Baby Must Haves: Feeding

The second I found out I was pregnant (or approx. 2 years before) I was already researching baby products. What was considered the best on the market, and what could be passed aside. I also learned from experience though that some things could be scrimped on, all without sacrificing quality. I hope you find this list helpful as you plan for your little one. Feel free to leave questions or comments on what your Feeding Must Haves are. 

1. Tommy Tippee Closer to Nature Milk Bib: I loved these bibs. The moment we realized I would be exclusively pumping ( a story for another time), we realized that something needed to be done about all those milk dribbles that nestle into the many of the five or so chins that newborns have. These bibs quickly solved that problem with the pillow like feature around the neck. They are so soft too on a tiny baby's skin. 

2. Nursing Pillow: I had every intention of buying a Boppy for Maggie, I even registered for one. At my baby shower though, my sister surprised me with this Nursing Pillow instead. They have two options of either regular cotton fabric or a minky fabric in many different patterns and colors. At first I was skeptical because they definitely weren't as "fluffy" as a Boppy. As I started to compare them though, that is what I loved about it. The Boppy to me was almost too hard and not very comfortable. The nursing pillow is flexible and soft and great for nursing or for baby to use for tummy time or to prop up for self bottle feeding. Maggie still uses hers to this day as a comfort object at times because she loves how soft it is. 

3. Medela Small Bottles: Because I exclusively pumped with Maggie, we needed bottles, LOTS of them. I initially bought these to have as extras to pump into. I didn't expect to have them be the main feeding bottles, but we did and I loved them. Fortunately we never had to deal with reflux or gas issues or so I can't say how they would work with that. There is nothing really fancy about them. I really just loved the size and how convenient they made pumping and feeding all in one container. 

4. Avent Bottles: When we started to outgrow the Medela bottles, the Avent's became the next go to. I mainly gravitated towards these because so many family and friends used them and loved them. I loved having multiple sizes. We used both the 5 and 9 oz bottles. 

5. Tommy Tippee Closer to Nature Pacifier: I may cause some offense by saying this but...I hate binkies with graphics on them. I'm all about buying things like this to be gender neutral. When I saw these plain, clear binkies I fell in love with their simplicity. I also love their shape mimics the shape of a baby's mouth and helps prevent their top teeth from shifting. 

6. Medela Pump in Style: I strongly believe that every woman who plans on breastfeeding needs to invest in a pump. It is so important to get every last drop out to avoid clogged ducts and mastitis. A lot of times you produce more than baby can eat for the first several weeks. This is great because by pumping out the extra, it allows you to build up a stock pile in your freezer. If you are like me and wind up having gall bladder removal 11 weeks post pardom, and have to dump your milk for several days due to medications, you will be sooooo grateful you have a freezer full of milk to use. So here is why I loved my pump. First of all it's top of the line. If the Kardashians use it, then it's good enough for me right? But seriously, this thing has 5 star ratings at literally every place of purchase. It's extremely compact and discrete. The pump itself is about a 5x5x5 inch cube. The rest of the bag is strictly for storage of bottles and milk. It comes equipped with 4 bottles, and a small cooler bag with freezer pack. It can run on both a power cord or AA batteries for when you need to pump in the car, which believe happens more often than you think. It's so easy to use. I love it. There are so many places to buy these as well. Often times you can get them for a steal when Target has their baby sales. I actually got mine brand new off of Ebay for about 1/2 of the regular price. Definitely search around for a great deal. 

7. Up and Up Milk Storage Bags: If you are going to pump, you need something to store it in. There are so many options for breast milk storage. Most storage bags show the oz. and date. I don't know what it was in these bags that I loved so much... probably the price. I bought many, many boxes of these and never once had a problem with them leaking. I have never been disappointed with any of Target's store brand items. 

I hope take advantage of some of these products, because I know you won't be disappointed. 

Happy August 1st. Enjoy these last few weeks of Summer. 

Before we know it the leaves will be changing and the brisk Fall weather will be upon us. 

XO- Kelli 

Must Have Toys

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I haven't done a "Must Haves" list in a while. In the process of organizing and de-cluttering for my last post, I came across of lot of toys that brought back memories of Maggie playing with when she was just a wee-baby. I decided to break them up in to 6 month age groups, and focus on 0-6 months for this one.

For me this was the hardest time period to find toys for. They are so curious at this age, yet still not yet coordinated enough to actually handle and manipulate certain objects. With the exception to her play mat, which you can find here, these were some of Maggie's favorite (they got the most reaction and at times excitement out of her) toys. I also find it funny that many of these toys were either discovered when we would be at others houses or they are the staples that even I grew up with. 

I learned quickly with a new baby to take advantage of the greatness, otherwise known as "Amazon Prime". It was a lifesaver when we were constantly buying new toys and had no clue what to get. Their recommended lists were lifesavers for us and I knew I was always getting an amazing deal. 

So if you are looking for some new toy ideas for your little one, I definitely recommend giving these a try. They have held up great and will be awesome to have on hand already when the next baby comes along. 

XO-Kelli

My Baby Must Haves: GEAR

Every Mom has a different idea of what is necessity and what they could have lived without. I have researched all of these products and the many places you can purchase them. The link to each site will take you to the place I have found them to be the least expensive/ offer the best sales/ free shipping/ etc.  Granted none of these are really necessities, but looking back they are things that if I have to buy everything all over again, these would be my absolute MUST HAVES FOR BABY GEAR. 

1. Baby Jogger City Micro Jogging Stroller: When we first purchased our carseat, we like most first time parents were drawn to the travel system (stroller and carseat combo). Don't get me wrong I loved our Maxi Cosi Travel System, but over time that stroller takes up soooooo much space in your trunk. My husband also really wanted a jogging stroller. I came across this bad boy in an online sale and got a  KILLER DEAL on it. Seriously $99.00 sale, Regularly $220.00. It has been one of our greatest baby investments. It literally folds up to half the size of traditional strollers, it's durable, really folds and unfolds with one hand, and you can purchase the carseat adapter to make it compatible with ANY brand of carseat. 

2. Aiden and Anais swaddling blankets: These are simply the best blankets, hands down. There needs to be nothing more said about them. Except, they are a soft, breathable but still warm, muslin fabric with ADORABLE prints on them. You can pretty much find these at almost any baby store. I purchased most of mine from Target. They come in a  4 pack for anywhere from $29.00 to $39.00 depending on the print you choose. They can also be found at Nordstrom, Babies R' Us, BuyBuyBaby,   and tons of online retailers. Get some, you will be so glad you did. 

3. Layette Gowns: These are pretty generic but I have discovered they are actually quite difficult to find since having our little munchkin. I was lucky and found most of mine at Target before they stopped carrying them in store. I also found few at Walmart, and Carters. These are a total must for Newborns. They are warm, make those middle of the night diaper changes a breeze and wrapped in a swaddle make the perfect go to outfit for those tiny little, difficult to dress bodies. 

4: Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitor: The last thing you want to think about when having a new baby is SIDS, but really how can you not worry. I was desperate to keep her as safe as possible and this monitor gave me the peace of mind I needed. Not only does it track their sounds like a typical monitor, but is also has a sensor that you place under their bassinet or crib mattress. This tracks their movements and breathing patterns. If no movement (chest rising and falling with each breath) is detected after 15 seconds, it beeps. If it then goes to 30 seconds, then it begins to alarm. 

5. Maxi Cosi Pria 70 Convertible Carseat: Words cannot express my love for this carseat. In fact if you go here, you can read my fabulous 5 star review I left. We purchased this when Maggie was about 3 months old. Right about the time that babies become a pain, literally, to haul around in their infant carriers. I researched, and researched some more and finally decided on yet another Maxi Cosi. I was not disappointed. This seat is SO comfortable. There is no exaggeration when I say she would be asleep within 5 minutes of being put in it. It has a Neoprene/Memory Foam like padding through out the entire car seat. Extremely cushioned head supports and body supports and can hold from 8-70lbs. You can also purchase it with "Tiny Fit" which can then take it down to 4lbs. These carseats can also be found here. 

6. Fisher Price My Little Lamb Infant Seat: This was an after thought item for us. After carrying our Mamaroo all around the house for the first 3 weeks after Maggie was born, we decided that for quick things like the shower, we just needed something small. Our Friends offered us to try their F.P. vibrating, musical infant chair. It was perfect. She loved it and it only weighs about 5lbs. We will definitely be purchasing our own one of these when #2 comes along. 

7. Blooming Bath: The tale of the baby bath goes something like this. I would research online, find something I liked, go buy it, stare at it for a week and decide I hated it. So I would return it. Repeat this about 3 times before finally stumbling upon this little gem. Not only would I use this to lay Maggie on to give her her sponge baths while waiting for her cord to fall off. But I then used it in the kitchen sink, then laid it in the tub, then placed it in a laundry basket when she became mobile and now we just use it  as a fun cushion to sit on. I will definitely be purchasing another one of these for the next baby. 

8. Petunia Pickle Bottom Sachay Satchel: I spent about 2 months carrying around one of those duffle of a diaper bags when I said enough is enough. I'm buying a Petunia. My Husband didn't say a word. After 10 months, Kidney Stones, C-Section and Gallstones with Gallbladder removal, I figured I deserved it and all it's cuteness to carry around. One Year Later and it is still in perfect condition. I have even seen used ones on Ebay for insane deals and they look brand spankin new. 

9. Maxi Cosi Mico Carseat: From the very beginning I wanted all of our big ticket, reusable baby items to be pretty neutral and I was having the hardest time deciding on a carseat. Literally I bounced back and forth between probably fifteen different brands and styles. Finally I found Maxi Cosi. As I started reading reviews, chatting with other friends who used them, and really looked at the materials, I decided this was the one. Similar to the Cosi Pria, the Mico also has the same Neoprene/ Memory Foam  Material for padding. It also has a head support that is supposed to mimic the curvature of a mothers hands wrapped around baby's head. It was the comfort of this carseat that made me look at the Pria for a Convertible option. 

10. 4Moms Mamaroo: The best purchase of all. The Mamaroo. You have probably all seen this and like me thought it was some futuristic space ship for your baby, but it's better. I was all set to buy a different swing...when the Mr. and I were walking through a baby store and he saw this. Not even knowing what exactly it was, he simply stated "we have to get it". Not once in the last seven months did he have an opinion on anything I bought for this girl and now he had the nerve to completely throw off my decision. So I went and refigured my baby purchases budget and made room for this guy. Not a huge difference in price but enough to have to push a purchase back till the next payday. Boy was this worth it though. With it's 5 different motions and different speeds and multiple reclining positions, our Maggie loved it from day one. Until she was about 3 months old, it was the only place she would nap as well and that right there was worth gold to me. I will be anxious to try the new "Rockaroo" with the next baby. 

Check Back for My "Must Haves: Feeding", and "Must Haves: Toys". Have a Fabulous Sunday and Memorial Day Weekend.