New Parent EssentialsDecember 10
As a new parent, figuring out what you’ll need to care for your baby is a bit overwhelming. Here are some items that Jim and I found essential in our everyday as parents to Tessa.
Mini Co-Sleeper - This baby bed attaches to our bed, keeping Tessa in arms reach for night time nursing and quick comforting.
Changing Table - We got a corner changing table, which works really well since Tessa faces us, instead of to the side. This is a much more natural position, compared to the side.
Infant-Toddler Bath Tub with Sling - We can’t imagine giving a newborn a bath without a sling. It cradles Tessa so that she’s half immersed in the water, so the nervousness about getting water in her ears is greatly reduced.
My Breast Friend Pillow - Great nursing pillow for breastfeeding in a chair or couch. It provides much more firm support of the baby and buckles so you can wear it around your waist.
Boppy Nursing Pillow - I use the Boppy when nursing Tessa in bed. It’s much easier to pull around your waist with baby in one arm.
The Baby Book by William Sears - This is the most helpful baby resource we found. Their website, www.askdrsears.com is also great.
Boppy Head Support - We used this head rest when Tessa was awake and lying on the couch with us or in her playpen. It has a donut cut out, which helped prevent flat head from developing.
Gerber Side-Snap Long-Sleeved Shirts - These shirts were a must have for us during the first month. The long sleeves had cuffs you could fold to serve as mittens. It made changing shirts for Tessa less scary since you don’t have to pull over her head, and much quicker in times of spit ups.
Kiddopatamus SwaddleMe Wraps - We had used the receiving blankets to swaddle Tessa during the first week, but quickly found a need to swaddle her under 10 seconds, or else she’d wake up and we’d have to rock her all over again. The SwaddleMe’s worked well for us. Tessa would sometimes manage to free an arm, but it worked well if we lined the top/back just below her shoulders.
The Happiest Baby on the Block book - the 5 S’s technique worked like a charm on Tessa. The swaddling and shushing did the trick, with an occasional need for swinging (light jiggling).
Humidifier by GermGuardian, from Costco.com - Warm and cool mist options and a timer function makes this humidifier great for year round. It’s designed so that you don’t have to replace filters and prevents mold and mildew from building up.
