Favorite Items From Experienced Moms

I have been working on a list of things that I would like to get for the new baby.

What is the one thing that you can't live without and would recommend to buy?

My 2 favorite things:

swing ~ lifesaver for trying to get things done around the house, attend to other children, etc.

Baby Bjorn carrier ~ easier for me to wear the baby while holding the other young dc's hands when we go out. I still have it, but also may invest in a sling this time. The kids are all involved in lots of activities, and I plan to breastfeed. If I get a sling it will be much more discreet to b/f when I'm at another dc's activity.

Grace has loved her plush toys with the stuff that makes a crinkly noise in them, taggie blanket, and crib mirror since she was a baby.

I love, love our diaper champ. You can use regular kitchen bags with it, and it really holds the stink in.

The night gowns with the elastic at the bottom were so nice when she was a newborn. Try to get any sleeper with zippers. The snaps get old real quick!

As she has gotten older the bumbo, and neglect-ojumper-roo have been indispensable. A good swing is nice to have too. We have the fisher price rainforest for both and love them. The swing runs on batteries, but also has a plug which is nice.

That's all I have right now, I am sure I will think of more!

I'm a FTM, so not experienced, but a friend swears by the baby bouncers/vibrators. She calls them baby crack and says they worked miracles for both her son and newborn nephew who visited recently. She says they instantly calm a fussy baby. Can't wait to try my out in a few months.

Oh yeah, just thought of another.

Halo Innovations sleep sacks. They are wearable blankets, worn over a onesie or sleeper. No more blankets in the crib to worry about. They come in fleece or cotton. The zippers actually zip down from the neck to the feet, so you don't pinch your baby's neck at the top of the zipper.

I'm getting a few of the swaddle ones for the beginning.

https://www.halosleep.com/products/detail/28/micro-fleece_sleepsack_swaddle/33/micro-fleece_sleepsack_swaddle/

After s/he outgrows them, then I'll get the regular sleep sacks.

https://www.halosleep.com/products/detail/23/prints_and_solids/14/micro-fleece_sleepsack_wearable_blanket_-_prints_solids/

I LOVED these with my last dc. They are awesome and worth the money. I did see them cheaper on BRU's website, so check them out there if you're interested.

the miracle blanket..here is the webpage
http://www.miracleblanket.com/

swing

exersaucer for when they get a little older!

Ergo

boppy pillow

noise maker to block noise

my breasts.. instant sleepy time

* Ditto to the Diaper Champ - love it and works wonders, love being able to use regular bags

* Baby Bouncy Seat, helps in the early days

* Swing, but this one is hit or miss, some kids love it, my DD loved it, and others hate it.

* Jumparoo (Started using it at 6 Months Old)

* Exersaucer (Started using it at 4 Months)

* Gowns for the first month or so...BUT it depends on the time of year, for winter babies I don't know if I would recommend these, my DD always kicked out of them and ended up with the elastic around her waist, so her legs were always bare. And she was only in them for a month, so looking back I wouldn't go nuts with these, 2 would be fine.

* Sleep Sacks....MUST HAVE.

* Baby Mittens, my DD scratched herself non-stop the first few days, so her "boxing mits" went in as soon as we came home.

* Boppy Pillow - not for breast feeding, but for propping my DD up when she was learning to sit up

My DD was not crazy about toys, she liked the simple things, if I could go back, I wouldn't have bought her any extra toys, people will give you some as gifts, that is enough. HOWEVER, the one thing she did like were the little toys that hang down from her Infant Seat, she would grab onto them when she was in her car seat or even in her stroller.

Hope this HELPS

bouncer/swing - it's hit or miss w/ each kid. DD hardly ever used the swing, DS#2 loved it and DS#1 hated it (the swing that is). The bouncer worked for all of them!

Boppy pillow or my breast friend - crucial for the first few months of breastfeeding. I think I'll be buying a new boppy as my has lost it's oompf in the last 6n years I have a my breast friend from a friend and haven't used it yet. It looks like a keeper, though.

Gowns - that's all we used for the first few weeks. that and onesie underneath and you're set!

Lansinoh - nipple cream. works wonderfully for sore, dry or cracked nipples. I think the hospital might give you a sample before you leave.

Sling - hold baby, nurse and get other work done at the same time. I know that Target is starting to carry some slings. I have made my own ring slings that are inexpensive and SUPER EASY to make.

That's all I can think of for now. With each baby my list gets smaller and smaller.

Flashlight.

I always check to make sure they are breathing when they sleep and at night, turning the light on will just wake them up, so I put a flashlight in their bassinet. Seriously. My kids are alive thanks to flashlights. Take that sids.