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February 2016 Moms
Karen249
member
Mom tips/tricks/favorite products?
Karen249
member
I thought it would be cool if we could share with each other our best, most favorite parenting tips. I know I could still use all the help I can get.
For me, using a video monitor has been by far my favorite baby product. Being able to see my dd sweetly sleeping gives me great peace of mind especially since she is such a light sleeper. When I actually go in and check on her she has a tendency to wake up. This has solved that problem. I highly recommend it!
Also I use cloth diapers (not to actually diaper my baby) but to place under her as I change her diaper. If it was a really messy diaper and got everywhere I didn't have to worry and constantly change the diaper changing pad. I only had to wash the cloth diaper. So much easier. Probably most people have thought of this but I felt like I had a lightbulb moment when I started doing this method.
My last tip is now that my daughter is older and sits in a highchair, whenever we would go out to eat with her, she would throw her placemat on the floor. I never wanted to put her food directly on the table at the restaurant (you never know how clean the table actually is) until I discovered these disposal sticky placements that stick right to the table. Even she can't manage to throw on the ground! Found at Walmart. They are like 10 for just a couple bucks. Awesome! Again maybe something you all knew about but I hand no clue existed and they work great!
So what are your favorite tips/tricks/products you can share so we can hopefully learn something new from each other?
For me, using a video monitor has been by far my favorite baby product. Being able to see my dd sweetly sleeping gives me great peace of mind especially since she is such a light sleeper. When I actually go in and check on her she has a tendency to wake up. This has solved that problem. I highly recommend it!
Also I use cloth diapers (not to actually diaper my baby) but to place under her as I change her diaper. If it was a really messy diaper and got everywhere I didn't have to worry and constantly change the diaper changing pad. I only had to wash the cloth diaper. So much easier. Probably most people have thought of this but I felt like I had a lightbulb moment when I started doing this method.
My last tip is now that my daughter is older and sits in a highchair, whenever we would go out to eat with her, she would throw her placemat on the floor. I never wanted to put her food directly on the table at the restaurant (you never know how clean the table actually is) until I discovered these disposal sticky placements that stick right to the table. Even she can't manage to throw on the ground! Found at Walmart. They are like 10 for just a couple bucks. Awesome! Again maybe something you all knew about but I hand no clue existed and they work great!
So what are your favorite tips/tricks/products you can share so we can hopefully learn something new from each other?
Re: Mom tips/tricks/favorite products?
Edited for spelling.
Silicone bibs with the food catcher are the best because food gets caught in the food catcher and less ends up in baby's lap or on the floor. Also, you can just rinse them off when they get dirty.
We had good luck with lansinoh momma bottles. No nipple confusion.
Oball is an awesome first toy because baby can grab the holes easily, even when they don't understand how to grab yet. Was a good car distraction when my son hated his car seat.
For my list, I love:
1. my ergo baby carrier- I've used it from birth to now and it's so versatile and easy to use.
2. For Mom's pack and play- We borrowed a relative's pack and play on a trip to see family and it was a pita to assemble and disassemble.
I might add more later but these two are tops.
2) boba wrap and Ergo carrier are awesome. DD would just sleep in them
3) bumbo seat. I actually only used it in the shower and it made my shower so much more enjoyable. Side note I have a large walkin shower and you have to wait till they can sit up.
4) Sophie! I don't know what it is about this overpriced giraffe but kids love them
1) Aden and Anais muslin blankets. Seriously, so amazing. They are expensive but they stretch and made swaddling so much easier. Not to mention super cozy.
2) Rock N Play. Both my kids had reflux and both never wanted to be put down or sleep on their own. Discovered this thing and it's amazing! Not to mention light and super easy to carry everywhere.
I have a big list of things that make my life easier but those two are definitely my top favs.
2. The My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow was awesome for breastfeeding! I thought it was more comfy and supportive than the Boppy.
3. Halo sleepsack swaddlers were awesome for swaddling because the Velcro kept everything tight and in place. I also love the Halo sleepsack blankets for kiddos who don't like swaddling or have outgrown it.
4. Gerber Graduates Fun Grips Soft Spout Trainer Cups. They don't leak, BPA free, cheap, and made in the USA. I get them on Amazon or Walmart.
5. Mambino Organics Nursing Balm a amazing stuff!! Lasts forever and only thing that got rid of a milk blister I had.
I agree that the MyBrestFriend is better than Boppy. I have both...the MBF velcroes around you so it stays in place and you can stand up/walk around with it on and it stays. And it has a front pocket for your phone or remote.
Drag baby's RnP or bassinet into the bathroom when you shower! It's warm and the noise is nice and then you don't have to feel paranoid that they're crying. Longer showers= happy mama.
Flannel receiving blankets are great burp cloths.
Don't feel like you have to change your kid on the changing table. Do it on your bed, on the living room floor, whatever. You're going to get so fast at it and going all the way into the nursery every time is a waste of time.
^Related, have a little basket with baby stuff at least on each floor of the house, if not in every room. Diapers, wipes, cream, burp cloth, pacifiers, etc.
Get a baby carrier! Baby can get warm and snuggly with you but you have your hands free to clean or cook or surf FB
Edited because I meant snuggly not sniffly
Baby F.......02/02/2016
Eta clarity
The Baby K'tan baby carrier was my favorite carrier (I have several) until he outgrew it. it works like a wrap carrier but is so simple and only takes seconds to put on. It's like a double infinity-scarf that criss-crosses in the back. It also folds up into it's own sash, so it fits great in the diaper bag.
For those of you that find that you make an overabundance of milk at night and are leaking all over the place, those puny disposable nursing pads don't work. Instead, wear a tank or t-shirt that's tight-ish on top and fold up a receiving blanket and stuff it down there. you'll look ridiculous, but you won't wake up in a sticky puddle.
For those thinking about cloth diapering:
I loved using cloth wipes when my baby was exclusively breastfed because I didn't have to separate out the wipe from the diaper before throwing them in the wetbag (breastmilk poop is water soluble and doesn't need to be scraped or sprayed before washing). Once he went to solids, I had no patience for spraying those tiny pieces of fabric clean, so I switched to disposable wipes. Plus, daycare preferred disposable wipes.
My fav newborn cloth diapers are Lil' Joeys by Rumparooz. they are so soft and squishy and comfy on even the tiniest babies. I couldn't resist buying a few more, in girly colors this time, for baby #2!
My fav one-size cloth diapers are a toss-up:
1. I love thirsties all-in-ones (they are technically a 2-size), although they take a long time to dry and stain easily - but they're crazy easy to use. Their Velcro is the best, hands-down. I've been using them for a year and a half and they're still as sticky as day 1.
2. I love Tots Bots. You still have to stuff them, but the insert is sewn in and self-agitates out in the wash, so you just need to push it back in before folding. They have minky colorful interiors which is great because the minky fabric repels poop so it's easier to spray or scrape off. Because the interior is colorful, any stains that form are hidden by the pretty colors. They also have great Velcro that definitely stands the test of time.
3. Bumgenius Freetimes. There's a reason these are so popular. Their Velcro isn't the best, so I own the snap version. They dry super fast because of the way they're designed and they're very quick to fold.
Favorite nighttime cloth diapering solution:
I have a super heavy wetter at nighttime. He pees through disposable nighttime diapers and regular daytime cloth diapers most of the time if he wears them at night. Here's what I do for nighttime: Bumgenius Flip organic tri-fold 6-layer prefold trifolded around a double hemp insert. I stuff the whole shebang into a cheapo cover with leg gussets like econobum or little flower company diaper covers. Ironclad!
I also think the Aden and Anais swaddles are the best thing since sliced bread. The breathable material made a great swaddle in warmer weather, they're lightweight enough to not take up a ton of room in the diaper bag, they make a great nursing cover because of their size and breathability, they're a great first blanket for the crib because they're breathable and less likely to suffocate baby, and my 2 year old still wraps up with them in the summertime for bed and naps because they're that big.
I definitely agree with the person who said you don't need to change your baby on the changing pad all the time. We used the couch and floor a lot. We bought some of those big square washable waterproof pads with the fabric layer on top. They worked out great. The fabric layer absorbed any errant liquids and the waterproof layer kept them from leaking through and ruining our couch.
1) nose Frieda and the bulbs from the hospital. They are the best!
2) mamaroo
3) portable vibrating chair
4) A&A swaddle blankets and burp cloths
5) lots of sleep n plays with zippers
6) toys- Sophie, oball and eventually an entertainment mat for the floor.
Feb 2016 Siggy Challenge, Favorite Thing About Fall
1. COCONUT OIL. Pretty much all over me during pregnancy, then on the nips during early breastfeeding to sooth and heal. All over baby to moisturize and protect skin after a bath, and on his bum when teething. And great for chapped lips, oil pulling, and sautéing shizz.
2. A good baby carrier (or two or three). We've cycled through lots but found a stretchy wrap or ring sling best for newborns, and then switched to a Boba 4G or standard Connecta at around 4 months. Then on to a toddler Connecta at 18 months.
3 Someone gave me a white noise machine that looks like a cuddly sheep - it's called a Sleep Sheep- and it is the absolute business. Can't recommend it highly enough. Can't imagine nap time or bedtime without it.
We really liked our kick n play piano mat. Our son used it for such a long time.
A&A muslin swaddle blanket are awesome but I found cheaper ones on amazon and they are just as nice for less than half the price. I just got 3 for $15 which is less than it would have cost to make them myself!
We loved our snugglenest and sleepy wrap.
Bamboobies are awesome reusable nursing pads.
A&A blankets the best for swaddling, nursing cover and covering the baby in infant carrier...basically everything lol
I got a brand new breast friend pillow at a mom to mom sale and I loved it. That being said go to mom to mom sales you can find some great deals
Also agree disposable nursing pads are useless. I love the reusable organic ones because they're super soft, alittle larger, more absorbent, and you can reverse them if one side gets too damp.
Also this may just be my opinion but I totally regret getting a whole bedding set. You only need sheets and a crib skirt. I've never used the blanket because it's so heavy and not very soft and bumpers are a no no.
I second the nose Frieda, so gross and so awesome all in one.
There is an app called the wonder weeks and it's great for telling you what developmental stage kiddo is in and why they may be more fussy than usual due to a leap etc. We found it very true to age.
A mirror for the car so you can see baby while driving, helps for peace of mind and to know if they've lost the pacifier etc.
A generic diaper bag or buy a more "manly" one for hubby. I got a Skip Hop one that was fairly plain and hubby still refused to use it and went and purchased a Timbuktu one which I hate because it's huge.
DD1: 9/19/11
DS: 1/1/14
DD2: 1/31/16