Honorable Mention Baby Items

Thinking back, I had to give honorable mention to some other items that I love, but aren't in that lifesaving category or didn't last the entire first 6 months, etc:

Ergo Performance Carrier:  I have two carriers, the My Baby Nest, which is a wrap style carrier, and the Ergo.  The My Baby Nest was great when Vy was little.  The Ergo is IT when it comes to carrying her around while we're out and about (she gets sick of the car seat) and when I need full mobility of both arms.  The performance is super light and like all Ergo models, it's super comfy for all body types.

Puj Tub:  The Puj tub was perfect for bathing Vy when she was littler.  It would have continued to be great if she wasn't such a tall baby and our sinks were bigger.  As a new mom I felt secure bathing her in the Puj and it was really easy and fast to set up.  I think if we had a larger sink with a different faucet I would have used it longer.

Camera: Specifically, a camera with a burst mode or fast shutter.  I use my iPhone a lot since I can take several photos at a time to get that perfect picture.  But I've been slowly using my point and shoot digital since the quality is better and it has a burst mode where it takes one picture every second.

Water Boiler:  We have a Zoshirushi water boiler that keeps water at a boil all day long.  Having boiling water is great when you have a little one.  Its great for warming bottles, flash sterilizing dropped pacifiers (depending on where they were dropped), and helps the dinner process along.

Baby Nail Scissors:  Don't know what's wrong with me but I am a klutz when it comes to trimming Violette's nails with a baby nail cutter.  I always seem to leave a jagged end and it's annoying.  This weekend I got some Tweezerman Baby Nail Scissor/File set and it is SO much easier to cut her nails.  There's safety guard that helps you not cut too short.

Ten Best Items for Baby and Mama-the First 6 Months

My baby is almost 6 months old!  I seriously have no idea how 6 months have passed already, although it seems so long ago that she was a tiny baby.  Reflecting back, here is my list of 10 items that have been invaluable these past 6 months:

1.  iPad:  I spend so much time rocking Violette for naps and I got really sick of watching tv after the first two weeks.  At first I had a laptop but it was really hard to type on it.  Since the iPad has the touch function it’s super easy to browse the web, read online magazines, play games, and correspond that way.  It’s expensive (and mine was a gift), but made my life a lot easier and happier.

2.  Anything Aden and Anais:  This brand is the best!  Cotton muslin gets softer and softer with each washing and retains heat in a way that avoids overheating or getting too cold.  Violette has the sleepers (regular weight and cozy), swaddles, cozy blanket, issie, and burpy bibs.  The burpy bibs go at the top of my list since they are multiuse: burpies, bibs, and they work great when you’re pumping.  They are bean shaped so they nicely right under your breasts to catch any leaks. 

3.  Good quality glider: In retrospect I would have bought a glider that also reclined, but having a good quality glider is essential.  I must have spent the entire first two months sitting in mine.  Springing for the ottoman was great as well because it allowed me to keep my feet up after my c-section.

4.  Sophie the Giraffe: Sophie is Violette’s favorite teething toy!  Ours did smell like rubber at first, but after a few washings and lots of use the smell has gone away.  She can be a huge crabby pants and Sophie cheers her right up.

5.  Brest Friend:  The unfortunately named Brest Friend actually will become your best friend while nursing!  I had both the Boppy and the Brest Friend and preferred the latter.  It straps around your waist which is nice because it has a little back support section that helps you sit up straighter.  At first I used pillows but it made getting set up for feedings a pain in the ass and my back would still burn.  Violette nursed in the football hold position exclusively for the first 3 months until she big enough not to get smothered by my breast and I just put the Brest Friend on sideways and it worked perfectly. 

6.  NoseFrida: Oh the wondrous NoseFrida!  This was recommended to me by our photographer who is a new dad himself.  It’s the best thing since sliced bread!  Violette was very congested the first few months and would SCREAM when we’d put saline drops in her nose and try to suction out the mucous with a bulb aspirator.  The NoseFrida is totally hygienic and really gets that snot out of the little one’s noses.

7.  Orajel Medicated Swabs: Way easier to get the Orajel actually on the gums using these instead of the gel.  Instant relief (for Violette and my ears).

8.  Glow Worm (comfort item) for diaper changes:  At first Vy didn’t like diaper changes, not sure why.  Her glow worm plays a little song and glows.  It provided her with a familiar comfort item when being changed.  Now that she’s bigger it gives something to play with so during diaper changes.  If anything, it’s a roll over deterrent on the high changing table.

9.  Baby Bjorn lightweight pack and play:  I’ll be honest, we’re freaking spoiled.  We have both the conventional Graco pack and play and the Baby Bjorn.  The bells and whistles of the Graco are great for home, but it’s really heavy and bulky for trips.  The Baby Bjorn packs up very compactly, and like they claim, you can set it up in 20 seconds flat.  Vy really likes it, I think the shape makes her feel safe and secure, especially in random environments.

10.  King Sized Bed: We co-slept with Violette in a queen bed the first two months or so, but I got really tired of being squished in the middle.  The king bed was an essential buy for everyone’s sleep.  Vy has plenty of room on her side, she’s safe with the baby guard rail, and I don’t have to worry.

So there are the 10 things I can’t live without!  I’m sure I’ll find more as the year progresses and the adventure continues!