swaddling technique and Henry looks like a little burrito when we are done!


Is He Breathing??!!
This is especially a must-have for any mom who has struggled with infertility. Let's face it...every new mom worries, but the parenting after infertility club worries more (The Baby Whisperer has an entire chapter devoted to this- see below). It is so comforting to be able to roll over and punch a large top button (much like a snooze button) to watch that big belly move up and down. The video monitor we have is the Summer Infant Best View Color Handheld Video Monitor, and it is well worth the expense (Ta.rget has it cheaper than B.r.us by the way).

What I love about this monitor compared to other video monitors:
1. I don't see my neighbors' babies! I've had several friends see the neighbors with their analog video monitors. This one is digital so only our portable handset can see our camera.
2. Pan, Zoom, and Tilt--I'm sure this will be extra fun when I'm spying on him as a toddler. Also...color during the day.
3. Clear reception
4. Bonus for baby #2- we can add an additional camera and flip between them on our monitor.

Who Said Breastfed Babies Poop Doesn't Stink??!!
We did not like Diaper Genie II- didn't like having to buy refills and most importantly did not enjoy having to stick my hand in to deposit the diaper. Thanks to Janet, twin mommy at Our Journey for a Baby for her favorite things post with the recommendation of the Diaper Champ.

(we got ours in blue of course!)
It is soooo much better! You can use any bag (used a b r us bag the first time but will buy 13 gallon bags for it). It keeps out the smell, and the best part about it is you just place the diaper in this little compartment and pull the handle down and it deposits the diaper for you!


Where's the Instruction Manual??!!

A couple books that have definitely helped me with the first few weeks.

Baby 411- about as close as you can get to an instruction manual. It is easy to look up questions, and the answers are very informative.

Baby Wise- I know this book is very controversial, but it gets a bad wrap because of moms that take it to the extreme and don't actually follow the advice of the book. Don't leave a comment telling me how awful Baby Wise is unless you have actually read the book in its entirety and witnessed a Baby Wise toddler go down for a nap. It is all about setting up a routine for your baby- eat, wake, sleep- it is NOT a rigid schedule.

Secrets of The Baby Whisperer- Okay this one is my favorite. Same routine as Baby Wise, but the author calls it E.A.S.Y (eat, activity, sleep, you). She teaches you how to actually go about helping your baby get into a routine and many, many tips on calming and connecting with your baby.

You Will Need...

And last but not least some of the necessities!

People always say you don't need newborn clothes--so not true! Henry was 7 lbs 7 ounces, and he was swallowed in the newborn sizes when we got home from the hospital. My favorite is the oh-so-soft and convenient Kissy Kissy newborn gowns. It seems like way too much money for a tiny gown, but trust me you will love them.

Burp Cloths- don't stop buying burp cloths until you think you have too much...you will need them!

Receiving Blankets- again...you can't have enough! We use them to throw down over our changing pad cover because Henry constantly is peeing and pooping when we change him.

Pampers Swaddlers- I like them because they have a notch for the umbilical cord and a stripe that turns green to let you know when they are wet.

Straws and Fiber- It is just easier to drink with a straw when you are breastfeeding (you will be constantly thirsty), and you will need the fiber when you get home for the hospital. Stock up on apples, raisin bran, and the surprisingly delicious Fiber Plus granola bars.

Medela Disposable Nursing Bra Pads- They are very absorbent and comfortable.

Nursing Tanks- It will just make your life easier.

I know I'm forgetting something, but I will just share in another post when I remember (mommy brain!).