So, here's my top 9 list of things you'll want to use those gift cards on if nobody gets them off your registry! Of course every mom is different, and every baby is different, but here's the things that saved me!
1. Swaddle- We found that the zipper swaddles did not work as well, because she could work her arms up and get her hand out the top! The velcro ones are awesome, but you'll want a few different sizes because they grow out of them fast!
2. White Noise Machine- There's a lot of debate over white noise machines, if they are beneficial for your child or not, but we love them! Especially while your baby is still sleeping in your room! We placed it right under her bed and at the highest volume.
3. Pacifiers- I was totally against pacifiers when Emery was first born. "She doesn't need them." I told the nurses. "She's fine. It will cause nipple confusion and she won't breastfeed!!" Flash forward to my third night at home with her at 3am and she's screaming bloody murder >> I popped a pacifier in her mouth and it was done with. Instantly stopped crying, instantly went to sleep. Pacifier boycott over. (She's slept with one ever since.) I recommend registering for a few different kinds, since you never know which one's your baby will like!
4. Boppy- LIFE SAVER. Especially for middle of the night feedings! Emery doesn't have to have it now, but I still use it most feedings so I can have my hands free!
5. Rock and Play- My sister-in-law was the one who gave me the heads up about this- absolutely awesome! I can't tell you how many times Emery would start to stir in the night and I just reached over and rocked her back to sleep! Super awesome! Emery still sleeps in hers even though we've moved her into her room.
6. Video Monitor- Seriously one of the best inventions, ever. I registered for the same one that the family I nannied for used, just because I was already familiar with it! It has some bad reviews online, but I haven't had any problems with it. It also allows you to purchase a second camera by itself, so you can have two cameras and only one monitor. (Ya know, for when baby #2 shows up!)
7. Gas Drops and Gripe Water- Yes, you'll need both. Just trust me, okay? Gripe Water works great for excessive crying, upset tummy, hiccups, and just plain irritability! It's usually my go to if I've tried everything and she's still upset. (I feel okay to give it to her in those situations because it's all natural - not medicine.) However, when your baby is SCREECHING and pulling her legs up in pain, you'll want Gas Drops. Emery had her first dose at 1.5 weeks old after I ate lasagna for three meals in a row and apparently did a work on her belly! Seeing her have instant relief calmed this new mama's heart. (Tip: Gas Drops help to make big bubbles into little bubbles, so after you give them to your baby, try to burp her or lay her on her back and bicycle her legs until she works some toots out!)
8. Gowns- (Yes for boys, too!) Picture this: it's 2:14 am. You've been asleep for 27 minutes. Total. The whole night. And you are awoken by a crying baby. And then: the smell. Yes, your sweet child has done pooped herself. (The bright side is she'll probably sleep better now.) So you roll out of bed, fumble around for a diaper and wipes, and then pick up your baby and try to unsnap three very small snaps in the light of the moon. Yeah, forget that. Gowns make it at least 5x easier for a zombie to change a diaper. (The zombie is you, if you didn't catch that.)
9. Young Living Peace and Calming Essential Oils- Okay, so you can't register for this. But I guarantee you that you know somebody who sells Young Living. (Actually I sell it, so... yeah.) My friend Melissa signed up to bring us dinner when Emery was brand new and she also brought along some samples of Peace and Calming Oil. I let those little samples sit under a pile of mail until one night I was so fried and desperately wanted some good sleep, and I remembered them! I put just a little on Emery's chest and bottom of her feet that night after her bath, and I kid you not she slept for 6 hours that night. I woke up at 5am in PANIC mode. But she was just fine, snoozing away like a little hippie baby wearing her essential oils! From that night (She was 5 weeks old) on we have put it on her after her bath. It's sorta like my best friend.
Well, there ya go! What were your favorite items for those first couple months of pure survival mode?
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