Mama Makes It...with the help of these products!

I was not blessed with one of those fairytale babies that loves car rides so a good car toy is a real game changer. After the car seat, something to entertain your baby is probably the second most important thing you will have in your car. Choose wisely, and maybe choose a couple of different options until you figure out which one entertains your baby the most. 

I shopped around to see if i could find something that cleaned the breast pump parts, the feeding bottles, and the pacifiers and this set with its double sided does the work of 4 brushes without needing 4 different brushes! 

I know alot of moms that have no problems cutting their baby's nails when they are first born... I am not one of them. I didn't grow the ovaries to do it until the baby was about 3 months old. Those first few months, I tried several types of nail files from electric to basic nail files until I found these! These are sturdy for those tiny, soft, wobbly nails and in my opinion these get the job done better than even those $30 electric ones. 

A washboard?! I know this may sound a little old school for some of you but the amount of poop i've had to clean of this child's clothes! Woah! This washboard has definitely come in handy. With one side being for delicates and one side for sturdier fabrics it has helped me remove ALL stains from her clothes without the need to use harsh, harmful chemicals. Plus, its made in the USA! 

Speaking of washing tiny clothes, this guy will not only put a smile on your face but it is the perfect place to hang all that adorable tiny clothes! Meet Hugo, thats what we call ours, the 8-Claw Octopus  with 16 clothes pegs that allows you to hang dry clothes, both indoors and outdoors. Added bonus: the tentacles fold up, making it easy to fold up and put away when not in use while taking up minimal space. 

I love these ultra-soft terry reusable wipes! I had them for about 3 months before I started really using them to their full potential. No more napkins or tissues...They can be used as washcloth, burp cloth, to clean surfaces, to wipe the baby, to wipe away drool...so many uses! I keep one on the night stand, another by the back and play, a few in the day bag and a couple in the car for on the road emergencies. 

If your baby is anything like mine she needs to be constantly entertained. And if you are anything like me and you like to shower this little idea i came up with is a life saver! Early on, i realized that she liked the sound of the water so i could put her in the bathroom while i was showering but i couldn't see her so i bought this clear shower curtain and 27k other amazon users love this shower curtain too! Whenever i have to take the baby into the shower i pull up the white outside curtain and just leave this clear curtain, this way i can see her, she can see me and i can enjjooyyy my very precious shower time!

Let me tell you, you haven't lived until you are up at 3am using one of these. I resisted when my mom friends recommend this product, until my baby got a cold when she was about a month old...then i went into mama mode and gave this a try, anything to help my baby. To my surprise, it worked amazingly well! This is definitely something you want to have before you need it! 

Giving medicine to a baby is hard to do! i remember the first time i tried to give my baby a dose of her multiv not only did i lose half the dose but it gave her a rash because that sticky stuff went everywhere excepts inside her mouth! So I did some digging and came across this genius invention! The trick with this is that the medicine in the pacifier goes to the side of the cheek, bypassing the baby's tastebuds and thus preventing spit-up! This is another get it before you need it item. You don't want to be ordering this when baby is sick and you haven't been able to administer the meds.  

I really like this sterilizer because it fits everything i need to sterilize in one go! From pacifiers, feeding bottles to the breast pump parts everything fit! Plus the dryer machine ensures that everything comes out ready to go! 

Like every mom, I worry alot about my baby. In many cases a big indication of a problem, especially those first few months, is a fever. Therefore, a good thermometer is more than essential, it is peace of mind. I love this one because it gives you an accurate reading in 1 second. At first, i didn't think a 1 sec thermometer was necessary, why not get a normal thermometer? but when you are trying to take your baby's temp. in the middle of the night, with a sleepy, fussy baby an immediate response in 1 sec makes a difference. I was given 3 different thermometers and this response in 1 sec one is the winner by far! Now that we are on this subject, people told me that infants needed rectal thermometers. My pediatrician confirmed, in the words of Maury Povich "that was a lie". unless your doc tells you otherwise, no need!  

I didn't think I needed a hair brush for the baby until she got older but when she started developing cradle cap one of the first things i needed to do was brush her hair.  This set seemed to have it all and 500+ 5 star reviews! Made of natural soft goat bristles, brushing her hair became a wonderful addition to our nighttime bath routine. 

My sister in law told me to get a nursing bra, I didn't listen, I didn't think it was necessary. Don't be like me, listen. If you are pumping, a nursing bra will free up your hands. And for me, it even helped me get more milk out! Plus, with this bra you can take your own version of Rachel McAdams' "I am a badass mom" breast pump pic.

I looked into several baby scissors and these worked the best for me. Around 3 months, when i finally got the courage to cut her nails with scissors these curved blades made the whole process easier. You are going to have to cut tiny nails very frequently. I usually have to cut her nails every 4/5 days so make sure you invest in a good pair of scissors to make this nerve racking process a bit easier.  

I didn't know much about butt paste before becoming a mom so of course i didn't even add this to the registry! Lucky for me, my sister in law had the foresight to gift us this butt paste. At the first sign of any butt rash we put this one and voila gone by the next diaper change! 

I am not sure what your bath routine is like, I don't know how you will be bathing your baby. But you see that lady in the pic up there? that's me every night. So a a bath kneeler pad is a life saver! This Skip Hop one is great because its the perfect amount of padding and you can hang it and put it away when not in use. 

And this lady? that's me too! I've been using this bath cup since baby's first bath. It helps me control the water and get the water where i need it to go. This Skip Hop bath cup is great; it stands on its own, has a handle so you can hang it when not in use, a soft rubber lip in the front that molds to the babies forehead, acting as a baby bath visor, preventing water from getting in eyes. Water in the eyes can turn fun bath time into cry time so this is important.   

I tried several nursing pads and these worked the best for me. Not too thick, not too thin, no reaction with the baby and I never felt wet or uncomfortable. This is the #1 selling disposable nursing pads in the US so i think its worth for you to give it to try it too. But be mindful of when you actually need it. I realized about month 3 that i didn't need them anymore, my milk production had regulated but out of habit I just kept putting them on so keep an eye out for that in case it happens to you.  

I love products that grow with baby! And this 3 stage tub does just that! I have used this tub with my baby from day one and i really like it. I like that it has a sling mesh you can adjust as baby grows, i like that it has a hook I can use to hang this out of the way when this is not in use, i like that it has a drain plug, i like that the sling mesh can be removed and easily cleaned when we have accidents during bath time.  

You know how every now and then you come across a product that changes your quality of life? Well this is one of those products, for me. A lactation specialist recommended this kind of co-sleeper bassinet to me before the baby was born. I looked into different ones and this one was bigger, sturdier, more versatile than the other ones i saw in my research so i went with this one! This is an absolute must have...you can roll down the zipper and quickly tend to your baby without having to get up in the middle of the night. Plus, having the baby right next to me gave me the peace of mind to be able to peacefully sleep, i mean nap (who sleeps those first few months anyways?!). Bedside Sleeper bassinet...Game changer! 

If pre-baby you weren't one of those "prepared for life" people, i can almost bet that you will become one of those people post-baby. And this minimalist version of a to-go bag will help. This a bag, your changing pad, the place where you can store a couple of diapers, a change of clothes and some wipes! Plus, this color makes it ok for dad to use it as well.  

Zippers are your new best friend, mama! Especially at 3am when you are half asleep trying to change a very hazardous diaper! Any pajamas you are gifted that has buttons, RETURN IT! Doesn't matter how cute the pattern is, how nice the fabric feels if its meant to be worn at night, zippers only! Trust me on this one, i wish someone would have told me this. Leave the grueling work of buttons for day time clothes. A quick zipper up and down and we can all go back to sleep! The link below should take you to some KicKee Pants. I received one as a gift and i've really come to like that brand. Soft, well made onesies.   

I can't say enough about Huggies diapers! I tried a variety of brands and styles but Huggies wins every time, on everything! You see that thing they call "pocket back waistband"? Well, in laymom terms its an awesome "poop catcher"! How they make diapers without that poop catcher is beyond me! And lots of other brands do not have this. Also, my baby barely gets diaper rashes and i think it has alot to do with huggies because two/three diapers into using other brands she will start getting rashes. So for me, less pooping outside the lines and less rashes=huggies for the win. On the link below, you will about 7k reviews of people who agree, this is one of the best diapers for your little pooper. 

A portable bassinet is the solution for those first few months where you want a safe area to put your baby when you go places. I checked out alot of portable bassinets and this one, for my particular needs, is the winner! 

Light and easy to carry,  you can grab it with one hand. Easy to pack and go, which is what you want in a portable bassinet. Versatile, you can use it at friends house or on a hotel bed or while picnicking at the park. Breathable mesh on the sides, which lets baby get some breeze in our eternal miami heat. It is the perfect height, the others ones were just too low for my peace of mind. It is padded all around the top, which you need when there is a moving baby inside!   

I really like these Muslin Swaddle Blankets. They are my everything blankets. Soft and breathable, I use them to cover myself while breastfeeding, to cover the baby in the car seat, to swaddle baby when she was younger, for tummy time. They are the perfect size and come with really cute graphics that can be used by either sex. And get more than one pack, maybe from another brand, maybe another size or style but you are definitely going to need several of these everything blankets!  

Speaking of swaddling if you are swaddle challenged like I was, if there is no youtube video out there that can help you make sense of baby wrapping at 2:37am....give these a try. The velcro on these really helped me swaddle my baby like a pro...almost! haha   

For when your baby starts getting out of the swaddle, this one is a three position swaddle. Hands in, one hand out, both hands out...another grow with baby product that you can use according to what your baby prefers as your baby grows. Another plus, is the inverted zipper which opens from the bottom up so you don't disturb that sleeping baby.  

I have to admit I was very anti-pacifiers. I didn't introduce one until week 8. If you are team pacifier and want to introduce it even earlier this "Soothie" pacifier is the pacifier the lactation specialist recommended for newborns. She said the shape of this one is best for newborns as it doesn't interfere with them getting used to breastfeeding. It is also the pacifier used in alot of hospitals to calm newborns.  

At 8 weeks, when I knew that good breastfeeding habits had been established and the pacifier wouldn't interfere, we decided to give the pacifier a go! By this time, my baby wasn't into the "soothie" recommended for newborns so I tried two other styles and this MAM one is the one she ended up liking the most. Alot of people recommend this is the pacifier as the best for breastfeed babies. I encourage you to try 2/3 types of pacifiers as every baby is different. You decide for yourself, but for me, I am glad I decided to introduced a pacifier. It helped to calm my baby and made my drives safer,  it helped me put her to sleep and keep her sleeping when I needed that precious sleep and it helped keep her from putting her hand and anything she finds in her mouth when we are out. 

Glow in the dark...need i say more? When the pacifier falls and you are trying to not wake up that baby? When the baby starts crying in the middle of the night and all you have is a third of your left eye open to find that pacifier? Glow in the dark to the rescue! This is a very helpful plus! These MAM pacifiers come in a sterilizing storage case that you can take with you and add water, microwave 3 minutes to have sterilized pacifiers anywhere there is a microwave! 

This is a total must have. Rocker, glider, rocking chair...get whatever option you like but do yourself, your baby, your partner and the grandparents a favor and get one. To be honest, I am not happy with the one I have (the one i own is NOT the one picture above). Mine is a "best seller" but it makes noises when you sit on it and has alot of other complaints in the reviews so I am not recommending it. I actually do not know which one to recommend so the link below takes you to all gliders so you can decide for yourself which one you would like to purchase.  

If you are lucky you and baby will be sleeping at all kinds of weirds hours of the day. So it is essential that you get a good pair of blackout curtains so you guys can get some quality sleep. I bought several different ones until i came across the ECLIPSE brand. Those, for me, are the best. But do your research and get what works for you and your house.  

These versatile burp cloth/bids are another grow with baby item. The are long and cover a big area, to ensure no baby vomit gets on you especially during those middle of night burping sessions. They soft yet very absorbent and made in the perfect shape to hang over your shoulder when burping baby. As baby grows up, the snap in the back turns these burp clothes into bibs! I bought 3 packs of these so I have 6 to play with. There is a variety of fun graphics to choose from, check it out below. Ps...the darker the color the less stain fighting you will have to do, you are welcome ;) 

Of course you need a crib, you knew that. The only reason I am mentioning this subject is because I wanted to suggest that you get a crib with slim bars. Your baby is going to be hitting their head on those bars no matter what you do, all you can do is get slimmer bars. This is not a huge difference in design but a big difference in every day baby head banging haha. I realized this because my parents have a crib at their house with wide bars and baby's head bumps are always bigger there than in our crib with our slim bars. I made the collage above to help you understand what I mean (wide vs slim bars). Get what works for you but keep this in mind.  

Whether you are breastfeeding, giving your baby formula or both you are going to need a bottle. Every baby is different so I suggest doing what I did, buy 3 different bottles (in the small size) and see which one baby likes the most. For me and my baby, this amazon best seller comotomo bottle is the winner! It is designed to mimic the breastfeeding experience; thanks to its feel silicone feel and nipple design. It is anti-colic due to the vents in the nipple. It is 100% safe hygienic silicone making it safe to use in microwave, boiling water, dishwashers and sterilizers. All of this is great but my favorite part? the wide neck that allows for easy cleaning, no special instruments required!   

Stollers are a very personal choice, dependent on several important factors ranging from use to budget. But in the hopes of making it easier for you here is what I found important. Keep these points in mind and find a stroller that meets your specific needs. 1. how easy is it to take baby from car seat to stroller. 2. stroller weight? too heavy? 3. can i open it with one hand? 4. all terrain? i don't want to have places off limits because of the stroller design 5. how much space does it take up in the back of my car? 6. adaptable? does it grow with baby? 7. amount of storage space for baby's stuff... ok ok and my stuff too haha. Hope this helps you in deciding which one is right for you. Remember you will be using the stroller possibly every day so take your time, do your research and think it out.  

No one seems to gift teddy bears any more. And what's with this unicorn trend anyway? What happened to gifting good ol' teddy bears? I don't know! But we had to do something about this so for her "happy one month on this planet" birthday we got her a classic brown 20 inch stuffed with love in Vermont Teddy Bear. I shopped around to find a nice teddy bear and let me tell you they don't call this bear the "World's Softest Bear" for nothing!

I wanted to keep baby's things separate so checked out several driving racks and this one just stood out the most for me...cute and functional! Something nice to look at not another annoying thing on our counter.

I turned to this to help my baby with cradle cap. This silicone brush, along with nightly hair brushing, helped me eradicate her cradle cap! And this 100% antibacterial, mold-free silicone brush helps not just with cradle cap but also with dry skin and eczema. You can use this brush like i do and massage your baby in circular motion. Did someone say massage?! Well, this is a pack of two brushes, one for momma and one for baby ;)

Don't let that cute baby in the packing fool you, this sponge is for you, mama! You work hard, you do alot and when you finally get around to enjoying a nice shower you deserve to be caressed by this Ultra Soft Premium Sea Wool Sponge!...Orrr atleast thats what i told myself, to justify using something I had originally bought for my baby haha. 

hmmm yea i am not sure about this one but we have friends who swear by this. One of them even anonymously mailed one to our house! I am curious but not curious enough to use it haha. If you have used it and it works, let me know. 

I like to use humidifiers to help with symptoms of a cold. They have personally helped me so i believe they work. We got this humidifier as a gift and it works really well. Easy to fill, easy to clean, no weird areas that can create mold like in some other humidifiers. Bonus: it also works as a night light and can be used as a diffuser.   

I use this with caution, trying to avoid getting distracted while driving and looking at baby. But not only does this let you keep an eye on your baby but to me it also has the added benefit of giving baby something to look at. She can see the road and the cars, by looking at the mirror, and that helps to keep her entertained so you can focus on driving. This mirror has 5k 5 star reviews so definitely one of the best out there!

This is another item i didn't think i needed until a friend got one for me. You see, when one breast is feeding baby the other one starts going too...that's where the haakaa (the N. 1 best seller in manual pumps) comes in. Get it, you won't regret it. 

I received this as a gift and i really like it. Lots of moms, say that white noise gets their baby to sleep. The jury is still out on that one for me but i can tell you that having some white noise playing keeps the baby sleeping because it mutes out all the other sounds going on in the house that can wake up the baby. This product is great because it has white noise, songs and three types of lights that can grow with the baby's needs. 

A kale teether? um yes! We received this as a gift for our baby and she loves it! Great texture, non toxic, no mold, can be used as a bath toy too, natural rubber and hopefully will get our baby to like vegetables? not sure on that last one...fingers crossed haha

This company is awesome! We got this watermelon teether as a gift and baby loves it. Same cool features as the Kale one but in a different color and shape. This is another multifunction, grow with baby product; can be used as a toy, teether, bath toy, decoration.    

You know this is one of my biggest regrets when it comes to baby gear. I received this Doona stroller as a gift but i decided, for various reasons, it was not for me and i returned it to keep one of the other strollers I received. And let me tell you I regret that decision like um everyday i go somewhere with baby. In case it helps you with your stroller deciding...here is why i regret not keeping this one. 1. if baby is asleep you can keep them asleep even as they go in and out of the car. 2. It makes the transition from car to street very easy, and this is exactly what i  needed those first months when i was in recovery mode from birth. 3. no stupid adapter needed. 4. works until the baby is 35 pounds which means probably until baby is 2/3 years old, 2/3 years of sparing your back and muscles lots of maneuvering with all those other stroller/car seat combos. 5. Less germs, since this is the stroller and car seat there is no need to put your babys car seat on any surface (like the floor or a shopping car).