Since all of my babies have been exclusively breastfed for the first 5 1/2-6 months a breast pump was a must have for me. For Gabby and Avalynn I had a Lansinoh Hand pump. I didn't work while either of them were under 6 months so I hardly ever had to pump. This worked good enough for the little bit of pumping I needed to do.
Since I am doing a home care job in the evenings I am away from Nathan more. While I was pregnant for him I bought this Medela pump in style and I Love it! It works great and so much faster!
I have tried numerous kind of breast pads but my favorite are the Lansinoh Breast pads. The reason I use these are because they seem thinner then most of the other's and they don't leak. I also use the Lansinoh milk storage bags and the Lansinoh lanolin. The Lanolin can also be used for your baby's bottom if she/he has a rash. I never had to use very much of it and one tube lasted me through each baby's first year.
My favorite breastfeeding accessory is my Boppy pillow. I have used the same one for all three kids. I have two covers for it. It is also great to use when baby is starting to sit on their own. You can put it behind them so if they fall it will catch them.
Since my kids were breastfed they wouldn't take a regular bottle. The Gerber NUK Orthodontic Bottles were the only one's I could get the girls to take. So that is all I bought for Nathan.
I never had a favorite baby food or baby cereal brand. Gabby started Solids right before she turned 6 months. She started with Rice cereal and got constipated from it. She never really liked the rice so we switched to Oatmeal and she ate that a lot better. Her favorite baby foods were Bananas and green beans. Avalynn started solids at 5 Months and she also started with rice and didn't eat it very well. She did like the Barley and Oatmeal. She ate pretty much any baby food except she hated the meats. I don't blame her since it smells like canned cat food.
Some of the foods I gave them starting around 7 months were the Gerber Graduate Puffs, cheerios, slices of banana, small pieces of cheese, toast cut into easy to hold strips, canned fruit, very small pieces of diced meat.
My favorite bibs to use for an older baby and toddler are the kids 2 grow cover all bibs. These are also great for messy art projects when they get older. So nice because they wipe clean easily.
Favorite Medications/creams:
Avalynn has Eczema. It is not really severe but it can get pretty bad in the winter. I have always used Gentle Naturals Eczema Cream
on her. It works great! I also use it on my own hands when they get dry and cracked!
For fevers I usually use generic Acetaminophen from about age 2 months until age 6 Months when they are allowed to have Ibuprofen which seems a lot better at bringing down a high fever.
I use little remedies brand Gas drops and Saline spray.
Bedtime Favorites:
I received an Arm's Reach Co-sleeper Mini for my baby shower when I was pregnant for Gabby. I love this thing! It is so well made and I love that it has storage underneath! We put the extra blankets and burp clothes under there! This is pretty much a must have if you breast feed! It attaches right to your bed. The baby is safe in there but close to you. Babies can sleep in here until they start sitting or pulling up on their own. The pockets on the side make a great storage for the TV remote, Mommy's book or cell phone, lol.
None of my babies ever liked to be swaddled. Gabby and Nathan were born when it was cold so I used the fleece sleepers on them at night and then I wrap a blanket around them right under their arm pits. That way they can still move their arms like they like but the blanket cannot get over their faces. Avalynn was born in the summer time so I just put cotton sleepers on her and used a receiving blanket to wrap around her.
Diapering Favorites:
All of my kids have sensitive bottoms. There is only one brand of wipes I have found that will not make them break out. It is Target's Up and Up unscented alcohol free wipes.
My favorite diapers for newborn babies are the Pampers Swaddlers. They are so soft and seem to fit baby better then other diapers. The girls never really leaked through them. Nathan has leaked some but they are still better then anything else I have tried. When they grow out of the swaddlers I like to use the Pamper's baby dry. For preventing and treating diaper rash I prefer to use A & D Ointment and Cream.
Favorite Baby toys:
My girls both loved their Exersaucer mega. They started to use it at around age 4 Months. The Baby Bumbo seats are really nice to use for a baby who cannot sit on their own. We started using it at around 3 months old. The baby needs to have some neck strength before sitting in it. They also have trays you can put on and use like a high chair when baby starts solids. Baby swings and boucer seats are also nice for newborn babies. My kids also liked the Ring a link toys. They make great teethers. We also used them in the carseat. They can be attached to the seat so if baby drops them they do not fall on the floor. Also great for the car is a MirrorTaggie blankets. you can see the baby in. Both of my girls also liked the
Favorite Clothing:
When my babies are newborn I really like Carter's Clothing. They are cute and comfortable. For my girls I now prefer Gymboree, Gap and Rare Editions. I am a bargain shopper so I am always looking for a good deal. I always buy on sale and always try to combine a coupon with sales.
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