Let me preface this by saying that everything you see here is purely my opinion. Every parent and child has a different experience, even the same parent with a different child! So, any advice I give is purely from my own experience and born of my own "style" of parenting. I'm of the mind that childhood should be simple. I don't believe in allowing children access to very much television or technology and I prefer the simple, imagination-inspiring toys of yesteryear to the loud, complicated, "developmental" toys of today. I think children need guidelines and structure and that parents must adhere to the framework they build for their family. At the utmost, I believe that, while we should help our children to enjoy the most delightful, happy existence possible, we should not "handicap [them] by making their lives easy." For me, simplicity is key. But as I said, we all have different experiences, so take my advice with a grain of salt and, by all means, add your own so that we may all educate and influence one another as parents! The best way to learn and grow is to see an experience from many different perspectives and find the one that suits us best.
With that said, I have two separate lists below. The first (found in a PDF document) is a list of items I think are essential for a newborn baby. So many websites and books give long lists of what you, as a new parent, need to have before the baby comes and, while I agree with a lot of what's usually included, there are many "necessities" I've found useless and, beyond that, I prefer to have a little more explanation! I tend to over-explain, so hopefully you're able to bear with me ;)
The second is a less formal compilation of items that I think are awesome. You may see some things listed here that are in the PDF and that's okay! So, read on and I hope to offer at least minor help to any new parents out there :)
Newborn Essentials
Click on the photo to open a PDF document of my personal guide to shopping for infants. Ready your registries, new moms! When the page opens, there will be a print screen; click "cancel" to view the actual PDF with clickable/linked table of contents that will take you to any section you want. Blogger doesn't have an option to upload files and I, otherwise, can't find an easy way to get a PDF online and in Acrobat, so this is what I've got ;)
Books for Babies under 12 Months:
First, let me give a tip that a friend and fellow mother gave to me. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a service that will send your child a free, age-appropriate book every month until he or she turns five. At ten months, Gianna already has her own small library that we didn't have to spend any money on! Some of those books are her favorites, as well. So, no matter your financial situation, your child can be wealthy in reading and learning. I encourage everyone to sign their children up. Now, onto a few of our favorite books:
Lamaze makes some great books for infants too young to really get the concept of a book, who can't turn the pages and are mostly interested in the pictures and feel of the book (and taste, because you know they'll chew it!). These soft books have crinkly flaps that reveal more pictures, so you can engage their ears and eyes. They're also longer than three pages, so the book doesn't feel like it ended the moment you opened it. Great for first readers! Gianna is 14 months and they are still two of her favorites.
This touch and feel book is the best I've seen. Most have very tiny patches of soft textures for babies to feel, which I don't think makes any sense as they aren't the most dexterous. This book is large, about a foot long! And the soft patches of faux wool, fur, and feathers are several inches, allowing a young baby to easily explore the different textures and really enjoy this book. It's also great for bedtime!
This lift-the-flap board book has large illustrations and flaps, perfect for tiny, fumbling hands and curious eyes. Gianna loves playing peek-a-boo with these hiding babies and opening the flaps to find them! I highly, highly recommend just about any Karen Katz board book. The illustrations are bold and simple while the flaps, on many of her books, add some extra fun. Eventually, your baby might rip some off, though, so keep rubber cement handy (but out of reach/smell, eh? hehe) ;)
An old classic and another lift-the-flap board book! While the flaps are smaller, so difficult for younger babies first learning to open them, it's a wonderful book with large, simple illustrations. All a baby needs! Once she became able, Gianna has really enjoyed lifting the flaps to look for baby Spot. Check out the other books in the Spot series, as well! Spot Goes to the Library is another one of her first choices.
*Tip: Dolly Parton's Imagination Libary will likely send you this and the latter!
Last, but certainly not least, Gianna's and my absolute favorite, "Where's My Sweetie Pie?" This lift-the-flap board book has it all. Simple illustrations, large, easy-to-lift flaps, and a story that includes your baby. On the search for your "sweetie pie" the last page includes a mirror, revealing your own, real sweetie pie! Gianna never smiled so big and so often when she saw her own face and then found the reflection of her momma sitting behind her! In my opinion, this book is a must for all children under one. Your heart will barely be able to handle how your baby's face lights up at the end!
Other Good Reads for Babies of Multiple Ages:
It reads like a sweet poem illustrating just how you love your little one :) And, again, with bold, simple illustrations, your baby will be pointing at just about everything in order to find out more!
Who doesn't love animal sounds? Any animal-sound book would probably do, but we happened to already own this classic from my own childhood, so it's easily become one of little Gia's favorites.
This isn't a storybook, but rather a whole anthology of interactive children's rhymes! So, if you have trouble remembering exactly how "The Wheels on the Bus" or "Trot, Trot to Boston," or "Where is Thumbkin?" go, check this one out.
Goods that Grow with You:
If you plan to co-sleep, I highly recommend Arm's Reach. I especially recommend them if you plan to co-sleep and, later, use a play yard! This particular model starts out as a co-sleeper that attaches to your bed and can be converted to a play yard, likely saving you money (and space) in the end. They make several different models, including smaller versions of this same one.
*Tip: For me, co-sleeping meant easier night-feedings. All I had to do was reach next to me (the baby is at your level, as if she's in the bed, yet as safe as if she were in a crib) and gently lift my daughter over to nurse and then set her back down--barely any reaching, certainly no getting up.
The ExerSaucer Triple Fun Active Learning Center. Think this is expensive at $119? How about, it starts out as an activity mat for your infant, builds to an ExerSaucer for your active mover, and opens up into a play table for your toddler. My 5-month old adored this as did her 3-year-old cousin! I'd call it a money-saver :) Especially if you use a 20% off coupon at Buy Buy Baby!
The best thermos on the face of the earth. Use it for your breastmilk, use it for your formula, use it for your coffee or your soup! It will retain heat for SEVERAL hours. I poured boiling water inside and after 12 hours, steam came out after I opened it.
If you breastfeed, you need only put a bottle of cold milk (or bottle with frozen cubes) into the hot water and it will be warm in moments (only takes about 2 minutes for frozen cubes too!). For formula, mix warm water with powder straight in your bottle. I didn't leave the house without this and now that bottle feeding is over, I use it for myself at work :) And it doesn't matter what brand bottle you use, they all fit!
For goodness sake, do not waste your money on a baby food maker. It's just a tiny, overpriced food processor. If you already own a food processor, you're golden; if not, buy something you can use for yourself later! Not to mention, baby food makers are tiny, so you can only make small batches of food, which means you're going to be doing it every day! With my 14-cup Cuisinart, I could puree a couple roasted butternut squashes and end up with weeks worth of it in my freezer. Imagine the possibilities when you cook multiple foods in bulk?
For homemade baby food, you can't beat Ball jars. These particular ones are made of freezer-safe glass and, at 4-oz, are perfect for baby food purees. I actually used larger versions to store breastmilk in my freezer so I'd just have to defrost a day's worth in my fridge without worrying about millions of frozen cubes :) And since they have such a great seal, there's no worry of freezer burn! At 12 for $10, you can't beat the price. Just try comparing these to the plastic versions at baby stores. At 14-months, we're past purees, but Momma still uses these for bulk apple sauce and her own, adult recipes, like one meal's worth of BBQ sauce!
Travel:
Somehow, I've only found this Carter's bag at Target, but it's the most practical (and still cute) diaper bag I've found...and I have looked, and looked, and looked! At $50, it's also a steal. It's insanely roomy on the inside and out; see how the outer pockets aren't flat against the bag? You can stuff a lot inside! In one side pocket, I can fit a sippy cup, 8-oz bottle, and my own 24-oz water bottle. Don't even get me started on the remaining four outer pockets (including that nifty hidden dual-zippered one in the center). The inside is deep, roomy, and accessible. Don't settle for less, especially if it's more expensive! Unless, of course, Target happens to be out :(
Yes, Petunia Pickle Bottom is expensive, but this is an exceptional weekender. I've never seen anything roomier and so accessible from the inside. We packed it for a 9-hour day (our wedding!), filled with bottles of milk, a sippy, Tommee Tippee thermos, change of clothes, extra shoes, toys, books, snacks, bib, wet wipes, utensils, changing pad with wipes and diapers, blanket, and the list may continue. It wasn't filled all the way, looked incredibly stylish (especially considering the size), and was beyond simple to leave open on the floor and slip out exactly the item you were looking for. Just use a 20% off coupon and Buy Buy Baby and don't look back! If you have long days or weekends ahead, of course ;)
If you're looking to downsize, let me recommend another overpriced Petunia Pickle Bottom ;) Hey, some of you can afford these! Anyway, this clutch is stylish and wonderfully petite, yet will pack tons more than you think. If you're not in need of too many diaper changes or multiple bottles of milk, this is the bag for you. I can fit a wipes case with a couple disposable diapers (not to mention that giant changing pad that comes snapped inside), bottle, bag of snacks, change of clothes, and my own small wallet, cell phone, and small makeup bag. Perfect for a shopping trip in which my daughter doesn't need the added entertainment of a toy/book or just-in-case food outside of a few snacks and a water bottle that I can throw in the stroller.
If you're looking to downsize, but perhaps not quite so much, I still recommend Petunia Pickle Bottom, though Carters has some good bags for far less money as does JJ Cole, which isn't as less expensive, but still probably a better deal. These are just so practical and stylish, I can't help myself :) I even used this clutch to store my wedding-day essentials, including my precious pink satin heels! Remember...20%...Buy Buy Baby.
Itzy Ritzy wet bags and snack bags! Number one, if you use cloth diapers in public, you need a wet bag and the one to the left is great (as are many others). Number two, a wet bag can be used for much more than a dirty cloth diaper! My large zippered wet bag is actually our go-to travel bag. Since Hubby and I each have our own diaper bag (he has to retain his manhood and I use mine daily as a purse), the easiest thing for us is to have this large zippered bag filled with essentials such as fresh diapers, baby wipes, wet wipes, a folded up wet bag for soiled diapers, as well as a mini version of this exact bag, designated for snacks (see the image below!). We keep it at a table by the door, so all we have to do is grab it and go! It saves on a lot of time spent packing. Of course, if you don't use your diaper bag as a purse and/or always keep them stocked, this may be unnecessary. But for us, it's a life saver, especially when I can simply remove it from my bag and drop it in the stroller basket, no matter how big or small that basket happens to be. You can't always fit your diaper bag, but you can certainly fit this little guy!
Cloth Diapers:
I've tried a few different types and brands of cloth diaper, but my favorites are Thirsties Duo and Duo All In One. First, Thirsties diapers and wraps come in two sizes, enabling your newborn or young infant's cloth diaper to fit a lot better than if you used a one-size, which is essentially a toddler's diaper with elastic to help tighten it. Second, they not only have snaps to customize the size of the waist, but also to customize the rise, which has really come in handy for our tall baby. Third, the Duo is a pocket diaper, but rather than one opening that makes you shake the insert out of the wet, dirty diaper (baby pee on your fingers, anyone?), it has two, allowing the insert to shimmy out in the washing machine. So between changing and washing, you simply invert it over the toilet to get rid of solids (spray, if necessary), and drop it in the wet bag. Thirsties' All In One has all the same benefits, but instead of having a pocket, the insert is permanently attached, which means you do no stuffing. It's really a wash and go diaper! My only issue is that the insert is so thick, the diaper basically fits like a one-size, depending on the age of your baby, which I don't always prefer--it depends how tight my daughter's pants are that day ;) But that's why I own both! These diapers are also decently priced compared to the others I've tried. And oh, so cute. Check them out; click the photo above!
This is a page that may be continually updated as I find more useful, indispensable goodies for moms and dads alike. If you have any such tips and feel so inclined, please leave a comment and let us all in!
