As we are nearing the light at the end of this pregnancy tunnel, I’m finding myself completely excited and overwhelmed all at the same time! Some days I am wishing time would hurry up and other days I’m freeeeaking out about all the stuff we have to do before little miss arrives. My current obsession is wandering aimlessly through the baby aisles at Target, even though the numerous diapers, bottles, and baby gear overwhelm me. So dear mommy blogger friends of mine, I’m enlisting you and your expertise. Please, please give me the scoop! Best diaper brands, fool proof bouncers, favorite must have accessories, and all other things baby! What couldn’t you live without? I’m actually begging for your advice!
Diapers: Parent's Choice @ Wal-Mart. Binkies: Classic Nuk (don't use the hospital one!). A rocking chair that rocks or bounces well; not a glider because it's too smooth and defeats the purpose of rocking. I am loving my Poäng chair from IKEA; not the rocker one, but the regular one–it bounces just enough and my babies fall asleep like magic.
P.S.- For newborn diapers, get the kind that has a little cutout for their bellybutton wound, then switch to Parent's Choice.
i know nothing of babies… except for the fact that you can't feed them popcorn. so i'm no help there BUT your headband is sooo cute! (:
xo, b.
brielleandscott.blogspot.com
Simon hated the swing and cried unmercifully whenever he was in it, until he was in Kindergarten 🙂
Diaper Genie is a waste and stinky, throw all yucky diapers in the outside trash asap! Breastfeed/no bottles, hold them as much as you want to- there is no such thing as a spoiled baby. Cover them with kisses and read to them every night. Let her fall asleep on your chest. Enjoy every minute, next thing you know *poof* they're 20 and having babies of their own xoxox loves to you, you'll be a most natural mama.
Love love LOVE the muslin swaddle blankets (Jack and Jill brand has some adorable ones!). Huggies diapers for the first few months of blow-outs, but after that, any brand (wa-mart, target) work great! Onesies onesies onesies, you can never have enough!! You will do great! They are so precious…enjoy it!!
Ok, here ya go:
– Diapers, really Pampers, Huggies, and Kirkland are the ones I have and use and love! Everything stays inside the diaper which helps! Agreed about the newborn diapers though, get the cutout ones until the cord falls out.
– My baby LOVES her bath chair. Now for the first couple weeks she couldn't use it cuz of her cord but she LOVES it now cuz it's more comfy in the tub 😉
– I have a Boppy bouncy chair and she lives in it also a fisher price swing – only don't buy either one full rpice – CRAIGSLIST my friend 😉
– travel system is great! The whole carseat, base, and stroller thing is wonderful!
– BOPPY PILLOW!! I can't stress that enough! Get a BOPPY! It's great even if you don't breastfeed 😉
– DESITIN! Best cream for rashy buns which WILL happen 😉
I've had a lot of baby experience … and so far all I've learned pretty much sums up to: every baby is different. Isn't that original and helpful? 🙂
Honestly though, two VERY helpful things are the swaddlers and Moby wraps (or knockoffs).
i'm not a mom, nor do i have any mommy adice BUT.i seriously want to come up to utah just to meet baby zurcher. i'm so excited & anxious for you guys!!:)
I loved Pampers for the newborn stage and then Luvs for when they got bigger (I have four boys). I think a Boppy Pillow is a must. For the rest, don't waste your money on "fancy" things or stuff that is advertised as "you must have…" like a diaper genie. You won't need them. Simple does it. I actually used the diaper bag that I got from the hospital and then later switched to a big sturdy canvas purse/bag. I never spent a ton of money on a stroller, etc. either and we did just fine. The only thing you really want to do is snuggle and smooch on the little one A LOT because she will grow up faster than you can say diaper rash 🙂
I'm no mom, but this girl posted her must haves here: littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com/2012/03/first-month-my-must-haves.html
as far as diapers I have heard so many different things. I think it really depends on the shape of the baby for which ones fit best. SO maybe pick the brand you have the most coupons for and start with those or buy a box of each. 😉
here's the 2nd and 3rd month favorites
littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com/2012/05/two-three-month-must-haves.html
and the 4th month:
littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com/2012/07/four-month-favorites-fourth-of-july.html
she has advice for mommy's to be at the bottom of this post:
littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com/2012/03/3-weeks-of-harper.html
Read this post and comments for baby carrier recommendations:
littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com/2012/03/recommend-your-baby-carrier.html
yay! i always look for your new posts. unfortunately i have no advice (not being a mom) but i'm so excited for you! you two will be awesome parents!
taylorandchandra.blogspot.com
* For diapers, I used Parents Choice from Wal-mart. They are a little cheaper and didn't seem to have that weird smell….
* Boudreaux's Butt Paste for diaper rash. It was the only thing that cleared up my little ones' bums.
* My little guy preferred the Nuk-brand pacifiers. He was my third child {and only one that I "allowed" to take a pacifier} and I so wish I let my other kids have one. They really are such a soother. I thought I would be a bad mom if I gave my kids a pacifier…..Just do it! It's worth it. 🙂
* I used the Avent baby bottles. They are bigger around so they were easier to clean.
* My daughter LOVED her swing. My son hated it. My daughter HATED the bouncer. My son loved it. 🙂
All kids are different and it may take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you. The good thing is that there ARE so many options. If something isn't working, then move on to something else. You will eventually find what your baby likes.
This is an exciting time! Try not to stress out too much about the details. 🙂
Diapers: I love the huggies snugglers for the first little bit–it has the belly button cut-out, and I think they are the softest. After that, we just buy the big box of kirkland diapers from costco.
For diaper rash: Aquaphor. This stuff is amazing. I've used boudreaux's, I've used aveeno (which is my second choice, after aquaphor), but I think aquaphor is the best. Plus, you can use it as a moisturizer/lotion for baby's sensitive skin. I even use it as my moisturizer!
My husbands aunt introduced me to something that I think is brilliant. Latex gloves. Newborn, breast-fed poop is not super gross, but they come in handy for the big messes and the diapers that come once you introduce solid foods. Put 'em on, change the diaper, then pull them off while holding the diaper, so they end up inside out covering the diaper. It contains the smell really well, too, should you find that you can't run the diaper out to the trash immediately, for whatever reason. Also good for on the go, if you have to clean a diaper and won't be able to wash your hands, because they've been in the gloves, they're still clean!
I also use them when I cut onions, so that my hands don't smell like onions for days. Or when I'm cleaning with windex, because the smell doesn't get on my hands. You can buy them in bulk at costco.
Johnson's baby shampoo in lavender is my favorite. Smells so good. Knock off lavender brands work, too. Plus, lavender is soothing to babies. 🙂
I've had a swing, baby papasan chair, change table, diaper genie… They're all things that are nice to have, but we've since gotten rid of all of them, and will do without this time around. I also had an infant tub that I used for my first two, but not for my third. I bathed him in the sink until he got to big for it, and then I would bathe him in the full size tub, with shallow water, and I would stand in the water, instead of kneeling at the side. These things are nice, but not necessary.
Try the boppy… I got it for my first, and hated it, but kept it around. Loved it with my second. I would also use it to prop them up during later tummy times, once they were pretty good about holding up their heads. (Always with supervision, of course.)
All you really need are blankets, clothes, diapers, car-seat, and stroller. Carriers are nice too, especially when you have more children, but also to help you get things done during the day, when baby still needs attention and closeness.
Just my two cents..
For Diapers, I've tried them all. And you might too! But every time I kept going back to the Huggies at Costco (not the kirkland brand). My son was super active (still is!) and those seemed to be the only brand to keep everything in 😉 You'll find what you love and what works best.
LOVED the boppy pillow.
Also, you should really look into the book BabyWise. It saved our sanity! We didn't read it until our son was 6 months months old, and I so wished we would have found it earlier!
Congratulations! you will be a fantastic mommy!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I'm sure you are planning on breastfeeding or atleast giving it a try, so I'm suggesting Lanolin as a must for your hospital bag and for when you get home:
target.com/p/lansinoh-hpa-lanolin-40g/-/A-92544
Mom gear: Breast pads, GLIDER (the one thing I wanted/needed more than anything and never got), mondo sized pads for the first week or two.
Baby gear: It is seriously all going to depend on your baby. Diapers we did pampers snugglers or whatever till size 1, then we did Kirkland from size 1-2, then at size three we did huggies. We changed them because they would start leaking at a certain size. Hadley couldn't have survived without her swing to sleep in. I don't know if you are a paranoid crazy like me, but if you are the little chair you set them in that like reclines and they can make bounce was a must because she HAD to be in the bathroom with me when I showered and John was gone. I would also suggest NOT using Johnsons anything. It's actually really harsh on their skin and caused hadley to have some eczema (obviously all kids are different and maybe it will be fine for yours), but our doctor advised us to use Eucern (sp?) Baby. Those are my two cents, hope it helps! And just make sure you go with your gut, you will know what to do, it just comes naturally, you will be an awesome mommy!
Oh yeah, and the book "Healthy sleep habits, hapy child". Maybe it was luck, maybe it was the book but by like 4 months she was sleeping 12 hours at night…
Boppy is a must
Nursing pads- you may/will leak
Pads- you will bleed
Nursing tank tops
Hooter hider for nursing- so much better then messing with a blanket to cover up
Freezer bags for milk if your going to pump- highly recommend pumping
Nipple cream- never had that problem but you may,
Kirkland wipes are my fav- I don't use anything else
Mattress protector for the crib
Playtex droop in bottles are my fav
Swaddle blankets
Have baby Tylenol and gas drops on hand
Baby tub- the thought of handling a wet baby in the sink scares me
Cute pj's while in hospital- makes you feel good
Always have an extra diaper bag that stays in the trunk- at some point you will need it
I have used all diaper brands- the only ones I didn't like were Luvs
Every baby is different,hope my 2 cents help, good luck! One thing in nursing school that was pounded into our heads was in order to take care of someone else, you have to take care of your self first. Don't forget that, I am truly a believer of that.
Here's my two cents, (by the way; it seems like literally, just yesterday brady and i were in your position…how oh how is it possible that Addie is almost 8??)Anyway…
Diapers: Pampers swaddlers for newborns, and then target brand all the way. Much cheaper and they work just as well.
Nursing pads: Lansinoh (Sp?) in a purple box (be ready to be surprised by the whole breastfeeding thing!) Lanolin never did squat, for me it was all about olive oil, that's right oil those suckers (punn intended:)) right up!
After delivery: tucks pads and frozen diapers, I'm sure they'll tell you all about those at the hospital.
bum cream: Aquapher is awesome, but plain old corn starch is my favorite for diaper rash.
Stroller: with Addie we got a travel system, but ended up not using it that much. Most of the time you'll be taking her somewhere in her car seat there will be a grocery cart to put her in, so you won't need the stroller and by the time they're 4 or 5 months they want to be sitting up, facing out anyway. I would buy a great infant carseat and then a nice upright stoller that you'll be able to use for long time.
For my kids a bassinet, bouncer, swing, and bumbo (for when they're a little older) were all absolute musts! I love having my newborns in my room in a bassinet for a few months, plus there's nothing cuter than a tiny baby snuggled up in one of those things! Swaddling blankets are musts too. Make sure you have lots of onesies, you'll go through them like crazy and trust me some blow outs are just not worth trying to clean up!
My best advise is just to not stress about anything, trust your instinct and of course snuggle and mug on her as much as you can, because before you know it….she'll be 8! You're going to be amazing no matter what!
*ALL ADVICE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE IS GARBAGE – only apply things that you feel are right. Everyone will tell you a million different things (obviously – there are a billion comments here) so only take in what you think meshes with who you are and what you think.
On that note, here is some advice that you can throw away if you don't like 🙂
*Use vanilla scented trash bags to help the smell – and a small walmart garbage can with a lid will contain the worst of it till it goes outside.
*Walmart has (or had) nursing bras – two for like 12 dollars. They aren't anything fancy, but they do exactly what they're supposed to.
*Lansinosh has the best nursing pads to contain wetness
*I stressed about mastitis, so I got a Lansinosh hand operated breast pump, which was totally fantastic. Low maintenance, low price, high milk yield.
*Saving and freezing milk that you've pumped is great, because you can mix it with cereals later and baby Z will like it more. Freeze it flat in the freezer to contain space.
*Travel systems are awesome. But so is having a small umbrella stroller.
*I LOVED baby nightgowns (not the ones with the zippers, but the ones with the elastic in the bottom) for late night feedings and diaper changes. No snaps, no zippers, just a simple pull and go
*Purex Ultra Baby laundry detergent smells like Baby Heaven AND is tons cheaper than dreft
*Pack n Play. Packnplay packnplay packnplay. Can't say it enough – it was a lifesaver. Ours has a bassinet attachment for when baby is little and slept in our room, and it also had a changing table so we didn't need one. We still use it for travel and when friends babies come over during naptime. Pack n play. Seriously it is awesome.
*The beautiful expensive cribs at Babies R Us are also usually online at Walmart for much much cheaper, plus it's free to ship it to your nearest store.
Good luck! At the end of the day, all this is water under the bridge anyway. Your baby will adapt to you, and you to her, and life will be perfect.
– a nice BIG Diaper Bag – I thought I bought a huge one and I always felt like I needed more room – especially when babies are small and you need to bring so much stuff with you!
– A changing table – I thought I would save a few bucks and just change my baby on the floor with a blanket down – it works fine, but whenever I need to change my baby at a friend's house and they let me use their changing table I get SUPER envious! I always tell my husband that a changing table is a MUST for baby #2!
– A Boppy pillow!
– Bumbo seat – babies LOVE being able to sit up and check out the world from a new perspective. The Bumbo seat is awesome! You can also buy a tray for the Bumbo seat which I always liked! I would put little snacks on the tray so my baby could snack.
– Baby washcloths. Someone told me once I didn't need these and to just use regular ones – baby washcloths are great! They are super cheap too! I think I got a pack of 5 at Target for cheap.
– If you are planning on breastfeeding and pumping – spend the extra $$ on a good pump!!!!!! It will be worth it!! Trust me! A double pump is awesome! Having to pump one breast at a time can be very time consuming! The BEST pump I found out there is the Medela Double Electric 'Pump in Style Advanced'. I tried quite a few.
Hope this helps! Good luck! 🙂 Luckily you don't need EVERYTHING when the baby is first born-just somewhere to sleep and a carseat and some sleepers, you will end up with more than you need!
I really love my sling from sevenslings.com. So easy to use and my little one loves being in it! It's great for going out and you can have your baby close, yet still have both hands available!!
There are some super cute designs too 🙂
An exercise ball. You can bounce the baby and get a little exercise at the same time. Violet LOVED being bounced. And I totally endorse the 'get a changing table' comment. Because you don't want those gross blowouts on your bed or on the floor, (and it saved me since I had a c-section and bending over was not really comfy until like 6 months after).
As far as bottles go (since we became experts on the bottle front) we LOVED the tommee tippee brand. Easy to hold, easy to transport (came with a special formula holder that went IN the bottle, amazing). Special valve, so we didn't deal with gas at all. Easy to clean.
You will find your favorite diaper, but my opinion is that luvs smells weird. We are a huggies family. Pretty sure we tried every kind and always went back to Huggies. Kirkland wipes are the best.
J-rad is Debbie.
I am a new reader!
New babies are so fun and exciting! I have twin boys but they're 16 months and not so new anymore.
Things I found to like are:
The First Years brand nipple cream isn't sticky like the other types and it doesn't have lanolin in it. and some people don't use leak pads because apparently if you're good enough you can control the leak but I HAD to because it was uncontrollable.
medela hospital grade breast pump definitely. We rented one but buying a used one isn't too bad of a price and milk doesn't go into the tubes so it's safe to buy a used one.
HUGGIES!! were the best
Pampers were my least favorite because they aren't very sturdy on the outside of the diaper and they shred and get fuzzies and they are thin….I just didn't like them. Although we did use pampers in size premie and newborn and they were fine…just when the babies start sitting/crawling/walking Pampers don't hold up.
I like Target's Up&Up scent free wipes.
We loved THESE
target.com/p/fisher-price-newborn-rock-n-play-playard-sleeper/-/A-11699689?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=|11699689&CPNG=baby&ci_sku=11699689&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=
and THESE
amazon.com/Fisher-Price-T2517-Bouncer-Turtle-Days/dp/B002OOWAGW/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1343535960&sr=1-2&keywords=fisher+price+vibration+chair
and some type of baby gas relief drops like gripe water
GOOD LUCK!! It's SO fun being a new mom even if you're terribly tired. It gets better before you know it.
I think I initially found your blog within the last year through Eliesa Lake and have been reading ever since! I am expecting a girl in November and love seeing what I have to look forward to in my pregnancy 🙂 I have the same questions you do!
Someone told me how awesome Tommy Tippee bottles are if you are breastfeeding but need bottles for on the go because the nipples are shaped the most like your own and won't confuse the baby as much.
As for everything else…I have no idea. But we've found lots of great stuff at yard sales (some things never used!) It's definitely worth it for the price to look on craigslist/ksl/yard sales with all the stuff you'll be buying!
Hello!! Im a new reader, but I had to tell you I know exactly how you feel. Before I had my little guy I had no idea, but was totally overwhelemed. I started doing a series of Monthly Must Haves on my Blog- check them out 🙂
inthiscrazylife-bethany.blogspot.com/p/raising-parents.html
I dont have any kids yet but Ive done a lot of nannying and studying on the subject. By far my most favorite book is "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Harvey Karp. It teaches you how to soothe your little one and has some amazing tips! I highly recommend it. Its a must have for all baby shower gifts. 🙂 So excited for you guys! Wishing you the best of luck!
amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=happiest+baby+on+the+block&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4577754595&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2129811080513774860&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_nlxbfcp7n_b
Kailie
kbreit.blogspot.com
My advice. Simple is best.
I've had swings and walkers and baby baths and toys. Most of it I've given away. Really, you don't need as much as you might think. I would invest in a good crib–you'll have it for all your kids. I agree with Emmary, you'll want to sleep her in your room for a few months. I would buy one of these target.com/p/fisher-price-snugabunny-newborn-rock-n-play-soother/-/A-13868677#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink. Most newborns don't like to sleep flat on their back–they've been snuggled in your tummy for nine months. The rock n' play keeps them swaddled nicely. Promise. She will sleep so much better. Plus, it's portable. You can take it to your moms house. It replaces a bassinet.
I would also invest in a Bumbo when your baby can hold herself upright. It's a great alternative to having to hold her when you are putting on makeup or making dinner. You will want a high chair at some point (not until they start eating solids) and a good car seat and stroller–love my jogging stroller (you can buy a carseat jogging stroller combo–they are so great if you want to run or walk after you have the baby).
Target diapers are the best and they are inexpensive. They are comparable to Huggies. However, I'd use Huggies or Pampers through the first month or so. They are best for blow outs.
I would forgo nursing bras and garments. I've tried them and they are messy. My sisters agree. Other moms might not. I think pulling everything up is easiest when nursing. Just get some great, comfortable bras.
Last bit of advice. Baby Wise is a good book. You should read it. But if you don't. Nurse your baby on both sides. Even is she is sleepy. Make sure she gets a full tummy. She will sleep for longer durations. Also, if you nurse your baby every time she cries, you might be giving her a tummy ache. Put her on a schedule and try to be consistent. Nurse every three hours to four hours. She will sleep better if you have her on a predictable feeding schedule. Babies need a lot of sleep. It may seem like she is sleeping too much, but if she is crying assume that she is tired. Feed her as she is waking up, not when she is going to bed. You don't want to get her used to falling asleep while eating. Eat, play, sleep. It's a good pattern.
Don't get too anxious. Relax and get as much sleep as you can because after she arrives you will be in various degrees of pain (breasts and bottom) and you'll be adjusting to her sleeping schedule.
Newborns are heaven. I agree with Emmary. Snuggle and love on her as much as you can. I, too, vividly remember bringing Grace home from the hospital. Now she is eleven. Ahhhh!
You'll be a natural Alexa. Congrats. Can't wait to see newborn pictures. It'll be here before you know it.
My advice. Simple is best.
I've had swings and walkers and baby baths and toys. Most of it I've given away. Really, you don't need as much as you might think. I would invest in a good crib–you'll have it for all your kids. I agree with Emmary, you'll want to sleep her in your room for a few months. I would buy one of these target.com/p/fisher-price-snugabunny-newborn-rock-n-play-soother/-/A-13868677#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink. Most newborns don't like to sleep flat on their back–they've been snuggled in your tummy for nine months. The rock n' play keeps them swaddled nicely. Promise. She will sleep so much better. Plus, it's portable. You can take it to your moms house. It replaces a bassinet.
I would also invest in a Bumbo when your baby can hold herself upright. It's a great alternative to having to hold her when you are putting on makeup or making dinner. You will want a high chair at some point (not until they start eating solids) and a good car seat and stroller–love my jogging stroller (you can buy a carseat jogging stroller combo–they are so great if you want to run or walk after you have the baby).
Target diapers are the best and they are inexpensive. They are comparable to Huggies. However, I'd use Huggies or Pampers through the first month or so. They are best for blow outs.
I would forgo nursing bras and garments. I've tried them and they are messy. My sisters agree. Other moms might not. I think pulling everything up is easiest when nursing. Just get some great, comfortable bras.
Last bit of advice. Baby Wise is a good book. You should read it. But if you don't. Nurse your baby on both sides. Even is she is sleepy. Make sure she gets a full tummy. She will sleep for longer durations. Also, if you nurse your baby every time she cries, you might be giving her a tummy ache. Put her on a schedule and try to be consistent. Nurse every three hours to four hours. She will sleep better if you have her on a predictable feeding schedule. Babies need a lot of sleep. It may seem like she is sleeping too much, but if she is crying assume that she is tired. Feed her as she is waking up, not when she is going to bed. You don't want to get her used to falling asleep while eating. Eat, play, sleep. It's a good pattern.
Don't get too anxious. Relax and get as much sleep as you can because after she arrives you will be in various degrees of pain (breasts and bottom) and you'll be adjusting to her sleeping schedule.
Newborns are heaven. I agree with Emmary. Snuggle and love on her as much as you can. I, too, vividly remember bringing Grace home from the hospital. Now she is eleven. Ahhhh!
You'll be a natural Alexa. Congrats. Can't wait to see newborn pictures. It'll be here before you know it.
I loved having a Rock and Play sleeper! It was so much better for those first few months then keeping my son in a crib. It can sit by the bed so you don't have to get up for every feeding and moves easily from room to room.
I love Pampers Swaddlers and am so sad my baby grew out of them.
Don't buy a bath its a waste.
Someone mentioned garments. The carinessa is amazing with nursing since they stretch and I loved my Barely There bra from Target. It isn't a nursing bra but it is amazing.
Babycenter.com is helpful (: They have a weekly update and its fun to read.
Possibly purcahase some liners (like the ones for old people ha ha) for your bed for you after the labor just in case
Sleep now. You will miss it.Dont worry because motherhood really does come natirally and you'll learn as you go. Its easier to buy when you need things than to stock up and find out you don't need/use half the stuff.
Please ignore all the typos. I am typing on my phone and wrestling a baby to not touch it (: