New Parent Items and Tips for Babies 0 to 6 Months (and beyond)
Becoming a new parent is an exciting time. You’ll hear a million people tell you it changes your life – no sleep, you won’t have any time for just you and partner, but it changes for the better. You won’t quite understand what that means or how that’s possible until you actually become a parent. There’s nothing in the world that would make you want to change anything or go back to the kid-free life once your little one is here. You leave for an hour, you miss them. They go to sleep, you miss them. It’s a feeling only a parent understands. Pregnancy and that excitement of waiting for your baby to arrive should be enjoyed. Just like every stage should be enjoyed. They each go by quickly, so take them in.
Mom’s typically go through a nesting period long before a dad does. Mom’s aren’t sleeping well the closer they get to their due date, but add the stress of constantly thinking about what her little one is going to need when they arrive and you widdle away even more at those precious hours of sleep. To help you new mamas try and catch as many Z’s as possible, I’ve compiled a list of items and tips that I could not do without or made motherhood much easier for the first six months of baby’s life. These are products I actually use and love, and with the exception of the first two, I still use them today.
All you current or new parents, feel free to add your top items or tips in the comments below.
1. On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep
This book was suggested to me by two coworkers of mine. Both of whom are dad’s. I knew that if it was helpful enough for two dad’s to suggest it, then it must really work. Boy did it! For the first few months, nights will not be fun because you aren’t sleeping much. There’s no way around it, but it does get better. And it gets better much faster when your baby is sleep trained. I owe my son sleeping 10-12 hours at night by month four to this book. There’s a reason it’s the #1 bestselling book on infant sleep. It’s a must have. You’ll feel more comfortable knowing what to do and what to expect and so does your baby.
2. Pumping Bra – this is the one I used and loved it.
If you’re breastfeeding, being hands free for as much time as you’re going to spend pumping is a necessity. I did it without a bra for about a month before I got one and it was a game changer. I could actually function for that time rather than just sitting and waiting for it to be done. I started to not mind pumping and actually used it as time to decompress, read, fold laundry, or even clean. Get one before you start pumping, don’t wait like I did.
3. Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor
Most parents have their baby in a bassinet by their beds for the first six months. I wanted my little one in his crib from day one. My husband and I were a good team and took turns getting up with the baby at night so not having him in the room with us allowed the other to sleep and not be disturbed. We also have dogs that sleep in our room and I didn’t want them waking the baby or the baby interrupting their beauty sleep (they’re like our babies too). The Owlet sock gave us a piece of mind. We had the monitor in our room (green = heart rate and oxygen levels are normal and red = get your ass in that baby’s room to make sure all is well) and the app on our phones so we could check on him whenever we wanted or needed. I not once questioned our decision on having him in his crib from the day we brought him home solely because of this device.
4. Glass Baby Bottles – I suggest Dr. Brown’s Options Wide Neck Glass Bottle Starter Set
I did a lot of research on bottles before I decided on these ones. I wanted to be able to put them in the dishwasher and not have to worry about them melting, staining, etc. I also wanted my baby to be comfortable while eating and not have to worry about air bubbles bothering his tummy. These worked great! My husband and I did grow annoyed by them at one point because they were leaking and we didn’t know why. It was a mess and frustrating. Then we made the discovery that the nipple size was too small. Our little guy was blowing air into the bottle and breaking the seal. We sized up on the nipple and no problems since. Love them. They’ve held up great and travel well.
This thing was so useful! More useful than I anticipated. To go with your dishwasher safe bottles, you’ll need a basket to place the air contraptions and nipples. I placed anything from bottle parts to teething toys to nose cleaners in it to sanitize. To this day it’s used every single day.
6. Humidifier and Essential Oil Diffuser
This is turned on in my son’s room every night. Lavender for most nights just to calm him, and eucalyptus, peppermint, or rosemary if he has a cough or congestion. I have noticed a significant difference in how many times a night we have to get up if he has a cold when this is on and when it’s off. We get up once if it’s turned on just to reload on medicine, and multiple if we don’t use it. Yes, we ran some tests to see if it really made a difference or not, and it definitely does. My husband made me get one for our room and I’ve noticed an improvement in my allergies and ease of breathing if I have a cold or sore throat.
7. Mommy’s Bliss Cough & Cold – Regular & Nighttime
I again did lots and lots and lots of research on medicines. I was stocked up before my baby arrived because I knew him getting sick at some point was inevitable and I wanted to be prepared when it happened. The last thing you want is your little one to be sick and you don’t have when you need to immediately make them feel better. This medicine is organic and a miracle worker. We’ve been blessed with my little guy only having two colds so far, but both of those times he’s gotten over his cold within a week and when given this in conjunction with the oil diffuser and humidifier he awakens at most once during the night. I have a stock of the regular and nighttime versions – just in case.
8. NeilMed Naspira Plus Babies Nasal-Oral Aspirator
Babies can’t blow their nose, obviously. When they have a runny nose or a cold, they need your help to clear their nasal airways. I like this specific contraption because it’s both a bulb and oral aspirator, fits in their nostrils, and cleans easily. It’s one of those things I stick in that helpful dishwasher basket.
9. Oogiebear Infant Ear & Nose Cleaner
I use these weekly. I have them in our baby bags and in that baby’s bathroom. When he has a little boogie I just grab it and pick it right out – at home, in the car, anywhere. You’ll also come across boogies that are crusty or stuck in the nose after a cold and you need something to pick it out so it doesn’t get worse and the little one can breathe. These little guys are saviors.
You see those soft changing pads and covers in all of the baby stores, but all I kept thinking about was how gross that must be if poop gets on it or if they pee while you’re changing them. There had to be something better. I came across this baby and I knew I needed it. It costs a little more, but you don’t have to buy covers and you don’t have to launder covers. All you have to do is wipe it down and go. I can’t tell you how many times my little man has peed while we were changing him and we just wiped the changer down and kept changing him. We didn’t have to worry about it soaking into anything, or trying to get the cover off so he wasn’t lying in pee. It’s really as easy as wipe and go.
11. Pack ‘n’ Play with a changer
This gets used multiple times a day and when we travel. I live in a two story home and my boy’s room in on the second floor while the main living is on the first. For convenience of not having to walk up and down the stairs every time I needed to change him, or get out a mat and put him on the floor, this pack ‘n’ play was worth every penny. It has an organizer so I have the convenience of diapers, wipes, creams right next to me. I also used the bassinet all the time until he was able to sit up, roll over, etc. It’s also great when we travel to have a place for him to sleep and a place to change him. Multipurpose!
Little baby nails are sharp! They’ll scratch you and themselves. No parent wants that. I had my son in the middle of the summer and I didn’t want him having to wear mittens all the time. I also didn’t want to cut him by using nail clippers. Enter the electric nail file for babies. Such a great invention! Their nails grow fast though, so you’ll have to use it about every other day to keep the nails down. Luckily, they’re easy to use, babies don’t mind them, and you don’t have to worry about accidentally cutting their cute little fingers.
TIPS:
Formula – I love the Plum Organics Infant Formula
I know there are a lot of opinions on breastfeeding and formula feeding, but dare I throw my hat in the ring? I do. I honestly wish someone would have shared with me what I’m about to share with you. I was adamant that I wanted to breastfeed my baby. I wanted him to receive all of the benefits of breast milk. Mainly, the antibodies my body produced for him based on what he was exposed to, to help build his immune system. Formula was not on my radar.
Now, the baby arrives and we’re at the hospital meeting with the lactation consultant and nurses and all are clearing him for latching and eating just fine. We go home, but no one tells you the day after you’re home cluster feeding begins. Cluster feeding is when babies eat more frequently. This ramps up your milk supply. However, your body isn’t even really sure what they heck it’s doing just yet, your nipples are sore, possibly cracked, bleeding, bruised. You’re exhausted from a long labor and little to no sleep in the hospital, yet your baby wants to eat every hour. My breaking point was when my son fed for two hours straight, slept for an hour, then wanted to feed for almost eight hours straight. I was both mentally and physically spent.
I could tell my son was losing weight, which is normal after birth. When we went to the doctor, it was a significant drop in weight to where he wanted us to feed him as often as he wanted even if that meant another eight hour binge. I couldn’t do it. In tears I told my husband we needed to supplement with formula until my supply was in. I felt ashamed and like I couldn’t provide what a mom was supposed to for their baby. Then, I learned that is completely normal! Friends, family, literally anyone who had children before me – where was this information when we were discussing me about to have a baby and all the things I needed to know?!?!
I spent some time, or a lot of time, researching formulas. I wanted to stay as true to my eating philosophy of organic and minimally processed as I possibly could. Thankfully, there are some really great organic formulas on the market. Pay attention to ingredients just like you would with labels on your food. You don’t want one of the main ingredients to be sugar.
I initially tried Plum Organics Infant Formula. There were absolutely no issues. I tried some other organic formulas, but they caused spitting up and/or gas, so back to Plum Organics it was. We supplemented with formula when I needed rest, or my supply was out. My baby was a lazy eater so I found it helpful to offer a bottle after breast feeding for 15-20 minutes each side to ensure he was full. My son got back to his birth weight and the doctor gave us the clear that he was healthy and thriving and to keep doing what we were doing. It was such a relief to know my baby boy was healthy and that I didn’t have to keep killing my nipples to supply him with every bit of food. They’re growing so much and so quickly, this time is meant to be enjoyed, not in pain or stressing out over milk. Your supply will pick up and you’ll have plenty of milk. Don’t beat yourself up if you have to add some formula here and there. It also makes it easier to ween them from breast milk. I breast fed for six months then decided I was done. He took to the bottle like he’d been doing all along. Do what works for you and your family. Period.
A helpful tip that Kelli gave me was to not get the baby used to warm formula. This was the best tip ever! I could just hug her every time I make a bottle! When you’re out and about or have a crying hungry baby, the last thing you want is to have to wait for the bottle to warm up, or you’re driving and there’s no where to get warm water. Seriously, my son eats warm, room temp, even cold formula with no problem. I can’t tell you how convenient that is for parents.
Gas
I digress from breastfeeding/formula and switch to gas. Newborns are gassy. Really gassy. I thought something was wrong with my baby for a while, but nope, totally normal. Their little digestive systems haven’t quite figured out how to fully function, so they’ll need some bicycle legs to help them out. Babies don’t cry for no reason, and when they’re that little, it’s typically because they have a gas bubble trapped and need help getting it out. So help them out!
Onesies
Another helpful tip from Kelli was about onesies. There will be a time when your baby gets pee or poop on him/her. So the logical thing to do would be to pull the onesie off over their heads so they aren’t in their soiled clothes, right? Wrong. If you look at a onesie, you’ll notice on the shoulders there are overlaps of fabric. Originally, I thought this was so it fit over the baby’s head. What it’s really for is to pull the onesie from the neck and down their body. This prevents pee and poop from getting on their faces and hands. Genius!
Stay Informed – I suggest BabyCenter Baby Bulletin
There are some great baby weekly emails you can sign up for that tell you milestones and what to expect each week in your pregnancy and each week from your baby. Remember, your baby is growing and developing very quickly, so there is a lot going on just in one week. Whether it’s what fruit your baby is the size of now, teaching your baby to wave, or introducing food, these weekly emails are a great way for you to know the when’s and how’s to keep your baby at their best and on track.
Keep Yourself Nourished – meal delivery
Sign up for a meal delivery service. This was the best thing I did for my husband and I during the first few months until we were in the swing of things. I didn’t have to think about what was for dinner, or what we had to make, or going to the grocery store for that matter. I tried a few during those few months, but Sun Basket quickly became my favorite. Everything arrived at my door and was healthy organic food that was quick and simple to make. The hardest part was literally taking the 30 seconds to decide which bag to grab. Here’s $40 off if you want to give it a try. Your mind and body will be overwhelmed with everything baby, but you don’t want to forget to care for yourself or spouse. It’s important to keep you both nourished and healthy so you can give the best possible care to your little one.
Hopefully you found this helpful. I would love to hear your thoughts, questions, comments. Enjoy this stage parents. It goes by so quickly!
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