STM secrets

MrsNunes · February 2014

">Burp cloths are so cute! BUT they are way too tiny. Get a pack of old-school cloth diapers. Best things ever to wipe up pretty much anything and they're nice and big so you don't get covered in spit up. Those thin carters burp cloths make me LOL."

Agree. I have the laughable little Carter's cotton ones, but always used them as "hankies" when she was sick. They aren't even big enough to help with spit up! Definitely go for a couple packages if cloth diapers like pp said. They worked much better!

Jenn111211 · February 2014

Another FTM here. Just wanted to say thanks for all of the great tips

owlcup · February 2014

I thought of a few more.

Amber teething necklace. DS has worn his non-stop since like two months old. The only cranky teething time he had was when he was pushing 8 teeth at once.

Also, Cetaphil lotion in the tub. So much better than all the baby advertised stuff especially for sensitive skinned kids.

chloephoebecali · February 2014

Swaddle mes never cut it for my kids. Miracle blanket all the way. Pricey but SO worth it! If your kid "straight legs" a lot, prefers to be upright and seems to be miserable a lot of the time, they may have reflux. Not all reflux kids spit up. Dd never spit up, ds spit up all the time. Also, you may want to bring some poopy diapers in to an appointment so the nurses can check for blood. Both my kids were intolerant with reflux. Gripe water and mylicon will do nothing for all that. Skip the perfumey soaps/washes. My kid is super sensitive and lots of stuff could not be used. Don't go nuts buying lots newborn baby shoes. Their feet grow fast and babies tend to kid the cutesty ones off ( robeez or similar usually stay on). Bring your baby book to delivery and have them imprint the foot in the book.

MrsP419 · February 2014

Just wondering - could any of you post a link to what a "boutique" aden and anais blanket is compared to the ones you get at Target? I have never gotten them before and intend to this time!

Most of my tips have already been given. I am a fan of:

-the nosefrida

-Woombies

-homedics sound machine/projector

-the Moby wrap/babywearing in general

-skipping baby food (went right from breastfeeding to teeny tiny bites of real food)

robbinrl · February 2014

I second the kimono onesies. H&M has them is basic colors for something like $3 - 5 a piece. The material is organic cotton and they stretch a lot so we used them for a long period of time.

tlcalloway · February 2014

emandjp said:

Some of these have been mentioned already but they are our favs: *Amber teething necklace. DD1 has worn hers since she was 4.5 months old. We LOVE it, never a single teething symptom. * Summer Infant Swaddle Me wraps. When DD1 was a newborn she would always wiggle out of her A&A Swaddle blanket so we started using these around 2 weeks old and she rarely got out and slept so well!! *We cloth diaper and have never had a single diaper rash, I attribute that Grandma El's. We use it as a preventative and never had a red tushy. *Kimono onesies, especially when they are newborns...easier to dress a sleepy baby than pulling one over their head. *CJ's butter. Heals any little scratch or minor skin irritation.

i forgot about grandma els - that stuff rocks!

Mrs_D_in_KY · February 2014

Nosefrieda, if you pump either invest in a hands free bra or cuts slits into old sports bras, cloth diapers are the best burp cloths, Butt paste worked the best for my son, All Free and Clear - way cheaper and works better than Dreft, store brands are worth trying for diapers/wipes/formula you would be surprised how much money you can save. Extra Boopy slipcovers, and also layering crib sheets to help with middle of the night blowouts.

misscarter87 · February 2014

Yes the gripe water is the best!!!

mayjaybird · February 2014

As a first time mom, this thread is amazing! *takes notes* Thanks ladies!

allrightmeow · February 2014

I love this thread!

noryang · February 2014

I read through a few pages of posts and never saw anyone specifically recommend the Aden and Anais Dream Blanket. The swaddles are awesome - no doubt. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Dream blanket. It makes for a great tummy time blanket and now that DD is 2 - she just loves them. She gets irritated by the swaddles though as they are too light weight and she just seems to get tangled up in them. It is big (fills the crib) but not overwhelming and so very cozy. We have two for her and will buy a third for Squish so that we are never without in the event of a diaper leak or sick baby. It is also our go-to baby shower present for others.

I also second having a nipple shield on hand BEFORE you need it if they are hard to find in your area. The nipple shield is the only reason I kept nursing a baby with a bad latch who refused to correct it. We used it for 5 months and then just didn't need it anymore.

An iPad was critical for me. I would use it to keep me awake for lots of middle of the night nursing sessions. It helped me so much that DH just upgraded me to an 128mb Air because he knew it was a major morale issue for me. I do realize that it is not in the budget for everyone but you might want to consider having something to put my your bedside or nursery chair - a stack of cheesy magazines, dirty novels and a booklight, a Kindle - whatever gets you through and makes the endless hours at night a little bit more bareable.

And lanolin for your nipples. Nothing else worked like that stuff and I had "the worst nipples" my midwife, pediatrician and LC had ever seen.

lucreciac · February 2014

I also used the total baby app for iPhone religiously to track feedings and diaper changes. Otherwise I was so tired I'd have no clue what I did. I liked it because it also tracked amount pumped and stored (I EP). I still use it to log Charlie's growth stats and vaccines. Love it and super easy.

MrsAMB07 · February 2014

I also love the Total Baby app that the poster above me mentioned. I still use it to keep track of my kids' growth and shots, as well.

I totally recommend Happiest Baby on the Block, My Brestfriend nursing pillow (love the Boppy for early tummy time and propping the baby to sit, but it was useless for nursing), A&A muslin blankets (for swaddling. DS could break out of any SwaddleMe and even the Miracle Blanket).

Newborn and infant shoes are a total waste, and not good for their little feet. My kids both adored Sophie the Giraffe for teething.

We used All Free and Clear for the whole family instead of Dreft for just the baby. We don't use Johnson and Johnson baby products because of the shady chemicals that they've had a history of using. Someone also told me that using fabric softener on baby clothes breaks down the flame retardant quality of the clothes, but I haven't researched that myself.

pcourtade · February 2014

My sister actually had a teething necklace that she could wear. It's such a brilliant concept. Of course, anything dangly that you wear, your baby will want to put in their mouths! Wish I would have thought of it. I'm totally getting one this time around.

Desitin works wonders.

I found that some store brand diapers and wipes are just as good as the name brand.

It's okay to put your baby down (in a safe place, of course) and walk away for a few moments to compose yourself and try to figure out why they're crying.

In difficult times where DS wouldn't sleep very well at night or i couldn't figure out why he was crying, I found it helpful to think about the future. Sooner than you think they'll be sleeping through the night, crawling, walking, talking. Then before you know it, they're 3. You'll be able to look back at those sleepless nights and be able to laugh (I think that might be from a country song, but it's totally true). You'll miss the days that they were that little. That often helped me a lot and still does actually. DS is going thru his terrible three stage.

MrsKipper · February 2014

Pepper6 said:

MrsKipper said:

Get a bathtub that will really support Baby before they're able to sit up. I didn't have a good one and I always loathed bath time when she was a baby. I will be getting a different one this time around.

What type of tub would you recommend? This is one of the things I'm still looking at for our registry and I just don't know which one to use.

Honestly, I don't even know yet. I need to look into them more. I know a bunch of ladies on S12 had one that had a mesh seat in it that almost looked like a bouncy seat. I'll probably get one like that. The one I had had an inflatable seat and she would just slip and slide everywhere. So stressful!

IveGotWhateverItIs · February 2014

Here's my two cents:

Triple Paste, all rashes gone within 2 applications. It's thick and stays on. Desitin and Boudreaux would wipe off when I put the diaper on. I still use it on my LO occasionally.

Snot sucker: Take as many as you can from the hospital. Those are the best and the ones sold in stores never suck as good. (I will try the Freida thing based on all the reccommedations but I will also steal the blue ones from the hospital)

I'm a Huggies wipes mom. They are thicker and I preferred that. Pampers wipes are really thin, wet and drippy IMO. But I do love Pampers diapers.

I second the cloth diapers instead of burp cloths.

And lastly, I hate hooded towels. The thin cheapy ones do nothing. They are soaked as soon as you put a wet baby on it and you have to get another towel. Unless it's the really thick ones that feel like a regular bath towel, just use a bath towel.

lucreciac · February 2014

IveGotWhateverItIs said:

Here's my two cents:
Triple Paste, all rashes gone within 2 applications. It's thick and stays on. Desitin and Boudreaux would wipe off when I put the diaper on. I still use it on my LO occasionally.
Snot sucker: Take as many as you can from the hospital. Those are the best and the ones sold in stores never suck as good. (I will try the Freida thing based on all the reccommedations but I will also steal the blue ones from the hospital)
I'm a Huggies wipes mom. They are thicker and I preferred that. Pampers wipes are really thin, wet and drippy IMO. But I do love Pampers diapers.
I second the cloth diapers instead of burp cloths.
And lastly, I hate hooded towels. The thin cheapy ones do nothing. They are soaked as soon as you put a wet baby on it and you have to get another towel. Unless it's the really thick ones that feel like a regular bath towel, just use a bath towel.

This. The only decent ones I found are the big, thick A&A ones. They are pricey but do work, and are big enough that my 15 month old is still using them comfortably (as a matter of comparison, he's tall and skinny) If you don't want to splurge on those, then definitely just use a regular towel.

izzetoot · February 2014

I literally spent an hour on this post yesterday. So unbelievably helpful for FTM!! Thanks ladies!!!

RedMar · February 2014

This thread is fantasticccccccccc for a FTM- I don't want it to end!!

RedMar · February 2014

Yes please post bath tub suggestions when you can... I'm eager to know which ones you preferred

tbmadeamistake · February 2014

Forget buying a baby bathtub, they take up room and aren't needed, in my humble opinion. We used the kitchen sink until C got too long for it. Then we used an infant sponge in our tub (see link below) until she could sit up on her own. It's perfect because after bath time you just rinse it, squeeze it out, and you're done. It takes up next to no space. When she could sit on her own, big girl bath with a non-slip mat in the bottom. We spent $20 bucks between the sponge and the non-slip mat. I intend to do the same with Charlie.

https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Comfy-Bath-Sponge/dp/B000H953Y2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392601184&sr=8-1&keywords=infant+sponge+bath

ETA: @RedMar

MrsP419 · February 2014

I also would skip the bathtub. I hated giving baths it in, and towels in a sink seemed to work just fine. I also always loved bringing my babies in the shower. Either DH would hand the baby off to me when I was in, or I would keep a bouncy seat right by the shower lined with warm towels and pick baby up from there. It was always very relaxing, and I never felt like I was going to drop anyone.

Puka99 · February 2014

I agree abou the Aden and Anais blankets. Best ones ever!

And the Parent's choice wipes.

I wanted to mention using straight Mylanta for diaper rash. My son's had super bad diaper rash and it worked wonders. That and coconut oil.

elittler · February 2014

I really suggest having Mylicon drops on hand. Can't recommend that enough!

And aden and anais swaddles are awesome! Especially for our summer babies. A little pricey, but our two year old is still loving hers.

As for baby bathtubs, I really liked how nice it was to not stress about a slippery baby. We have this one from Walmart and it folds up for easy storage and takes up minimal room:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Safety-1st-Space-Saver-Fold-Up-Infant-Tub/19800380

chickpea912 · February 2014

Cloth diapers, ftw. I'm so glad I pursued them, even when naysayers thought I was nuts and said I wouldn't last two weeks. And by cloth diapers, I mean this:

not this:

(although some people still use these)

Miracle Blanket - baby straightjacket - nothing else worked. We didn't have to deal with velcro waking the baby or allowing her to bust out.

Baby Jogger City Mini stroller - fantastic stroller

Ergo and Beco carrier - great carriers

Born Free bottles - great

izzetoot · February 2014

Puka99 said:

I agree abou the Aden and Anais blankets. Best ones ever!

And the Parent's choice wipes.

I wanted to mention using straight Mylanta for diaper rash. My son's had super bad diaper rash and it worked wonders. That and coconut oil.

The A&A swaddles at Target are smaller than the ones the ladies here have mentioned. Are the Target ones just as good or no? And where are the bigger ones sold?

chickpea912 · February 2014

Rachel5130 said:

@chickpea912 - I'm glad you posted that! What brand is that you recommend? I can't see. I registered for the brand at babies r us. Ummmm bg or something? Everyone thinks I'm nuts, too. I'm going to be a SAHM. Figure it's worth a shot.

@Rachel5130 I'm happy to be a resource if you need one

I use the Bumgenius 4.0 pockets - I also like the Blueberry Deluxe Pockets. Also some handmade ones that aren't quite as cost effective, but cute as hell

lucreciac · February 2014

letsgobowlingx said:

lucreciac said:

IveGotWhateverItIs said:

Here's my two cents:
Triple Paste, all rashes gone within 2 applications. It's thick and stays on. Desitin and Boudreaux would wipe off when I put the diaper on. I still use it on my LO occasionally.
Snot sucker: Take as many as you can from the hospital. Those are the best and the ones sold in stores never suck as good. (I will try the Freida thing based on all the reccommedations but I will also steal the blue ones from the hospital)
I'm a Huggies wipes mom. They are thicker and I preferred that. Pampers wipes are really thin, wet and drippy IMO. But I do love Pampers diapers.
I second the cloth diapers instead of burp cloths.
And lastly, I hate hooded towels. The thin cheapy ones do nothing. They are soaked as soon as you put a wet baby on it and you have to get another towel. Unless it's the really thick ones that feel like a regular bath towel, just use a bath towel.

This. The only decent ones I found are the big, thick A&A ones. They are pricey but do work, and are big enough that my 15 month old is still using them comfortably (as a matter of comparison, he's tall and skinny) If you don't want to splurge on those, then definitely just use a regular towel.

@lucreciac - Are these the ones you speak of? https://www.target.com/p/aden-by-aden-anais-100-cotton-muslin-hooded-towel-life-s-a-hoot/-/A-14655816#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=aden+++anais+bath

letsgobowlingx - no I don't think so. Those look a bit smaller. These are the ones I get:

https://www.amazon.com/aden-anais-Muslin-Hooded-Washcloth/dp/B002SXMMJE/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1392654285&sr=1-2&keywords=aden+and+anais+towel

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STM secrets

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Married DH 7/30/11

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