5 Favorite Baby Things

Yes, I'm blogging.  Pick your chin up off of the floor, because I know it's shocking.

I bring you my favorite things for baby.  When I was pregnant I researched so many baby products, but no review is better than that of a new mom.  Over the past three months I think I've learned a thing or two.  Here are my must haves for baby.

What can I say, I'm a paranoid mama.  The Angelcare monitor system has been the best investment that we could have made for Avery.  I knew before I ever had a baby that I would be the kind of person who needed to check on baby every twenty minutes at night, just to make sure she was breathing.  This monitor took the worry away.  

There is a sensor pad that goes underneath of the mattress.  Every time the baby breathes, a very faint beep sounds and a little digital pendulum swings, so that you can see and hear that the baby is breathing.  Maybe that sounds too much for some, but my mind has never been more at ease.  It's truly wonderful.  Our individual receptors that go in our bedroom and downstairs even display the temperature so we know how warm the nursery is.  One of my absolute must haves for the nursery.  

When it comes to nighttime sleeping, swaddling baby is a must.  Many people say their baby hates being swaddled, but I believe it's a way to re-create a womb like feeling and calms them after they've been fussy.  Avery wasn't always an angel when we first swaddled her, but now she knows it's her sleepy time and she's very comforted by the tightness of the swaddle.  

Don't waste your time on expensive swaddling blankets, because babies will break out of them faster than you can say "screaming baby."  The SwaddleMe blanket by Summer has velcro tabs and ensures that, when done properly, baby will stay soothed until they wake up.  It's even one of the 5 "S's" per The Happiest Baby on the Block.  When in doubt, swaddle! 

Since I went back to work five weeks ago, Avery needed to learn early on how to drink from a bottle.  I even worked several days when she was only five weeks old, so we started her early on bottles with pumped milk.  I had several friends recommend Dr. Brown's bottles and they have worked wonderfully.  I've read complaints about having to wash extra parts, but it's really not a huge ordeal.  

These bottles are proven to reduce air bubbles and colicky fussiness in babies.  We have them in the four ounce size and just recently we purchased the eight ounce size.  It's always nice to have at least six of each size for various food amounts throughout the day.  Avery would give these her seal of approval! 

I've said it before and I'll say it a thousand times, I love our Bumbleride Indie stroller.  To me it was worth every penny.  It's such a smooth ride, going over curbs and gravel with no problems whatsoever.  It's easy to take in and out of the car.  Very easy, actually.  Indie's aren't the least expensive stroller on the market, but they make a great investment.  We have a Maxi Cosi Mico carseat, and although the Mico wasn't advertised as "compatible" with the Indie without a $40 attachment, we have had no trouble whatsoever placing it in the Indie.  It's a snug fit and I'm glad we tried it that way without dishing out the extra cash on the adapter.  

For nap time, there is no better item than the Rock n' Play Sleeper by Fisher Price.  We like to lay a fleecey blanket inside of it and place Avery inside for daytime naps.  She loves her Rock n' Play and knows that she can settle down for a good nap once she's laying down.  I've even learned to take a little nap here and there (let's face it, teaching is exhausting, especially with an infant) and it's so nice to rock her beside me while I'm resting.  

When my mom picks up Avery to watch her for the day, she also picks up the Rock n' Play.  We have all learned to love the power of nap time!  

Okay, I said 5 favorite baby things, but this must be added to the list.  For Christmas Avery's Nonni bought her this Tiny Love Princess Mobile and Avery just loves it.  It spins around and plays sweet, soft music.  She will lay in her crib for thirty minutes and watch the mobile go round so mama can get some things done.

Buyer beware, these things run through batteries, so have some extras on hand just in case!    

Other favorite things worthy of a mention...

Boppy pillow, Bumbo seat, white onesies, soft toys, wrist rattles, Medela pump and parts, fleece blankets, thick hooded bath towels and crinkly toys/books.  

Have a question on a baby product?  Please let me know and I'd be happy to pass a recommendation on!