Baby Must Haves

The other day I was watching someone with their first baby and was thinking how I wished I could insert some of the things I've learned into that new mom's head. I KNOW I am far from the most wise Mom in the world, but after 4 babies, I have learned some things. One of the things I've learned is that there are some products out there that are FAR better than others. There are a few things I've bought that I wish I had known about with baby #1. And so I thought I'd share:



Ikea Highchair (their baby spoons are pretty great too) - this thing ROCKS! I had used other highchairs and HATED them. Most highchairs out there have too many little crevices for food to get stuck in and who wants to keep washing the padding and stuff. Yuck. Then I found this fabulous IKEA invention. It's just one piece, with NO crevices. So easy to wipedown. It's also the same height as most tables so you can pop the tray off and just scoot baby up to eat with the family if you want. Oh and the huge bonus, its SOOOOO cheap! It's $19.99 for the base and $5 for the tray. You can't get better than that. So much time and energy was wasted cleaning those other highchairs.



Aden and Anais swaddling blankets - I got these dreamy blankets when I had Tessa. How I wish I had had some for when I had the boys. I'm a big fan of swaddling babies and these are awesome. They're the best size and not too bulky, a nice thin material. They're not the cheapest, but you only need 2. Tessa is still sleeping in hers.



BabyWise - I know for some this is controversial. But for me this was the sole reason I have been sane through baby after baby after baby after baby. Seriously. With my first child I was a Natzi about following everything it said to a T. I referred to it often, checking it when any problem came up. Even though I was a bit crazy about my schedules and feedings, it was a great learning experience. When the next babies came along I would review it and then take what it taught and adapt it to my life. A much more relaxed approach. What I love the most about the theories in this book is that by following them a) my babies slept and were the happiest babies. They took great naps and after a couple months were sleeping through the night. No I do not think I just got lucky with the temperments of my babies. It took work! But it worked! b) it made me feel like an educated calm mother. I never really worried about what was making them cry. I KNEW. It what awesome. I knew if they were hungry or tired or over stimulated. Awesome. I've always felt so bad for mothers who are so exhausted for months with a newborn or feeding round the clock. My experience with newborns was such a different experience, and I thank this book for that.



Combi double stroller - I got this life saver the week after I had Brans and I'm STILL USING IT (5 years later!) There are so many great things about it. It's well priced ($200), fits through every door I've ever had to go thru, folds up into the itty bittiest cube (and I have folded it and put it in my trunk with ONE hand many o times), is light, totally adjusts for every stage of baby (lays back for newborns, fits just about every newborn carseat into it, and the front bar pops off so your toddler can hop in and out of it) and it comes in lots of cute colors (way more than when I got mine.) I wish I had avoided buying the big bulky single stroller with my first baby and had just gotten this, yes, even for just one baby.



Baby Mum Mums - didn't discover these until I had Tessa either. I was always so frustrated when my babies just started to eat and I couldn't give them anything to eat that I didn't have to feed them myself. All the other biscuits and things I tried were SO MESSY and ended up everywhere. These are light and melt easily but don't get all over everything. Great for church (when you're trying to keep baby quiet) or for when you're trying to clean your kitchen or get some computer time without your little one screaming. Gerber Puffs are also great but baby has to be able to use her little pincher fingers.



And then there's Target's UPandUp brand diapers. Tons cheaper than Pampers and Huggies but are great (and I've tried a few other off brand diapers and hated them!) I still can't bring myself to put them on my newborns. I just love the Swaddlers on my littlest munchkins, but on my toddlers, these diapers totally do the job. And the green and blue polka dots are pretty darn cute too.

So this is my list. WIsh I had all these things with baby #1. Hope it helps someone! You other wise Moms, I'd love to hear what your list is.