As a second time mom, I have simplified the items I have bought for my baby this time around. Of course there are some staple products like pacifiers, a nursing pump with a car adapter, sterilizer, bottles, and a diaper pail that are necessary (read my nursery essentials blog here http://theparentologist.com/lets-talk-about-nursery-essentials-and-the-baby-cubby/) but I made a list of very specific products that every new parent needs to add to their collection of must have’s! I will be highlighting each product on the blog and social media all week so you can learn more about each one in addition to us talking about how much we love them!
Here is an overview of each product I will be discussing each day. I will go into more detail as the week goes on and go into specifics of each product, where to buy them, and discount offers!
Monday
Dock-A-Tot: Before our son was born, I had been admiring a Dock-A-Tot Deluxe for quite some time and now I am so glad I own one! We use it throughout the day for naps, tummy time, and even diaper changes. If I need to change the laundry or help my daughter with something, I feel safe placing my son in his dock on my bed while I attend to something else for a few minutes. And at the beginning of the night, our son falls sleeps in a rock n play sleeper on the side of our bed but after his first feeding he gets restless and has trouble falling back to sleep unless he’s in his dock. I never co-slept with our daughter because I never felt like it was a safe option for us. However, with the dock I feel so much safer sleeping next to our son in bed. I place the dock closest to me (because my husband is more restless when he sleeps) and high enough up so the covers do not reach more than his feet so there is no risk for suffocation. Our son sleeps in his dock every night and is so comfy cozy in it. My favorite part is being close to him. He seems to like sleeping flat on his back (versus being at somewhat of an angle in his rock n play, unlike our daughter that wouldn’t sleep flat on her back for anything). And when our son is old enough, he will transition into his crib easier from us placing the dock in the middle of his crib for a more secure space to sleep until he is big enough to have the whole crib to himself.
Tuesday
The Ollie World: I still own some cloth swaddles from when my daughter was a baby and occasionally use them for a variety of reasons including as a blanket, a burp cloth, or a nursing cover. But there is one particular swaddle we use while our son sleeps and that is The Ollie World swaddle. Not only does he feel safe and secure, his arms and legs are contained and it helps him sleep longer and more soundly. These swaddles weren’t available when my daughter was a baby. I couldn’t wait to get pregnant again once I had heard about them for the first time because I wanted to use one so badly! I ended up meeting the owner/founder at a local pop-up shop a few months into my pregnancy and immediately bought my first swaddle. Now I own two – one that is often downstairs and one that is often upstairs. They really have been a lifesaver and I can’t stress how much you will love this product and all its benefits.
Binxy Baby
Wednesday
If you are like me, you shop at Target once a week. There is always something I need from this parent amusement park of a store and throughout the years it has somehow become my happy place for me. Now, with two children it can be somewhat difficult to have room for both children and my desired items in my cart. And most carts don’t allow for two children to sit up top. Besides it will be months before my little one will be old enough to sit on his own. So I desperately wanted a Binxy Baby cart hammock when he was born. Even as a first time parent, I typically used the top part for my diaper bag and put my daughter in the bottom in her car seat but then there was no room for my items. If I would’ve had a Binxy Baby, she could have been in the hammock and my items could have been in the cart. We have the Grey & Aqua Qautrefoil style but there are many other colors and patterns to choose from.
Thursday
Munchkin: It is very loud in the womb and babies are used to all sorts of sounds and noises. They hear mom’s heartbeat and stomach growling as well as other sounds from the outside. Think of a loud vacuum or hair dryer on 24/7 and that is what your baby is used to hearing inside the womb. And this is soothing to them. So when the baby is born and it is too quiet, they may have trouble calming or sleeping. Therefore, I highly suggest a sound machine. We personally own the Munchkin Nursery Projector and Sound System and I suggest this particular model for all new parents. I kidd you not, our son sleeps better and longer when the white noise is on during naptime and bedtime. We used the same machine for our daughter and it is also small enough for travel in your suitcase when you are on the go!
Friday
Hooray Littles: This is a company with a very specific mission – to keep babies safely swaddled comfortably while in the car, stroller, bouncer or basically any 3 or 5-point harness. Both of my babies share a love for being swaddled. And for the most part, both of my children have loved riding in the car since their first car ride home from the hospital. And they both have loved being in a bouncer, but because of the buckles and straps it is impossible to use a regular swaddle to wrap them up and also keep them safe and protected until now!
Saturday
Ergobaby: I am obsessed with carrying my baby boy. If you’ve been following me for a while you know that not carrying my daughter was one of my biggest regrets when she was a baby. I carried her a lot in my arms but I never had my hands free and it was hard on my back. Now, I don’t go a day without carrying my baby boy. I use my Ergobaby 360 almost everywhere I go whether it’s to the store, a restaurant, a play date for my daughter, or on a hike or walk around the neighborhood. I love the fact it has a Velcro waistband that makes it more comfortable on my back and abdomen area – especially after my c-section. I also love that I can use the shade when its rainy, sunny, or when I’m eating! And did I mention how easy it is to put on and off – especially when I’m running errands? It’s perfect to take to Disneyland or the Zoo! And he loves it! He almost always falls asleep in it because he’s so comfy cozy. And as a mom, I love that is was ergonomically made to keep his hips, spine, and joints safe, too. I can’t wait to have him forward facing when he’s old enough!!
Stay tuned all week for more information on each product, discounts, giveaways, and more!
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