My Favorite (and least favorite) Baby Items

I thought I would compile a list of my favorite and least favorite baby items! From the necessities to the "fun" items, it's hard to figure out what exactly you need and what you don't, when bringing a new baby home. I wish I had a list like this when I was pregnant with Cale!

*Obviously there are a lot of necessities that I won't list here. These are simply some of my favorite items.

MY FAVORITE ITEMS:
(I have about 50 favorite things, but here are just a few)

1) Boppy Pillow
Obviously a necessity if you are breastfeeding, but it also works very well to prop up your baby when she isn't able to sit up yet. (Only when supervised, of course!) My son had terrible reflux, which is very common in new babies, so he couldn't lay perfectly flat until he was around 9 months old or he would have painful reflux. The Boppy was great to keep him propped up. Also, it's great to put behind your baby when they are learning to sit up, so that if they fall backward it's not a hard hit.

2) Recieving blankets
Your baby will only fit in them for a few weeks, but they are so multi purpose! They work great as wash cloths, burp rags, snuggle blankets - you name it! 7 or 8 is probably plenty.

3) Bottle Warmer
This one is controversial with many, but for us it was a lifesaver. When I went back to work and Nathan had to thaw out my breastmilk from the freezer, this was the easiest, fastest, and SAFEST way to heat it up. Microwaves are a no-no to heat up breastmilk or formula because it heats the milk unevenly and can burn the baby's mouth.

4)Glider Chair
Couldn't live without it. I still use it daily and Cale is almost 2. Baby's need to be rocked to sleep. It just makes life easier. (And get one with a rocking ottoman too or your feet will fall asleep!)

5) Baby Swing
I cannot praise this enough. It took us 6 weeks of hellish sleeping before we finally broke down and bought the Fisher Price My Little Lamb Cradle n' Swing. BEST.PURCHASE.EVER. Cale finally slept and we did too! (Also a dream for reflux babies.) He literally slept in the swing 90% of the time for the first 4 months.

6)My favorite bottle -- Playtex Drop Ins
There are lots of fancy bottles out there, and believe me, I've tried every one of them. Playtex Drop Ins get two thumbs up from me, cause let's face it: When you haven't slept in weeks, the last thing you want to do is wash bottles. The drop in liners are disposable so all you have to wash are the nipples. Also, the drop in liners are easy to squish all the air out of the milk so you don't give your baby gas.

7) Infant "gowns"
These are a type of sleep sack that are scrunched up at the bottom. They just wear that to bed, and then in the middle of the night you don't have to mess with zippers or snaps! Finger dexterity is non existent at 3am, promise.

8) Medela Breast Pump
Don't waste your money on any other pump. Medela is simply the cream of the crop and worth every penny. I 100% attribute my breastfeeding success to Medela.

9) Video Monitor
I LOVE having a good, widescreen video monitor. I was particularly afraid of SIDS and was up checking on Cale 10 times a night. I zoomed the monitor in close to his chest and stomach so I could physically see his chest rise and fall when he was breathing. Absolutely saved my sanity. I also woke up to him rolling into the corner of the crib and I was able to roll him back over before he woke up.

10) Extra crib sheets and changing table sheets:
You WILL have blow out diapers. Promise.

11)Wipe Warmer
Another one up for debate, but personally we loved it. Nothing will make your baby more mad at 2am than having a cold wipe on her butt. You wouldn't like it either!



MY LEAST FAVORITE BABY ITEMS

1) Themed Bedding Sets
I cannot stress this enough. Sure they are cute, but first of all, NOTHING should be put in the crib with your baby until at least age 1. You will NOT use the comforter blanket, and crib bumpers are about the most unsafe thing you can put in the crib. It blocks the air flow and is a HUGE contributor to SIDS in babies. Blankets, pillows and bumpers are a huge no-no. Do not waste your money.

2) Bumbo Seat
Total waste. Never used it, never had a need for it, and Cale hated it. Some people like it, but I don't know why.

3) Plain White Onesies
No need in my opinion. It's just another layer to snap when you change diapers.

4) Fancy Burp Cloths
I made the mistake to get the cute burp cloths. They are way too thin and a good spit up from Cale took like 3 of them to clean it up. Seriously, buy "Gerber prefolds" which are like the old school cloth diaper but they aren't meant for cloth diapering anymore. They are the most absorbant material and PERFECT for burp rags.

5) Sling
So, so, so dangerous. If you want to carry your baby, buy a Moby Wrap or a Ergo Carrier. Slings are just so scary.

6) Infant Shoes
Just stick with cute socks. Infant shoes are totally unnecessary, and honestly it can truely hurt and disfigure their tiny feet. Even after they start walking they need the support of the ground beneath their feet without shoes. Infant shoes aren't necessary at all.

7) Pacifiers
If you want to ruin your chances at breastfeeding, ruin their teeth, and delay their speech, use them. Just sayin'

Lots more to come, but I need to make dinner for my kiddo.